Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian stocks were mostly higher on Friday as markets welcomed short-term relief after U.S. President Donald Trump delayed a decision on whether the U.S. will join the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. However, Japanese shares underperformed due to stronger-than-expected inflation data and growing expectations of interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.
The Nikkei 225 and TOPIX slipped 0.1% and 0.3% respectively, pressured by a strengthening yen and concerns over future monetary tightening. Japan’s core CPI for May jumped to its highest level in nearly two and a half years, while underlying inflation also hit a one-year peak. The data, alongside hawkish BOJ meeting minutes, fueled speculation that the central bank could raise rates as soon as July.
In contrast, tech-heavy Asian markets rebounded. South Korea’s KOSPI surged 1.1%, reaching a two-year high, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.8% on revived risk sentiment. U.S. markets remained closed for the Juneteenth holiday, but S&P 500 Futures fell 0.3% in Asian trade, still weighed by the Federal Reserve’s hawkish tone and reduced rate cut projections for 2026.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 inched up 0.1% and 0.3% respectively, showing muted response to the PBOC’s decision to keep its loan prime rate steady. However, expectations remain for further easing this year to combat sluggish growth.
Australia’s ASX 200 dipped 0.5%, while Singapore’s Straits Times rose 0.1%. India’s Gift Nifty 50 Futures edged up 0.2%, indicating a positive start for local markets.
Geopolitical tensions and central bank actions continue to drive regional sentiment, with investors closely watching inflation trends and monetary policy signals.
