Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian stocks traded in a tight range Wednesday as China’s markets pulled back after a stimulus-driven rally, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX advanced 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively, ahead of the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) rate decision. The BOJ is expected to hold rates steady after its January hike but may adopt a hawkish stance amid persistent inflation and wage growth expectations, with markets pricing in another hike by May.
Despite a weak Wall Street lead, Asian markets found support from continued optimism over China’s economic stimulus and AI sector growth. However, China's Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes dipped 0.3%, along with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, which recently hit a three-year high. Tech giant Xiaomi surged nearly 2% on strong earnings and rising electric vehicle sales targets.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.7%, shrugging off political uncertainty ahead of a ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. SK Hynix, a key supplier for NVIDIA, climbed 1% after shipping advanced memory chip samples. Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.4%, while Australia’s ASX 200 edged lower. Indian Nifty 50 futures pointed to a positive open, rebounding from recent losses.
Investors remained cautious over potential U.S. trade tariffs and ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks, while U.S. stock futures inched higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, where no change is expected.
Asian markets continue to navigate global economic uncertainty, with China’s stimulus efforts and Japan’s monetary policy playing key roles in shaping regional sentiment.
