US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as technology shares followed overnight losses on Wall Street, while investors reacted to stronger-than-expected Japanese economic growth and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Market sentiment remained cautious due to inflation concerns linked to elevated oil prices and uncertainty surrounding global economic growth.
Wall Street’s Nasdaq closed lower overnight as rising crude oil prices fueled worries about inflation and the potential impact on interest rates. U.S. stock futures also moved slightly lower during Asian trading hours. Investors are now closely watching Nvidia’s upcoming quarterly earnings report, scheduled for Wednesday, which is expected to test the strength of the ongoing artificial intelligence-driven stock market rally. AI-related semiconductor stocks across Asia saw profit-taking ahead of the results.
Japan’s economy delivered stronger-than-expected growth in the first quarter of the year. Annualized GDP expanded by 2.1%, beating market expectations of 1.7%. The growth was supported by stronger private consumption and improved external demand. Capital expenditure increased 0.3% quarter-on-quarter, while the GDP price index climbed 3.4%, highlighting persistent inflation pressures in the country. Despite the upbeat data, analysts believe Japan’s economic momentum may slow in the coming quarters. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.4%, while the broader TOPIX index gained 0.5%.
Oil prices eased slightly after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had paused a planned military strike on Iran, adding that there was a strong possibility of reaching a new nuclear agreement with Tehran. Brent crude retreated from highs above $110 per barrel but remained elevated amid supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.6%. Chinese markets were mostly flat, with the CSI 300 dropping 0.6% and the Shanghai Composite remaining steady. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also traded sideways.
South Korea’s KOSPI index fell sharply by 3%, pressured by heavy losses in Samsung Electronics shares. Samsung stock dropped more than 5% as labor union negotiations resumed after previous talks failed. Investors remain concerned about the possibility of a strike that could disrupt semiconductor production operations.
