Japan Economy Minister Downplays Inflation Risks Despite BOJ Warning 
Australia Job Ads Rise in July, Signaling Strong Labor Market Despite High Interest Rates 
Gold Price Holds Above $4,050 as Fed Rate Outlook, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gulf Shipping Traffic Steady as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Uncertain 
India Plans Tax Reforms to Boost Foreign Investment and Manufacturing 
UK Stock Market May Outperform if AI Bubble Bursts, Capital Economics Says 
Oil Prices Drop Nearly 5% as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Markets Eye Strait of Hormuz Deal 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Retreats, Traders Eye U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Data 
KOSPI Drops Nearly 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead AI Stock Selloff 
Gold Prices Rise as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Oil Slumps 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as Inflation Risks and Global Uncertainty Persist 
Japanese Yen Rallies as Intervention Hopes and BOJ Outlook Weigh on USD/JPY 
25 Democratic-Led States Sue Trump Administration Over New Global Tariffs 
Japan Confirms Coordinated Yen Intervention With U.S., Signals More Action if Needed 
UK Economy Faces 2027 Recession Risk if Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed, EY Warns 
China Defends Industrial Policy Ahead of Key U.S. and EU Trade Talks 
Asian stock markets climbed sharply on Wednesday as renewed optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) boosted technology shares following easing oil prices, lower U.S. Treasury yields, and another round of strong corporate earnings from Wall Street.
Investor sentiment improved after the S&P 500 closed at another record high, driven by AI-related gains. Nvidia advanced more than 2% after Elon Musk praised the company’s chips for supporting SpaceX’s computing plans. U.S. futures also pointed higher during Asian trading, with Nasdaq 100 Futures rising 0.3% and S&P 500 Futures adding 0.1%.
However, the AI rally was not universal. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) fell about 9% after issuing weaker-than-expected guidance, while SpaceX declined roughly 7.5% in extended trading following its first quarterly earnings report as a public company, which highlighted higher AI infrastructure spending.
Technology and semiconductor stocks led gains across Asia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged around 3%, while the TOPIX also climbed nearly 3%. Shares of Murata Manufacturing, LARGAN Precision, Kioxia, and TDK posted strong advances as investors returned to chip-related names.
South Korea’s KOSPI jumped more than 3%, recovering from earlier losses. SK Hynix gained over 6%, and Samsung Electronics rose nearly 4%, supported by improving AI demand expectations.
Chinese equities also rebounded, with the CSI 300 rising around 2% and the Shanghai Composite adding about 1%. Foxconn Industrial Internet, NAURA Technology, Cambricon Technologies, and BOE Technology recorded solid gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced roughly 1.6%, led by Alibaba after the launch of its new Qwen3.8-Max AI model, while Tencent and Baidu also moved higher despite reports of potential new U.S. restrictions on Chinese AI-related optical transceiver imports.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 reached another record high, supported by mining and financial stocks. Market analysts noted continued inflows from investors seeking relatively defensive exposure amid volatility in regional technology markets. Meanwhile, weaker oil prices pressured energy producers as optimism grew over a possible U.S.-Iran agreement affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
Investors are now focused on the Reserve Bank of India’s policy decision, along with upcoming U.S. ADP employment data and Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report, which could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate move.
