Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
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 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Asian stock markets surged on Thursday, led by Japanese equities as investors reacted positively to signs of easing tensions between the United States and Iran. Growing optimism surrounding a possible U.S.-Iran peace agreement boosted global risk sentiment, sending major Asian indexes sharply higher.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 soared nearly 6% to a record high of 62,958 points after local markets reopened from an extended holiday break. The broader TOPIX index also gained more than 3%, supported by strong performances in technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks. Investor confidence improved further after AMD posted stronger-than-expected earnings, fueling a rally in global semiconductor shares. Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group jumped over 16% amid renewed enthusiasm for AI investments.
Wall Street’s overnight gains also provided strong momentum for Asian markets. Investors welcomed reports suggesting that Washington and Tehran were nearing a diplomatic agreement that could help end the ongoing conflict. Sentiment improved further after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly paused military operations related to ship escorts in the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears of wider geopolitical disruption.
South Korean markets cooled slightly after a powerful rally earlier this year. The KOSPI slipped 0.2% on Thursday but remained the best-performing major Asian index in 2026, posting an impressive 71% year-to-date gain driven largely by semiconductor stocks.
Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s ASX 200 climbed 0.8% despite weaker-than-expected trade data showing an unexpected deficit in March. Chinese equities also advanced, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes rising around 0.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.5% thanks to strong technology shares.
Reports that the U.S. and China may include artificial intelligence discussions during an upcoming Trump-Xi summit in Beijing later this month also supported market optimism. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures edged 0.5% lower.
