Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Asian stock markets surged on Thursday after strong earnings from Nvidia reignited investor confidence in artificial intelligence-related technology stocks. The positive momentum spread across regional markets, while Samsung Electronics posted sharp gains after reaching a tentative wage agreement with its labor union, helping avert a major strike.
South Korea’s KOSPI index led regional gains, soaring more than 8% in one of its strongest trading sessions in recent months. Samsung Electronics climbed nearly 8% after the company and its union agreed on a provisional pay deal, suspending plans for an 18-day strike involving around 48,000 workers. The agreement eased concerns about disruptions to global memory chip supplies at a time when AI-driven demand for semiconductors remains high.
Investor sentiment also improved following Nvidia’s stronger-than-expected quarterly results and optimistic revenue forecast. The AI chip giant’s performance reinforced expectations that global spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure and high-performance processors will remain robust throughout 2026. Technology and semiconductor shares across Asia reacted positively, with investors viewing Nvidia’s earnings as a strong signal of continued growth in the AI sector.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index jumped 3.7%, while the broader TOPIX index gained more than 2%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 1.6% after weaker employment data increased expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia may pause further interest rate hikes. India’s Nifty 50 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index also traded higher.
Meanwhile, Chinese markets underperformed compared to regional peers as concerns persisted over the country’s struggling property sector and uncertainty surrounding additional government stimulus measures. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index remained largely flat.
Markets were further supported by easing geopolitical tensions after reports indicated oil tankers had resumed movement through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump also stated that negotiations with Iran were in their “final stages,” raising hopes for reduced tensions in the Middle East and improved stability in global energy markets.
Economic data released across Asia presented a mixed outlook. Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in April, the highest level since 2021, while Japan reported solid export growth despite signs of weakness in its services sector. Japan’s manufacturing activity continued expanding for an 11th consecutive month, although growth slowed due to weaker external demand and higher input costs.
