Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian stocks climbed sharply on Monday, led by a 2.7% surge in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, driven by tech gains after the U.S. announced temporary exemptions on electronics from steep China tariffs. The rebound followed a strong Wall Street session on Friday, supported by Federal Reserve economic assurances and robust U.S. bank earnings.
S&P 500 Futures rose nearly 1% in Asian trading, with major tech firms like Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), which rely on Chinese manufacturing, expected to benefit. The tariff relief sparked rallies in tech-heavy Asian markets, with South Korea’s KOSPI up 1%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gaining 1.5%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index jumping 1.8%—notably due to its heavy electronics export exposure.
Hong Kong-listed tech giants with U.S. export ties saw sharp gains. Lenovo Group (HK:0992) led with a 5.4% rise, while Alibaba (HK:9988), Baidu (HK:9888), and Haier Smart Home (HK:6690) advanced between 4% and 5.5%. However, U.S. President Donald Trump warned the tariff reprieve was temporary, with plans to introduce separate duties on electronics and launch a national security probe into the semiconductor sector. Imports still face a 20% tariff imposed in March.
Mainland Chinese stocks were more subdued, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.8% and the CSI 300 rising 0.5%, as Beijing contends with escalating trade tensions. China recently retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods and is expected to unveil more stimulus to cushion its economy. Upcoming Chinese GDP data and other key Asian economic indicators remain in focus.
Australia’s ASX 200 added 1.3%, while Japan’s TOPIX also climbed 1.5%. Indian markets were closed for a public holiday. Singapore’s MAS, citing weaker-than-expected growth, eased monetary policy and cut its 2025 inflation outlook.
