US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise Ahead of September Meeting 
Gold Prices Surge 7% as Dollar Falls, Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
China Inflation Cools in July as CPI Misses Forecast, PPI Deflation Eases 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Prices Rise, US CPI in Focus 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Rise as Iran Risks and CPI Loom 
Asian stock markets surged on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that a peace agreement with Iran could be finalized soon, boosting investor confidence and driving a broad rally across regional equities. The positive sentiment followed a strong overnight performance on Wall Street, where risk-sensitive assets gained momentum amid hopes of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Investor optimism was further supported by a sharp decline in oil prices after Trump suggested that any agreement with Iran would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Lower energy prices helped improve market sentiment and encouraged buying across major Asian stock indexes.
South Korea’s KOSPI emerged as the region’s top performer, soaring more than 8% as heavyweight semiconductor and technology stocks recovered from recent losses. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also posted impressive gains, climbing 3.5%, while the broader TOPIX index advanced 1.7%. The rebound comes after chipmakers faced significant selling pressure over the past week due to concerns surrounding the Iran conflict and higher interest rates.
Market participants are also closely watching SpaceX’s highly anticipated Nasdaq trading debut following its massive $75 billion initial public offering. The listing is expected to provide fresh insight into investor appetite for technology stocks amid ongoing concerns about elevated sector valuations.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index moved higher, supported by gains in major technology companies. Alibaba shares rose after reports indicated the company had offered $1.5 billion to acquire Chinese grocery retailer Pupu, strengthening its position in the online grocery sector.
Australia’s ASX 200 gained 1.8% ahead of next week’s Reserve Bank of Australia policy meeting, while China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes each climbed around 1.6%. Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.5%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures edged higher.
Despite lingering uncertainty over the progress of a U.S.-Iran agreement, hopes for reduced geopolitical risks and recovering technology stocks helped fuel a strong rally across Asian financial markets.
