Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Asian stocks eased on Friday, retreating from record highs as investors booked profits ahead of a critical week marked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff deadline and key central bank meetings. The dollar strengthened against the yen after rebounding from a two-week low, supported by firm U.S. economic data, while Japan’s currency weakened amid political uncertainty following reports Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may resign.
Japan’s Topix index, which surged over 5% in the previous two sessions to a record high, slipped 0.7%, while the Nikkei fell 0.5% from a one-year high. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.5%, mainland Chinese blue chips slid 0.2%, and Australia’s benchmark declined 0.5%. In contrast, U.S. S&P 500 futures rose 0.2%, buoyed by strong Alphabet earnings, with the Nasdaq also hitting a record close.
Global markets remain cautious ahead of multiple events: Trump’s August 1 trade deadline, the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting, key payroll data, and earnings reports from tech giants Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. The Bank of Japan will announce its policy on Thursday, coinciding with a key Liberal Democratic Party meeting following Ishiba’s coalition loss in recent elections.
The euro traded near $1.1743, down 0.2% against the dollar, while the U.S. currency advanced 0.3% to 147.37 yen. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields eased to 4.39%, while Japanese government bond yields hovered near 1.6%, their highest since 2008.
Gold prices held steady at $3,368 per ounce, poised for a weekly gain, while Brent crude rose 0.3% to $69.35 and U.S. WTI gained 0.2% to $66.18 per barrel.
