Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian markets edged higher on Tuesday as investors focused on U.S. trade talks, inflation data, and corporate earnings. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.4%, while Japan's Nikkei added 0.2%. Optimism was supported by Nvidia’s (NASDAQ: NVDA) plan to resume sales of its H20 AI chips in China, boosting Nasdaq futures by 0.5%.
The dollar held recent gains, trading at 147.62 yen, near a three-week high. The euro rebounded 0.1% to $1.1680 after a four-day slide. U.S. crude slipped 0.5% to $66.63 per barrel as President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum for Russia to end the Ukraine war or face expanded energy sanctions. Gold rose 0.6% to $3,363.40 per ounce, and silver hit a new high, trading at $38.25.
Trump also hinted at tariff flexibility following threats of imposing 30% duties on the EU and Mexico by August 1. The European Union warned of countermeasures, while Japan seeks high-level trade talks with the U.S. this Friday. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, facing an election challenge, is expected to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Tokyo.
In economic news, China’s Q2 slowdown was less severe than expected, signaling resilience amid tariffs. Japanese 10-year bond yields hit 1.595%, the highest since 2008, on political and economic uncertainty.
U.S. earnings season begins this week, with bank results closely watched. S&P 500 Q2 earnings are forecast to rise 5.8% year-over-year, down from 10.2% in April. Investors await U.S. June inflation data for further policy cues. Euro Stoxx 50, DAX, and FTSE futures were modestly higher, indicating a positive European open.
