Asian Stocks Rise Amid Trade Talk Hopes, Nvidia Boosts Nasdaq Futures

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.