Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian shares moved higher on Tuesday as investors positioned for a wave of U.S. mega-cap earnings, even as fresh tariff tensions from President Donald Trump added a layer of uncertainty to global markets. Optimism around upcoming results from major U.S. technology companies helped offset concerns about escalating trade friction with South Korea, boosting risk sentiment across much of the Asia-Pacific region.
Markets reacted calmly after Trump announced plans to raise tariffs to 25% on key South Korean imports such as automobiles, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, accusing Seoul of failing to fully comply with its trade agreement with Washington. South Korea’s KOSPI index initially slipped but quickly rebounded, ending up around 0.8%, signaling investor resilience despite geopolitical risks.
Broader regional markets followed suit, with MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan gaining 0.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.4%, while Chinese blue-chip stocks were largely unchanged. Japan’s Nikkei edged down slightly, weighed by a stronger yen that has clouded prospects for exporters.
In the U.S., Nasdaq futures climbed 0.2% as investors awaited earnings from members of the “Magnificent Seven,” including Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla. Wall Street extended its rally overnight, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching their highest levels in more than a week, underscoring confidence in the AI-driven growth narrative.
Safe-haven assets surged amid ongoing uncertainty. Gold prices jumped 1% to around $5,066 an ounce, nearing record highs, while silver soared more than 6% to above $110 an ounce. Analysts attributed the rally to heightened market volatility and a weakening U.S. dollar, with some forecasting further upside for precious metals.
The U.S. dollar remained under pressure, hovering near multi-month lows against major currencies, particularly the Japanese yen. Treasury yields stabilized after recent declines, while oil prices were mostly flat. With the Federal Reserve decision and political developments in focus, global markets remain sensitive to policy signals, currency movements, and earnings momentum.
