Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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.
