Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian stocks edged higher on Thursday, lifted by renewed hopes for progress in U.S.-China trade relations and gains in tech shares. Investor sentiment improved after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a possible trade deal announcement, fueling optimism ahead of talks between Washington and Beijing in Switzerland. However, Trump reaffirmed that his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods would remain in place for now, dampening expectations for a breakthrough.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 rose 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively, as confirmation of the upcoming talks lent mild support. Beijing stated the meeting was initiated by the U.S., but insisted on tariff reductions before engaging in serious negotiations.
Regional tech stocks led gains following reports that the U.S. may ease Biden-era export restrictions on advanced AI chips. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.9%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4%, and South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.3%. Shares of AI chip suppliers like Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s SK Hynix climbed up to 1.5%, while Japan’s Advantest surged 2.8%. Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent also advanced, driven by expectations of easier access to U.S. chips.
In broader markets, Australia’s ASX 200 added 0.2%, though banking stocks dragged after ANZ Group posted lackluster earnings and Westpac traded ex-dividend. India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.5%, signaling resilience despite escalating military tensions with Pakistan, which retaliated against Indian airstrikes in Kashmir. The Nifty gained 0.1% on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Straits Times Index dipped 0.2%, and Japan’s TOPIX slipped by the same margin. Despite global economic uncertainties flagged by the Federal Reserve, regional markets largely tracked Wall Street’s tech-driven rebound.
