Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Asian stock markets declined on Friday as renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran weakened investor sentiment across the region. Concerns intensified after reports that the U.S. military intercepted attacks on warships in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a wider conflict and disrupting hopes for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.
The negative momentum followed losses on Wall Street overnight, although broader market declines in Asia remained relatively controlled. Investors continued to show confidence in technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks, helping S&P 500 Futures edge 0.2% higher during Asian trading hours.
South Korea’s KOSPI index was among the region’s weakest performers on Friday, dropping 1.6% after reaching record highs earlier in the week. Despite the decline, the index remained the strongest-performing Asian market this week, posting gains of more than 11%. The rally was fueled largely by strong performances in semiconductor stocks tied to the growing AI boom.
Samsung Electronics fell 3%, while SK Hynix declined 1.5% after a week of sharp gains. However, losses in SK Hynix were limited following reports that major global technology firms were making aggressive bids to secure memory chip supplies from the company amid rising AI demand.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes both lost more than 1% as rising oil prices and expectations of a Bank of Japan interest rate hike pressured investor confidence. Strong wage growth data in Japan further supported speculation that tighter monetary policy may be approaching.
Chinese markets also traded lower, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes slipping modestly. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.2%, although technology shares continued to support weekly gains.
Australia’s ASX 200 dropped 1.5% after the Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates and warned inflation risks remain elevated. Singapore and India also showed weaker market sentiment as geopolitical uncertainty and higher oil prices continued to weigh on global investors.
