Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Fuels Chipmaker Surge 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Hormuz Shipping Slows as Iran Threats Lift Oil Risks 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
OPEC+ Expected to Hold October Oil Output Steady 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
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Asian stock markets traded mostly lower on Tuesday as investors weighed new U.S. diplomatic moves in the region and awaited key central bank decisions later this week. Wall Street’s major indexes hit record highs overnight, boosted by strong gains in the tech sector, while U.S. stock futures held steady during Asian trading hours.
In Tokyo, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, to discuss defense cooperation, trade, and a $550 billion U.S. investment package unveiled earlier this year. The plan targets joint projects in infrastructure, clean energy, and advanced technology. Despite optimism surrounding the meeting, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.4% after reaching an all-time high of 50,549.60 points in the previous session, while the broader TOPIX index declined 0.6%.
Investor sentiment across Asia was supported by progress in U.S.-China trade relations. Negotiators in Kuala Lumpur finalized a draft framework to avert new tariffs, which will be reviewed later this week when Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Both leaders are expected to finalize the deal’s details during the summit.
China’s Shanghai Composite and the blue-chip CSI 300 were little changed, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dipped 0.3%. South Korea’s KOSPI led regional losses, falling over 1% despite stronger-than-expected third-quarter GDP growth—the fastest pace in more than a year. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 0.6%, diverging from the broader regional trend. India’s Nifty 50 futures were mostly flat ahead of market open.
Attention now turns to major central bank decisions. The U.S. Federal Reserve began its two-day meeting Tuesday and is widely expected to cut rates by 25 basis points amid cooling inflation and labor market weakness. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is expected to maintain its current policy stance when it announces its decision Wednesday, as internal divisions remain but have not shifted the board’s majority outlook.
