German Bund Yields Hit Three-Week Low as Energy Prices Ease and ECB Outlook Softens 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Lifts Tech Shares Across Regional Markets 
European Stocks Near Record Highs as Earnings Strength Offsets Geopolitical Concerns 
European Natural Gas Prices Hold Near Three-Week Lows Amid Middle East Talks and Supply Concerns 
BOJ Minutes Signal More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Grow 
Gold Price Holds Steady as Fed Rate Outlook and Jobs Data Keep Markets on Edge 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as Inflation Risks and Global Uncertainty Persist 
India Plans Tax Reforms to Boost Foreign Investment and Manufacturing 
Australia Trade Surplus Returns in June as Iron Ore, Coal and LNG Exports Surge 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as US Dollar Nears Seven-Week Low Ahead of Key Jobs Data 
Singapore Says One-Third of U.S. Exports Hit by New 12.5% Tariff 
Asian Stocks Slide as Semiconductor Selloff Weighs on South Korea and Japan 
Brazil Cuts Selic Rate to 14% as Inflation Eases but Risks Persist 
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing as Hopes Rise for Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Dollar Holds Near Six-Week Low as Yen Loses Momentum Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
Indonesia Q2 2026 GDP Growth Beats Forecast Despite Market Concerns 
Japan Economy Minister Downplays Inflation Risks Despite BOJ Warning 
Asian stock markets rallied on Friday as investors welcomed growing optimism over a potential Middle East peace agreement, easing concerns about global energy prices and inflation. The positive sentiment boosted equities across the Asia-Pacific region, while the U.S. dollar weakened, Treasury yields declined, and oil prices fell to their lowest levels in two months.
Investor attention is also focused on the historic market debut of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The aerospace company completed the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history, raising a record $75 billion. The offering valued SpaceX at approximately $1.77 trillion, further cementing Musk’s status as the world’s first trillionaire.
Market optimism strengthened after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that a peace deal involving Iran could be finalized as early as this weekend. Trump stated that negotiations had reached senior levels within Iran’s leadership and had gained support from key regional stakeholders. While previous diplomatic optimism has failed to produce a breakthrough, investors viewed the latest developments as a more credible step toward ending the three-month conflict.
The prospect of peace triggered a sharp decline in crude oil prices. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 1.9% to $86.08 per barrel after dropping 2.6% in the previous session. Brent crude declined 1.5% to $89.08 per barrel, following an almost 3% overnight loss. Lower energy prices helped ease inflation concerns that had intensified during the conflict.
Asian equities responded strongly. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 4.3%, Australia’s resource-heavy stock market gained 1.8%, and South Korea’s KOSPI surged 8.3%. Wall Street also posted significant gains overnight, with the Nasdaq rising 2.5%, supported by enthusiasm surrounding the SpaceX IPO.
Bond markets advanced as traders reduced expectations of additional Federal Reserve rate hikes. The probability of a rate increase in October fell to 36%, down from 51% previously. Two-year Treasury yields held near 4.07%, while benchmark 10-year yields remained around 4.46%.
The weaker dollar provided support for precious metals. Spot gold rose 0.2% to $4,222 per ounce after a strong overnight rally, while silver gained 0.3% to $67.52 per ounce. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen strengthened modestly, although traders remain alert to potential intervention from Japanese authorities as USD/JPY continues to hover near the critical 160 level.
