German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
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 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian stock markets moved cautiously on Tuesday, holding within tight ranges as mixed economic signals from China and anticipation of central bank decisions kept investors on edge. Australian shares were flat ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy announcement, while broader Asian indexes showed limited momentum despite support from overnight gains on Wall Street’s technology sector. Concerns over a possible U.S. government shutdown and fresh trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on lumber and wood products also weighed on sentiment.
In China, the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes rose less than 0.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped slightly. Trading activity was muted before the week-long National Day holiday. Government data showed China’s manufacturing activity contracted for a sixth straight month, with service sector growth also slowing. However, private PMI data told a different story, with RatingDog reporting the sharpest manufacturing expansion in six months alongside robust services growth. Analysts note that the persistent weakness in official PMIs could prompt Beijing to roll out additional stimulus, as previous policy support appeared to be losing momentum.
Australia’s ASX 200 index remained largely unchanged, with traders awaiting the RBA’s rate decision. The central bank is expected to keep interest rates at 3.60%, but investors are closely watching Governor Michele Bullock’s comments for clues on future policy shifts. While inflation remains sticky, signs of economic resilience could delay any further rate cuts this year after 75 basis points of easing already delivered.
Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dipped 0.2% while the TOPIX held flat, pressured by yen strength and weaker-than-expected industrial and retail data. India’s Nifty 50 futures pointed to a flat open ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s decision on Wednesday. South Korea’s KOSPI edged up 0.1%, Singapore’s Straits Times gained 0.2%, though both South Korean industrial and retail figures fell short of forecasts.
