Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian stock markets climbed to their highest levels in six weeks on Friday, extending a strong year-end rally as investors looked to finish the year on a positive note. Despite thin trading volumes due to market holidays in Australia, Hong Kong, and much of Europe, risk appetite remained firm across the region.
Japan’s Topix index advanced to a fresh record high, rising around 0.5%, while South Korea’s benchmark index gained 0.6%. South Korean equities have surged roughly 72% this year, making the country the best-performing major stock market globally in 2025. Chinese equities also posted gains, with the blue-chip index up about 0.27% and on track for an 18% annual rise, its strongest performance since 2020.
These advances lifted MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index to its highest level since mid-November. The index has gained approximately 25% so far this year, reflecting strong momentum across regional equity markets as investors pursue a year-end rally.
Beyond equities, precious metals continued their blistering climb. Spot silver jumped more than 4% to a new record high, while gold also hit an all-time peak near $4,503 per ounce. Gold has risen over 71% this year, marking its strongest annual gain since 1979, while silver has soared an extraordinary 158%. Analysts attribute the rally to heavy central bank buying, robust inflows into gold-backed ETFs, and persistent concerns about currency debasement, rising global debt, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Currency markets were also in focus as the U.S. dollar weakened amid expectations of future Federal Reserve rate cuts. Traders are pricing in at least two U.S. rate cuts in 2026, though they do not expect action before June. Uncertainty around the Fed’s policy path and speculation over a potential new Fed chair nominee from President Donald Trump have added pressure to the dollar, pushing the euro, pound, and Swiss franc to recent highs.
The Japanese yen remained volatile, trading around 156 per dollar. Despite a recent Bank of Japan rate hike, cautious guidance from policymakers has kept intervention risks alive, especially as year-end liquidity thins. Overall, global markets appear poised to close the year with strong gains, led by Asian stocks and record-breaking precious metals prices.
