Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Friday, driven by a rally in tech shares after Alphabet’s strong earnings and bullish AI outlook. The U.S. tech giant beat earnings expectations and reaffirmed its commitment to artificial intelligence, boosting global investor sentiment and lifting Nasdaq 100 futures by 0.5% during Asian trading.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 led regional gains, rising 1.4% despite hotter-than-expected Tokyo inflation, which raised prospects of further Bank of Japan rate hikes. Optimism around upcoming U.S.-Japan trade talks also buoyed Japanese markets, with the broader TOPIX gaining 1.1%.
Technology-heavy indexes, including South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, rose between 0.6% and 1.2%, following Alphabet’s performance. The positive momentum was further supported by Amazon and Nvidia’s outlooks, which highlighted strong, AI-driven demand for chips and data centers.
Baidu shares surged 4% in Hong Kong after unveiling upgrades to its Ernie AI model. BYD also gained 0.7% ahead of its quarterly earnings release.
In contrast, Chinese mainland stocks underperformed, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite trading flat. Lingering concerns over U.S.-China trade tensions weighed on sentiment, especially after mixed messages on negotiations. While President Trump claimed talks were underway, Chinese officials denied any formal engagement, casting doubt on progress.
Broader Asian markets were mixed. Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.5%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures indicated a muted open. Australian markets remained closed for a public holiday.
Overall, AI momentum and tech earnings lifted Asian equities, but geopolitical uncertainty and inflationary pressures remain key risks for investors navigating the region’s markets.
