Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Japanese Yen Nears Seven-Month High as Oil Approaches $100 
Gold Prices Rebound as Dollar Weakens, Fed Decision Looms 
US Bans Canadian Alcohol, Motorcycles as Trade War Escalates 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
China Inflation Accelerates in August as CPI, PPI Rise 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
Add as a preferred source on Google
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.
