Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Australian business activity rebounded strongly in June, driven by rising sales and profitability as easing inflation and lower interest rates began to support demand. According to National Australia Bank’s (NAB) monthly survey, business conditions jumped to +9 from zero in May, surpassing the long-term average of +6. Business confidence also rose for the third straight month, climbing 3 points to +5.
NAB’s chief economist Sally Auld noted that while monthly fluctuations should be interpreted cautiously, the trend improvement is a positive sign following a sluggish start to 2025. She added that improving sentiment was encouraging given the backdrop of negative global headlines in recent months.
Key components of the survey reflected broad-based improvement. Business sales surged 10 points to +15, profitability increased 9 points to +4, and employment edged up 2 points to +3. Notably, the manufacturing and retail sectors recorded the strongest recoveries after significant declines in May.
Retail gains are particularly notable, as consumer demand had remained weak despite two interest rate cuts and slowing inflation. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to cut rates again, likely by 25 basis points to 3.60%, with markets anticipating further easing toward 3.10% or below. This outlook is underpinned by core inflation falling into the RBA’s 2–3% target range.
NAB’s data also showed retail price growth slowing to 0.6% in the June quarter, the lowest since early 2023, while purchase costs remained elevated at 1.5%, suggesting ongoing margin pressures.
The June rebound offers hope that Australia’s economy is beginning to respond to monetary easing and disinflation, potentially setting the stage for a more stable second half of 2025.
