ECB Set to Raise Interest Rates as Energy Shock Fuels Eurozone Inflation Concerns 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Oil Prices Fall Despite Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions as Markets Watch Strait of Hormuz Developments 
European Stocks Rise Ahead of ECB Rate Decision as Investors Buy the Dip 
South Korea Q1 GDP Growth Revised Higher as AI-Driven Exports Boost Economic Outlook 
Asian Stocks Rebound as AI and Chip Shares Recover; Easing Iran Tensions Boost Sentiment 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise as Weak Yen and Strong U.S. Jobs Data Increase Pressure 
Pakistan Economy Grows 3.7% in FY2026 Amid Strong Fiscal Performance 
Japan Wholesale Inflation Accelerates to 6.3% in May, Exceeding Forecasts 
China Inflation Misses Forecast as Consumer Spending Stays Weak, Producer Prices Surge 
Australian government bonds gained on the last trading day of the week Friday amid a silent Asian session that witnessed data of little economic significance.
The yield on Australia’s benchmark 10-year note, which moves inversely to its price, slipped nearly 1-1/2 basis points to 1.285 percent, the yield on the long-term 30-year bond edged 1 basis point to 1.934 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year traded tad lower at 0.940 percent by 04:20GMT.
Global risk appetite was hesitant with the US markets out for Independence Day holiday yesterday. European equities also traded in a lacklustre session whilst Asian bourses ended mixed as investors await tonight’s key US labour market report, OCBC Treasury Research reported.
The US’ nonfarm payrolls (NFP) is tipped to rise by 160k (from 75k previously), with the unemployment rate likely static at 3.6 percent (49-year low) and average hourly earnings accelerating slightly to 0.3 percent m/m (3.2 percent y/y), with a goldilocks print (neither too hot not too cold) seen as paving the way for the Fed to trim rates by 25bps at the end of July, the report added.
Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 index remained tad 0.59 percent higher at 6,695.50 by 04:30GMT
