Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
China’s export growth likely accelerated sharply in April as overseas companies increased orders to secure manufacturing supplies amid concerns that the ongoing Iran conflict could drive global production and shipping costs even higher. According to a Reuters poll of economists, China’s exports are expected to rise 7.9% year-on-year in U.S. dollar terms, significantly higher than the 2.5% increase recorded in March. Official trade data is scheduled for release on Saturday.
The strong performance highlights how Chinese manufacturers continue to benefit from global demand despite geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy prices. Businesses worldwide have reportedly rushed to stockpile components and industrial goods from China to avoid potential disruptions linked to higher fuel and transportation costs caused by tensions in the Middle East.
Recent factory activity data also showed that new export orders in China climbed to their highest level in two years during April. At the same time, input costs for petroleum, chemicals, coal, and refined products remained elevated, reflecting growing inflationary pressure across global supply chains.
China’s economy maintained solid momentum during the first quarter of the year, with GDP growth reaching 5%, matching the upper end of Beijing’s annual target range. However, concerns remain over weak domestic consumption, rising unemployment, and slower retail sales growth compared to industrial production.
Imports are also forecast to remain strong, increasing 15.2% year-on-year in April, although lower than March’s 27.8% rise. Analysts point to South Korea’s exports to China, which surged 63% last month largely due to semiconductor demand, as a sign of robust Chinese industrial activity.
China’s trade surplus is expected to widen to $83.3 billion from March’s $51.13 billion. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit China next week for talks with President Xi Jinping, with trade, agriculture, and aircraft parts likely on the agenda despite continuing tensions over Taiwan.
