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Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
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 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
The U.S. dollar held firm against major currencies on Monday as investor focus shifted from upbeat jobs data to upcoming U.S.-China trade talks in London. While Friday’s strong employment report briefly boosted the dollar, markets remain cautious amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
The high-level meeting between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the U.S. side, and Vice Premier He Lifeng from China, comes at a critical time. China faces deflation concerns, and U.S. businesses are showing signs of stress due to prolonged trade tensions.
Analysts noted that unless the talks yield substantial results, any boost to market sentiment is likely to be limited. The dollar index was stable at 99.169, still down over 8.6% year-to-date. Treasury yields also held steady in early Asian trading after a sharp rise on Friday.
The yen edged up 0.10% to 144.750 per dollar as Japan’s GDP showed a milder-than-expected contraction. The euro remained flat at $1.1399, while the British pound traded at $1.3535. The Swiss franc was unchanged at 0.8221.
The Australian dollar gained 0.1% to $0.65, and the New Zealand dollar hovered at $0.6020 in light trading due to a holiday in Australia.
Markets are now eyeing May U.S. inflation data, which could provide fresh insights into the economic impact of Trump’s 10% universal import tariff. Although the Fed is in a blackout period ahead of its policy meeting, officials have signaled caution on rate cuts. Futures suggest a potential 25 basis-point cut may occur in October.
China’s offshore yuan last traded at 7.187 ahead of key domestic inflation and trade data releases this week.
