South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
A more independent Europe is taking shape, prompting investors to eye long-term opportunities beyond traditional U.S.-focused strategies. The European Union’s €800 billion rearmament plan and Germany’s historic infrastructure and defence spending are key drivers of this shift. Defence stocks are leading the rally, with European aerospace and defence shares up 33% in 2025. Rheinmetall even briefly traded at 44 times its expected earnings, highlighting investor optimism. Citi projects annual profit growth of 8–32% for defence firms like BAE and Rheinmetall through 2028.
Despite the push for European-made arms, 78% of EU defence procurement still goes outside the bloc, with 63% going to the U.S. Yet, opportunities span the full defence value chain—including logistics, data, and communications. Eutelsat surged 260% this month, driven by speculation it could replace Starlink in Ukraine.
Germany’s fiscal expansion could result in over €1 trillion in new debt, adding to the EU’s €650 billion joint debt. The new SAFE bonds, expected to raise €150 billion, signal a more permanent EU borrowing structure—bolstering the euro’s reserve currency status.
Investors are also bullish on European banks, with the sector up 26% YTD. Economic optimism and expected regulatory easing are driving interest in banking and insurance stocks. Southern European equities like Spain and Italy also offer value due to lower exposure to U.S. tariffs and strong banking sectors.
Meanwhile, Europe's green energy push continues. Renewables provided 11% of EU electricity in 2024, surpassing coal. Utility giants Iberdola, Endesa, and Enel have gained 7–16% this year. Germany is allocating €100 billion to support climate and economic transformation, positioning Europe as a long-term play across multiple sectors.
