Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
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 
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 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
European shares stabilized on Monday after a turbulent end to the previous week, supported by gains in technology and mining stocks. The pan-European STOXX 600 index climbed 0.6% by 0719 GMT, recovering from a 1.3% drop on Friday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports. His remarks had shaken global markets, but a more conciliatory tone over the weekend helped ease investor concerns.
Despite a sell-off across Asian markets, European indices and U.S. futures signaled renewed optimism. France’s CAC 40 led regional gains, rising 0.9% after Sebastien Lecornu was reinstated as France’s prime minister just days after his resignation. The political stability helped strengthen investor confidence in French equities.
In corporate developments, AstraZeneca’s shares rose 0.7% after President Trump announced a deal allowing the UK-based drugmaker to sell select medicines at discounted prices to the U.S. Medicaid program in exchange for tariff relief. This move was seen as a positive step for both healthcare affordability and trade cooperation.
Germany’s PSI Software surged 37%, reaching its highest level since 2021, after private equity firm Warburg Pincus confirmed plans to acquire the company for over 700 million euros ($813 million). The deal validated earlier Reuters reports about the acquisition and pricing. Meanwhile, France’s Exosens jumped nearly 13% after Greek night vision technology firm Theon International revealed plans to purchase a 9.8% stake in the French company. However, Theon’s own shares fell 4.6% following the announcement.
Overall, European markets reflected a cautious yet improving mood, with investors encouraged by easing trade rhetoric and strong corporate activity across sectors. The rebound in tech and industrial stocks underscored a broader recovery in market confidence following last week’s tariff-driven volatility.
