Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
European stocks opened higher Monday as investor sentiment improved on hopes for new trade deals ahead of the July 9 tariff deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. Germany’s DAX climbed 0.5%, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.2%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 gained 0.1% by 07:05 GMT.
The upbeat tone followed gains in Asia-Pacific markets after the U.S. finalized a trade agreement with China. Additional optimism came from Canada’s decision to repeal its Digital Services Tax, easing tensions with the U.S. and paving the way for resumed trade and security talks. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne confirmed legislation will be introduced to formally withdraw the tax, which had targeted global tech giants.
In Europe, Bloomberg reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed confidence in reaching a deal with Washington before tariffs take effect. Without an agreement, the U.S. plans to impose 50% duties on nearly all EU imports, with the EU ready to retaliate.
Economic data reinforced the need to avoid a trade conflict. Germany's retail sales fell 1.6% in May, underscoring weak consumer spending in Europe’s largest economy. Meanwhile, China’s factory activity contracted at a slower rate in June, though demand remains soft amid ongoing U.S. tariffs. Japan also reported weaker-than-expected factory output, largely due to declining auto exports.
Investors are also watching upcoming German and Italian inflation data, following a drop in eurozone inflation to 1.9% in May. Despite a rate cut in June, ECB President Christine Lagarde hinted that further easing may be limited.
On the corporate front, Polar Capital reported a 27% jump in annual operating profit, supported by a 17% rise in assets under management. Crude oil prices dipped slightly ahead of the July 6 OPEC+ meeting, where another output hike is expected.
