US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
EU Weighs New Trade Restrictions on Israeli West Bank Settlements 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
US-Iran Strikes Escalate as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Euro area posted a record trade balance at ¥194.8 billion, shows the latest data published from Euro stat.
Positive trade balance is very favorable for any country and euro area especially Germany remains robust from this point. These positive balances will be favorable to European stocks & Euro once the cloud of uncertainty passes away.
The European stocks at this valuation of Euro looks very favorable and we feel further good days are ahead for the stocks and Indexes (like DAX, IBEX) in the months to come.
DAX is currently just shy of its all-time high of 11,000 and E.Stxx50 trading at 3,440 up more than 10% for the year.
- Top performer is Germany (+€201.8 billion) followed by the Netherlands (+€57.5 billion), Italy (+€37.1 billion), Ireland (+€32.2 billion).
- Worst performers are France (-€67.5 billion), Spain (-€23.0 billion) and Greece (-€18.9 billion).
- Another worthy noting data is export which is significantly down for Switzerland (-18%), though this we believe might change in the coming months after the massive devaluation of euro against franc.
- Exports & Imports to Russia down by 13% & 10% respectively.
Overall the tone of the data is positive for the euro over longer term but could of less impact in the near as the political uncertainty remains at large for now.
