IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Asian markets rallied Wednesday, led by Japan’s Nikkei, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Japan, igniting investor optimism despite mixed corporate earnings in the U.S. The Nikkei surged 1.7%, with automakers like Mazda Motor and Toyota jumping 12% and 10%, respectively.
Trump said Japan agreed to invest $550 billion in the U.S. and implement a 15% reciprocal tariff. A separate agreement with the Philippines will see a 19% tariff on its imports. Though details remain limited, analysts noted relief that a 25% baseline tariff was avoided, reducing short-term uncertainty in equity markets.
Adding to the optimism, Trump revealed that EU officials would visit Wednesday for trade talks. Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese representatives are scheduled to meet in Stockholm next week, potentially extending their August 12 trade deadline.
Despite the trade boost, Wall Street closed mixed on Tuesday. General Motors dropped 8.1% after revealing a $1 billion tariff-related hit. Investors await key earnings from Tesla and Alphabet, whose performance could influence the AI-driven rally in major U.S. tech stocks.
Nasdaq futures inched up 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.2%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index (excluding Japan) rose 0.2%, with gains in South Korea and Australia.
The yen briefly rose but settled at 146.68 per dollar. The dollar index held flat at 97.45, marking a three-day decline. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose slightly to 4.3579% following recent criticism from Trump directed at Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended Fed independence but warned against “mandate creep.”
Spot gold remained stable at $3,429 per ounce as traders balanced risk appetite with safe-haven demand.
