Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Japan’s annual wholesale inflation slowed in May, driven by declining import prices for raw materials, offering temporary relief to the Bank of Japan (BOJ) as it weighs future interest rate hikes. According to official data, the corporate goods price index (CGPI), which tracks prices companies charge each other for goods and services, rose 3.2% year-over-year—below the market forecast of 3.5% and down from April’s revised 4.1% increase. This marks the slowest growth since September 2023.
Falling steel, chemical, and non-ferrous metals prices contributed to the moderation. Steel prices dropped 4.8%, chemicals declined 3.1%, and non-ferrous metals fell 2.1%. The yen-based import price index also declined 10.3% from a year earlier, accelerating from April’s 7.3% drop, as a stronger yen reduced the cost of raw material imports.
However, inflationary pressure persists in food and beverages, which saw prices rise 4.2% in May, up from 4.0% in April. This highlights growing cost-passing behavior by companies despite global uncertainties and weak domestic consumption.
Japan’s core consumer inflation stood at 3.5% in April, exceeding the BOJ’s 2% target for over three years. Yet, concerns over delayed trade talks with the U.S., especially regarding tariffs on auto exports, are clouding the economic outlook. The BOJ cut its growth forecast on May 1, indicating potential delays in future rate hikes.
Economists expect the BOJ to hold interest rates steady through September, with a possible hike later this year. While food inflation may ease, the central bank remains cautious, awaiting stronger wage growth before tightening policy further.
The BOJ last raised rates in January to 0.5%, ending its decade-long ultra-loose monetary stance. Market watchers continue to monitor inflation trends and trade negotiations closely.
