China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
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 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index soared past the 44,000 mark for the first time on Tuesday, fueled by optimism over trade developments and expectations of stronger stimulus measures. The benchmark climbed 0.9% to 44,018.78 in early trading, while the broader Topix gained 0.4%, signaling strong momentum across Japanese equities.
Investor confidence grew after Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, announced that U.S. tariffs on Japanese automobiles will be lowered by September 16. This clarification eased concerns surrounding the July trade deal and strengthened sentiment in export-heavy sectors.
The rally followed Monday’s gains, sparked by the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, known for his fiscal conservatism. Markets welcomed reports that Sanae Takaichi, a strong advocate of government spending and monetary easing, will run in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race. Her candidacy heightened expectations of aggressive economic stimulus policies, boosting market enthusiasm.
Out of the Nikkei’s listed companies, 144 advanced while 77 declined. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest led the gainers with a 6.7% surge, followed by Tokuyama, which climbed 5%. On the downside, Citizen Watch dropped 5.8% ahead of its planned removal from the Nikkei in October, while Takeda Pharmaceutical slid 2.4%.
The Nikkei’s historic climb highlights growing investor optimism toward Japan’s economy as global trade tensions ease and prospects of accommodative fiscal and monetary policies strengthen. With automotive tariffs set to fall and stimulus-friendly leadership likely on the horizon, Tokyo’s stock market is positioned for further bullish momentum.
