Asian Currencies Rise as Yen Surges on Fed Rate Outlook 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
Turkey Targets 5% Economic Growth by 2029 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Gold Prices Hold Near $4,500 as Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
Chinese AI Stocks Rally After OpenAI Launches GPT-6 Astra 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Tensions Threaten Supply 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
Iran’s Hormuz Oil Pressure Fades as Gulf Crude Flows Continue 
Japan Foreign Reserves Plunge $79.6 Billion After Record Yen Intervention 
Japan, US Target AI and Chips in $550 Billion Investment Push 
Singapore Straits Times Index Hits Record High as Banks, Property Stocks Rally 
U.S. Payrolls Seen Rebounding in August as Labor Market Stays Soft 
Asian Stocks Rally as Fed Rate Hike Fears Ease 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
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Oil and gold prices moved higher on Wednesday as rising geopolitical tensions kept investors cautious ahead of key U.S. inflation data, while Asian stocks posted modest gains.
U.S. crude oil rose 0.89% to $83.94 a barrel, while Brent crude gained 0.78% to $89.60. Both benchmarks settled more than $1 higher on Tuesday, reaching their highest closing levels since July 31. Oil prices have continued to climb following renewed concerns over shipping disruptions and tensions involving Iran and the Middle East.
Spot gold advanced 0.46% to $4,387.03 an ounce as investors sought safer assets amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.5%, while Japan’s Nikkei was little changed after reopening from a holiday.
Markets were also focused on the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) report, which could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision. Economists surveyed by Reuters expect consumer prices to rise 0.1% in July after falling 0.4% in June. Annual inflation is forecast to slow to 3.4% from 3.5%.
Geopolitical developments added to market uncertainty. The United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks involving shipping, while North Korea launched a ballistic missile ahead of planned military exercises between South Korea and the United States. Taiwan also criticized planned naval drills involving China and Indonesia.
The yen remained under pressure against the dollar after recently reversing much of its gains following suspected currency-market intervention by Japan and the United States. The dollar traded around 159.31 yen, while Japan’s five-year government bond yield reached a record 2.1%.
European equity futures pointed to a slightly weaker open, with Euro Stoxx 50, German DAX and FTSE futures all declining. U.S. S&P 500 futures were nearly flat.
Investors are now closely watching the U.S. CPI data for clues about the Federal Reserve’s rate path. A softer-than-expected inflation reading could support Treasury bonds and risk assets, while stronger inflation could reinforce expectations for tighter monetary policy.
