China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trading on Friday as traders weighed weak global economic signals against the potential for tighter supply. Brent crude futures for August slipped 0.1% to $65.27 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate fell 0.1% to $62.39 by 01:05 GMT.
Despite Friday’s dip, both Brent and WTI are on track for their first weekly gain in three weeks, rising between 2% and 4.5%. This rebound is driven by expectations of tighter global supply due to possible new U.S. sanctions on Iran and Russia, and OPEC+ sticking to its modest supply increase for July.
Geopolitical tensions also supported oil prices. Russia escalated military strikes on Ukraine in apparent retaliation for recent attacks on its infrastructure. The renewed violence follows a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, complicating ceasefire efforts and increasing the likelihood of further Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. Lawmakers in Washington are reportedly pushing to expand sanctions to major Russian oil buyers, including China and India.
However, bearish demand signals are capping further gains. Soft economic data from the U.S. and China—two of the world’s largest oil consumers—has fueled concerns of slowing growth. An ongoing tariff exchange between the two countries adds further uncertainty, despite a recent call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping that hinted at revived trade negotiations. Meanwhile, large builds in U.S. oil product inventories have also pressured sentiment.
While tighter supply prospects lend support, the market remains cautious as economic headwinds and geopolitical risks continue to cloud the outlook for global oil demand.
