US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
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 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Oil prices edged higher on Monday following optimistic signals from U.S.-China trade talks over the weekend. Brent crude futures rose 27 cents, or 0.4%, to $64.18 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 28 cents, or 0.5%, to $61.30. Both benchmarks had climbed more than $1 on Friday, capping a strong weekly gain of over 4%—their first since mid-April—amid easing fears of global economic strain from U.S. tariffs.
Investor sentiment improved after both Washington and Beijing described their discussions as productive. U.S. officials spoke of a "deal" aimed at reducing the trade deficit, while Chinese authorities reported reaching an "important consensus." A joint statement is expected Monday. Progress between the world's top two oil consumers is seen as bullish for crude demand, as trade normalization could drive higher industrial and transportation activity.
However, gains were tempered by plans from OPEC and allies (OPEC+) to increase oil output in May and June. Despite this, a Reuters survey revealed that OPEC production slightly declined in April, suggesting only a limited impact on supply. Analyst Toshitaka Tazawa of Fujitomi Securities noted that optimism over trade talks lifted sentiment, but rising supply and limited details from negotiations capped the rally.
Elsewhere, talks in Oman between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program ended with plans for further dialogue. A potential nuclear agreement could lead to increased Iranian oil exports, adding downward pressure on prices. Meanwhile, U.S. energy firms cut oil and gas rigs to their lowest level since January, according to Baker Hughes, signaling a possible slowdown in domestic output growth.
