Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Oil prices are poised to post a third consecutive weekly gain, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. Despite a dip on Friday, Brent crude futures were trading at $77.28 a barrel, down 2% for the day but up 3.9% for the week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July, which expires Friday, rose 1.1% to $76. The more actively traded August contract gained 0.7% to $74.
Thursday’s spike in oil prices—nearly 3%—followed escalating attacks, with Israel bombing nuclear facilities in Iran and Tehran retaliating with drone and missile strikes, including one that hit an Israeli hospital. The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, raising fears of broader regional instability.
Analysts say concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply are driving prices higher. Tanker rates have doubled, and many ships are now rerouting to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil chokepoint through which up to 21 million barrels per day of crude and refined products are transported. Iran, a major OPEC producer, currently pumps around 3.3 million barrels per day.
Phil Flynn of The Price Futures Group noted that while no Iranian exports have been officially disrupted, the threat alone is enough to keep markets on edge. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to make Iran "pay the full price," while Tehran warned against third-party intervention.
Adding to uncertainty, the White House stated that President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether the U.S. will intervene. Analysts believe this timeline may be a strategic delay, keeping markets in suspense and oil prices supported.
With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, energy markets remain on high alert, tracking every development in the volatile Middle East standoff.
