Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
The Indian rupee is expected to remain under pressure this week as steep U.S. tariffs on Indian exports and the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upcoming policy decision weigh on sentiment. The rupee closed at 87.54 per U.S. dollar on Friday, down 1.2% for the week, marking its weakest level since February. Persistent foreign portfolio outflows and a 25% levy on Indian exports have added to the decline, while fresh U.S. tariff announcements on dozens of trading partners pushed other Asian currencies to multi-month lows.
The U.S. dollar index recorded its strongest weekly gain since 2022 as expectations for a September Fed rate cut faded. However, weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data and a rise in unemployment to 4.2% revived market bets, with odds of a cut now at 80%.
Investors are also eyeing the maturity of a $5 billion RBI dollar-rupee swap on Monday. Analysts, including Alok Singh of CSB Bank, expect the RBI to manage liquidity without excessive volatility, with the rupee likely to trade between 87.00 and 87.80.
India’s 10-year benchmark bond yield ended last week at 6.368%, up 2 bps, and is expected to stay within 6.33%–6.38% until Wednesday’s policy decision. While some anticipate a 25-bps cut due to June’s six-year-low retail inflation and expectations of a further drop in July, most economists expect no change after the RBI’s surprise 50-bps cut in June and its shift to a neutral stance.
Key upcoming events include India’s July HSBC services PMI and composite PMI on August 5, and the RBI policy decision on August 6. U.S. data releases this week—covering factory orders, trade figures, and PMIs—could also influence market sentiment and currency movements.
