Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
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 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
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 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Russian stocks ended Monday’s trading session higher, with the MOEX Russia Index posting moderate gains as strong performances in the mining, oil and gas, and power sectors supported overall market sentiment. By the close of trading in Moscow, the benchmark MOEX Russia Index advanced 0.60%, reflecting improved investor appetite for commodity-linked and energy stocks.
Leading the rally were major mining companies. AK ALROSA PJSC climbed 2.08% to close at 42.29, benefiting from renewed interest in raw material producers. Polyus PJSC followed closely, gaining 1.91% to finish at 2,610.00, while MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC added 1.51% to end the session at 158.70. Notably, Norilsk Nickel shares reached a new 52-week high, underscoring strong momentum in the metals sector.
On the downside, real estate and technology stocks faced selling pressure. PIK SHb PJSC fell 1.89% to 462.50, making it one of the weakest performers of the day. VK Company Ltd declined 1.58% to 292.60, while Rostelekom PJSC dropped 1.42% to close at 63.20. Despite these losses, advancing stocks significantly outnumbered declining ones on the Moscow Stock Exchange, with 161 gainers versus 80 losers, indicating broadly positive market breadth.
Market volatility continued to ease, as the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) slipped 0.79% to 22.61, marking a fresh 52-week low. In commodities, gold futures surged 1.77% to $4,676.70 per troy ounce, supporting mining stocks. Oil prices were mixed, with March crude oil rising 0.15% to $59.43 per barrel and Brent crude edging up to $64.15.
In currency markets, the Russian ruble strengthened against major currencies, with USD/RUB falling 0.63% to 77.51 and EUR/RUB down 0.24% to 90.23. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index futures declined 0.36%, adding support to emerging market assets, including Russian equities.
