Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Russian stocks closed mixed on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index finishing flat at 0.00% and touching its lowest level in six months. Investor sentiment remained cautious as gains in select stocks were offset by declines in key sectors, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the Russian equity market.
Among the top performers on the Moscow Exchange, Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) advanced 2.32% to close at 44.15. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) gained 1.79% to finish at 13.34, while ROSSETI PJSC (MCX:FEES) added 1.41%, ending the session at 0.05.
On the downside, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) recorded the largest decline among blue-chip stocks, dropping 2.32% to 581.20. TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin Pref (MCX:TATN_p) fell 1.09% to 552.30, while TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) slipped 0.86% to close at 591.30.
Market breadth remained positive despite the weak benchmark performance, with 148 stocks advancing, 84 declining, and 15 ending unchanged on the Moscow Stock Exchange.
The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), a key measure of expected market volatility based on MOEX Russia Index options, remained unchanged at 26.71.
In the commodities market, gold prices rallied sharply as Gold Futures for August delivery climbed 3.03%, or $124.80, to reach $4,238.80 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, oil prices moved lower. U.S. crude oil for July delivery declined 3.23% to $84.88 per barrel, while Brent crude for August delivery dropped 3.37% to $87.33 per barrel.
Currency markets also saw moderate movement. The U.S. dollar strengthened 0.33% against the Russian ruble, with USD/RUB rising to 72.50. EUR/RUB gained 0.24% to 83.87.
The U.S. Dollar Index Futures edged down 0.10% to 99.75, highlighting broader weakness in the dollar despite gains against the ruble. Investors will continue monitoring global commodity prices, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical developments for clues about the direction of Russian stocks and emerging market assets.
