Asian Stocks Slide as Semiconductor Selloff Weighs on South Korea and Japan 
Oil Prices Slip as Hormuz Shipping Progress and Rising U.S. Crude Stocks Weigh on Market 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now: AABB, GOLD, GDX 
Philippine GDP Growth Slows to 2.3% in Q2 
US Stock Futures Rise as Markets Await July Payrolls Data 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
The Russian economy is expected to stabilize after five consecutive quarters of deterioration, condition upon monthly GDP figures, being in line with estimates of -1.4 pct for Q1 on year, as released by the Ministry of Economic Development. Also, price movements in the global oil market would remain the key drivers for the largest oil exporting nation.
However, GDP data released today is unlikely to paint a positive picture amid a subdued market expectation of -2.0 pct for y/y GDP rates. Capital outflows are even lower than the current account surplus, inflation fell significantly over the last months and retail sales improved sharply in March, Commerzbank reported.
Besides, the end of the ailing recession would further signal that the Russian economy is back on track, with improvements in the real economy to extend further support.
"At the end a better economic performance would make rate cuts by the CBR not necessarily less likely but at least less extensive," Commerzbank said in a research note.
