Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Russian stocks closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index ending the session unchanged at 0.00%. Energy shares led gains, while a few stocks remained stagnant or dipped slightly.
Rosneft PJSC (MCX:ROSN) emerged as the session's top performer, climbing 2.97% to 457.60 RUB. Surgutneftegas PJSC (MCX:SNGS) followed, gaining 2.14% to close at 23.13 RUB. TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) also advanced, rising 1.82% to 666.60 RUB. On the downside, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) slipped 0.39% to 539.10 RUB. ADS Ozon Holdings (MCX:OZONDR) and ROS AGRO PLC (MCX:AGRODR) both remained unchanged at 3,656.00 RUB and 1,083.80 RUB, respectively. Notably, ROS AGRO hit a 52-week low.
Market breadth remained positive, with 87 stocks rising, 22 falling, and 5 unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks expected market volatility, was steady at 34.08, its lowest level in six months.
Commodities saw notable movement. Gold futures for August delivery surged 1.48%, reaching $3,452.80 per troy ounce. Crude oil prices rallied, with July WTI crude jumping 7.26% to $72.98 per barrel, while August Brent crude gained 7.02% to $74.23 per barrel, signaling strong momentum in the energy sector.
On the currency front, the Russian ruble strengthened slightly. The USD/RUB fell 0.36% to 79.71, and the EUR/RUB dropped 0.64% to 92.08. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index Futures rose 0.29% to 98.18, reflecting global demand for the greenback.
Overall, while the MOEX Index held steady, energy stocks and commodity prices highlighted market optimism amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
