BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise Ahead of September Meeting 
Japan Executives Warn Weak Yen and Currency Volatility Threaten Economy 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
Japan Posts First Current Account Deficit in 17 Months as Dividend Payments Surge 
US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Surge 7% as Dollar Falls, Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
China Trade Surplus Beats Forecasts in July as Exports Stay Strong 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
U.S. stock futures edged higher Monday as investors weighed escalating tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz while preparing for crucial U.S. inflation data later this week.
S&P 500 futures gained about 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced roughly 0.3%. Dow futures slipped 0.1%. The cautious trading followed Friday’s Wall Street gains after U.S. employment data showed the economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July, with previous months also revised lower. The weaker labor market reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may avoid raising interest rates at its next meeting.
Geopolitical uncertainty remains a major market concern after Iran outlined conditions that it says must be satisfied before reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s demands reportedly include ending the war and naval blockade, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets and paying reparations.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making any prolonged disruption a significant risk to energy markets and the global economy. Brent crude futures climbed around 0.5% to $83.95 per barrel as traders assessed the possibility of continued supply disruptions.
Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway reduced its enormous cash reserves to $364.7 billion during the second quarter under CEO Greg Abel. The conglomerate became a net buyer of stocks for the first time in 15 quarters and invested billions in major holdings, including Alphabet. Berkshire also repurchased $4.53 billion of its own shares during the quarter.
Investor attention now turns to Wednesday’s U.S. Consumer Price Index report. Annual headline CPI inflation is expected to ease to 3.4% in July from 3.5%, while core CPI is forecast to slow to 2.5% from 2.6%. Persistent inflation, combined with signs of labor market weakness, could complicate the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook.
In China, July consumer inflation also came in below expectations. CPI increased 0.5% year over year, compared with forecasts of 0.8%, highlighting continued weakness in domestic price pressures despite signs of economic improvement.
