Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
U.S. stocks closed mixed Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq setting new record highs, fueled by strong tech performance and easing trade tensions following a deal between the U.S. and Vietnam. The Dow Jones dipped slightly, ending 0.02% lower at 44,484.42 but remained within 1.2% of its December record.
Tech giants Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) led the Nasdaq to a 0.94% gain, closing at 20,393.13. Tesla rose 5% despite reporting a sharp drop in Q2 deliveries, with some analysts noting the decline was less severe than feared. Leveraged ETF TSLL, offering 2x daily exposure to Tesla, saw high trading volume.
The S&P 500 added 0.47%, closing at 6,227.42. The market initially opened lower after weaker-than-expected private payroll data but rebounded after the announcement of 20% tariffs on Vietnamese exports under the new trade deal. Investors welcomed the development, hoping it signals progress in broader trade talks. The Trump administration also hinted at a potential agreement with India.
Investor attention now turns to Thursday’s non-farm payrolls report, released a day early due to the July 4 holiday. Economists expect cooling job growth and a slight uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.3%, which could push the Federal Reserve closer to rate cuts.
Centene (NYSE: CNC) plunged 40% after withdrawing its 2025 earnings outlook, citing a major revenue shortfall in its health insurance plans.
Trading volume reached 16.95 billion shares, just below the 20-day average. Analysts say investor sentiment remains risk-on, driven by hopes of looser monetary policy and improving trade dynamics.
