Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
US stock index futures inched higher in holiday-thinned trade on Monday, with investors wary of potential new trade tariffs and prolonged high interest rates. Limited trading volumes due to a US market holiday offered few cues from Wall Street. Investors focused on President Donald Trump’s renewed plans for reciprocal tariffs and the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates after persistent inflation data last week.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 6,141.0 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.1% to 22,220.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures climbed 0.2% to 44,712.0 points.
Trump reiterated his intention to impose tariffs matching duties on US exports, particularly targeting countries with a value-added tax system, affecting importers in Europe and Asia. Having recently imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum and 10% on Chinese goods, Trump signaled that new tariffs might be implemented by April, providing short-term relief to markets.
The S&P 500 closed flat at 6,114.63 points on Friday, while the NASDAQ Composite rose 0.4% to 20,026.77 points, and the Dow Jones fell 0.4% to 44,546.08 points.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller downplayed the inflationary impact of Trump's tariffs but emphasized the need to maintain current interest rates due to persistent inflation and a robust labor market. After 1% in rate cuts through 2024, the Fed kept rates steady in January and is expected to maintain them in the near term.
Despite tariff concerns, investors remain cautious, with markets closely monitoring economic indicators and policy signals. As global trade tensions escalate, market volatility may persist, underscoring the importance of staying informed and prepared.
