Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday, capping the worst monthly performance for Wall Street since March last year, as hotter-than-expected producer inflation data and continued weakness in technology stocks pressured investor sentiment. The S&P 500 fell 0.5% to 6,877.36, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.9% to 22,668.21. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.1% to 48,977.18.
Technology shares led the downturn, with Nvidia stock sliding more than 5% despite reporting strong quarterly earnings. Investors appeared concerned about shareholder returns following a sharp rise in the company’s cash reserves, while profit-taking after a recent rally also weighed on the stock. For February, the S&P 500 lost 0.9% and the Nasdaq tumbled 3.4%, reflecting volatility driven by geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainty, and shifting views on artificial intelligence investment trends. Analysts noted growing concerns over AI-related capital expenditures and potential disruption risks in software and services.
Economic data added to market pressure. January’s Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.5% month-over-month and 2.9% year-over-year, exceeding expectations. Core PPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.8% monthly and 3.6% annually. The stronger inflation reading may delay Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, reinforcing concerns about sticky inflation. JPMorgan raised its January core PCE inflation estimate to 0.42%, suggesting the Fed could remain cautious in the coming months.
In corporate news, Netflix stock surged 14% after declining to raise its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, while Paramount jumped nearly 21% following its improved $31-per-share offer. Dell Technologies soared 22% on record results fueled by AI server demand, and Block rallied 17% after announcing major job cuts to integrate artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, OpenAI announced a record $110 billion funding round backed by Microsoft, SoftBank, Nvidia, and Amazon, underscoring surging AI demand. Oil prices also climbed, with Brent crude settling at $73.10 per barrel and WTI crude at $66.17, despite ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.
