China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Wall Street share futures edged higher in Asia on Monday after the White House announced exemptions on smartphones and computers from the latest U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs targeting Chinese imports. While the move temporarily eased trade tensions, market gains remained limited as President Donald Trump warned more tariffs could follow.
The exemption, which covers 20 product categories—or 23% of total U.S. imports from China—offered a short-term boost for tech manufacturers. Still, analysts remained skeptical about long-term stability. JPMorgan's chief economist Bruce Kasman cautioned that a universal 10% tax and the hefty 145% tariff on China remain significant risks, projecting a 60% chance of a U.S. or global recession.
S&P 500 futures rose 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures gained 1.25%, extending last week’s rally. Yet, markets remain below April highs when tariff tensions first escalated. Investors are now eyeing corporate earnings from major banks including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as well as TSMC’s results amid Trump’s push to probe the global semiconductor supply chain.
Key economic data this week includes U.S. retail sales and China's GDP. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will also speak on Wednesday, with markets eager for insights on potential rate cuts and Treasury market volatility.
In bonds, 10-year U.S. Treasury yields remained elevated at 4.49%, reflecting recent sharp increases in borrowing costs. Meanwhile, the MSCI Asia-Pacific index rose 0.6%, and Japan’s Nikkei surged 2.0% amid fluctuating trade headlines.
Currency markets remained volatile. The dollar traded at 143.72 yen and hovered near decade lows against the Swiss franc. The euro stood at $1.1334 ahead of the ECB’s expected rate cut. Gold prices remained strong at $3,218 per ounce, while Brent crude dipped slightly to $64.67 a barrel.
