Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian stocks edged lower on Monday, weighed by losses in Wall Street futures after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on imports from the EU and Mexico starting August 1. While the European Union extended its suspension of counter-tariffs and signaled a continued push for negotiation, Germany called for firm retaliation if the levies proceed.
Markets responded cautiously, reflecting either resilience or growing complacency. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan remained flat, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.5%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures dropped 0.4% ahead of a critical earnings season kickoff, with U.S. banks set to report Tuesday. Analysts expect S&P profits to rise 5.8% year-over-year, down from earlier 10.2% forecasts. BofA predicts a modest 2% beat, below historical averages.
Treasuries saw minor safe-haven flows, keeping 10-year yields at 4.41%. Futures hinted at a slight increase in rate-cut expectations for 2026. Despite Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s measured stance, Trump escalated pressure for more stimulus, even suggesting Powell should resign due to Fed HQ renovation overruns.
Traders await U.S. June CPI data due Tuesday, which could reflect early inflationary effects from tariffs. Additional economic indicators—including producer prices, import prices, and retail sales—will provide further insights into consumer resilience. Meanwhile, China's June trade data and GDP are set for release this week.
Currency markets saw the euro dip 0.2% to $1.1665, while the dollar gained on the yen and Mexican peso amid tariff fears. Gold rose 0.3% to $3,366 as a safe-haven asset. Oil prices inched higher on speculation of potential new U.S. sanctions on Russian crude buyers, with Brent at $70.45 and WTI trading at $68.50.
