South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
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 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
U.S. stock index futures remained largely unchanged on Tuesday evening as investors awaited a potential call between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which could revive stalled U.S.-China trade negotiations. The anticipation of renewed talks follows recent White House statements suggesting the two leaders may speak this week, although no date has been confirmed.
Markets are also reacting to Trump’s decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, effective Wednesday. The move raises concerns over higher production costs for U.S. manufacturers and adds fresh tension to global trade dynamics.
Despite these concerns, Wall Street ended Tuesday higher, supported by optimism around trade and strength in technology stocks. The S&P 500 futures hovered at 5,982.50 points, Nasdaq 100 futures were flat at 21,701.0, and Dow Jones futures remained steady near 42,603.0 points.
Chipmakers led gains, driven by hopes that improved U.S.-China relations could reopen the Chinese market to American tech firms. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) rose 2.8%, extending gains by 0.2% in after-hours trading. Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) hit a record high after launching deliveries of a new Ethernet switch, further fueling bullish sentiment in the tech sector.
Meanwhile, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) climbed 3% following stronger-than-expected earnings. Nvidia’s robust late-May earnings also reinforced investor confidence in AI-related demand.
Tuesday’s rally marks the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s fourth straight session of gains. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 5,970.38, the NASDAQ gained 0.8% to 19,398.96, and the Dow added 0.5% to close at 42,519.64.
While optimism around global trade persists, Trump’s broader tariff agenda continues to face legal scrutiny within the U.S., adding another layer of uncertainty to market sentiment.
