Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Wall Street surged on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at all-time highs as investor sentiment rose on trade deal optimism and growing expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Despite some volatility after President Trump ended trade talks with Canada over its digital tax on tech firms, all three major U.S. indexes logged weekly gains.
The Nasdaq officially entered a bull market, climbing more than 20% from its April 8 low. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 432.43 points (1.00%) to 43,819.27, the S&P 500 added 32.05 points (0.52%) to 6,173.07, and the Nasdaq gained 105.55 points (0.52%) to close at 20,273.46.
Investors are increasingly betting on a Fed rate cut, with CME’s FedWatch tool showing a 76% probability of a September cut and 19% odds for July. Economic data added fuel to the rally, with May’s PCE report showing unexpected drops in consumer income and spending, while inflation stayed above the Fed’s 2% target. Consumer sentiment also improved, though it remains below post-election highs.
In sector performance, consumer discretionary led the S&P 500, while energy lagged. AI stocks gained momentum as Micron’s strong outlook boosted investor confidence. Nvidia rose 1.8%, approaching a $4 trillion valuation. Nike shares soared 15.2% after better-than-expected guidance.
Market breadth showed advancing NYSE stocks outpacing decliners by 1.29-to-1, with 347 new highs. On Nasdaq, decliners slightly outnumbered gainers. The session saw unusually high trading volume, hitting 22.07 billion shares versus the 20-day average of 18.27 billion.
Overall, investors continue riding bullish momentum driven by AI optimism, monetary policy expectations, and hopes for global trade resolution.
