China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
The Japanese yen strengthened on Monday as investors reacted to political uncertainty following Japan’s ruling coalition losing its majority in the upper house. With financial markets in Japan closed for the day, the yen served as a key sentiment barometer, firming to 148.32 per dollar and edging up against the euro at 172.64.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured only 47 of the 50 seats needed to retain control of the 248-seat upper house, raising fears of policy paralysis. Ishiba’s position has been further weakened after also losing control of the more powerful lower house in October. Although the LDP could potentially strike a partnership with the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), the political uncertainty is weighing on markets.
The yen’s move comes ahead of an August 1 deadline for critical tariff negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts warn that any resignation by Ishiba could prompt foreign investors to exit Japanese equities and the yen, increasing market volatility.
Japanese government bonds (JGBs) faced a sharp selloff last week, pushing 30-year yields to record highs and weakening the yen to multi-month lows. Meanwhile, the broader currency market saw the euro steady at $1.1632 and the pound at $1.1342, while the U.S. dollar index stood at 98.352.
Elsewhere, the New Zealand dollar dipped 0.18% to $0.5951 after Q2 inflation came in below expectations, prompting speculation of a rate cut next month. Bitcoin slipped 1% to $116,939, staying below its all-time high of $123,153 reached last week.
Global investors remain focused on Trump’s escalating tariff threats, especially toward the European Union, which could further unsettle financial markets.
