South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
The Japanese yen weakened on Monday as expectations grew that Sanae Takaichi, a staunch supporter of aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulus, is set to become Japan’s next prime minister. Reports indicated that Takaichi secured key political backing, boosting investor confidence in risk assets and weakening demand for the safe-haven yen.
Market sentiment improved after trade tensions between the U.S. and China eased and concerns over U.S. regional banks subsided. The U.S. dollar gained 0.2% to 150.82 yen at 0010 GMT, rebounding from Friday’s 1.1% drop sparked by fears of bad loans and trade disputes over Chinese rare earth exports.
Investors reignited the so-called “Takaichi trade” — bullish on Japanese equities and bearish on the yen — following reports from Kyodo that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) will formalize an alliance ahead of Tuesday’s parliamentary vote. Takaichi’s leadership prospects brightened after forming ties with the right-leaning JIP, following a split with Komeito, the LDP’s coalition partner for 26 years.
The shift in sentiment also buoyed risk-sensitive currencies. The Australian dollar advanced 0.3% to $0.6500, while the euro edged up 0.1% to $1.1661. Traders are watching China’s upcoming GDP data closely, as it remains Australia’s largest trading partner.
Wall Street’s main indexes closed higher after easing credit concerns, with analysts noting strong balance sheets among major banks. “There’s a lot more bark than bite on credit fears,” said Jed Ellerbroek of Argent Capital.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that a proposed 100% tariff on Chinese goods would be “not sustainable” and confirmed plans to meet with President Xi Jinping in two weeks, calming fears of further escalation.
