Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
Asian stock markets showed mixed performance on Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy decision and ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. Market sentiment was further influenced by strong inflation data from Australia and lingering concerns over global technology sector growth.
Investor confidence stayed fragile after Wall Street ended lower overnight. A report from the Wall Street Journal indicating that OpenAI missed internal targets for both user growth and revenue raised fresh doubts about the sustainability of aggressive artificial intelligence investments. Despite this, U.S. stock index futures moved slightly higher during Asian trading hours as traders looked ahead to earnings results from the so-called “Magnificent 7” tech giants.
Attention is now firmly on the Federal Reserve, with expectations that interest rates will remain unchanged. However, markets are closely watching for signals on when potential rate cuts could begin, especially as inflation risks persist due to elevated energy prices. Oil markets remain under pressure amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly following reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran, raising concerns about disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Regional markets reflected this uncertainty. South Korea’s KOSPI edged up slightly after reaching record highs, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index declined. Japan’s markets were closed for a public holiday, and India’s Nifty 50 futures traded flat.
In China and Hong Kong, market movements were mixed. Shares of Hua Hong Semiconductor dropped sharply after reports suggested potential new U.S. restrictions on chipmaking equipment exports. However, broader tech stocks remained supported by optimism surrounding cost-efficient AI developments from DeepSeek. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indices posted gains, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and its tech sub-index also moved higher.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined after data showed a sharp rise in first-quarter inflation. Consumer prices surged, driven largely by higher fuel and transport costs, increasing expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia may continue tightening monetary policy.
