Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Asian stock markets declined on Thursday as renewed U.S. military strikes on Iran weakened investor confidence and raised concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The latest attacks reduced hopes for a near-term peace agreement, while traders also remained cautious ahead of the release of key U.S. inflation data later in the day.
Despite Wall Street ending at record highs overnight on optimism surrounding easing tensions and lower oil prices, sentiment across Asian markets turned negative after reports confirmed fresh U.S. strikes on Iran on Wednesday. The attacks marked the second round of military action this week and came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected reports suggesting Iran and Oman would jointly oversee shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz under a possible peace arrangement.
Oil prices rebounded sharply following the strikes, reversing part of the previous session’s losses. Brent crude climbed close to $97 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose above $90 per barrel. Rising energy prices increased concerns that inflationary pressures could persist globally.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.1% after reaching record highs in the previous session, while the broader TOPIX index edged 0.2% lower. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 1.1% as semiconductor and AI-related stocks faced profit-taking after recent gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell nearly 2%, pressured by weakness in major technology shares.
China’s Shanghai Composite lost 0.4%, and the CSI 300 index declined 1.1%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.7%. India’s Nifty 50 futures also traded lower.
Investors are now closely watching the upcoming U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Markets fear that continued geopolitical instability and rising oil prices could complicate the Fed’s monetary policy outlook and potentially increase the chances of another interest rate hike later this year.
