RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
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 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Asian stock markets edged higher on Friday in thin holiday trading, following record-breaking gains on Wall Street, while investors remained cautious about escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Trading activity across the region was subdued, as key markets including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India were closed for public holidays.
Despite lower volumes, regional equities were supported by a strong U.S. session, where both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite reached new all-time highs. Positive corporate earnings and a pullback in oil prices boosted investor confidence, particularly in technology stocks after Apple reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.6%, while the broader TOPIX index remained flat. However, gains were limited due to rising geopolitical risks. Reports suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump was preparing to review military options against Iran, increasing fears of further conflict. Iran responded with warnings of “long and painful strikes” if attacked, heightening uncertainty in global markets.
Concerns also grew over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, which has tightened supply expectations. Brent crude prices previously surged above $126 per barrel, marking a four-year high, before easing later.
Asian equities had already posted strong gains in April, fueled by optimism around artificial intelligence growth and a temporary easing of geopolitical tensions. South Korea’s KOSPI jumped over 30%, Japan’s Nikkei gained more than 15%, China’s Shanghai Composite rose nearly 6%, and India’s Nifty 50 advanced 7.5%.
Meanwhile, Tokyo’s inflation data showed modest growth, with consumer prices rising 1.5% year-on-year in April, still below the Bank of Japan’s target. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.9%, supported by strong retail performance from Coles Group.
Overall, global market sentiment remains positive but fragile, as investors balance strong economic signals with ongoing geopolitical risks.
