Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
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 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Argentina Economy Shrinks 1.5% in April, Recovery Under Milei Loses Momentum 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as technology shares followed overnight losses on Wall Street, while investors reacted to stronger-than-expected Japanese economic growth and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Market sentiment remained cautious due to inflation concerns linked to elevated oil prices and uncertainty surrounding global economic growth.
Wall Street’s Nasdaq closed lower overnight as rising crude oil prices fueled worries about inflation and the potential impact on interest rates. U.S. stock futures also moved slightly lower during Asian trading hours. Investors are now closely watching Nvidia’s upcoming quarterly earnings report, scheduled for Wednesday, which is expected to test the strength of the ongoing artificial intelligence-driven stock market rally. AI-related semiconductor stocks across Asia saw profit-taking ahead of the results.
Japan’s economy delivered stronger-than-expected growth in the first quarter of the year. Annualized GDP expanded by 2.1%, beating market expectations of 1.7%. The growth was supported by stronger private consumption and improved external demand. Capital expenditure increased 0.3% quarter-on-quarter, while the GDP price index climbed 3.4%, highlighting persistent inflation pressures in the country. Despite the upbeat data, analysts believe Japan’s economic momentum may slow in the coming quarters. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.4%, while the broader TOPIX index gained 0.5%.
Oil prices eased slightly after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had paused a planned military strike on Iran, adding that there was a strong possibility of reaching a new nuclear agreement with Tehran. Brent crude retreated from highs above $110 per barrel but remained elevated amid supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.6%. Chinese markets were mostly flat, with the CSI 300 dropping 0.6% and the Shanghai Composite remaining steady. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also traded sideways.
South Korea’s KOSPI index fell sharply by 3%, pressured by heavy losses in Samsung Electronics shares. Samsung stock dropped more than 5% as labor union negotiations resumed after previous talks failed. Investors remain concerned about the possibility of a strike that could disrupt semiconductor production operations.
