RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
U.S. Stocks Rally to Record Highs as AI Rebound Fuels Holiday-Shortened Session 
US and Japan Fast-Track $550 Billion Strategic Investment Initiative 
Why U.S. Coffee Prices Are Staying High Despite Trump’s Tariff Rollbacks 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
UBS Warns of Short-Term Risks as Precious Metals Rally to Record Highs 
BOJ Governor Signals Gradual Rate Hikes as Japan’s Inflation Nears 2% Target 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
Asian stocks bounced back at the start of the month, tracking Wall Street’s strong finish last week. Investors remained cautious ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming trade tariff decision, with uncertainty over potential tariff rates hinting at softer measures.
Major U.S. stock indexes closed higher Friday after PCE inflation data met expectations. Meanwhile, Asian stocks, which suffered steep losses in the previous session, saw strong gains Monday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 1.4%, while the TOPIX rose 1.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.8%, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite gained 2.2%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.6%. South Korea’s markets were closed for a holiday.
China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.7%, with the CSI 300 rising 0.8%, supported by better-than-expected manufacturing PMI data. The Caixin manufacturing PMI hit a three-month high, signaling resilience in China’s economy amid past stimulus efforts.
Trump’s tariff decision remains a key market focus. While the U.S. previously imposed 10% additional tariffs on China, Trump is set to finalize tariff rates on Tuesday, leaving room for potential adjustments. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at a possible moderation in levies, easing investor concerns.
China’s highly anticipated “Two Sessions” meetings begin this week, with investors watching for economic policy signals. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are expected to outline strategies to stabilize China’s economy amid slowing growth, weak consumer confidence, and a struggling property sector. Analysts predict China will maintain its 5.0% GDP target while detailing fiscal and monetary policies to support economic recovery.
Markets remain on edge as investors assess trade developments and China’s next policy moves.
