Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Argentina Economy Shrinks 1.5% in April, Recovery Under Milei Loses Momentum 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
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 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
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 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
Asian stock markets opened higher on Tuesday, supported by renewed optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) demand and reports that Iran may join peace talks with the United States. The positive sentiment helped lift regional equities, even as geopolitical tensions and central bank uncertainty kept investors cautious.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan climbed 0.9%, while South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.1% to reach a record high, its first since the Iran conflict began. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also advanced 1.2%. However, Australian stocks moved against the trend, slipping 0.3%. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1%, signaling a tentative recovery after recent losses on Wall Street.
Market confidence was partly driven by reports that Iran could still participate in negotiations with the U.S. in Pakistan, despite earlier indications it might skip the talks. However, the fragile ceasefire between the two nations remains under pressure following the U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, which prompted threats of retaliation from Tehran. Concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz also pushed oil prices higher, although Brent crude later eased 0.4% to $95.09 per barrel.
Investors are closely watching the U.S. Federal Reserve outlook, particularly the Senate confirmation hearing of Kevin Warsh, former Fed official and President Donald Trump’s nominee for Fed chair. Warsh is expected to emphasize central bank independence while addressing his stance on interest rates and quantitative easing. Analysts note his past criticism of the Fed’s large balance sheet could influence future monetary policy decisions.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar index held steady at 98.08, while the euro and British pound dipped slightly. Gold remained stable at $4,824, and cryptocurrencies showed limited movement, with Bitcoin and Ethereum trading lower. Overall, global markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, monetary policy signals, and AI-driven investment trends.
