Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Asian stock markets declined on Thursday as investors reacted to a sharp rise in oil prices, mixed corporate earnings, and a cautious outlook from the U.S. Federal Reserve. The combination of geopolitical tensions, energy market volatility, and uncertainty over monetary policy weighed heavily on investor sentiment across the region.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.4%, while the broader TOPIX index fell 1.5%, reflecting concerns over rising energy costs and weaker manufacturing data. In China, the Shanghai Composite remained relatively stable, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined by 1.5%. Meanwhile, South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 0.2% after earlier hitting a record high, supported by strong earnings from Samsung Electronics.
Oil prices played a major role in market movements, with Brent crude climbing above $120 per barrel amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports of a potential prolonged blockade and geopolitical tensions added to uncertainty, increasing fears of sustained inflationary pressure globally.
Investor caution was further reinforced by the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that inflation risks remain elevated, particularly due to rising energy prices, signaling a continued cautious stance on monetary policy.
Technology stocks across Asia showed mixed performance, mirroring uneven reactions to earnings from major U.S. tech companies. While demand for artificial intelligence technologies remains strong, as highlighted by robust results from companies like Samsung, broader market sentiment remained fragile.
Economic indicators also painted a mixed picture. Japan’s factory output unexpectedly declined, pointing to ongoing industrial weakness, while retail sales showed resilience. In China, manufacturing activity expanded for a second consecutive month, supported by stronger export demand.
Elsewhere, India’s Nifty 50 fell 1.1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.5%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged down 0.3%, reflecting broader regional caution. Overall, global investors remain focused on oil price trends, inflation risks, and central bank policies as key drivers of market direction.
