Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Asian shares climbed Monday, fueled by strong demand for tech giants like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Amazon, pushing S&P 500 futures to a fresh all-time high. Nasdaq futures rose 0.3%, while S&P 500 e-minis added 0.2%. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1%, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.5%, and MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged up 0.1%.
The bullish sentiment came despite caution over U.S. fiscal policy. Investors are watching progress on President Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates could add $3.3 trillion to U.S. debt. Meanwhile, Friday’s holiday brings U.S. non-farm payrolls data forward, with economists forecasting a modest 110,000 job gain and a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.3%.
Weaker labor data could boost odds of a July rate cut from the Federal Reserve. JPMorgan’s Michael Feroli noted that rising continuing claims and falling consumer confidence point to softening job conditions. A higher unemployment print could shift futures to price in deeper cuts beyond the currently expected 63 basis points for 2025.
U.S. Treasury yields held steady at 3.27% as easing expectations supported bonds despite concerns over ballooning deficits. However, the dollar weakened on expectations of slower growth and rate cuts. The euro hovered at $1.1731, sterling at $1.3719, and the yen strengthened to 144.48 per dollar. The U.S. dollar index slipped to 97.163, with Capital Economics warning further declines may trigger a broader selloff.
Gold prices fell to $3,266/oz as risk appetite returned, while oil extended its losses. Brent crude dropped to $67.22 and WTI to $64.84 amid concerns over rising OPEC+ supply and last week’s steep 12% drop.
