Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Malaysia Central Bank Moves to Support Ringgit Amid Foreign Fund Outflows 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Asian stock markets showed a mixed performance on Friday as rising oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. A fragile ceasefire and stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations failed to provide clarity, leaving global markets cautious.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged up 0.3%, marking a modest weekly gain of 0.8%. Japan’s Nikkei also climbed 0.45%, while markets in South Korea, China, and Hong Kong declined. U.S. stock futures showed signs of recovery, with Nasdaq futures up 0.6% and S&P 500 futures gaining 0.1%, following losses in the previous session. Meanwhile, European futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures dropping 0.65% and 0.9%, respectively.
Market volatility continues to reflect uncertainty around the Middle East conflict, particularly tensions involving Iran and the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged as supply concerns intensified, with Brent crude rising over 1% to $106.21 per barrel and U.S. crude reaching $96.77. Analysts note that despite ceasefire announcements, ongoing military threats and geopolitical risks are keeping energy markets on edge.
Currency markets remained relatively stable, though the U.S. dollar strengthened on safe-haven demand. The euro fell to $1.1684, while the British pound hovered near $1.3469. Attention is now turning to upcoming central bank meetings, including the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of England, as investors assess the potential impact of rising energy costs on inflation and interest rates.
The Japanese yen approached the critical 160 per dollar level, trading at 159.78, increasing speculation about possible government intervention. Japan’s finance ministry reiterated its readiness to act if needed, especially amid reduced liquidity during the Golden Week holiday.
Overall, global financial markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, oil price fluctuations, and central bank policy signals, all of which are expected to drive market direction in the coming weeks.
