Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
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 
Chip Stocks Rally as Samsung and SK Hynix’s $1.3 Trillion Investment Plan Boosts AI Optimism 
NATO Albania Summit Faces Uncertainty as Trump, Defense Spending Concerns Loom 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Asian Stocks Surge, Dollar Hits 7-Week High
Asian stocks surged on Monday, with the dollar reaching a seven-week peak against the yen. The rally was sparked by robust U.S. labor data, easing recession fears and reducing expectations for rate cuts.
U.S. Treasury Yields & Job Growth
Short-term U.S. Treasury yields rose after U.S. non-farm payrolls data reported the highest job growth in six months. The strong labor market sent Dow futures slightly higher, pointing to continued gains.
Stock Market Highlights
- Japan’s Nikkei: Up 2%, supported by a weaker yen.
- Australia’s Benchmark: Rose 0.12%.
- South Korea’s Kospi: Increased by 0.29%.
- MSCI Asia-Pacific Index: Climbed 0.4%.
Crude Oil & Geopolitical Tensions
Oil prices dipped from recent highs, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude fell to $77.40 per barrel, and U.S. crude dropped to $73.85 per barrel.
Currency Market Movements
The U.S. dollar hit 149.10 yen, the highest since August, while the euro eased to $1.0971. Japan's top currency official pledged to monitor forex movements closely.
Federal Reserve & Interest Rates
Bets on a larger Federal Reserve rate cut in November faded, with traders now predicting a quarter-point reduction or no change, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Treasury Yields & Gold Prices
The two-year U.S. Treasury yield reached its highest in over a month at 3.9488%. Gold edged slightly lower to $2,649.29 an ounce.
