BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Asian stock markets declined on Tuesday as investor sentiment weakened בעקבות escalating geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and anticipation of further monetary tightening in Australia. Regional trading activity remained subdued, with major markets in Japan, China, and South Korea closed, leading to lower overall volumes.
The downturn followed negative cues from Wall Street, where U.S. equities dropped after Iran launched retaliatory strikes in response to a U.S. mission aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This development raised concerns about a potential disruption to the fragile ceasefire between the two nations. However, statements from Iranian officials suggested that diplomatic negotiations are still ongoing, offering some hope of de-escalation. Meanwhile, S&P 500 Futures remained largely unchanged during Asian trading hours.
Australia’s benchmark ASX 200 index fell by 0.6% as investors braced for a widely anticipated interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Analysts expect the central bank to raise rates by 25 basis points, marking its third increase this year as it continues to address persistent inflation pressures. Rising oil and gas prices, partly driven by tensions involving Iran, have reinforced expectations of a more hawkish monetary policy stance. The ASX 200 has now declined in 10 of the past 11 sessions, reflecting investor caution amid tightening financial conditions. Among notable movers, Westpac Banking Corporation dropped 1.8% after reporting weaker-than-expected first-half earnings, while Regis Resources fell 4.9% following its announcement to acquire Vault Minerals.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also moved lower, declining 0.8%, primarily due to losses in technology stocks that mirrored the overnight sell-off in U.S. markets. The tech sector faced additional pressure from profit-taking after a strong rally driven by artificial intelligence optimism in recent weeks. Gains fueled by DeepSeek’s AI model launch in late April have started to fade as investor enthusiasm cools.
Elsewhere in the region, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures traded flat, highlighting a cautious outlook across Asian financial markets.
