China Industrial Output Beats Forecasts as Domestic Demand Weakens 
Global Motor Oil and Auto Paint Shortages Persist Despite Potential U.S.-Iran Peace Deal 
Asian Currencies Steady as BOJ Raises Rates and Markets Await Fed Decision 
Oil Prices Recover Slightly as U.S. Crude Inventories Fall, But Iran Deal Caps Gains 
Japan Trade Deficit Narrows as Exports Surge in May 
Taiwan Central Bank Likely to Keep Interest Rates Unchanged Through 2027 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
US-Iran Ceasefire Deal Extends Peace Talks and Eases Oil Trade Restrictions 
AI-Focused Asia Hedge Funds Deliver Triple-Digit Returns in 2026 Rally 
Global EV Sales Rise for Third Consecutive Month in May Despite Regional Market Challenges 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Wall Street Surges as US-Iran Deal Eases Oil Price and Inflation Concerns 
U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Extends Gulf Ceasefire, Reopens Strait of Hormuz 
RBA Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 4.35% as Markets Watch AUD/USD and ASX 200 
US Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Key Federal Reserve Decision 
BOJ Rate Hike Expected to Boost Yen, Impact USD/JPY and Nikkei 
Myanmar Economic Outlook Hit by Fuel Price Shock as World Bank Cuts Growth Forecast 
Asian stock markets mostly moved higher on Wednesday, led by gains in Japan and Singapore, as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision. Strong performance in technology and semiconductor stocks helped support regional markets, although caution ahead of the Fed meeting limited broader gains.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.6%, remaining close to its recent record high above 70,000 points, while the broader TOPIX index gained 0.75%. Technology, semiconductor, and industrial shares led the rally amid continued optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) demand. Recent trade data showed that exports of AI-related electronics and semiconductor products contributed to robust export growth in May, helping Japan record a smaller-than-expected trade deficit.
Despite the positive market sentiment, SoftBank Group shares fell as much as 5% after reports suggested that OpenAI, one of the company’s major investments, continues to face significant operating costs and ongoing losses related to its advanced AI models.
Japanese equities largely shrugged off the Bank of Japan’s recent 25-basis-point interest rate increase. The central bank also indicated that further rate hikes remain possible as it addresses inflationary pressures driven by energy costs.
Elsewhere in Asia, Singapore’s Straits Times Index surged more than 1% to a new record high. The rally followed stronger-than-expected growth in non-oil domestic exports during May, supported by rising global demand for AI-related electronic products.
Australia’s ASX 200 advanced 0.5% after the Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates unchanged, a move widely anticipated by markets. In China, the CSI 300 index edged up 0.3%, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.75% amid concerns over weaker Chinese economic data released earlier in the week.
South Korea’s KOSPI traded mostly flat after recent volatility in semiconductor stocks. Meanwhile, futures linked to India’s Nifty 50 rose 0.6%, signaling a positive market opening.
Investors remain focused on the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement. While rates are expected to remain unchanged, market participants are closely monitoring economic projections and guidance on future interest rate moves. Attention is also turning to a planned memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, which could help ease geopolitical tensions and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
