Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Asian markets rose on Tuesday, brushing off fresh U.S. tariff threats after President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to negotiate. Despite weak cues from Wall Street, investor sentiment in Asia improved as Trump delayed the start date for new tariffs to August 1 and hinted at ongoing trade discussions.
South Korea’s KOSPI led regional gains, climbing 0.7% thanks to a 2.5% rally in SK Hynix shares, which surged after Samsung Electronics warned of disappointing second-quarter earnings. In contrast, Samsung shares slipped around 1%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat, while the TOPIX edged slightly lower.
Trump unveiled plans for 25% tariffs on goods from South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, and higher levies on others—Thailand (36%) and Indonesia (32%). However, his comment that the August 1 deadline wasn’t “100% firm” sparked optimism that some countries could reach trade deals with Washington before tariffs take effect.
Malaysian stocks fell 0.7%, while Indonesia's benchmark dipped 0.2%. Still, broader Asian markets gained on hopes of a softer stance. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.3%, and Singapore’s Straits Times inched up 0.1%. Indian Gift Nifty 50 Futures also rose 0.1%, boosted by progress on a potential U.S.-India trade agreement.
Australian markets remained cautious ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision. The ASX 200 dipped 0.1% as traders awaited a widely expected 25-basis-point rate cut to 3.60%—the third this year. While recent inflation and growth data support easing, Westpac analysts cautioned that a cut is not guaranteed due to global economic uncertainties.
Overall, markets remained resilient as hopes for continued U.S. trade negotiations offered some relief.
