China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Asian stock markets rose on Friday, led by Japan, as a strong rally in U.S. tech and bank shares lifted investor sentiment. However, gains were capped by caution ahead of the July 9 deadline for potential new U.S. tariffs, despite signs of progress in U.S.-China trade talks.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 1.6%, hitting a five-month high, while the broader TOPIX gained 1.2%. Tech giants led the charge, with Tokyo Electron jumping 5%, Sony rising 2.6%, and SoftBank Group adding nearly 3%. The rally came even as Tokyo's June consumer price index rose less than expected, casting doubt on the Bank of Japan’s ability to continue raising interest rates. Tokyo’s inflation figures are seen as a key gauge for nationwide price trends.
Overnight, Wall Street posted solid gains with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing just below record highs, fueled by tech and financial stocks. U.S. futures were flat during Asian hours, reflecting investor caution ahead of trade policy developments.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick stated that a U.S.-China trade deal outlined in Geneva has been finalized, with additional agreements involving 10 major partners expected soon. Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran continued to hold, easing concerns over global supply chains.
Across Asia, performance was mixed. China’s Shanghai Composite was flat, while the CSI 300 edged up 0.1%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.4%, and Australia’s ASX 200 hovered near record highs. Southeast Asian markets also gained, with the Philippines’ PSEi up 0.7% and Singapore’s STI advancing 0.6%. India’s Nifty 50 futures ticked 0.2% higher. South Korea’s KOSPI bucked the trend, falling 0.8% on profit-taking after a strong recent rally.
