US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
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.
