European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian stocks traded mostly flat to lower on Tuesday as geopolitical tensions and central bank uncertainty kept investors cautious. Markets remained jittery after U.S. President Donald Trump called for the evacuation of Tehran, escalating fears of deeper U.S. involvement in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Although the White House clarified it had no immediate plans for military action and was pushing for a ceasefire, the conflict entered its fifth day with no resolution in sight.
Adding to the unease, traders are bracing for several major central bank decisions this week. Most notably, the Bank of Japan is set to announce its interest rate decision later today, with expectations it will hold rates at 0.5%. However, investors are wary of potential hawkish commentary from Governor Kazuo Ueda amid persistent inflation in Japan. The BOJ is widely expected to raise rates in July if the inflation trend continues.
Japanese stocks outperformed the region, with the Nikkei 225 up 0.5% and the TOPIX gaining 0.2%, supported by tech shares and a weaker yen boosting exporters. In contrast, China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 dropped 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.4%.
South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.5% on tech sector strength, extending gains amid hopes for political stability. Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.1%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index climbed 0.4% despite a surprise contraction in May exports. India’s Gift Nifty 50 Futures edged down 0.1%, indicating a possible pullback after Monday’s rally.
Global markets are also awaiting the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate decision on Wednesday, alongside moves from the Swiss National Bank, Bank of England, and the People’s Bank of China—making this a pivotal week for financial markets.
