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 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian markets rose modestly on Wednesday as investors remained cautious following U.S.-China trade talks that ended without a major breakthrough and ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.3%, led by Taiwanese shares, while Australian stocks advanced 0.7%. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.03% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.4%.
The euro rebounded 0.2% to $1.1564 after hitting a one-month low, supported by optimism surrounding the EU’s trade deal with Washington. Traders are closely watching several upcoming central bank decisions, economic data, and corporate earnings reports, including results from Microsoft and Meta later today.
The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates steady, though some policymakers may advocate for cuts amid trade tensions and inflation uncertainties. Analysts suggest rate reductions could come as early as September. U.S. Treasury yields dipped, with the 10-year note at 4.328%, the lowest since early July.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Bank of Japan is also expected to maintain its policy stance on Thursday, with markets awaiting clues on future hikes following progress in Japan-U.S. trade talks. Meanwhile, attention is focused on looming U.S. tariff deadlines. The 90-day U.S.-China tariff truce expires August 12, while India faces potential 20%-25% tariffs on certain exports by August 1.
Oil prices inched higher, with Brent crude at $72.65 a barrel, amid supply concerns linked to geopolitical tensions over Ukraine. The Singapore dollar strengthened 0.2% after its central bank left monetary policy unchanged following stronger-than-expected Q2 growth.
Market sentiment remains cautious as investors brace for policy updates and earnings that could set the tone for global markets in the coming weeks.
