Dollar Holds Near Six-Week Low as Yen Loses Momentum Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
U.S., Iran, Oman Near Interim Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Ceasefire Efforts 
Philippine GDP Growth Slows to 2.3% in Q2 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as US Dollar Nears Seven-Week Low Ahead of Key Jobs Data 
Asian Currencies Rise as Dollar Stays Near Six-Week Low, RBI Holds Rates Steady 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Dow Hits Record Despite Tech Weakness 
Gold Price Hits Seven-Week High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Fade and Hormuz Deal Hopes Grow 
German Bund Yields Hit Three-Week Low as Energy Prices Ease and ECB Outlook Softens 
China Trade Surplus Beats Forecasts in July as Exports Stay Strong 
Asian Stocks Slip as AI Rally Fades, Oil Holds Steady on Iran Peace Deal Hopes 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as Inflation Risks and Global Uncertainty Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as Semiconductor Selloff Weighs on South Korea and Japan 
Singapore Says One-Third of U.S. Exports Hit by New 12.5% Tariff 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
US Stock Futures Rise as Markets Await July Payrolls Data 
Oil Prices Slip as Hormuz Shipping Progress and Rising U.S. Crude Stocks Weigh on Market 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Asian stocks traded mixed on Friday as renewed weakness in semiconductor shares weighed on South Korean and Japanese markets, while investors awaited the closely watched U.S. July nonfarm payrolls report for fresh clues on Federal Reserve policy.
Wall Street ended mixed overnight after U.S. economic data pointed to continued labour-market resilience. Initial jobless claims remained below 200,000 for a third consecutive week, while second-quarter productivity growth exceeded forecasts. The figures added uncertainty over whether the Federal Reserve will adjust interest rates at its September meeting. In early Asian trading, Nasdaq 100 futures gained around 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures were nearly flat.
South Korea’s KOSPI dropped roughly 1.2%, extending its weekly decline beyond 6% and putting the index on course for a seventh straight weekly loss. Semiconductor stocks remained under pressure as investors reassessed elevated artificial intelligence valuations. SK Hynix fell more than 4%, while Samsung Electronics recovered nearly 1% following steep losses earlier in the week.
Japanese stocks also weakened, with the Nikkei 225 falling about 1%, although it remained on track for a weekly gain. Kioxia Holdings declined more than 5% and Murata Manufacturing lost over 4%. Fujifilm Holdings plunged nearly 18% after announcing that it was considering a partial spinoff of its imaging business.
Chinese stocks outperformed the broader Asian market. The CSI 300 rose around 1%, while the Shanghai Composite gained approximately 0.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped about 0.2%, with Alibaba and Tencent edging lower. Hong Kong-listed insurers also remained under pressure amid reports of tighter enforcement of taxes on investment income from offshore insurance policies.
Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained around 0.4%, supported by strong bank earnings. DBS Group and OCBC posted solid weekly gains, while UOB declined after reporting its latest results. Australian shares edged lower, while Nifty 50 futures advanced.
Oil prices also climbed as geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and fresh Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia raised concerns about potential disruptions to Middle East energy supplies.
