Gold Holds Near Two-Month High as Treasury Yields Fall 
US Plans ‘Toughest Sanctions in History’ on Iran, Bessent Says 
Oil Prices Ease as US-Iran Tensions Keep Brent on Track for Weekly Gain 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Weakens After Treasury Bond Buybacks 
India PMI Rises as Services Offset Manufacturing Slowdown 
Japan Trade Deficit Widens as Imports Surge on Energy and AI Demand 
Dollar Hovers Near Multi-Month Lows as Treasury Buybacks Rattle Markets 
Oil Prices Retreat as Markets Await Tougher Iran Sanctions 
Asian Stocks Rise as Korea Tech Shares Rebound 
Trump Vows Tougher Iran Sanctions as US Weighs New Economic Pressure 
Asian Currencies Rise as Dollar Weakens, Treasury Yields Climb 
Europe EV Sales Surge as High Fuel Prices Drive Demand 
Oil Prices Rise as Trump Threatens Tougher Iran Economic Measures 
Australia Unemployment Rate Hits 4.5% as Jobs Fall in July 
US Dollar Heads for Worst Week Since July as Fiscal Concerns Mount 
UK Budget Swings to Surprise £1.8 Billion Deficit in July 
Canada Announces Dollar-for-Dollar Retaliation Against 50% U.S. Tariffs 
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Asian stocks fell sharply on Monday as technology shares faced renewed selling pressure, led by steep losses in Samsung Electronics and Alibaba. Escalating U.S.-Canada trade tensions and elevated Treasury yields further weakened investor appetite for risk.
South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 3.4%, with Samsung Electronics plunging 8.7% after its shareholder return plan disappointed investors. The company plans to return up to 110 trillion won ($80 billion), but the announcement fell short of market expectations. SK Hynix also declined 2.4% as semiconductor stocks remained under pressure ahead of Nvidia’s earnings on Wednesday.
Nvidia’s results will be closely watched for signs that rapid artificial intelligence growth can support high technology-sector valuations. Investors are also awaiting Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech on Friday for clues about the U.S. interest-rate outlook.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index sank 2.1%, dragged lower by Alibaba, which tumbled nearly 10%. The Chinese technology giant priced an HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion) share placement at HK$112.70 per share, representing an 8.4% discount to its previous close. Alibaba plans to direct the proceeds toward AI infrastructure and capabilities.
Mainland Chinese stocks recorded smaller declines, with the CSI 300 down 1.3% and the Shanghai Composite falling 0.7%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.5%, while SoftBank dropped 5% after announcing a record ¥1 trillion retail bond offering.
Market sentiment was also hurt after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods following failed trade negotiations. Canada responded with reciprocal measures, raising concerns about global trade and corporate costs.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury yields remained elevated, with the 10-year yield around 4.71% and the 30-year yield near 5.25%.
Australia bucked the regional decline, with the S&P/ASX 200 gaining 0.5%. Ampol jumped 5% after first-half underlying net profit surged 376% to A$857.2 million, supported by stronger refining margins amid Middle East supply disruptions.
