Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
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 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Asian equities retreated on Thursday following disappointing Chinese economic data and a sharp drop in copper prices, while investors assessed a new trade deal between South Korea and the U.S. The dollar hovered near a two‑month high after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged and major U.S. tech firms posted strong earnings.
Nasdaq futures surged 1.2% and S&P 500 futures rose 0.8% after Microsoft and Meta reported stronger‑than‑expected revenue, driven by cloud computing and AI‑powered advertising. MSCI’s Asia‑Pacific index excluding Japan fell 0.7% but remained on track for a fourth straight monthly gain.
Chinese and Hong Kong stocks led losses as July PMI figures signaled slowing factory activity. Traders are now awaiting the Bank of Japan’s policy decision for clues on potential rate hikes. The Fed’s 9‑2 vote to hold rates steady marked the fifth consecutive meeting without a change, though Chair Jerome Powell’s comments dampened expectations for September cuts.
The dollar index stood at 98.81, close to Wednesday’s peak of 99.98, with a projected 3.1% monthly gain — its first rise in 2025. U.S. GDP beat forecasts in Q2 but showed underlying weakness amid trade policy uncertainty.
The Korean won firmed 0.3% after President Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korean imports, paired with Seoul’s $350 billion U.S. investment pledge. Copper futures tumbled 19.4% after the U.S. confirmed a 50% tariff on pipes and wiring.
Oil prices extended gains for a fourth session, supported by supply concerns and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Brent crude traded at $73.48 a barrel, while WTI stood at $70.15.
Global markets remain volatile as investors navigate mixed economic signals, shifting trade policies, and central bank strategies.
