Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
U.S. copper prices surged to a record high on Tuesday after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on imported copper, intensifying global trade tensions. Trump also warned of upcoming tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. U.S. Comex copper futures spiked over 12%, highlighting the metal’s strategic importance in electric vehicles, military hardware, and infrastructure. Copper miner Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) rose 2.5% in response.
In letters to 14 countries, including Japan and South Korea, Trump confirmed sweeping tariffs would take effect August 1. While he noted progress with the EU and China, he hinted that a new tariff letter to the EU was imminent. Stocks, which sold off on Monday, were relatively stable Tuesday, as investors awaited second-quarter earnings reports. Analysts from BofA and Goldman Sachs raised their S&P 500 year-end targets, citing solid corporate earnings.
The Dow Jones slipped 0.37% to 44,240.76, the S&P 500 dipped 0.07% to 6,225.52, and the Nasdaq inched up 0.03% to 20,418.46. The MSCI world index fell slightly, while Europe’s STOXX 600 gained 0.41%.
The Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes, due Wednesday, may offer insight on potential rate cuts. U.S. Treasury yields rose, with the 10-year yield climbing to 4.417%. However, demand was weak for a $58 billion three-year note auction. Additional bond sales are scheduled for later this week.
Currency markets saw the yen slide against the dollar and euro, while the Australian dollar gained after the RBA held interest rates steady. Oil prices edged up, with U.S. crude at $68.33 and Brent at $70.15. Spot gold fell 1.05% to $3,300.32 per ounce.
