Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian stock markets slipped on Monday as mixed signals from U.S. officials regarding tariff delays sparked investor confusion. Despite flagging a postponement, the Biden administration has yet to clarify details or issue formal documentation. Oil prices also declined after OPEC+ surprised markets with a larger-than-expected supply increase.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would finalize several trade deals soon and notify countries of higher tariffs by July 9, with enforcement beginning August 1. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that if negotiations stall, tariff rates could revert to April levels, potentially reaching up to 70%.
While Trump initially proposed a 10% base tariff with higher reciprocal rates up to 50%, his recent comments about potential ranges from 10% to 70% have added further ambiguity. Analysts note that this uncertainty comes as key trade partners like the EU, India, and Japan are deep in negotiations, raising concerns about global economic fallout.
Market reactions were cautious. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures dropped 0.3%, Japan’s Nikkei lost 0.3%, and South Korea’s KOSPI fell 0.7%. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan edged down 0.1%. Safe-haven demand lifted U.S. 10-year Treasury yields slightly, while the U.S. dollar index hovered near a four-year low.
Commodity markets mirrored the jitters. Brent crude fell 52 cents to $67.78 per barrel, and U.S. crude slipped $1.01 to $65.99, as OPEC+ announced a production hike of 548,000 barrels per day for August, with more possible in September. Gold eased 0.3% to $3,324 an ounce.
With limited economic data and only two scheduled Fed speakers this week, markets are bracing for further volatility driven by trade and policy uncertainty.
