Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
U.S. stock index futures rose sharply Wednesday evening, driven by strong quarterly earnings from Microsoft and Meta Platforms that boosted optimism for AI-led growth. The rally followed a muted Wall Street session earlier in the day after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, dampening expectations for a rate cut in September.
Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 1.1% to 23,719.75 points, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.7% to 6,441.25 points. Dow Jones futures added 0.2% to 44,690 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq outperformed as investor sentiment improved on robust results from major tech firms.
During regular trading, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%. The Fed’s decision marked the first double dissent since 1993, with Trump-appointed governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller favoring a 25 basis-point cut. President Donald Trump criticized the central bank, urging rapid rate reductions to spur growth.
Economic data earlier Wednesday showed U.S. GDP grew more than expected in Q2, rebounding from a Q1 contraction. Private payrolls rose by 104,000 in July, ahead of Friday’s key nonfarm payrolls report.
Microsoft surged over 8% after reporting strong cloud and AI-driven revenue, while Meta soared nearly 12% on robust ad growth and upbeat guidance. Apple and Amazon are set to report next.
In trade developments, Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korean imports alongside a $350 billion U.S. investment pledge from Seoul and a 25% tariff on India over Russian military purchases. A 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products begins August 1, signaling escalating trade tensions.
