Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Russian stocks finished mixed after the close of trading in Moscow on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index ending the session unchanged at 0.00%. Market sentiment remained cautious as gains in select energy and utility stocks were offset by declines in metals, real estate, and telecom shares, leaving the benchmark index flat by the end of the day.
Among the best-performing stocks on the MOEX Russia Index was Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX: HYDR), which climbed 1.16% to close at 0.44. The stock benefited from steady interest in utility companies amid broader market uncertainty. Unipro PJSC (MCX: UPRO) also posted gains, rising 0.54% to finish at 1.50, while preferred shares of Surgutneftegas PJSC (MCX: SNGS_p) advanced 0.46% to end the session at 40.35, supported by strength in the energy sector.
On the downside, Magnitogorskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat PAO (MCX: MAGN) was among the weakest performers, slipping 0.59% to 28.50 as metals stocks faced selling pressure. PIK SHb PJSC (MCX: PIKK), a major real estate developer, fell 0.53% to 487.80, while Rostelekom PJSC (MCX: RTKM) declined 0.49% to close at 63.17, reflecting softness in the telecommunications sector.
Overall market breadth was positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by 131 to 80, while 27 stocks finished unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks implied volatility of MOEX Russia Index options, remained steady at 31.02, indicating stable investor expectations despite mixed equity performance.
In commodities trading, gold futures for February delivery rose 0.52% to $4,387.30 per troy ounce, signaling continued demand for safe-haven assets. Oil prices also moved higher, with February crude oil gaining 0.93% to $56.52 per barrel, while Brent crude increased 1.09% to $60.47.
In the currency market, the Russian ruble weakened against major currencies. USD/RUB rose 0.86% to 80.50, and EUR/RUB gained 0.76% to 94.26. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index futures edged up 0.16% to 98.25, adding modest pressure to emerging market currencies, including the ruble.
