Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Malaysia Central Bank Moves to Support Ringgit Amid Foreign Fund Outflows 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
The Russian stock market ended Saturday's trading session virtually unchanged, with the MOEX Russia Index closing at 0.00% as mixed performance across sectors balanced out gains and losses. Despite the flat headline index, market breadth leaned bullish, with 167 advancing stocks outpacing 52 decliners and 25 issues closing flat on the Moscow Stock Exchange.
Among the top gainers, Surgutneftegas PJSC Preferred shares (MCX:SNGS_p) led the session with a 1.22% gain, closing at 47.74. Fertilizer giant PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) climbed 0.92% to finish at 7,326.00, while state-owned oil major Rosneft PJSC (MCX:ROSN) edged up 0.81% to 505.15, reflecting continued investor interest in Russia's energy and commodities sectors.
On the downside, aluminum producer OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) slipped 0.21% to 44.35, national carrier Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) eased 0.21% to 51.30, and steelmaker Severstal PJSC (MCX:CHMF) dipped 0.13% to 926.60. These modest declines suggest limited selling pressure rather than broad-based bearish sentiment.
Market volatility remained subdued, with the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) holding flat at 21.59, marking a new 52-week low — a signal that options traders are pricing in relatively calm near-term conditions for Russian equities.
In commodities, global oil prices strengthened noticeably. April-delivery crude oil surged 3.11% to $98.71 per barrel, while May Brent crude rose 2.67% to $103.14 — developments that could support Russia's energy-heavy index in upcoming sessions. Gold futures for April delivery, however, declined 1.25% to $5,061.70 per troy ounce.
On the currency front, the US Dollar gained 0.75% against the Russian Ruble to 80.10, while the Euro slipped 0.08% to 91.45 per Ruble. The US Dollar Index Futures also rose 0.61% to 100.36, reflecting broader dollar strength in global forex markets.
