Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
The S&P 500 edged up Monday as investor sentiment improved following President Donald Trump's remarks suggesting openness to global trade negotiations. Trump said his administration is “always open to talk,” including with the European Union, easing fears of an imminent trade war. His comments came after sending letters proposing tariffs—including a 30% levy on goods from Mexico and the EU—but he described them as “opportunities for deals.”
At market close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 88 points (0.2%), the S&P 500 gained 0.1%, and the NASDAQ added 0.3%, ending at a record high of 20,640.33.
Investors are watching closely as the August 1 deadline looms for the expiration of the current tariff pause. Customs duty collections reached a record $113.3 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2025, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent projecting it could rise to $300 billion by year-end.
This week also marks the start of the U.S. corporate earnings season, with major banks like JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo set to report. Additional earnings from Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, and 3M are also expected. Fastenal shares climbed after the company beat Q2 estimates.
Market attention will shift Tuesday to the June Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key indicator for Federal Reserve policy. The CPI is forecast to rise 0.3% month-over-month and 2.6% annually. The Fed held rates steady in June, but futures suggest a possible rate cut in September.
Meanwhile, crypto-related stocks soared as Bitcoin surged past $123,000. Shares of Coinbase, Marathon Digital, and MicroStrategy posted strong gains, boosted by rising ETF inflows and optimism over favorable U.S. regulation.
