Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
U.S. stocks ended flat on Friday as markets shook off initial jitters from a Financial Times report suggesting former President Donald Trump is pushing for steep tariffs—between 15% and 20%—on European Union goods. While the S&P 500 dipped 0.01% to 6,296.79, the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.05% to 20,895.66. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.32% to 44,342.19.
Despite the tariff scare, investor confidence remains strong, with both the S&P and Nasdaq hovering near record highs. Analysts note a shift in sentiment, with markets showing less sensitivity to trade threats and more focus on hard economic data. BNP Paribas strategist Greg Boutle remarked that investors are now awaiting solid proof of policy impacts.
Economic reports painted a mixed picture: retail sales were strong, consumer inflation rose, and producer prices were flat in June. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index also climbed, though inflation concerns persist.
Earnings season began with varied results. Of 59 S&P 500 companies reporting so far, 81.4% exceeded expectations. Yet, outperforming estimates hasn’t guaranteed stock gains—American Express and Netflix both fell despite beating forecasts. On the upside, Charles Schwab rose 2.9% on strong profits, and Regions Financial jumped 6.1% after raising its 2025 outlook.
Cryptocurrency stocks advanced after the U.S. House passed a bill to establish a crypto regulatory framework. Robinhood climbed 4.1%, and Coinbase rose 2.2%.
Sector-wise, utilities led gains with a 1.7% rise, hitting a record close. Energy lagged, down 1%, dragged by SLB and Exxon Mobil, which fell after disappointing earnings and a legal loss involving Hess.
For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.59%, the Nasdaq rose 1.5%, and the Dow slipped 0.07%.
