Asian Currencies Strengthen as Indian Rupee and Australian Dollar Rally 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
U.S. stocks closed mixed Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq setting new record highs, fueled by strong tech performance and easing trade tensions following a deal between the U.S. and Vietnam. The Dow Jones dipped slightly, ending 0.02% lower at 44,484.42 but remained within 1.2% of its December record.
Tech giants Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) led the Nasdaq to a 0.94% gain, closing at 20,393.13. Tesla rose 5% despite reporting a sharp drop in Q2 deliveries, with some analysts noting the decline was less severe than feared. Leveraged ETF TSLL, offering 2x daily exposure to Tesla, saw high trading volume.
The S&P 500 added 0.47%, closing at 6,227.42. The market initially opened lower after weaker-than-expected private payroll data but rebounded after the announcement of 20% tariffs on Vietnamese exports under the new trade deal. Investors welcomed the development, hoping it signals progress in broader trade talks. The Trump administration also hinted at a potential agreement with India.
Investor attention now turns to Thursday’s non-farm payrolls report, released a day early due to the July 4 holiday. Economists expect cooling job growth and a slight uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.3%, which could push the Federal Reserve closer to rate cuts.
Centene (NYSE: CNC) plunged 40% after withdrawing its 2025 earnings outlook, citing a major revenue shortfall in its health insurance plans.
Trading volume reached 16.95 billion shares, just below the 20-day average. Analysts say investor sentiment remains risk-on, driven by hopes of looser monetary policy and improving trade dynamics.
