Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
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 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. stock futures traded flat Monday evening following record closes for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, as enthusiasm over the recent U.S.–EU trade agreement began to ease. Futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.1% to 6,426.50 points, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.2% to 23,526.75 points, while Dow Jones futures hovered near 45,000 points.
The muted movement comes ahead of a pivotal week for economic data and corporate earnings. Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting starting Tuesday, with interest rates expected to remain at 4.25%–4.5%. Markets will seek clues on potential rate cuts later this year. Key U.S. data releases, including the PCE price index, job openings, and the July employment report, will also guide sentiment.
The weekend’s trade deal between Washington and Brussels, which imposes a 15% tariff on European goods entering the U.S., offered temporary relief but shifted focus back to upcoming macroeconomic catalysts. Talks between U.S. and Chinese officials in Stockholm further signaled efforts to extend their tariff truce by three months, while analysts highlighted the need for future agreements with Asian markets like South Korea, Taiwan, and India.
Earnings season intensifies with over 150 S&P 500 companies reporting this week. Tech giants Meta and Microsoft will release results Wednesday, followed by Apple and Amazon on Thursday. Investors are particularly interested in guidance on artificial intelligence spending, as major hyperscalers continue heavy investment in the sector.
Market volatility is expected to rise as traders balance trade developments, central bank policy, and earnings from the so-called “Magnificent Seven” stocks, which have driven much of this year’s market gains.
