Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Wall Street futures slipped on Monday while oil prices briefly surged to five-month highs, as investors grew anxious over a potential Iranian retaliation following U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities. The geopolitical uncertainty stoked fears of supply disruptions and inflation, though market reaction remained relatively contained.
Brent crude rose 1.9% to $78.46 per barrel, and U.S. crude gained 2% to $75.30, having pulled back from initial peaks. Analysts at ANZ warned that if Iran disrupts oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for 20% of global oil flows—prices could spike to the $90–95 per barrel range. JPMorgan noted historical regime changes in the region often sent oil soaring by up to 76%.
Despite the tension, markets showed resilience. S&P 500 futures dipped 0.3%, while Nasdaq futures lost 0.5%, having earlier fallen nearly 1%. Nikkei futures hovered slightly lower at 38,380. Gold edged up 0.2% to $3,375 an ounce, while the U.S. dollar gained 0.2% against the yen at 146.36 and the dollar index rose 0.25% to 99.008.
Treasury futures showed minimal movement, suggesting no rush to traditional safe-haven assets. Interest rate futures ticked lower as rising oil prices raised inflation concerns. While some investors still hope for a Fed rate cut in July, most expect action in September. Fed Governor Christopher Waller recently supported a July cut, diverging from more cautious peers like Chair Jerome Powell.
This week brings speeches from at least 15 Fed officials and Powell’s testimony before Congress, where economic impacts of tariffs and the Iran conflict are expected to dominate discussions. Meanwhile, NATO leaders meet in The Hague to address defense spending amid Middle East tensions. Upcoming U.S. data includes core inflation, jobless claims, and global factory output.
