RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian stocks edged lower on Monday, weighed by losses in Wall Street futures after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on imports from the EU and Mexico starting August 1. While the European Union extended its suspension of counter-tariffs and signaled a continued push for negotiation, Germany called for firm retaliation if the levies proceed.
Markets responded cautiously, reflecting either resilience or growing complacency. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan remained flat, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.5%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures dropped 0.4% ahead of a critical earnings season kickoff, with U.S. banks set to report Tuesday. Analysts expect S&P profits to rise 5.8% year-over-year, down from earlier 10.2% forecasts. BofA predicts a modest 2% beat, below historical averages.
Treasuries saw minor safe-haven flows, keeping 10-year yields at 4.41%. Futures hinted at a slight increase in rate-cut expectations for 2026. Despite Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s measured stance, Trump escalated pressure for more stimulus, even suggesting Powell should resign due to Fed HQ renovation overruns.
Traders await U.S. June CPI data due Tuesday, which could reflect early inflationary effects from tariffs. Additional economic indicators—including producer prices, import prices, and retail sales—will provide further insights into consumer resilience. Meanwhile, China's June trade data and GDP are set for release this week.
Currency markets saw the euro dip 0.2% to $1.1665, while the dollar gained on the yen and Mexican peso amid tariff fears. Gold rose 0.3% to $3,366 as a safe-haven asset. Oil prices inched higher on speculation of potential new U.S. sanctions on Russian crude buyers, with Brent at $70.45 and WTI trading at $68.50.
