With the earnings season heating up and global politics in flux, Asia’s stock markets (Asia Markets) showed resilience, even as Japan’s government took a hit in elections. Here’s your quick wrap-up:
Quick Highlights:
- Japan’s ruling coalition lost upper house control, weakening PM Ishiba — but markets had already priced it in.
- Yen slightly strengthened 0.4% to 148.29 against the dollar.
- MSCI Asia ex-Japan index eased 0.1%; China’s blue chips rose 0.3%.
- South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.5%.
- BOJ unlikely to raise rates amid political uncertainty.
- China held interest rates steady, boosting rare earth and construction shares.
- Wall Street futures ticked up as Alphabet (Asia Markets), Tesla & IBM gear up to report earnings.
- Defence stocks may pop with RTX, Lockheed & GD reporting soon.
- Microsoft warns of active cyberattacks, urges urgent security updates.
- Rate cut buzz: Fed’s Waller favors a cut; others like Powell urge caution.
- ECB to hold rates steady, markets watching tariff talks (Asia Markets) closely.
- Oil prices edge up: Brent at $69.38, US crude at $67.50.
Gold up 0.5% to $3,367/oz, platinum sees biggest action.
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