Goldman Sachs sees potential in Asian stocks, urges commodity diversification

• Insider Monkey has identified five industrial stocks that are projected to have an upside potential of more than 50%. • The report highlights a specific stock that gained significant visibility after being included in multiple Russell indices on June 27.

• India's M&A deal value surged 31% to $86.9 billion in the first half of 2026, according to a report by LSEG. • While total deal volumes decreased by 8%, the value increase was driven by fewer but larger transactions, including significant restructurings and cross-border acquisitions.

• The United States currently maintains its position as the global economic leader, though its long-term stability is being questioned. • Deutsche Bank has identified the country's escalating debt burden as the primary risk threatening its economic foundation.

• Thailand is launching an aggressive tourism campaign for the second half of the year to sustain rising international arrivals and strengthen both long-haul and short-haul markets. • The strategy focuses on key Asian markets, utilizing digital campaigns in China, aviation expansion in India, and promoting cross-border travel for visitors from Malaysia.

• Euronext Athens ranked among the world's top 10 stock exchanges in the first half of 2026, raising a record €5.9 billion. • The exchange achieved its sixth consecutive year of gains and outperformed both the U.S. S&P 500 and the pan-European STOXX 600 indices in June.

• The Korean won has depreciated nearly 6% against the U.S. dollar in 2026, marking one of the weakest performances among major global currencies. • This decline is primarily driven by foreign investors offloading more than 156 trillion won worth of domestic stocks.

• The South Korean won has declined nearly 6% against the US dollar so far this year, according to recent central bank data. • This depreciation is driven by foreign investors selling off more than 156 trillion won (approximately $102.3 billion) in domestic stocks.

• Anglo American is currently navigating merger talks that are paused as investors focus on the agreed exchange ratio and the company's £44.6 billion market capitalization. • Mining stocks received a boost due to firm copper prices, providing stability ahead of critical upcoming financial disclosures.

• European stocks reached record highs this week, with both the STOXX 600 and Germany's DAX hitting all-time peaks. • The rally was driven by investor bets against imminent US rate hikes, easing inflation, and a balanced economic outlook in the Eurozone.

• The euro area household saving rate remained stable at 14.3% during the first quarter of 2026, according to data from Eurostat. • This steady rate occurred because both gross disposable income and household consumption increased at an identical pace of 0.8%.

• US hiring experienced a sharp slowdown in June, following a three-month streak of stronger-than-expected employment data. • The cooling labor market has led investors to reduce their expectations for further Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes this year.