Markets Business

• Global stock markets declined on Thursday as slumping AI-related shares and computer chipmakers dragged down indexes worldwide. • The S&P 500 fell 0.5%, while international markets saw sharper drops, including a 1.8% decline in Shanghai and a 2.8% dip in Tokyo. • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 1.3%, bolstered by Alibaba's gains after China's cyberspace regulator approved the Apple Intelligence AI tool.

• European shares remained flat on Wednesday, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index holding steady at 641.83 points. • Market stability was driven by a conflict between positive corporate earnings and geopolitical instability, specifically escalating tensions in the Middle East. • Strong financial results from chip equipment manufacturer ASML and luxury goods group Richemont (owner of Cartier) provided upward pressure on the markets.

• Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following a surprise slowdown in the U.S. inflation rate. • South Korea's chipmaker-heavy KOSPI surged 6% in early trade, while Japan's Nikkei rose 0.4% and the MSCI Asia-Pacific index (excluding Japan) climbed 1.7%. • The gains reflect investor optimism that cooling U.S. inflation may lead to more favorable monetary policies, boosting global equity sentiment.

• Japan's Nikkei index dropped 1.12% to 67,786.86 by the midday break as rising oil prices negatively impacted corporate outlooks. • While the broader market fell, bank shares helped limit the decline of the Topix index. • Key financial institutions, including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, both saw gains of more than 2%.

• Investors are preparing for a volatile week as US stock markets, currently near record highs, face a combination of corporate earnings reports and critical economic data. • Market stability will be tested by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, specifically developments involving Iran, which may introduce new risks. • This period is significant because it will determine if the current market resilience can withstand simultaneous pressures from corporate financial results and international instability.

• Indian stock markets recovered from an early slump on July 13, 2026, with IT stocks showing strength while the realty and metal sectors dragged. • Global sentiment remained cautious as Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s KOSPI fell sharply due to geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy costs. • Brent crude prices climbed above $78 a barrel, sparking concerns regarding inflation, corporate margins, and India's import bill.

• Global stock markets are showing signs of fragility due to stretched valuations and a "late-cycle" warning pattern where dominant components weaken while headline indices remain high. • In Thailand, foreign capital returned to equities in 2026 following three years of net outflows, successfully pushing the SET Index above 1,500 points. • Market instability is intensifying as weakness initially seen in technology stocks spreads into the financial sector, with several major sectors completing topping patterns.

• Chinese and Hong Kong stocks rose during midday trading, with the Hang Seng index climbing 0.7% and the blue-chip CSI300 Index gaining 0.3%. • The Shanghai Composite Index also saw a slight increase, edging 0.1% higher as market sentiment improved. • The rally is driven by broadening AI enthusiasm, which has expanded beyond technology into the farming and biotechnology sectors.

• On July 3, 2026, the Indian stock market saw the Sensex climb 300 points and the Nifty 50 rise above 24,200, supported by a sustained rally in IT stocks. • Simultaneously, Bitcoin rose 2.3% to trade near $61,500, contributing to a global cryptocurrency market capitalization of approximately $2.13 trillion. • The crypto rebound was triggered by weaker-than-expected U.S. payroll growth in June, which added only 57,000 jobs against a forecast of 110,000.

• The ASIFMA 2026 Asia-Pacific Capital Markets Survey has identified the top eight markets in the APAC region for ease of doing business. • Leading jurisdictions include Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, India, Taiwan, China Mainland, and South Korea. • The survey highlights 11 key product and service lines targeted for expansion, led by Equities, Fixed Income, FX, Asset Management, and ESG & Sustainability.