📉 Asian Markets Waver Amid Fed Rate Uncertainty & Tech Volatility

• Global Equity & FX Trends: Asian shares struggled for direction following a volatile week driven by tech jitters and a divided US Federal Reserve. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index fell 0.6%, Japan’s Nikkei headed for a 4.0% weekly loss, while yields on 30-year US Treasuries hit a 19-year high of 5.23%. • Energy Markets: Brent crude futures slipped below US$ 90/bbl after surging over 7% a day earlier due to escalating Middle East tensions, though regional tanker shipments continued. • Tech & Electronics Industry: - South Korea’s KOSPI fell 1% (on track for a 15% weekly slump), erasing over US$ 2 Tn in market value amid single-stock leveraged ETF sell-offs. - Samsung posted a 250-fold jump in chip profit while warning of semiconductor shortages extending into 2028. - Tech earnings diverged significantly: Microsoft gained on strong cash flow outlooks, while Meta saw stock declines following a 91% collapse in Q2 free cash flow. • US Monetary Policy: The Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged, leaving bond markets guessing. Futures now reflect a 60% probability of a rate hike in September, with 33 bps of tightening priced in by year-end.