Sample Category Title

A sector rotation took centre stage in the US stock market on Tuesday, 1 July, as investors pulled out of mega-cap technology stocks. The Nasdaq 100 slid -0.90%, underperforming significantly, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9% for its fourth consecutive gain, closing at 44,495—just 1% shy of its all-time intraday high of 45,074 from December 2024.

US Senate vote pressures Tech giants

The sell-off in tech was triggered by the Senate’s approval of President Trump’s US$3.3 trillion tax and spending cut package. The legislation included the rejection of a proposal that would have limited individual US states from regulating artificial intelligence, delivering a blow to tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia.

Fed and BoJ hold cautious policy stance

Speaking at the ECB Forum on Central Banking, Fed Chair Jerome Powell maintained his cautious “wait and see” stance on rate cuts, drawing further criticism from President Trump. Similarly, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated that the central bank will wait for more data, particularly around inflation and tariff impacts, before tightening further.

While the BoJ left its policy rate unchanged at 0.5% in June (a 16-year high), markets still anticipate one more 25-basis-point hike in Q4.

US dollar weakens further, but pace slows

The US dollar extended its losing streak to seven sessions on Tuesday, though at a slower pace, with the US Dollar Index down -0.1%. In today’s Asia session, the greenback is trading flat overall, registering minor gains against the euro (+0.08%) and yen (+0.14%), while holding steady against the pound and Australian dollar.

Asia equities mixed; Nikkei lags on tariff fears

Asia Pacific markets opened mixed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 underperformed with an intraday drop of -0.12%, following an early dip of -1% that tested the 39,390 support level. The slide came after President Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Japanese exports to 30%-35%, up from a proposed 24%, as trade negotiations falter ahead of the 9 July reciprocal tariff deadline.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index reopened from a public holiday with a 0.6% intraday gain, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index extended its rally by 0.5%, setting a new all-time intraday high of 4,010.

Gold holds gains above support ahead of US jobs data

Gold (XAU/USD) continues to consolidate near US$3,340, supported by its 50-day moving average at US$3,318. After a two-day rally that delivered a 2.9% gain, momentum has paused near the 20-day moving average resistance at US$3,360. Traders are now awaiting the US ADP Employment Change report for cues on the next directional move.

Economic data releases

Fig 1: Key data for today’s Asia mid-session (Source: MarketPulse)

Chart of the day – Nikkei 225 bounces from support, bullish trend remains intact

Fig 2: Japan 225 CFD Index minor trend as of 2 July 2025 (Source: TradingView)

The recent minor corrective decline of -3.4% seen on the Japan 225 CFD Index (a proxy of the Nikkei 225 futures) from its 30 June 2025 intraday high of 40,852 to 2 July 2025 intraday low of 39,527 has stalled at an intermediate key support inflection area.

Firstly, the lower boundary of a minor ascending channel has been in play since the last Monday, 23 June low. Secondly, the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the prior steep bullish breakout rally from 23 June 2025 low to 30 June 2025 high. Thirdly, the minor corrective decline of -3.4% may mark the end of a minor corrective wave 4 sequence, and the next possible move on the Japan 225 CFD Index may see the start of a minor bullish impulsive wave 5 sequence based on the Elliot Wave Principle (see Fig 2).

In addition, the hourly RSI momentum indicator has traced out a bullish divergence condition yesterday at its oversold region and staged a bullish breakout above a parallel descending resistance. These observations suggest yesterday’s downside momentum has eased.

Watch the 39,390 key short-term pivotal support for the next intermediate resistances to come in at 40,4040, 40,335, and 40,850/41,050 in the first step.

On the flip side, a break below 39,390 negates the bullish tone for an extension of the minor corrective decline to expose the next immediate supports at 39,145 and 38,850 (pull-back of the former range resistance from 13 May 2025 and close to the 20-day moving average).

Markets

The US Senate pulled an all-nighter and squeaked through president Trump’s supersized bill. Vice-president Vance had to break the tie in favour of the bill with a nail-biting 51-50 vote. The Senate’s version of the OBBB now returns to the House, where a vote is expected today or tomorrow. Voting it down means both chambers need to look for a compromise but that’s going to scupper Trump’s unofficial July 4th deadline. Either way, after having come this far it’s safe to assume the bill will pass eventually, in any case before the end of they year. US deficits, debt and risk premia & therefore long-term yields will rise. The near-certain passing of OBBB redirects the short-term spotlights back to trade. When asked yesterday, Trump repeated he’s not considering to delay the July 9 deadline (end of the tariff pause). It’s unclear whether this is coming from growing frustration with Japan, which Trump seems to making an example out of for other trading partners, including the EU. It’s also conflicting with signals from the likes of USTS Bessent. In the end it could just simply be Trump upping the ante ahead of intensive trade talks in the coming days. The impact on markets was in any case limited. Stronger-than-expected US economic data turned out to be the more important driver instead. JOLTS job openings and the manufacturing ISM (although with mixed details) helped pull rates up to 5.3 bps higher at the front end of the curve. Bunds outperformed Treasuries and sent yields between 1.2 and 4.7 bps lower in a bull flattener. Yesterday’s Sintra panel conversation between ECB’s Lagarde, Fed’s Powell and BoJ’s Ueda offered nothing materially new. Data dependency remains the buzz word and for Powell that meant nothing is to be ruled out or in at any meeting, including (an in our view unlikely) cut in July. The most notable comments actually came on the sidelines of the ECB symposium from vice-chair de Guindos on the level of the common currency: 1.17 (EUR/USD) or even 1.20 can be overlooked at, he said, but “something beyond would be much more complicated” in terms of hitting the 2% inflation mark sustainably. Markets seem keen to test the ECB’s patience with the first EUR/USD close north of 1.18 since September 2021. The trade-weighted dollar dropped further to 96.82 after having gone as low as 96.37. Dollar weakness is the name of the game, despite a poor attempt to recover some ground this morning. The greenback stays vulnerable for the upcoming batch of data. It’s telling how USD failed to benefit yesterday even with yield differentials moving in its favour. The ADP job report for June is due today. Consensus expects employment to have grown by 98k after May’s meagre 35k. In the UK meanwhile, PM Starmer tried to save face with another policy reversal in what supposed to be his flagship welfare reforms. Risking a backlash from rebel Labour MPs, the government dropped the key cost-saving part of the bill. UK Chancellor Reeves’ Autumn Budget task is increasingly looking near-impossible. Her options are: cut spending, raise taxes or alter the fiscal rules for a second year straight.

News & Views

Headline inflation in South Korea printed at 0.0% M/M, raising the headline measure to 2.2%, up from 1.9%. Core inflation was unchanged at 2%. In a broader perspective, the data suggest that inflation is on track to hold near the 2% target of the Bank of Korea (BoK). The BoK cut the policy rate to 2.5% in May. Governor Rhee attending the Sintra-ECB forum yesterday indicated that Bank of Korea remains concerned about the impact for the tariffs on growth rather than about inflation risks. This suggests that the easing cycle will likely continue later this year. However, aside from the activity/inflation balance, the BoK is also keeping a close eye a the financial stability risks as house prices and household debt are again rising, suggesting the need for a gradual approach to further easing.

Retail sales in Australia in May again continued the lackluster momentum that is already in place since the end of last year. Sales grew at a 0.2% below consensus (0.5%) pace after a stabilization in April. Coming on the back of softer than expected May labour market data and a faster than expected easing of the May monthly inflation measure (published last week at 2.1% from 2.4%) today’s data support the case for the Reserve bank of Australia to further reduce the policy rate at the upcoming meeting on Tuesday next week. The RBA policy rate currently stands at 3.85% after a second 25 bps rate cut in the current cycle at the May meeting. Despite the prospect for further easing, the Aussie dollar remains well bid against an overall weak US dollar with AUD/USD near 0.658 currently testing the strongest levels since November last year.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 196.32; (P) 197.09; (R1) 197.90; More...

Intraday bias in GBP/JPY stays neutral as consolidations continues below 198.78. Near term outlook will stay bullish as long as 193.99 support holds. Above 198.78 will resume the rise from 184.35 to 199.79 resistance. Break there will target 100% projection of 180.00 to 199.79 from 184.35 at 204.14.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 208.09 are seen as a correction to rally from 123.94 (2020 low). Strong support should be seen from 38.2% retracement of 123.94 to 208.09 at 175.94 to contain downside. However, sustained break of 175.94 will bring deeper fall even still as a correction.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 168.58; (P) 169.19; (R1) 169.93; More...

EUR/JPY staying in consolidations below 169.83 and intraday bias remains neutral. Deeper retreat might be seen but downside should be contained well above 166.01 support to bring another rally. Above 169.83 will resume the rise from 154.77 to 100% projection of 154.77 to 164.16 from 161.06 at 170.45. Break there will target 138.2% projection at 174.03.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 175.41 are seen as correction to up trend from 114.42 (2020 low). Strong support should be seen from 38.2% retracement of 114.42 to 175.41 at 152.11 to contain downside. However, sustained break of 152.11 will bring deeper fall even still as a correction.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.8565; (P) 0.8581; (R1) 0.8605; More...

Intraday bias in EUR/GBP remains on the upside as rise from 0.8354 is in progress. Sustained trading above 61.8% retracement of 0.8737 to 0.8354 at 0.8591 will extend the rally from 0.8354 to 0.8737 high. However, firm break of 0.8506 support will suggest rejection by 0.8591, and turn bias back to the downside instead.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 0.8221 medium term bottom are seen as forming a corrective pattern to the down trend from 0.9267 (2022 high). Nevertheless, there is no clear momentum to break through 0.8201 key support (2022 low) yet. Hence, range trading is expected between 0.8221/8737 for now.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.7889; (P) 1.7932; (R1) 1.7978; More...

Intraday bias in EUR/AUD remains neutral as consolidations continue below 1.7989. Further rally is expected as long as 1.7626 support holds. Above 1.7989 will target 61.8% retracement of 1.8554 to 1.7245 at 1.8054. Sustained break there will pave the way to 1.8554.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 1.8554 medium term are seen as a corrective pattern. While deeper pullback might be seen, downside should be contained by 38.2% retracement of 1.4281 (2022 low) to 1.8554 at 1.6922 to bring rebound. Up trend from 1.4281 is expected to resume at a later stage.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.9314; (P) 0.9333; (R1) 0.9359; More....

Intraday bias in EUR/CHF remains neutral first. On the downside, decisive break of 0.9306 support will turn bias to the downside for retesting 0.9218 low. On the upside, break of 0.9428/45 resistance zone will resume the rebound from 0.9218.

In the bigger picture, while downside momentum has been diminishing as seen in W MACD, there is no sign of bottoming yet. EUR/CHF is still staying below 55 W EMA and well inside long term falling channel. Outlook will stay bearish as long as 0.9660 resistance holds. Break of 0.9204 (2024 low) will confirm resumption of down trend from 1.2004 (2018 high).

Rally in most major indices across Europe and the US paused yesterday, as Trump-driven optimism began to sour under the rocky glare of the summer sun. Less-than-ideal news on both the trade and political fronts served as a sharp reminder that all is not rosy—that trade negotiations, and Trump’s friendships, can turn into onion soup faster than you can say ‘tariff’ or ‘DOGE.’

Japan is experiencing it big time. Trade negotiations appear to be stuck over Japan’s unwillingness to buy Uncle Sam’s rice. Tokyo now risks being slapped with 30–35% tariffs. Meanwhile, the EU seems willing to accept 10% tariffs in exchange for some exemptions—if that’s Trump’s will.

To top it off, yesterday’s US data did little to support those betting on an imminent Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut. Most FOMC members still argue that cutting rates now would be a mistake, particularly as they expect inflation to rise due to tariffs in the coming months, and the labour market remains robust enough to wait. In fact, US job openings unexpectedly rose in May, the ISM Manufacturing Index showed slower contraction, and price pressures edged higher in June.

The combination of better-than-expected jobs and activity data with stronger-than-expected inflation reads like this in plain English: the Fed shouldn’t rush into rate cuts.

For now, the most reasonable scenario is that inflation will start to rise, and the data is pointing in that direction. That message is finally—if slowly—sinking in, even among some of the Fed doves. US 2-year yields rebounded after hitting the 3.70% mark, but the probability of a July cut, which looks increasingly unlikely, still stands at around 21% this morning. The base case remains two cuts from the Fed this year. That leaves room for a further hawkish adjustment, which could bring July cut expectations to zero and two-cut expectations to one. That, in turn, should push the 2-year yield higher and slow - or reverse - the equity rally heading into the earnings season.

Today, investors are focused on the US ADP employment report. The US is expected to have added 99,000 new nonfarm jobs in June. A weaker-than-expected figure could offer short-term support to the Fed doves, though arguably it shouldn’t. A stronger-than-expected print, on the other hand, could further demoralize the dovish camp and accelerate the long-overdue hawkish repricing in Fed expectations. And the bigger the gap between expectations and reality, the more violent the correction, and the sharper the potential selloff.

Other red flags

• US equity valuations have risen while earnings growth expectations are trending lower. While this may set the bar lower for beats, and the weaker US dollar could boost USD-denominated earnings, markets seem to be overlooking the risk that trade chaos may have caused deeper disruption to supply chains and production lines.
•  US debt. Trump’s latest tax bill just scraped through the Senate with one vote and now heads to the House. It comes with a $3 trillion price tag—set to be financed on the backs of the bottom 20% losing benefits like Medicaid.

The more risks we sweep under the rug—and the wider the gap between valuations and fair value—the greater the size of a potential correction. And while seasoned traders know that markets rebound eventually, a big enough selloff could trigger margin calls and forced liquidations, leading to realized losses. In short, the risk of a selloff remains very real.

In individual stock news: Things got spicy. Tesla dropped more than 5% yesterday after Elon Musk criticized climate subsidies and publicly clashed with Trump, perhaps forgetting that while he may be an ex-friend, Trump is also the President. Trump fired back, claiming Tesla wouldn’t exist without subsidies and is reportedly reviewing Musk’s immigration status (he’s originally from South Africa and now a naturalized US citizen). It’s absurd on many levels—but also, sadly, not surprising.

As I’ve said before: Buying Tesla for Musk has never been a sound investment thesis. His souring relations with the White House could also hit Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions, as these depend on regulatory flexibility—something the administration may be less willing to offer in a political spat.

Meanwhile, competitors like BYD are capitalizing. The Chinese EV maker posted its best month of car sales this year, pushing H1 volumes past 2 million. BYD’s stock is hovering just below its 100-DMA, and the PE ratio stands at 21. The company remains a compelling addition to a globally diversified equity portfolio.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.1768; (P) 1.1799; (R1) 1.1837; More...

Intraday bias stays in EUR/USD on the upside for 61.8% projection of 1.0176 to 1.1572 from 1.1064 at 1.1927. On the downside, below 1.1709 minor support will turn intraday bias neutral and bring consolidations. But downside should be contained above 1.1452 support to bring another rally.

In the bigger picture, rise from 0.9534 long term bottom could be correcting the multi-decade downtrend or the start of a long term up trend. In either case, further rise should be seen to 100% projection of 0.9534 to 1.1274 from 1.0176 at 1.1916. This will now remain the favored case as long as 1.1604 support holds.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 142.64; (P) 143.45; (R1) 144.23; More...

USD/JPY is still bounded in range of 142.10/148.01 and intraday bias stays neutral. On the upside, firm break of 148.01 resistance will resume the rise from 139.87 to 61.8% retracement of 158.86 to 139.87 at 151.22. However, break of 142.10 will bring deeper fall back to retest 139.87 low.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 161.94 are seen as a corrective pattern to rise from 102.58 (2021 low), with fall from 158.86 as the third leg. Strong support should be seen from 38.2% retracement of 102.58 to 161.94 at 139.26 to bring rebound. However, sustained break of 139.26 would open up deeper medium term decline to 61.8% retracement at 125.25.