MONEY MASTER

Quick Summary: Asian tech shares bounced back early Thursday, tracking a recovery in US tech stocks after buyers stepped in during a late-session rebound on Wall Street.  Key Highlights Asian Tech Recovery: 2 gainers for every 1 decliner  in the MSCI Asia Pacific Tech Index. TSMC  gained  0.9%  after a sharp fall on Wednesday. Samsung Electronics  and  Advantest Corp  also rose. Nasdaq 100 futures  dipped slightly ( -0.1% ) after recovering off the day’s lows. Market Mood: Investors are cautious ahead of the  Jackson Hole Symposium , where  Fed Chair Powell  is expected to speak about inflation and interest rates.  Expert Views “Markets may be pricing in too much optimism about a Fed pivot,” said Kyle Rodda, Capital.com. “Tech needs to stay strong to avoid a broad sell-off,” warned Matt Maley, Miller Tabak.  US Market Snapshot Nasdaq 100  and  Magnificent Seven  tech stocks fell for the second and fourt...

Global markets got a boost Monday after the  US and European Union  struck a trade agreement, easing fears of a deeper trade war. The deal imposes a  15% tariff on most EU goods —half the previously threatened rate—and requires Europe to purchase more US energy and military equipment. The EU agreed to avoid retaliatory tariffs, providing businesses with some much-needed clarity. Market Reaction European futures:  Up more than 1% S&P 500 futures:  +0.5% Nasdaq futures:  +0.6% Euro:  Strengthened against the dollar, sterling, and yen Oil:  Brent and WTI crude both gained 0.5% Gold:  Fell to a near two-week low as demand for safe havens eased “This is a big win for the US,” said Prashant Newnaha of TD Securities. “Markets see this as stability and predictability returning to trade policy.” Asia-Pacific Performance MSCI Asia-Pacific index (ex-Japan): +0.32%, near a 4-year high Hong Kong’s Hang Seng: +0.5% Japan’s Nikkei: -1% after last week’s...

Asian markets held firm on Monday despite political headwinds in Japan and rising global uncertainty. With Wall Street bracing for earnings from major tech giants and the U.S.-EU tariff deadline fast approaching, investors are cautiously optimistic — for now. Japan Election Jitters: No Surprise, No Panic Japan’s ruling coalition  lost its upper house majority  in Sunday’s election, weakening Prime Minister  Shigeru Ishiba’s grip on power. Despite the setback, Ishiba pledged to stay on, limiting market reaction. A Japanese market holiday also helped mute volatility. The  yen strengthened 0.4%  to 148.29 against the dollar. “This kind of domestic uncertainty usually sidelines the Bank of Japan,” said NAB’s Rodrigo Catril. “Rate hikes are likely pushed further out — possibly past October.” While the  Nikkei was closed , futures climbed slightly to 39,875, above last week’s cash close of 39,819. Asia-Pacific Markets: Holding Ground MSCI Asia ex-Japan index : Fl...