Japan December Core Machinery Orders +1.6% m/m (vs. expected 2.8%, prior -8.3%)

Japan's flash composite PMI rose to 52.5 in June, its strongest in three months, but input cost inflation hit a near four-year high as Middle East war pressures on energy and materials intensified.

PBOC is expected to set the USD/CNY reference rate at 6.7762 – Reuters estimate

UBS remains bullish on global equities over six to twelve months, forecasting S&P 500 EPS growth of 20% in 2026 and AI-related capital expenditure of $820bn, with further gains expected across Asia and Europe.

Pedestrian deaths up 75% as US vehicles grow taller. Rising risks for auto sector valuations.

Standard Chartered forecasts gold at $5,100/oz and the S&P 500 at 7,950 by mid-2027, favouring equities and EM bonds in a soft-landing base case while flagging a more active H2 ahead.

Australia's flash composite PMI rose to 49.8 in June from 48.7, nearing stabilisation, but business confidence hit its lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic as new orders continued to fall.

SpaceX stock plunges 23% from its peak, erasing investor gains post-IPO. Valuation concerns mount.