Asia markets set to open mixed as investors assess trade developments, await China benchmark rates

Asia markets set to open mixed as investors assess trade developments, await China benchmark rates


Here are the opening calls for the day

Good morning from Singapore.

Investors will be keeping a close watch on the People’s Bank of China’s decision on its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates for July expected later in the day.

Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 24,883, pointing to a stronger open compared with the HSI’s Friday close of 24,825.66.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was set to start the day lower with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,688, compared with its last close of 8,757.20.

Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday.

— Amala Balakrishner

U.S. futures little changed in early Asia hours

S&P 500, Dow end Friday in the red

The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average ended Friday in the red, with stocks turning lower in afternoon trading as tariff fears took over.

The 30-stock Dow lost 142.30 points, or 0.32%, ending at 44,342.19. The S&P 500 inched 0.01% lower to close the session at 6,296.79.The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added just 0.05% to settle at 20,895.66.

— Pia Singh



Source

The Japanese art of ‘forest bathing’ can improve focus, lower stress: What it is and how to get the most benefit
World

The Japanese art of ‘forest bathing’ can improve focus, lower stress: What it is and how to get the most benefit

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku in its original Japanese, is a mindfulness practice that involves immersing oneself in nature. The decades-old practice pulls from research that shows that spending time in nature can help lower stress levels and improve focus. Recently, forest bathing is growing in popularity, thanks in part to social media where people are […]

Read More
Having a personal brand at work is key for introverts, expert says: ‘A lot of people underestimate’ them
World

Having a personal brand at work is key for introverts, expert says: ‘A lot of people underestimate’ them

Goldie Chan knows how to put herself out there. Chan, the founder and head of content for branding agency Warm Robots, is also an author, a frequent keynote speaker and a LinkedIn Top Voice. Still, she describes herself as an introvert at heart — which presented a challenge in growing her career. “I think a […]

Read More
34-year-old and his family saved ,000, quit their jobs to move to Taiwan for 13 months: ‘This is not something that can afford to wait’
World

34-year-old and his family saved $60,000, quit their jobs to move to Taiwan for 13 months: ‘This is not something that can afford to wait’

Ever dreamed of taking a sabbatical from your career and traveling the world? Jason Lee and his wife Katie did that when, in July 2024, they moved themselves and their son from Columbus, Ohio, to Taipei, Taiwan. Jason and Katie, both 34, came up with the idea after they brought Forrest, now 6, to visit […]

Read More