BONDS UNDER PRESSURE
Global bond yields are climbing as markets increasingly price in a September Fed rate hike.
• US 10-year yield: 4.78%
• Japan 10-year yield: 2.99%
• Australia 10-year yield: 5.18%
OIL FIRES UP INFLATION FEARS
Renewed US-Iran strikes pushed Brent crude higher, raising fresh concerns that energy costs could keep inflation elevated.
FED BETS SHIFT FAST
Markets now see a 74% chance of a September Fed hike, sharply up from 34% before Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s hawkish comments.
The big test now? Friday’s US jobs report.
STOCKS FEEL THE HEAT
US stocks slipped, but August still ended strongly:
• S&P 500: -0.3% Monday, +2.5%+ in August
• Nasdaq: -0.1% Monday, +3%+ in August
• Dow: -0.7% Monday, +1.3% in August
CORPORATE WATCH
Nvidia’s $3.5 billion investment in MediaTek sent MediaTek shares soaring nearly 10%.
Meanwhile, Amazon fell more than 3% after reports of a potential FTC lawsuit over its advertising practices.
GOLD HOLDS ITS GROUND
Gold slipped on Monday but remained on track for its best month since February, with central-bank buying and ETF inflows supporting demand.
YEN ON INTERVENTION WATCH
The yen traded near 160 per dollar, keeping investors alert to the possibility of another intervention by Japanese authorities.
THE BIG MARKET QUESTION
Can stocks keep rising if oil, inflation fears and bond yields continue moving higher?