Topic: #macro
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Dollar hits two-week lows as rate-hike bets fade, boosting Bitcoin and Ether
Weak June jobs data sent the dollar tumbling and rate-hike odds falling, triggering a sharp rally in Bitcoin and Ether as investors rotated back into risk assets.
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US Tech Funds Pull $14.3B in Week, Pace $152B Record Year
US technology funds absorbed $14.3 billion in inflows during the week ending July 1, the second-largest weekly inflow on record. At the current pace, 2026 is projected to deliver $152 billion in total tech fund inflows for the year, shattering all previous records and highlighting an unprecedented concentration of capital into a single sector.
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Bitcoin rallies past $62K as options traders hedge against $66K ceiling
Bitcoin rallied above $62,000 after a weak US jobs report eased rate-hike expectations, but options traders remain heavily hedged with puts trading at a premium. A large call-spread structure suggests the market sees a $66k-$68k ceiling as a potential rejection point.
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US job growth slows to 57,000 in June, dimming Fed rate hike odds
The U.S. economy added only 57,000 jobs in June, significantly below expectations, prompting traders to slash odds on a Fed rate hike by July to just 8.5 percent.
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South Korea launches 24-hour won-dollar trading for developed-market status
South Korea began continuous KRW/USD trading on July 6, 2026, extending forex access from weekday-only hours to roughly 6 a.m. Monday through 6 a.m. Saturday. The move addresses MSCI's currency-control concerns and could unlock billions in passive index inflows if the country achieves developed-market classification.
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China auctions 30-year bonds at 2.2% yield, lowest since November
China's Ministry of Finance sold 85 billion yuan of 30-year special treasury bonds at historically low yields, part of a broader 1.3 trillion yuan annual program analysts link to de-dollarization strategy and yuan internationalization.
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Google loses €4.125B EU antitrust appeal over Android bundling
Google's challenge to a €4.125 billion European Commission fine for abusing its dominant position in mobile operating systems through bundling practices has been rejected, with the European Court of Justice upholding the penalty and establishing precedent on how tech platforms can violate antitrust law.
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US Resumes Dollar Shipments to Iraq After Nine-Day Suspension
The United States resumed physical dollar shipments to Iraq on May 1 after a nine-day suspension tied to pressure over Iran-backed militias. The cash freeze blocked roughly $500 million in deliveries, highlighting how Washington weaponizes economic leverage without formal sanctions.
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Dollar holds multi-month highs as US payrolls loom, yen slides to 1986 low
The US dollar is holding firm near 101.1-101.2 on the index while the yen has weakened to its weakest level since 1986. June payrolls data due around July 2 could influence Fed policy and drive further currency moves.
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Tech Profit-Taking Hits Nasdaq, Semiconductors; Meta Surges on AI Cloud Service
US equity markets declined on July 1 as investors trimmed technology positions, with the Nasdaq falling 0.66% and semiconductors hit hardest. Meta Platforms bucked the trend, surging 9% after announcing plans to monetize excess AI computing capacity through a new cloud service.
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Iran and US establish direct communication channel after Doha talks
Iran and the US concluded indirect technical discussions in Doha and agreed to establish a dedicated communication channel to manage regional disputes. The development may reshape crypto's role in sanctions evasion and international trade frameworks.
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Treasury picks BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street for Trump Accounts ETFs
The US Treasury announced that ETFs from three major asset managers will power Trump Accounts, a new tax-advantaged savings program for children launching July 4 with a $1,000 government seed contribution and an explicit ban on crypto assets.
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Magyar Nemzeti Bank cuts rate to 6% to spur Hungarian growth
The Magyar Nemzeti Bank lowered its benchmark interest rate to 6.00% on June 24, 2026, aiming to stimulate economic activity and reduce borrowing costs. The move may signal shifting expectations for rate policy across Europe, though economists warn of inflation risks.
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EU unblocks €6.6B Ukraine aid, proposes 21st sanctions package on Russian crypto
The EU confirmed €6.6 billion in military funding for Ukraine after Hungary lifted its veto, while simultaneously proposing its 21st sanctions package to target Russian banks and crypto platforms facilitating sanctions evasion.
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Dangote Refinery IPO halted by Nigeria SEC, rescheduled to September
Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission issued a halt order on Dangote Petroleum Refinery's IPO in June 2026, citing lack of formal application. The $39–50 billion offering, targeting September, would be Africa's largest ever and fund a five-year industrial expansion.
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China's Manufacturing PMI Expands to 50.3 as AI Exports Surge
China's manufacturing PMI hit 50.3 in June, beating forecasts, as exports of AI-related hardware surged 66.1% year-on-year. Yet the employment sub-index contracted, raising questions about job creation amid the export-driven boom.
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Maersk raises 2025 profit guidance on European demand surge
A.P. Moller-Maersk lifted its full-year EBITDA forecast to $8-9.5 billion, citing strong container demand outside North America, but cautioned that a wave of new vessel deliveries will depress earnings significantly in 2026.
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Kevin Warsh Navigates Fed Chair Tenure Amid Inflation Surge
Kevin Warsh, who took office as Federal Reserve Chair on June 17, 2026, faces mounting pressures including three-year-high inflation and a Supreme Court case questioning presidential authority over Fed governors. He'll address these challenges at the ECB Forum in Portugal this week.
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Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on EU Digital Tax Countries
President Trump threatened a 100% import tariff on any country taxing US digital companies, targeting nations like France, Italy, Spain, and the UK that have enacted digital services taxes on tech giants.
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Volkswagen considers 100,000 job cuts amid EV transition pressure
Volkswagen is weighing cuts of up to 100,000 jobs globally and the closure of four German plants as it struggles with rising EV competition and declining profitability. The restructuring, if executed, would rank among the largest in automotive history.
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China's industrial profits fall 13.1% in November, largest drop in 14 months
China's industrial profits fell 13.1% year-on-year in November, the largest monthly decline in 14 months. Weak demand and factory deflation are driving the slump, pushing Beijing toward fiscal stimulus in 2026.
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Taiwan margin debt hits NT$600B record, echoing dot-com bubble risks
Taiwan's retail margin debt surged to NT$600 billion as of June 2026, surpassing the dot-com bubble peak and signaling potential market instability as leverage levels reach historic highs amid AI-driven gains.
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Gold steadies near $4,000 as US inflation eases rate-hike bets
Gold stabilized near $4,000 per ounce on June 25 after US inflation data met expectations, reducing September rate-hike odds from 68% to 63%. The metal has lost roughly 25-28% since January's peak of $5,589, pressured by a stronger dollar and capital rotation toward equities.
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Dangote Refinery seeks $40B valuation in Nigeria's largest IPO
Aliko Dangote is pursuing a public listing for his Lagos-based petroleum refinery at a $39 billion valuation, the largest in Nigerian history. The SEC halted IPO marketing in June due to a missing formal application, potentially delaying the September 2026 target date.