🌍 Global Market Overview – Europe & Asia

📆 As of Friday, July 4, 2025 | Today: Saturday, July 5, 2025

🇪🇺 Europe: Broad Declines Amid Economic Uncertainty

European markets closed broadly lower on Friday, as concerns over stagnant growth, persistent inflation, and monetary tightening continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Major indices in Germany, France, and the pan-European zone ended the week in the red, while currency moves reflected weakness in the euro and modest strength in the pound.

• EURO STOXX 50 fell 1.02% to 5,288.81
• DAX (Germany) lost 0.61%, closing at 23,787.45
• CAC 40 (France) declined 0.75% to 7,696.27
• Euronext 100 (^N100) dropped 0.72%
• MSCI Europe slipped 0.23%
• FTSE 100 (UK) ended flat at 8,822.91
• Euro Index weakened 0.36%
• British Pound Index edged up 0.09%

📉 Insight: The decline reflects ongoing fears about Germany’s economic stagnation and the European Central Bank’s hawkish tone, which could dampen growth further if interest rates remain elevated through Q3.

🌏 Asia: Mixed Session – Gains in India & China, Sharp Drop in Korea

Asian markets posted mixed results on Friday. Mainland China, India, and Japan recorded modest gains, while Hong Kong and South Korea faced heavier selling pressure. Currency movements also reflected regional tensions, with the Japanese yen and Australian dollar both weakening.

• Shanghai Composite (SSE) rose 0.32% to 3,472.32
• India SENSEX gained 0.23%, ending at 83,432.89
• Nikkei 225 (Japan) edged up 0.06% to 39,810.88
• ASX 200 (Australia) increased 0.08%
• Hang Seng (Hong Kong) dropped 0.64%
• KOSPI (South Korea) tumbled 1.99% to 3,054.28
• Japanese Yen Index fell 0.89%
• Australian Dollar Index dipped 0.17%

📉 Insight: The sharp decline in South Korea’s KOSPI suggests market disappointment, potentially linked to the tech sector or geopolitical jitters. Meanwhile, India and China appear to be benefiting from localized optimism and relative macro stability.

🧭 Weekly Wrap-Up:

With U.S. and Israeli markets closed on Friday for national holidays, global investors turned their attention to Europe and Asia. The week closed on a cautious note, with European equities under pressure and Asia showing a divided outlook.

Markets are now awaiting Monday’s reopening of Wall Street and Tel Aviv, alongside upcoming macroeconomic data that could set the tone for mid-July.