What changed
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | BOJ hikes to 1%, Nikkei 225 surges past 70,000; China retail sales fall for first time since COVID lockdowns; US-Iran peace deal draws cautious welcome
Iran accord offers exit from war but Strait of Hormuz remains eerily quiet as doubts persist over ‘fragile’ deal. Trump’s critical minerals pricing plan faces skeptical G7, divided industry
BOJ takes rates to highest since 1995 at 1%, sparking a rally that sends Nikkei 225 to 70,000. JGB holdings in focus as yield curve shifts
China retail sales drop for first time since COVID, signaling consumer weakness. NDRC vice chairman meets Indonesia’s coordinating ministry for economic talks
Taiwan intelligence tip website targeting mainland China spurs debate, adding to cross-strait friction as region watches post-deal geopolitics
Investor takeaway: BOJ normalization momentum drives Japan equities but bond volatility looms; China consumer slump rekindles stimulus expectations; Iran peace fragility and Taiwan tensio