Could have been worse, is enough for the yen

By rahmat hidayat

Monday, July 21, 2025

Global news you can trust.

Download the Reuters App.

Morning Bid Europe

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets

By Wayne Cole, Chief Correspondent, Treasury

Data refreshes every time you open this email. For more European market news, click here. Please send any feedback to morningbid@thomsonreuters.com.

As far as investors are concerned, Japan's upper house election has been a sell on the rumour, buy (a little) on the fact.

Japanese markets are closed for the Marine Day public holiday so liquidity has been lacking, but so far the yen is up a shade on the dollar and euro while Nikkei futures traded in Chicago are much in line with Friday's cash close.

Wall Street futures are up a fraction and European futures down a touch.

Today's Market News

Trade talks in focus

Yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 19, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo

While the ruling coalition lost control of the upper house, by three seats, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seems to be safe for now, though he will have to find support from minor parties to pass legislation.

The government can also continue its fraught tariff negotiations with the U.S. administration.

The talks still seem deadlocked, partly over agricultural imports which are politically and culturally very sensitive for Japan, as President Donald Trump's arbitrary August 1 deadline approaches fast.

The European Union is in much the same situation. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says he's confident a deal can be struck, but the EU side is preparing a list of U.S. products for retaliation levies.

The EU is also trying to use China as leverage with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa meeting with President Xi Jinping there on Thursday.

Mega caps

Meanwhile, reports suggest Trump might meet Xi sometime in October or November, with the U.S. already having allowed the export of chips to China apparently in return for a resumption of rare earth shipments.

Markets are assuming the worst will be avoided on tariffs, though analysts suspect the effective U.S. tariff rate could well be a bit above the 1930's levies that contributed so much to the Great Depression.

Much of that optimism rests on earnings with the first of the mega caps reporting this week in the shape of Alphabet and Tesla. Results from Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics should also confirm the windfall from a ramp up in global defence spending.

The diary for the rest of Monday is virtually blank, but there's always Trump to watch.

Graphics are produced by Reuters.

Key developments that could influence markets on Monday:

No major data or central bank speakers

Graphics are produced by Reuters.

Opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Get full access to Reuters.com for just $1/week. Subscribe now.

Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website

Morning Bid is sent every weekday morning. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here.

Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here.

This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you've engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement.

Terms & Conditions