Investors Eye Key US Data as Asian Markets Open Weak

Asia-Pacific markets opened lower on Tuesday (14/7/2026) as investors monitored rising US Treasury yields, the corporate earnings season, and upcoming US inflation data. Concerns that a surge in oil prices could keep inflationary pressures elevated also weighed on market sentiment. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.17%, while the Topix weakened 0.51%. South Korean markets also moved into negative territory, with the Kospi plunging 2.01% and the small-cap Kosdaq index dropping 1.8%. Meanwhile, Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.29% lower. In Hong Kong, Hang Seng futures were at 24,158, lower than the previous close of 24,213.72. US government bond yields rose sharply as investors worried that higher oil prices would keep inflation elevated. This condition triggered market volatility ahead of the start of the earnings season for major Wall Street companies. Several giant US banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America, are scheduled to release their quarterly financial reports before the opening of trading on Wall Street on Tuesday local time. The performance results of these issuers will be an important indicator for investors in assessing economic conditions and market prospects. Canaccord Genuity Director of Research and Investment Strategy, Michael Graham, said the previous session’s market weakness was more of an exception and did not change the positive outlook for the earnings season. According to him, the profit prospects for large-cap technology companies remain quite constructive and have the potential to exceed expectations. Based on FactSet data, analysts estimate that profits for companies in the S&P 500 index grew 23.6% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. In addition to the earnings season, investors are also awaiting the release of the US consumer inflation data (Consumer Price Index/CPI) for June and the delivery of the monetary policy report by Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh to the US Congress in the semiannual Humphrey-Hawkins Report agenda.