Thailand Returns Some Cambodian Soldiers Ahead Of Key Border Talks

Political

Economic

Summary:

Thailand's army sent home two Cambodian soldiers from a group of 20 on Friday, ahead of a key meeting in Malaysia next week where defence ministers and military commanders will hold talks aimed at maintaining a ceasefire along their disputed border.Long-simmering tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border exploded into clashes last week, including exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter sorties, the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.

The clashes claimed at least 43 lives and left over 300,000 people displaced.A truce was achieved on Monday, following a push by Malaysia and phone calls from U.S President Trump who threatened to hold off tariff negotiations with both countries until fighting stopped.Thailand and Cambodia previously faced tariffs of 36% for sending goods to the U.S., their largest export markets. Following further negotiations, they will now pay a 19% tariff, the White House announced on Friday.

In Bangkok, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters on Friday that two Cambodian soldiers had been sent back, and the remaining 18 were being processed for violating immigration law."The Cambodian soldiers intruded on Thai territory and the army took them into custody, treating them based on humanitarian principles," he said.

In a statement, the Cambodian defence ministry asked Thailand to return all the detained soldiers."Cambodia is actively engaging in negotiations to secure their release, and reiterates its firm call for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with the international humanitarian law," a ministry spokesperson said.Defence ministers and military leaders from both sides, who were previously scheduled to meet in the Cambodian capital next week, will now hold talks in Malaysia, after Thailand sought a neutral venue for the meeting.

The General Border Committee, which coordinates on border security, ceasefires, and troop deployments, will meet between August 4-7, Thai Acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit told reporters."Defence attachés from other ASEAN countries will be invited as well as the defence attachés from the U.S. and China," a Malaysian government spokesperson told reporters, referring to the Southeast Asian regional bloc that the country currently chairs.Thailand and Cambodia have for decades claimed jurisdiction over undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of several ancient temples at the centre of disputes.

In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish, leading to a troop build-up and a diplomatic crisis, which eventually snowballed into five-days of intense fighting in late July.

Source: Reuters

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

You understand and acknowledge that there is a high degree of risk involved in trading. Following any strategies or investment methods may lead to potential losses. The content on the site is provided by our contributors and analysts for information purposes only. You are solely responsible for determining whether any trading assets, securities, strategy, or any other product is suitable for investing based on your own investment objectives and financial situation.

Add to Favorites

Adam

Economic

For a while, strong quarterly financial results from Big Tech would quiet concerns over lavish AI spending. But now, a new paradigm is emerging: a phase where excellence reflects and justifies AI investments.

Just a few quarters ago, Wall Street tolerated ballooning capital expenditures as long as the main operation was doing well. But that storyline has evolved. Now, the core business and AI costs are blurring together.

A powerful dynamic working in tech companies' favor is that it's becoming difficult to disentangle their flagship products from all their multi-branched AI initiatives and spending. That's not to suggest that tech titans are engaging in sleight-of-hand accounting or misleading eager investors.

Rather, it's pointing out that for the most part, we won't see some bolded line item called AI PROFITS on their income statements. What we do see, what Wall Street celebrates, and executives anticipate, are bigger numbers for advertising and cloud services. That's a technological feat. And it's also a financial one.

Microsoft's impressive Azure performance came largely from non-AI demand as companies moved their storage to the cloud. But as UBS analyst Karl Keirstead suggested in a note Thursday, Microsoft is likely getting a boost from its infrastructure buildout.

Meta, too, basking in a double-digit post-earnings glory, benefits from its AI investments. As Morningstar analyst Malik Ahmed Khan wrote in a note after earnings, enthusiasm for the company comes from Meta's ability to use AI tools to fuel more engagement and better monetization on its platforms.

Integrating new AI tools into the whole business is by design. From a technological perspective, the enormous benefits of boosted productivity and creative potential can resonate throughout an entire company. But as more teams, workflows, and products rely on AI, how can investors or anyone, really, draw a line where the legacy operation ends and AI investments begin?

Wall Street bulls and tech CEOs insist that generative AI is a paradigm-shifting technology. As Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a post earlier this week, "It seems clear that in the coming years, AI will improve all our existing systems and enable the creation and discovery of new things that aren't imaginable today."

If the technology is as transformational as its advocates would have us believe, trying to distinguish the fruits of AI from traditional systems would be as strange as trying to separate out technology enchanted by the internet from pre-web computing.

It's easy to see what earlier eras look like. But how would Meta or Microsoft or any of their mega-cap peers quantify their "internet" businesses?

The online world is enmeshed in everything they do. Given enough time, AI will be too.

Source: finance.yahoo

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Adam

Stocks

European equity funds came under selling pressure in the week through July 30 as a rally in regional stocks cooled, with investors growing cautious over the uncertain economic implications of the U.S.–EU trade deal and signs of weakening corporate earnings.

However, a record-setting rally on Wall Street drew investors into U.S. equity funds.

According to LSEG Lipper data, investors offloaded a net $41.12 billion worth of European funds in their largest weekly sales since at least 2018 but scooped up U.S. funds worth a net $6.34 billion to end a two week trend of net selling. They also added a net $3.05 billion into Asian funds.

European equity funds log sharp outflows on tariff worries; US funds attract inflows_1

Weekly flows into global equity, bond and money market funds in $ million

Some European capitals criticized the U.S.-EU trade deal struck last weekend, saying the headline 15% tariff on EU goods, up from a previous average of 1.47%, tilts in favor of the United States and offers little support for the bloc’s economic prospects.

The Stoxx 600 index hit nearly a month's low of 540.63 on Friday, while the S&P 500 closed 0.37% lower on the previous day's trade after logging a fresh record high of 6427.02.

Global equity sectoral funds saw a second successive weekly inflow, amounting to $1.65 billion. The financial, tech and industrial sectors received a significant $1.09 billion, $931 million and $691 million, respectively while healthcare witnessed a net $757 million in weekly sales.

European equity funds log sharp outflows on tariff worries; US funds attract inflows_2

Weekly flows into global equity sector funds in $ million

Debt oriented funds were popular for the 15th week in a row with a net $15.35 billion worth of investments in global bond funds.

Short-term bond funds saw a massive $3.38 billion weekly inflow following a net $4 billion purchase the prior week. Euro denominated bond funds and government bond funds also witnessed a robust $2.85 billion and $1.5 billion weekly net purchase.

European equity funds log sharp outflows on tariff worries; US funds attract inflows_3

Weekly flows into global bond funds in $ million

Investors, meanwhile, withdrew $36.02 billion from money market funds in their largest weekly sales since May 28.

In the commodities space, demand for gold and precious metals funds eased to a 10-week low, with a net $285.8 million in net inflows.

Emerging markets saw upbeat demand, with investors snapping up $1.92 billion worth of equity funds, the most since July 2 and plowing in a net $1.31 billion into bond funds, data for a combined 29,684 funds showed.

European equity funds log sharp outflows on tariff worries; US funds attract inflows_4

Weekly flows into EM equity and bond funds in $ million

Source: Reuters

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Olivia Brooks

Economic

The U.S. Transportation Department said Friday it is cancelling $26 million in grants for a long-delayed proposed high-speed rail project between Washington and Baltimore.

USDOT said it was rescinding funds for the proposed $20 billion Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation, or MAGLEV project, after "nearly a decade of poor planning, significant community opposition, tremendous cost overruns, and nothing to show for it."

An environmental review of the project has been on pause since 2021.

Source: Reuters

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Adam

Economic

TT designs, manufactures, sells, and services climate control products for customers around the world. In its second-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings report, the company had organic revenue growth of 7%, an 18% rise in adjusted per-share earnings, and it raised EPS guidance to approximately $13.05, which is a jump of 16% on a year-over-year basis.

It’s no wonder TT shares are up 19% so far this year – and they could rise more. MoneyFlows data shows how Big Money investors are again betting heavily on the stock.

Big Money Rides Trane

Institutional volumes reveal plenty. In the last year, TT has enjoyed strong investor demand, which we believe to be institutional support.

Each green bar signals unusually large volumes in TT shares. They reflect our proprietary inflow signal, pushing the stock higher:

Buy Like Big Money: Inflows Lift Trane_1

Plenty of industrials names are under accumulation right now. But there’s a powerful fundamental story happening with Trane.

Trane Fundamental Analysis

Institutional support and a healthy fundamental backdrop make this company worth investigating. As you can see, TT has had strong sales and earnings growth:

3-year sales growth rate (+12%)

3-year EPS growth rate (+24%)

Source: FactSet

Also, EPS is estimated to ramp higher this year by +12.2%.

Now it makes sense why the stock has been generating Big Money interest. TT has a track record of strong financial performance.

Marrying great fundamentals with MoneyFlows software has found some big winning stocks over the long term.

Trane has been a top-rated stock at MoneyFlows. That means the stock has unusual buy pressure and growing fundamentals. We have a ranking process that showcases stocks like this on a weekly basis.

It’s generated 11 outlier inflow signals since 2023 and is up 125% in that time. The blue bars below show when TT was a top pick…Big Money loves it:

Buy Like Big Money: Inflows Lift Trane_2

Tracking unusual volumes reveals the power of money flows.

This is a trait that most outlier stocks exhibit…the best of the best. Big Money demand drives stocks upward.

Trane Price Prediction

The TT action isn’t new at all. Big Money buying in the shares is signaling to take notice. Given the historical gains in share price and strong fundamentals, this stock could be worth a spot in a diversified portfolio.

Source: fxempire

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Warren Takunda

Economic

Cryptocurrency

Key points:

Bitcoin attempts to cement a rebound thanks to US jobs data showing labor market weakness.

BTC price action remains below $116,000, but order-book data has traders favoring a short squeeze.

Evidence of dip-buying emerges on major exchange Bitfinex.

Bitcoin rejected from $116,000 at Friday’s Wall Street open as bulls sought a comeback from US trade-tariff lows. Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_1

Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_1

BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Bitcoin bounces as US jobs miss boosts rate-cut odds

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD selling off at the start of the US trading session, retargeting local lows.

Nerves over a raft of new US trade tariffs had sent the pair as low as $114,116, and traders were split over what might happen next.

US jobs data helped boost the mood, however, July nonfarm payrolls came in at 73,000, well below the 100,000 estimate and indicative of the labor market starting to struggle.

This, in turn, boosted the odds of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates sooner, just days after Fed Chair Jerome Powell adopted a hawkish tone on future policy.

The latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool showed market expectations rotating back to favoring a rate cut at the Fed’s September meeting. Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_2

Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_2

Fed target rate comparison for September FOMC meeting (screenshot). Source: CME Group

Reacting, trading resource The Kobeissi Letter took issue with jobs revisions and the numbers contrasting with the Fed’s take on labor market strength.

“There are 2 scenarios after today's data: 1. The US labor market is entering a recession 2. Something is seriously wrong with the data,” it wrote in posts on X, calling downward revisions for May and June “massive.”

“The unemployment rate is rising and -258,000 jobs have seemingly disappeared from the data in 2 months.”Source:Truth Social

US President Donald Trump also responded, adding to existing pressure on Powell to cut rates.

BTC price analysis eyes liquidity squeeze

Turning to BTC price action, market participants once again eyed exchange order-book liquidity for hints as to the next move.

Large blocks of short liquidations lay in wait closer to $120,000 — a level long overdue for a revisit after successive “grabs” targeting longs.

“Just a matter of time before Bitcoin grabs it,” crypto investor and entrepreneur Ted Pillows argued alongside data from monitoring resource CoinGlass. Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_3

Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_3

BTC order-book liquidity heatmap. Source: Ted Pillows/X

Additional exchange volume data uploaded to X by popular analytics account TheKingfisher showed Bitfinex traders buying below $115,000.

Popular trader CrypNuevo meanwhile drew comparisons between current price action and that from the start of the year. Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_4

Bitcoin Rejects at $116K Despite US Jobs Win as Fed Rate Cut Bets Pass 75%_4

BTC/USDT 1-day chart. Source: CrypNuevo/X

Source: Cointelegraph

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Samantha Luan

Forex

Commodity

Economic

“The ‘OPEC+ eight’ (the eight members who agreed additional voluntary output cuts in November 2023) meet on August 3, and we expect a decision to complete the unwind of that tranche of cuts, adding back 548,000 barrels per day to September targets,” the analysts said in the report.“This will effectively pass the torch for decisions at the margin to the ‘OPEC+ nine’ (i.e., the eight plus Gabon) that agreed voluntary cuts of 1.66 million barrels per day in April 2023,” the analysts added.

In the report, the Standard Chartered Bank analysts said rolling back the November 2023 tranche of voluntary cuts has improved market transparency and allowed traders to obtain a more realistic picture of spare capacity. They added that they think removing the April 2023 tranche would have a similar effect.“With low inventories, steady demand indications and faltering non-OPEC+ supply growth, we see scope for further accelerated unwinding,” the Standard Chartered Bank analysts noted in the report.

“We think a rapid removal of the April 2023 tranche of cuts is possible; we do not expect actual output to increase by as much as nominal increases given existing overproduction and compensation requirements from some members, and capacity constraints in others,” they said.“A drive for compensation for past overproduction remains to the fore. The OPEC+ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee met virtually on 28 July to review May and June production data,” they continued.

“The communiqué issued after the meeting noted overall conformity among OPEC+ members, with a request for the submission of updated compensation plans for countries not yet achieving full conformity with their promises,” the analysts went on to highlight.Rigzone has contacted OPEC for comment on the Standard Chartered report. At the time of writing, OPEC has not responded to Rigzone.

A statement posted on the OPEC website on July 28 highlighted that the 61st Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee took place via videoconference that day.“The JMMC reviewed the crude oil production data for the months of May and June 2025 and noted the overall conformity for OPEC and non-OPEC countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation,” that statement said.“The Committee reiterated the critical importance of achieving full conformity and compensation, and requested countries that did not achieve full conformity to submit updated compensation plans to the OPEC Secretariat by 18 August 2025,” it added.

“The Committee also reaffirmed that it will continue to monitor adherence to the production adjustments decided upon at the 38th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held on 5 December 2024, and the additional voluntary production adjustments announced by some participating OPEC and non-OPEC countries as agreed upon in the 52nd JMMC held on 1 February 2024,” it continued.A statement posted on OPEC’s site on July 5 announced that Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman “will implement a production adjustment of 548,000 barrels per day in August”.

“The eight OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman met virtually on 5 July 2025, to review global market conditions and outlook,” that statement noted.“In view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories, and in accordance with the decision agreed upon on 5 December 2024 to start a gradual and flexible return of the 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments starting from 1 April 2025, the eight participating countries will implement a production adjustment of 548,000 barrels per day in August 2025 from July 2025 required production level,” it added.

“This is equivalent to four monthly increments … The gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions. This flexibility will allow the group to continue to support oil market stability,” it went on to state.“The eight OPEC+ countries also noted that this measure will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to accelerate their compensation. The eight countries reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation, including the additional voluntary production adjustments that were agreed to be monitored by the JMMC during its 53rd meeting held on April 3rd 2024,” it continued.

That statement also noted that the eight OPEC+ countries confirmed their intention to fully compensate for any overproduced volume since January 2024.“The eight OPEC+ countries will hold monthly meetings to review market conditions, conformity, and compensation. The eight countries will meet on 3 August 2025 to decide on September production levels,” the statement highlighted.

According to a table accompanying that statement, August 2025 “required production” is 948,000 barrels per day for Algeria, 4.171 million barrels per day for Iraq, 2.518 million barrels per day for Kuwait, 9.756 million barrels per day for Saudi Arabia, 3.272 million barrels per day for the UAE, 1.532 million barrels per day for Kazakhstan, 792,000 barrels per day for Oman, and 9.344 million barrels per day for Russia.