U.S. job growth was unexpectedly solid in June, but nearly half of the increase in nonfarm payrolls came from the government sector, with private industry gains the smallest in eight months as businesses battled rising economic headwinds.

Vietnam’s natural rubber industry is facing mounting challenges, with listed rubber stocks lagging behind the broader market as companies grapple with falling global rubber prices and a slowdown in land conversion projects – two major drivers of their earnings.

Tesla’s sales of its China-made electric vehicles edged up 0.8% in June from a year earlier, snapping an eight-month losing streak, but they continued to fall on a quarterly basis in the face of lower-cost new models from its Chinese rivals.

Asian stock markets struggled for direction on Thursday as investors awaited progress on U.S. trade deals ahead of the July 9 deadline, while they assessed China’s services data and Australia’s trade balance figures.

The U.S. economy continues to send mixed signals. On Thursday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will report job figures for June that may help clear up the picture.

The Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) for cuplump and latex has been activated in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak for June 2025, according to the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB).