Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Asian currencies traded within a narrow range on Tuesday as geopolitical uncertainty surrounding potential U.S.-Iran peace talks kept investors cautious. With a temporary ceasefire set to expire later this week, traders largely remained on the sidelines, limiting volatility across regional foreign exchange markets.
The U.S. dollar showed resilience during Asian trading hours, with the dollar index hovering near its lowest levels since early March. Market attention shifted toward a key Senate confirmation hearing for Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh. His stance on monetary policy and central bank independence is under close scrutiny, especially given ongoing political pressure from President Donald Trump for more aggressive interest rate cuts.
Warsh has historically supported lower interest rates but has also advocated for reducing the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, positioning him as less dovish than some investors had anticipated. His nomination has sparked debate in Washington, with some lawmakers threatening to block the confirmation unless concerns over a criminal probe into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell are addressed. Powell’s term is scheduled to end on May 15.
In Asia, the Japanese yen weakened slightly, with USD/JPY ticking higher after reports suggested the Bank of Japan may delay interest rate hikes amid concerns over prolonged Middle East tensions and rising import costs. While Japan’s inflation has eased recently, higher energy prices could reverse this trend, complicating policy decisions.
Other Asian currencies, including the Chinese yuan and Singapore dollar, remained largely unchanged. The Australian dollar and Indian rupee edged lower due to subdued risk appetite, while the New Zealand dollar outperformed, supported by stronger-than-expected inflation data.
Oil prices, which had surged earlier, eased slightly, offering some relief to regional markets. However, uncertainty around Iran’s diplomatic stance and upcoming negotiations continues to influence investor sentiment across global FX markets.
