Australia Consumer Confidence Plunges as RBA Rate Hike Hits Households 
Hong Kong Stocks Slip as Property, Financial Shares Weigh 
Oil Prices Fall as G7 Reserve Release Eases Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Rise as Weak Jobs Data Eases Fed Hike Bets 
Europe EV Sales Hit Record as Affordable Models Boost Demand 
European Stocks Diverge as French Fiscal Crisis Hits CAC 40 
Ukraine Faces $56 Billion Budget Gap as War Costs Soar 
Oil Prices Fall as Middle East Exports Recover, G7 Eases Supply Fears 
World Bank Raises South Asia Growth Forecast to 6.9% 
Gold Prices Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Cuts Fed Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Slip as Strong Dollar and High Treasury Yields Weigh 
Samsung, SK Hynix Shares Fall Ahead of Q3 Earnings 
Euro Hits 17-Month Low as France Debt Fears Boost Dollar 
China Shuts 670 Banks as Bitcoin Eyes Financial Risks 
Asian Stocks Rise as Fed Rate Hike Bets Fade 
German Industrial Orders Plunge 10.6% in August 
Asian Stocks Rise as Nasdaq Record Offsets Bond Yield Pressure 
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Asian currencies traded mostly flat on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar remained close to an 18-month high, supported by elevated Treasury yields and persistent inflation concerns. The euro stayed under pressure near a 17-month low.
The U.S. Dollar Index hovered around 102.11 after touching 102.21 and reaching an 18-month peak in the previous session. EUR/USD traded near $1.123, while GBP/USD edged higher to $1.3224. USD/JPY was little changed at about 157.92, with AUD/USD at $0.698 and NZD/USD near $0.560.
The dollar has maintained its strength despite weaker U.S. employment data and softer September services activity, which reduced expectations for another Federal Reserve interest-rate hike in the near term. However, investors remain cautious as stronger domestic demand continues to create supply-chain pressures and push business input costs higher.
Persistent inflation risks have reinforced expectations that U.S. monetary policy could remain restrictive. Elevated longer-term Treasury yields are also supporting the greenback as markets assess inflation, fiscal concerns and the Fed's policy outlook.
Meanwhile, the euro remained near its weakest level since May 2025, extending a weekly decline of roughly 1.2%. Political and fiscal uncertainty across the euro zone, combined with concerns over higher energy costs, has weighed on the currency. Investors are also considering whether persistent inflation could force the European Central Bank to maintain restrictive policy for longer.
In Asia, the Indian rupee remained under pressure, with USD/INR near 96.58. The rupee closed Monday at 96.2925, about 0.6% away from its May record low of around 96.96. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to continue selling dollars periodically to moderate the pace of depreciation.
The Chinese yuan was broadly stable, with USD/CNH around 6.702 and USD/CNY near 6.705 as China's National Day holiday kept onshore activity subdued. South Korea's won and Singapore dollar were also largely unchanged.
Regional markets are now watching inflation, economic growth and central-bank signals, with Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines facing renewed price pressures while Thailand balances improving investment against oil-price and flooding risks.
