Fed Governor Stephen Miran Warns Tight Monetary Policy Threatens U.S. Economic Growth 
U.S. Stocks End Mixed as January CPI Cools, Treasury Yields Slide 
MOEX Russia Index Closes Flat as Gold Surges and Ruble Strengthens 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Ukraine Secures $8.2 Billion IMF Loan as Tax Conditions Are Eased 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Stabilizes Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
BOJ Governor Ueda Meets PM Takaichi as Markets Eye Possible Rate Hike 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February as Rightmove Reports Post-Budget Market Stability 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
Japan GDP Growth Slows Sharply in Q4 2025 Amid Weak Business Spending and Trade Tensions 
The U.S. dollar is on track to record its strongest weekly performance since October, supported by upbeat economic data, a hawkish Federal Reserve outlook, and rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. Stronger-than-expected labor market figures, including a drop in weekly jobless claims, reinforced confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy and boosted demand for the greenback.
In early Asian trading, the dollar held firm near a one-month high, pressuring major currencies. Sterling hovered around $1.3457, close to a one-month low, and is set for a weekly decline of nearly 1.5%. The euro slipped slightly to $1.1768, heading for a 0.8% weekly loss amid uncertainty surrounding European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde’s tenure. Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar index stood at 97.89, marking a gain of more than 1% for the week.
Federal Reserve policy expectations remain a central driver of currency markets. Recent Fed minutes revealed several policymakers are open to further rate hikes if inflation remains persistent. Although investors are still pricing in roughly two rate cuts this year, the probability of a June cut has eased to around 58%, according to CME FedWatch data. Upcoming releases of the U.S. core PCE price index and fourth-quarter GDP figures are expected to influence the next move in forex markets.
Geopolitical risks have also fueled safe-haven demand for the dollar. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to reach a nuclear agreement within 10 to 15 days, prompting threats of retaliation from Tehran. Escalating tensions could significantly impact oil prices and global currency markets.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar traded at $0.7055, supported by hawkish domestic rate expectations, while the New Zealand dollar fell to $0.5967 amid a dovish outlook from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. The Japanese yen weakened to 155.08 per dollar after Japan’s core inflation slowed to 2.0%, reducing pressure on the Bank of Japan to tighten policy further.
