China's Banks Shift Lending Focus to Tech and AI Amid Policy Push 
U.S.-China Trade Talks Head to Paris as Officials Push for Balanced Economic Relations 
Iran-U.S. War Escalates: Strait of Hormuz Shipping Under Threat 
Russian Stock Market Closes Flat as Energy and Fertilizer Stocks Lead Gains 
Iran War Sends Oil Prices Surging Past $100 as Hormuz Crisis Deepens 
Fed Rate Cut Hopes Fade as Oil Prices Stoke Inflation Fears 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise Amid Middle East Tensions and Fed Meeting Ahead 
China's Economy Surges in Early 2026: Industrial Output and Retail Sales Beat Forecasts 
Asian Currencies Tumble as Indian Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Oil Market Turmoil 
Taiwan Central Bank Expected to Hold Interest Rates Steady Through 2027 
Global EV Sales Slump in February as China Records Steepest Decline Since COVID-19 
RBA Set to Hike Rates Again Amid Inflation Surge and Global Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady Amid Iran Conflict and Fed Uncertainty 
Iran-U.S. Military Escalation Shakes Persian Gulf and Global Oil Markets 
Global Markets on Edge as Gulf Tensions Push Oil Prices Higher 
Asian Equities Plunge as Energy Supply Shock Triggers $15B Capital Flight 
The U.S. dollar index declined on Monday, pulling back 0.4% to 99.97 as markets paused following a recent greenback rally. The euro climbed to $1.1473 against the dollar, while the British pound rose to $1.3278, reflecting broad softness in the currency amid growing global uncertainty.
Investor attention this week is firmly fixed on a series of high-stakes monetary policy meetings, with the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, and Bank of England all scheduled to announce their latest interest rate decisions. These central bank gatherings are unfolding against a volatile geopolitical backdrop shaped by the ongoing war in Iran, which has sent shockwaves through global energy markets.
Since fighting broke out in the Middle East, oil prices have surged past the $100-per-barrel threshold, with both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate futures remaining elevated despite some intraday pullbacks. The conflict has severely disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes — squeezing energy supplies across Europe and Asia.
The threat of renewed inflation stemming from rising energy costs has prompted speculation that the Fed and its global counterparts may reconsider rate hike strategies. Higher interest rates typically attract foreign capital, which could strengthen the dollar over time. Sentiment toward the greenback, previously bearish, shifted notably after the conflict began.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been pushing allies, including NATO member nations, to join a naval coalition aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He also warned China that a planned April summit with President Xi Jinping could be canceled unless Beijing leverages its influence to help unblock the waterway. Reports indicate that Chinese-bound tankers have been permitted passage while others faced attacks.
Analysts at ING noted that the lack of progress over the weekend suggests a prolonged conflict, adding further uncertainty to already jittery currency and commodity markets.
