Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Gold Falls Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Weigh on Prices 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Micron Earnings 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
Asian currencies traded within a narrow range on Wednesday as investors awaited further developments in U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations, while softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data offered modest relief to markets. The dollar edged slightly higher in Asian trading after a seven-session losing streak, weighed down by easing safe-haven demand and cooling inflation concerns.
The Chinese yuan held steady ahead of China's first-quarter GDP report due Thursday, which analysts expect will reflect a rebound from a sluggish December quarter. The Japanese yen slipped modestly, hovering near its lowest levels in roughly 18 months. Meanwhile, the dollar index and dollar index futures each gained less than 0.1%, staying under pressure despite the marginal bounce.
Tuesday's U.S. Producer Price Index reading came in below forecasts for March. Although energy prices climbed due to the ongoing Iran conflict, core inflation figures showed more contained growth, fueling optimism that the Federal Reserve retains room to cut interest rates. Former Fed Chair and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen echoed that sentiment, stating she anticipates at least one rate cut this year despite ongoing economic uncertainty tied to the Iran war.
Across Asia, currency movements were subdued. South Korea's won was little changed after the incoming Bank of Korea Governor signaled a potentially hawkish policy stance, citing inflationary risks from the conflict and a weakened won. South Korean trade figures for March surprised to the upside, driven by robust semiconductor exports tied to artificial intelligence demand. The Australian dollar gained 0.3% as risk appetite improved, while the Indian rupee edged lower following softer-than-expected domestic inflation data. The Singapore dollar was flat after the Monetary Authority of Singapore tightened policy settings marginally the day before.
On the geopolitical front, the U.S. military confirmed its naval blockade against Iran was fully operational, cutting off all economic trade to and from the country. Despite this escalation, a fragile ceasefire appeared to remain in place, with President Donald Trump expressing confidence that a resolution was close and indicating further talks were expected within days.
