U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Most Asian currencies fell on Monday as the U.S. dollar strengthened in the wake of American strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, stoking demand for safe-haven assets. The dollar index added roughly 0.3% in early Asian trade, extending last week’s rise after several Federal Reserve officials signaled interest rates may stay higher for longer. Investors now look to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday for policy clues.
Safe-haven flows favored the greenback even as traditional refuges such as gold and the Japanese yen weakened. Tehran’s reported threat to block the Strait of Hormuz—a choke-point for nearly a fifth of global crude shipments—fueled a jump in oil prices and heightened inflation worries across energy-dependent Asia.
The Chinese yuan slipped, with the onshore USDCNY pair up 0.1%, while the Singapore dollar’s USDSGD pair advanced 0.2%. South Korea’s won led regional losses, the USDKRW pair climbing 0.7%. India’s rupee also softened, nudging USDINR 0.2% higher.
Positive economic data offered little support. Australia’s AUDUSD fell 0.7% despite June PMIs showing resilient manufacturing and services growth. Japan’s yen lost 0.5% even after surveys revealed the first factory-sector expansion in 11 months and faster service-sector growth.
With geopolitical tensions elevated and U.S. monetary policy still restrictive, traders remain cautious. Any escalation in the Middle East or unexpectedly hawkish remarks from Powell could keep currency volatility high in the days ahead.
