Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Micron Earnings 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
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 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Asian currencies mostly weakened on Friday while the U.S. dollar moved higher as investors reacted to renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, alongside expectations surrounding the upcoming U.S. nonfarm payrolls report. The stronger dollar reflected renewed demand for safe-haven assets amid geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.
The U.S. Dollar Index climbed 0.2% during Asian trading hours, recovering from recent declines. Dollar Index futures also posted a 0.2% gain as market participants shifted toward defensive positions following reports of military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
According to reports, Iranian and U.S. forces exchanged fire on Thursday after Iran accused Washington of targeting vessels and coastal areas near Qeshm Island. The United States stated that its actions were defensive after Iranian drones, missiles, and small boats allegedly approached U.S. Navy destroyers operating in the area.
Despite the escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire agreement remained active and described the incident as limited in scope. Iranian officials also suggested the situation had stabilized, easing fears of a broader regional conflict. Investors interpreted these comments as a sign that diplomatic efforts between the two nations were still ongoing.
Currency markets across Asia showed cautious movement. The Japanese yen remained largely stable against the dollar, while the South Korean won weakened by 0.4%. China’s yuan also edged lower, with the USD/CNY pair rising 0.1%.
Elsewhere, the Indian rupee traded flat, the Singapore dollar slipped slightly, and the Australian dollar fell 0.2% against the greenback. Analysts noted that regional currencies may continue to consolidate as traders await fresh signals from U.S. economic data.
Market attention is now focused on the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which could influence expectations for future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions and overall dollar direction in global forex markets.
