Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Asian currencies traded mostly flat on Wednesday as investors remained risk-averse amid the ongoing Israel-Iran war and uncertainty ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy decision. The dollar edged slightly lower, pressured by weak U.S. economic data, while traders anticipated dovish signals from the Fed.
The South Korean won and Taiwan dollar were notable outperformers. The USD/KRW dropped 0.6%, nearing an eight-month low, while the USD/TWD fell 0.4%. The Chinese yuan (USD/CNY) and Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) held steady, while the Australian dollar (AUD/USD) rose 0.2%. India’s rupee (USD/INR) also remained flat.
Market sentiment was also clouded by concerns over U.S. trade policy, with a July deadline approaching for President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs. Japan, in particular, faced headwinds. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said no trade deal was reached with the U.S. during the G7 summit, and Japan’s May trade data showed exports shrinking for the first time in eight months. Analysts now expect Japanese exports to weaken further due to tariff pressures and slowing global demand. A sharper decline in imports also raised concerns about soft domestic consumption.
Meanwhile, the yen (USD/JPY) slipped 0.1%, showing limited reaction to the Bank of Japan's decision to hold interest rates steady and signal slower bond tapering into 2026 — a dovish stance.
The U.S. dollar index fell 0.1% in Asia after disappointing U.S. retail sales and industrial production data raised fears of economic slowdown. Markets widely expect the Fed to keep rates unchanged at 0.5% but are closely watching Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s projections for rate cuts. Powell has hinted at a slower pace of easing in 2025, following cumulative rate cuts of 1% through 2024.
