Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian currencies traded mostly flat on Thursday after suffering sharp losses in the previous session, as the U.S. dollar held firm on expectations of a cautious Federal Reserve policy path. The U.S. Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, eased 0.1% after jumping 0.6% to a two-week high overnight. Dollar Index Futures also slipped 0.1% as of 04:30 GMT.
The strength of the dollar comes after remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who warned earlier this week that the central bank must remain “measured” when easing monetary policy. Other Fed officials also highlighted the risks of moving too quickly on rate cuts, dampening expectations for aggressive reductions despite last week’s first rate cut since December. Investors now await further speeches from policymakers for additional signals.
Market focus has shifted to key U.S. economic releases that could influence the Fed’s outlook. Weekly jobless claims, due later Thursday, will be closely watched given recent signs of a cooling labor market. An advance reading of second-quarter GDP is also scheduled, while Friday’s release of the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index—remains the main event for traders.
In Asia, currency markets reflected mixed moves. The Japanese yen weakened slightly, with USD/JPY down 0.2% after gaining nearly 1% overnight. Bank of Japan meeting minutes revealed divisions among policymakers, with some advocating for potential rate hikes in the future. The South Korean won slipped 0.3% after climbing 0.7% previously, while the Singapore dollar traded flat. The Indian rupee edged 0.2% lower.
China’s yuan also ticked 0.1% lower in both onshore (USD/CNY) and offshore (USD/CNH) markets. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar stood out, rising 0.3% against the greenback.
Global investors remain cautious, balancing Fed signals with upcoming U.S. data and Asian central bank cues, as volatility persists in currency markets.
