Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Asian currencies slipped on Thursday as the U.S. dollar strengthened, fueled by market uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and anticipation of key U.S. inflation data. The U.S. Dollar Index climbed 0.2% in Asian trading, extending gains from its two-month low earlier this week, while dollar index futures rose 0.3%.
Currency markets reacted negatively to Trump’s reaffirmation of a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. While the initial deadline was March 4, he hinted at a possible delay until April 2, adding to investor uncertainty. This lack of clarity triggered risk aversion, leading to capital outflows from emerging markets and weakening Asian currencies.
The South Korean won (USD/KRW) and Indonesian rupiah (USD/IDR) both fell 0.6%, leading regional losses. The Indian rupee (USD/INR) slipped 0.3%, while the Australian dollar (AUD/USD) dropped 0.2%. The offshore Chinese yuan (USD/CNH) climbed 0.3%, while the onshore yuan (USD/CNY) edged up 0.1%. The Japanese yen (USD/JPY) and Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) rose 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively.
Investors are also closely watching Friday’s U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Recent weaker-than-expected U.S. services PMI and consumer sentiment reports have fueled speculation of potential rate cuts, though immediate policy shifts remain unlikely.
Meanwhile, China’s upcoming “Two Sessions” in early March will be a key event for global markets. Policymakers are expected to maintain last year’s growth target while focusing on boosting domestic demand. Analysts anticipate policy signals that could impact regional markets, as China navigates geopolitical and economic challenges.
