Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
The U.S. dollar strengthened on Thursday, driven by safe-haven demand as fears of an escalating Middle East conflict intensified. Reports that Washington is preparing for a potential strike on Iran pushed investors toward the dollar, overshadowing the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision.
The greenback rose broadly, pressuring risk-sensitive currencies. The Australian dollar dropped 0.3% to $0.6489, while the New Zealand dollar fell 0.5% to $0.5998. The South Korean won weakened by 1%, and emerging market currencies followed suit.
With Iran and Israel exchanging further airstrikes, the conflict—now in its seventh day—has sparked global concern, especially over possible U.S. military involvement. President Donald Trump’s ambiguous stance on intervention has added to market jitters.
The dollar index climbed 0.11% to 99, aiming for a 0.9% weekly gain—its best since January. The euro slipped 0.25% to $1.1455, marking its largest weekly drop since February. The yen traded at 145.13 per dollar, while sterling edged 0.14% lower to $1.3403 ahead of the Bank of England’s rate decision.
Investor sentiment turned risk-averse despite the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady. While policymakers still project two rate cuts in 2025, Chair Jerome Powell warned that upcoming tariffs under Trump’s trade policy could lift inflation, affecting consumer prices. He emphasized uncertainty over the timing and scale of any rate reductions.
Markets are pricing in rate cuts in September and December, though analysts remain divided. Some, like ING and Aberdeen Investments, caution that the Fed may only cut once—or not at all—depending on trade and economic data.
U.S. market closures for the Juneteenth holiday thinned liquidity, amplifying the dollar’s reaction to geopolitical risks. Meanwhile, traders await policy updates from the Swiss National Bank and Norges Bank.
