Mexico-US Trade Talks Delayed to October as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
China’s ‘Lipstick King’ Says AI Won’t Replace Livestream Hosts 
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Hopes Fade 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 2007 High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
South Korea, US Discuss Warship Building Cooperation 
Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160 
US, China Extend Trade Truce to Jan. 10 Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity 
Add as a preferred source on Google
The U.S. dollar held onto recent gains Tuesday as investors looked ahead to key signals from the Federal Reserve that could clarify the timing of anticipated interest rate cuts. Currency markets remained relatively quiet due to thin trading volumes, with several Asian markets closed for the Lunar New Year and U.S. markets recently observing the President’s Day holiday.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, was steady at 97.12 after rising 0.2% in the previous session. The euro slipped slightly to $1.1843, while sterling eased to $1.3616. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen strengthened 0.15% to 153.28 per dollar, trimming earlier losses triggered by weaker-than-expected Japanese economic growth data. Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized rate of just 0.2% last quarter, increasing speculation that policymakers may introduce additional stimulus measures.
Market participants are closely watching the release of the Federal Open Market Committee minutes from January’s meeting, due Wednesday, along with advance U.S. GDP figures. Recent data showing softer U.S. consumer price inflation in January has strengthened expectations that the Fed could begin easing monetary policy in June. Money markets are currently pricing in roughly 62 basis points of rate cuts in 2026, implying at least two quarter-point reductions, with an 80% probability of a June cut.
According to Commonwealth Bank of Australia strategist Kristina Clifton, the broader narrative of U.S. economic resilience, often described as “U.S. exceptionalism,” may remain a key driver of dollar strength through 2026. While markets expect a June rate cut, her outlook includes a potential follow-up reduction in July.
The Australian dollar fell to $0.7064 following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s February meeting minutes, which highlighted ongoing inflation concerns. The New Zealand dollar edged lower ahead of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s policy decision. In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin traded near $68,882, while ether hovered around $1,999, reflecting steady investor interest in digital assets.
