Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
The U.S. dollar held firm on Wednesday, supported by safe-haven demand as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran escalated. Investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, fueling demand for the greenback.
Israel has intensified strikes on Iran in an attempt to curb its nuclear capabilities, while calling for regime change. The U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, prompting concerns of wider conflict that could impact global energy supplies and trade routes. As a result, the dollar has gained nearly 1% against major currencies like the yen, Swiss franc, and euro since last Thursday.
Although the dollar had dropped over 8% earlier this year amid doubts over U.S. economic strength and protectionist trade policies, it remains a global safe-haven due to its liquidity. Analysts, including NAB’s Rodrigo Catril, suggest that while structural shifts are weakening its dominance, risk aversion still supports the dollar.
On Wednesday, the dollar rose to a one-week high of 145.21 yen. The Swiss franc was steady at 0.816 per dollar, while the euro edged up 0.1% to $1.149. The U.S. Dollar Index remained flat after a 0.6% gain in the previous session.
Higher oil prices—around $75 a barrel—have weighed on the euro and yen, as the EU and Japan are net importers, unlike the U.S., which is a net exporter.
All eyes now turn to the Fed, expected to keep rates unchanged. Investors await its economic outlook, particularly regarding inflation and growth. The Bank of Japan kept rates steady on Tuesday, while central banks in the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Sweden are set to announce decisions later this week. Meanwhile, Japan's exports fell in May for the first time in eight months, signaling global trade strain.
