BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
The U.S. dollar remained under pressure on Monday, extending losses near a two-month low, while the euro and British pound held relatively steady as investors awaited a series of critical central bank decisions this week. Currency markets were largely rangebound during early Asian trading, reflecting cautious sentiment ahead of major economic events, including U.S. inflation data and the highly anticipated nonfarm payrolls report.
The Japanese yen was little changed after a key Bank of Japan survey showed that business sentiment among large manufacturers rose to a four-year high. Despite the positive data, the yen slipped 0.1% to 155.94 per dollar. The survey reinforced expectations that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates later this week, marking a potential shift in Japan’s long-standing ultra-loose monetary policy. Market participants are closely watching Governor Kazuo Ueda’s guidance for clues on the future pace of rate hikes. Analysts at Societe Generale expect the BOJ to raise rates this week and forecast the policy rate could reach 1% by July next year, followed by gradual and cautious tightening.
Attention is also firmly on Europe, with rate decisions from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank scheduled. Markets have largely priced in a Bank of England rate cut as UK inflation shows signs of easing, though upcoming inflation data could still influence expectations. Sterling dipped 0.17% to $1.3359, while the euro edged down 0.09% to $1.1730. The ECB is widely expected to keep rates unchanged, although traders have begun speculating about a possible rate hike in 2026.
In the United States, investors are preparing for a wave of delayed economic data following a historic government shutdown. The November jobs report and inflation figures are expected to provide fresh insight into the health of the U.S. economy. The dollar index stood at 98.43, struggling to regain momentum after last week’s decline.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar slipped slightly to $0.6647, while the New Zealand dollar edged higher to $0.5807. The Federal Reserve’s recent 25-basis-point rate cut and cautious guidance from Chair Jerome Powell continue to shape global currency trends as markets head toward year-end.
