Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
The U.S. dollar hovered near a three-month low on Wednesday as escalating trade tensions weighed on investor sentiment. U.S. tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China took effect, prompting retaliatory measures. The euro surged to a near four-month peak at $1.0637 after Germany announced a 500-billion-euro infrastructure fund. Sterling also held firm near a three-month high at $1.2786.
China’s yuan remained steady in offshore trading following a 0.7% rally, as Beijing reaffirmed its 5% economic growth target at the National People’s Congress. Meanwhile, crude oil hit a six-month low, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) falling 0.6% to $67.83. Bitcoin stabilized at around $87,000 after a volatile week.
Asian markets saw mixed movements. Australia’s ASX 200 dropped 0.9%, while Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.2% after early gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures pointed to a 0.6% rise. In the U.S., the S&P 500 fell 1.2% overnight, but futures rebounded 0.6%. MSCI’s world equity index inched up 0.1% but was still down 1.9% for the week.
“The uncertainty is keeping investors cautious,” said Kyle Rodda, senior financial markets analyst at Capital.com. “American businesses and consumers are likely feeling the same.”
The U.S. dollar index was steady at 105.60, recovering from a 1.9% two-day slump that pushed it to 105.49, its lowest since December 6. China’s offshore yuan slipped 0.1% to 7.2604 per dollar.
Germany’s proposed infrastructure fund and eased borrowing rules signal economic shifts, while global markets remain on edge amid ongoing trade conflicts.
