BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
The Indian rupee is expected to remain under pressure this week as steep U.S. tariffs on Indian exports and the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upcoming policy decision weigh on sentiment. The rupee closed at 87.54 per U.S. dollar on Friday, down 1.2% for the week, marking its weakest level since February. Persistent foreign portfolio outflows and a 25% levy on Indian exports have added to the decline, while fresh U.S. tariff announcements on dozens of trading partners pushed other Asian currencies to multi-month lows.
The U.S. dollar index recorded its strongest weekly gain since 2022 as expectations for a September Fed rate cut faded. However, weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data and a rise in unemployment to 4.2% revived market bets, with odds of a cut now at 80%.
Investors are also eyeing the maturity of a $5 billion RBI dollar-rupee swap on Monday. Analysts, including Alok Singh of CSB Bank, expect the RBI to manage liquidity without excessive volatility, with the rupee likely to trade between 87.00 and 87.80.
India’s 10-year benchmark bond yield ended last week at 6.368%, up 2 bps, and is expected to stay within 6.33%–6.38% until Wednesday’s policy decision. While some anticipate a 25-bps cut due to June’s six-year-low retail inflation and expectations of a further drop in July, most economists expect no change after the RBI’s surprise 50-bps cut in June and its shift to a neutral stance.
Key upcoming events include India’s July HSBC services PMI and composite PMI on August 5, and the RBI policy decision on August 6. U.S. data releases this week—covering factory orders, trade figures, and PMIs—could also influence market sentiment and currency movements.
