Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
The U.S. dollar hovered near multi-year lows on Wednesday as markets weighed dovish remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and concerns over the fiscal impact of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-and-spending bill. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, edged up to 96.677 but remained close to Tuesday’s 16-month low of 96.373.
Powell, speaking at the European Central Bank’s forum in Sintra, Portugal, signaled a patient stance on interest rate cuts while leaving the door open for a potential reduction this month. Traders are now focused on Thursday’s U.S. non-farm payrolls report, following labor market resilience shown in the latest JOLTS data, which gave the dollar a modest lift.
The euro held firm at $1.1802 after peaking at $1.1829 overnight, its highest since September 2021. The Swiss franc remained strong, with the dollar trading at 0.7906 after hitting 0.7873—its weakest since January 2015. Sterling edged higher to $1.37435, nearing October 2021 levels.
Meanwhile, Trump’s recently passed Senate bill, projected to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt, raised concerns about ballooning U.S. fiscal deficits and bond issuance. Analysts say increased government spending could weigh further on Treasury markets and the dollar.
Additional pressure came from Trump’s criticism of Powell, including a handwritten note suggesting the U.S. interest rate should fall between Japan’s 0.5% and Denmark’s 1.75%, accusing the Fed Chair of being “too late” again.
Against the yen, the dollar inched up 0.1% to 143.59, recovering slightly from a 0.4% drop in the previous session.
Investors now await upcoming economic data to gauge the Fed’s next move and its impact on the dollar’s trajectory.
