US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Asian currencies traded in tight ranges on Thursday as a weaker U.S. dollar was balanced by growing investor caution over the escalating Middle East conflict, limiting demand for risk-sensitive regional assets.
Market sentiment remained fragile after the United States launched a fifth straight day of strikes on Iranian military targets, while Tehran reiterated that control of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to its security strategy. The developments raised fresh concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supplies and kept investors cautious despite the softer dollar.
The U.S. Dollar Index hovered near 100.5, close to its lowest level in nearly a month, after weaker-than-expected U.S. consumer and producer inflation data strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting.
South Korea’s won saw little movement after the Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75%, marking its first rate hike in three and a half years. While the central bank signaled the possibility of further tightening to combat inflation, the currency gained limited support as foreign selling of Korean technology stocks and geopolitical uncertainty continued to weigh on sentiment.
Japan’s yen also remained under close watch. The USD/JPY pair edged lower to around 162.1 as traders monitored the possibility of currency intervention following recent remarks from Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama regarding potential changes to Government Pension Investment Fund asset allocations. The comments added to speculation that authorities are increasingly concerned about the yen’s prolonged weakness.
Elsewhere, the Australian and New Zealand dollars weakened slightly against the greenback after recent gains.
China’s yuan remained largely stable despite the softer dollar. The USD/CNY pair held near 6.77, while the offshore yuan also showed limited movement after the People’s Bank of China set its daily midpoint at the strongest level since April. Recent comments from PBOC Deputy Governor Zou Lan emphasized a preference for a more flexible, market-driven exchange rate rather than sustained yuan appreciation.
China’s economy grew 4.3% year-on-year in the second quarter, missing expectations and reinforcing calls for additional policy support. Investors are now focused on upcoming U.S. retail sales, weekly jobless claims, and further developments in the Middle East for fresh direction in currency markets.
