Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
U.S. Stocks End Mixed as January CPI Cools, Treasury Yields Slide 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Meets PM Takaichi as Markets Eye Possible Rate Hike 
Gold Prices Steady Above $5,000 as Markets Eye Fed Minutes and PCE Inflation Data 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Backstop to Strengthen Global Role of the Euro 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Oil Prices Steady as Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks and OPEC+ Output Plans Shape Market Outlook 
Yen Surges After Takaichi Election Win as Markets Eye U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Trade in Tight Range as Dollar Steadies; Yen Slips on Weak Japan GDP 
Ukraine Secures $8.2 Billion IMF Loan as Tax Conditions Are Eased 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
The U.S. dollar is on track to record its strongest weekly performance since October, supported by upbeat economic data, a hawkish Federal Reserve outlook, and rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. Stronger-than-expected labor market figures, including a drop in weekly jobless claims, reinforced confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy and boosted demand for the greenback.
In early Asian trading, the dollar held firm near a one-month high, pressuring major currencies. Sterling hovered around $1.3457, close to a one-month low, and is set for a weekly decline of nearly 1.5%. The euro slipped slightly to $1.1768, heading for a 0.8% weekly loss amid uncertainty surrounding European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde’s tenure. Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar index stood at 97.89, marking a gain of more than 1% for the week.
Federal Reserve policy expectations remain a central driver of currency markets. Recent Fed minutes revealed several policymakers are open to further rate hikes if inflation remains persistent. Although investors are still pricing in roughly two rate cuts this year, the probability of a June cut has eased to around 58%, according to CME FedWatch data. Upcoming releases of the U.S. core PCE price index and fourth-quarter GDP figures are expected to influence the next move in forex markets.
Geopolitical risks have also fueled safe-haven demand for the dollar. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to reach a nuclear agreement within 10 to 15 days, prompting threats of retaliation from Tehran. Escalating tensions could significantly impact oil prices and global currency markets.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar traded at $0.7055, supported by hawkish domestic rate expectations, while the New Zealand dollar fell to $0.5967 amid a dovish outlook from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. The Japanese yen weakened to 155.08 per dollar after Japan’s core inflation slowed to 2.0%, reducing pressure on the Bank of Japan to tighten policy further.
