Oil Prices Jump 4% as Iran Missile Strike Revives Middle East Supply Fears 
Chile Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 4.5% as Inflation and Global Risks Persist 
Dollar Holds One-Month High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow, Yen Remains Under Pressure 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,025 Ahead of Fed Decision as Middle East Tensions Lift Oil 
Gold Price Slips as Stronger Dollar, Fed Rate Decision Weigh on Market 
Oman Proposes Strait of Hormuz Plan as U.S., Iran Remain Divided Over Shipping Fees 
US Stock Futures Slip Ahead of Fed Decision, Big Tech Earnings Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Fall 1% Ahead of Fed Decision as Markets Watch Warsh, Iran Talks 
Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady as Kevin Warsh Says Rising Treasury Yields Tighten Financial Conditions 
Oil Prices Jump as Trump Vows Response to Iran Attack, Supply Risks Return 
Brazil Challenges Trump Tariffs at WTO Over Trade Dispute 
European Stocks Edge Higher as Strong Earnings Offset Inflation and Fed Rate Concerns 
Oil Prices Ease After Sharp Rally as Trump Warns of More Action Against Iran 
South Korean Chip Stocks Plunge as AI Spending Concerns and China Competition Shake Market 
RBA Signals More Rate Hikes Possible as Australia Battles Stubborn Inflation 
Hong Kong Home Prices Extend Winning Streak With 13th Straight Monthly Gain in June 
Asian Stocks Sink as AI Spending Fears and China Chip Advances Hit Tech Shares 
Asian currencies traded in narrow ranges on Thursday as investors assessed the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged while Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reinforced the central bank’s commitment to bringing inflation back to target. His remarks supported expectations that U.S. interest rates could stay elevated for longer, helping the U.S. dollar recover from overnight losses.
The U.S. Dollar Index climbed to around 100.9 after Warsh emphasized that inflation remains the Fed’s primary focus, despite policymakers stopping short of signaling another immediate rate increase. Markets now estimate about a 64% chance of a September rate hike, down from roughly 81% before the Fed meeting, according to CME FedWatch.
Geopolitical risks also remained a key market driver after the United States launched fresh strikes on Iranian targets following what Washington described as an attempted attack on U.S. forces. The renewed Middle East tensions prompted investors to monitor potential disruptions to global energy supplies and regional market sentiment.
Among Asian currencies, the Singapore dollar was little changed after Singapore announced a SGD900 million support package to help households and businesses manage rising costs linked to geopolitical uncertainty. The announcement followed the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s recent decision to slightly steepen the appreciation path of its exchange rate policy band. DBS analysts said Singapore’s strong fiscal position should continue attracting capital inflows despite global uncertainty.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar slipped around 0.2%, while the New Zealand dollar posted modest gains. The Japanese yen hovered near multi-decade lows, with USD/JPY trading around 163.5 ahead of Friday’s Bank of Japan policy decision. The South Korean won weakened slightly, while both the onshore and offshore Chinese yuan traded within tight ranges. The Indian rupee, Malaysian ringgit, Thai baht, and Philippine peso also remained broadly stable.
Investors are now turning their attention to the Bank of England’s policy announcement, where rates are widely expected to remain unchanged. Focus will then shift to the Bank of Japan on Friday, alongside key regional economic data, including China’s official manufacturing PMI, Taiwan’s second-quarter GDP, and Hong Kong’s economic growth figures, all of which could influence Asian currency markets in the coming sessions.
