Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian currencies traded within a narrow range on Wednesday as investors awaited further developments in U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations, while softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data offered modest relief to markets. The dollar edged slightly higher in Asian trading after a seven-session losing streak, weighed down by easing safe-haven demand and cooling inflation concerns.
The Chinese yuan held steady ahead of China's first-quarter GDP report due Thursday, which analysts expect will reflect a rebound from a sluggish December quarter. The Japanese yen slipped modestly, hovering near its lowest levels in roughly 18 months. Meanwhile, the dollar index and dollar index futures each gained less than 0.1%, staying under pressure despite the marginal bounce.
Tuesday's U.S. Producer Price Index reading came in below forecasts for March. Although energy prices climbed due to the ongoing Iran conflict, core inflation figures showed more contained growth, fueling optimism that the Federal Reserve retains room to cut interest rates. Former Fed Chair and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen echoed that sentiment, stating she anticipates at least one rate cut this year despite ongoing economic uncertainty tied to the Iran war.
Across Asia, currency movements were subdued. South Korea's won was little changed after the incoming Bank of Korea Governor signaled a potentially hawkish policy stance, citing inflationary risks from the conflict and a weakened won. South Korean trade figures for March surprised to the upside, driven by robust semiconductor exports tied to artificial intelligence demand. The Australian dollar gained 0.3% as risk appetite improved, while the Indian rupee edged lower following softer-than-expected domestic inflation data. The Singapore dollar was flat after the Monetary Authority of Singapore tightened policy settings marginally the day before.
On the geopolitical front, the U.S. military confirmed its naval blockade against Iran was fully operational, cutting off all economic trade to and from the country. Despite this escalation, a fragile ceasefire appeared to remain in place, with President Donald Trump expressing confidence that a resolution was close and indicating further talks were expected within days.
