Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian currencies traded within tight ranges on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated interest rate decision. The dollar remained steady after recent gains, while market participants also kept an eye on the upcoming Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy meeting and a scheduled discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Australian dollar stood out, with the AUD/USD pair rising 0.2% to nearly a three-week high. Stronger-than-expected inflation data dampened expectations of further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia, boosting the currency.
Regional currencies found support in recent sessions amid signs of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations and growing confidence in a potential Fed rate cut. The dollar index and its futures gained slightly in Asian trading, remaining firm ahead of the Fed’s announcement. Markets expect a 25-basis-point rate reduction as the U.S. economy shows signs of slowing inflation and labor market growth. However, traders are looking to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for guidance on future monetary policy.
The Japanese yen hovered around 152 per dollar, recovering slightly after hitting an eight-month low. Despite minor strength, the yen remains pressured by expectations that the BOJ will maintain its ultra-loose monetary stance. Analysts anticipate no rate changes, particularly as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration leans toward expansive fiscal policies—a factor weighing further on the yen.
Elsewhere, Asian currencies showed muted movement ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea. The Chinese yuan (USD/CNY) hovered around 7.1, while the Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) edged up 0.1%, and the South Korean won (USD/KRW) rose 0.2%. The Indian rupee (USD/INR) stayed slightly higher above 88.
The meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to ease trade tensions, with potential discussions on fentanyl tariffs, rare earths, and AI chip exports.
