Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Asian currencies mostly strengthened on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East boosted investor confidence and weakened the U.S. dollar. Market sentiment improved after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in operations related to securing shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, reducing fears of a broader regional conflict.
The U.S. dollar index slipped 0.2%, while U.S. Dollar Index futures also moved lower during Asian trading hours. Investors shifted toward riskier assets as concerns surrounding disruptions in global oil supply began to fade.
Trump stated that the United States would temporarily halt “Project Freedom,” an operation aimed at restoring commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while negotiations with Tehran continue. Although the blockade remains in place, the announcement signaled possible diplomatic progress between Washington and Iran.
The easing tensions triggered a decline in oil prices after sharp gains earlier in the week. Lower crude prices are seen as positive for many Asian economies that rely heavily on energy imports, helping support regional currencies and easing inflation concerns.
China’s yuan gained ground, with the USD/CNY pair falling 0.2%, while the Japanese yen remained relatively stable against the dollar. The Indian rupee also strengthened as USD/INR declined 0.2%, and the Singapore dollar posted modest gains.
The South Korean won emerged as the top-performing Asian currency, with USD/KRW dropping 1.2% after inflation data exceeded expectations. South Korea’s consumer price index rose 2.6% year-over-year in April, accelerating from 2.2% in March and marking the fastest pace since mid-2024. Rising fuel and service costs contributed to the stronger inflation reading, increasing expectations that the Bank of Korea could maintain a hawkish monetary policy stance.
Meanwhile, China’s services sector showed resilience. The Caixin services PMI climbed to 52.6 in April, surpassing forecasts and indicating stronger business activity driven by stable domestic demand.
The Australian dollar also advanced sharply, with AUD/USD climbing 0.7% after the Reserve Bank of Australia delivered an interest rate hike, reinforcing expectations for tighter monetary policy ahead.
