Wall Street Ends Mixed as Dow Hits Record Despite Tech Weakness 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Asian Stocks Slide as Semiconductor Selloff Weighs on South Korea and Japan 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Singapore Says One-Third of U.S. Exports Hit by New 12.5% Tariff 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
Brazil Cuts Selic Rate to 14% as Inflation Eases but Risks Persist 
Gold Prices Surge 7% as Dollar Falls, Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
China Trade Surplus Beats Forecasts in July as Exports Stay Strong 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Dollar Holds Near Six-Week Low as Yen Loses Momentum Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise Ahead of September Meeting 
US Yen Intervention Unlikely to Deliver Lasting Recovery, Yardeni Says 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Iran Hormuz Deal and Earnings Shape Market Sentiment 
Asian currencies gained ground on Monday while the US dollar slipped as investors turned cautious ahead of a looming deadline that could trigger a partial U.S. government shutdown. Market focus also remained on key monetary policy decisions this week from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The US Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major peers, fell 0.2% in early Asian trade. Futures linked to the index also traded lower by the same margin at 04:17 GMT. Investors are closely watching whether Congress can pass a funding bill before the fiscal year ends, with failure likely resulting in a shutdown beginning Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet lawmakers later Monday in a bid to avert the crisis.
A shutdown would immediately impact government operations and financial markets, particularly delaying crucial economic data such as the September nonfarm payrolls report, due Friday. Market participants fear prolonged disruption could weigh on investor sentiment and increase volatility.
Asian foreign exchange markets strengthened as traders speculated that U.S. political uncertainty may drive near-term outflows from U.S. assets. The Japanese yen rose 0.4% against the dollar, while the Singapore dollar gained 0.1%. The South Korean won advanced 0.4%, and the Indonesian rupiah firmed 0.3%. Both the onshore and offshore Chinese yuan also edged higher, with USD/CNY down 0.2% and USD/CNH falling 0.3%.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar climbed 0.3% ahead of Tuesday’s RBA meeting, where rates are widely expected to remain unchanged at 3.6%. The Indian rupee traded flat near record lows, with investors awaiting the RBI’s decision later this week. Analysts largely expect no change to the policy rate, currently at 5.50%, though some see room for a surprise cut.
With U.S. political risks and central bank outcomes in focus, global markets are bracing for heightened volatility in the week ahead.
