Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
China Warns of Rising Global Risks as Tariff Pressures Intensify in 2025 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Oil Prices Hold Near Two-Week Highs as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut and Monitor Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of Key Fed Decision 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Markets Track Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
Oil Prices Dip as Markets Watch Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
Japan’s Q3 Economic Contraction Deepens as Revised Data Signals Stronger Headwinds 
Australia’s Business Conditions Ease in November as Capacity Constraints Persist 
Global Currencies Steady Ahead of Key Central Bank Decisions 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
Asian currencies gained ground on Thursday, led by a strong rebound in the South Korean won, as the U.S. dollar weakened amid uncertainty over trade negotiations and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate trajectory.
The U.S. Dollar Index dipped 0.2%, extending a week-long slide sparked by soft inflation data and market jitters over U.S. fiscal policy. Analysts at ING noted that while the dollar attempts to recover from April’s sharp drop, concerns over unfunded tax cuts and broader policy risks are likely to limit upside momentum.
The South Korean won outperformed regional peers, with USD/KRW falling 0.8%. The pair had seen wild swings a day earlier, with the won gaining up to 2% before closing flat. Bloomberg reported that South Korean and U.S. officials discussed exchange rate issues during a May 5 meeting, though later clarification revealed that currency policies weren’t part of ongoing global trade talks.
The Taiwanese dollar also strengthened, with USD/TWD down 0.7%. The Japanese yen advanced as USD/JPY dropped 0.5%, ahead of Japan’s Q1 GDP release on Friday. Meanwhile, the Chinese yuan remained stable, with both onshore (USD/CNY) and offshore (USD/CNH) rates showing limited movement.
The Singapore dollar saw mild gains, with USD/SGD slipping 0.2%, while the Indian rupee weakened slightly, with USD/INR rising 0.1%.
In Australia, stronger-than-expected jobs data supported the Aussie dollar. Employment surged by 89,000 in April, reinforcing views of a tight labor market and complicating rate-cut expectations. The AUD/USD pair rose 0.2% ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s rate decision next week, where markets remain divided on the outcome.
Currency markets remain cautious amid shifting global economic signals.
