Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
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.
