New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Most Asian currencies weakened on Tuesday as Lunar New Year holidays across major regional markets led to thin trading volumes, while the U.S. dollar edged higher ahead of crucial economic data releases. With China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore closed for the holiday, overall market activity remained subdued. Chinese markets are set to reopen next week, keeping liquidity limited in the interim.
The U.S. dollar index and dollar index futures posted modest gains in Asian trade, building on overnight advances. The greenback found support despite light U.S. trading volumes following a Monday market holiday. Investor focus has now shifted to a series of high-impact U.S. economic indicators scheduled for release this week, particularly the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes due Wednesday.
The Fed recently kept interest rates unchanged, highlighting persistent risks to inflation and the labor market. Since that decision, mixed signals from nonfarm payrolls and consumer inflation data have left markets uncertain about the future path of monetary policy. Upcoming reports on industrial production, trade data, and especially Friday’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—widely regarded as the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—are expected to shape expectations for long-term interest rates.
In currency markets, the Japanese yen strengthened slightly, with USD/JPY slipping 0.2% after recent volatility triggered by weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter GDP data. Concerns over Japan’s economic slowdown have increased speculation about potential stimulus measures, although reports suggest the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates as early as April.
The Australian dollar eased after Reserve Bank of Australia meeting minutes showed policymakers remain cautious following a recent rate hike, citing persistent inflation pressures. Meanwhile, the offshore Chinese yuan hovered near three-year lows, and the Indian rupee remained above the 90 level despite stronger domestic inflation data.
