China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
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.
