Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
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.
