Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Asian currencies weakened on Friday yet remained on track for weekly gains as optimism over potential U.S. trade agreements supported market sentiment. Investors are closely watching Tokyo’s latest inflation data for signals on the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) next policy move, while attention shifts to upcoming interest rate decisions from both the BOJ and U.S. Federal Reserve.
The U.S. Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against major currencies, rose 0.3% during Asian trading hours, with Dollar Index Futures up 0.2%. Despite Friday’s uptick, the dollar has seen sharp losses this week, allowing most regional currencies to advance.
Reports indicate a key U.S.-EU trade deal is nearing completion, potentially replacing a planned 30% tariff with a 15% levy on EU exports by August 1. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism about securing a U.S. trade agreement to avert proposed 26% tariffs. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump confirmed a U.S.-Japan trade deal lowering tariffs on Japanese imports to 15% from the previously planned 25%, boosting expectations for similar agreements with other nations.
Among major Asian currencies, the South Korean won slipped 0.3% after five days of gains but was still set for a 1% weekly rise. The Chinese yuan traded 0.2% higher in both onshore (USD/CNY) and offshore (USD/CNH) markets, while the Singapore dollar and Indian rupee also edged lower. The Australian dollar eased 0.1% but headed for a significant weekly jump.
Tokyo’s July CPI data showed inflation easing more than expected, though core figures stayed above BOJ’s target, maintaining speculation over a potential rate hike later this year. The Japanese yen weakened 0.3% Friday amid ongoing political uncertainty and speculation about Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s possible resignation.
