Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Asian currencies traded mostly flat on Thursday after suffering sharp losses in the previous session, as the U.S. dollar held firm on expectations of a cautious Federal Reserve policy path. The U.S. Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, eased 0.1% after jumping 0.6% to a two-week high overnight. Dollar Index Futures also slipped 0.1% as of 04:30 GMT.
The strength of the dollar comes after remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who warned earlier this week that the central bank must remain “measured” when easing monetary policy. Other Fed officials also highlighted the risks of moving too quickly on rate cuts, dampening expectations for aggressive reductions despite last week’s first rate cut since December. Investors now await further speeches from policymakers for additional signals.
Market focus has shifted to key U.S. economic releases that could influence the Fed’s outlook. Weekly jobless claims, due later Thursday, will be closely watched given recent signs of a cooling labor market. An advance reading of second-quarter GDP is also scheduled, while Friday’s release of the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index—remains the main event for traders.
In Asia, currency markets reflected mixed moves. The Japanese yen weakened slightly, with USD/JPY down 0.2% after gaining nearly 1% overnight. Bank of Japan meeting minutes revealed divisions among policymakers, with some advocating for potential rate hikes in the future. The South Korean won slipped 0.3% after climbing 0.7% previously, while the Singapore dollar traded flat. The Indian rupee edged 0.2% lower.
China’s yuan also ticked 0.1% lower in both onshore (USD/CNY) and offshore (USD/CNH) markets. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar stood out, rising 0.3% against the greenback.
Global investors remain cautious, balancing Fed signals with upcoming U.S. data and Asian central bank cues, as volatility persists in currency markets.
