Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Asian currencies rallied on Monday, led by the Japanese yen and Australian dollar, after the U.S. dollar tumbled to a three-year low. The drop followed President Donald Trump’s proposed overhaul of the Federal Reserve, sparking investor uncertainty.
The U.S. Dollar Index plunged 1.2% to 98.18 in Asian trading, its weakest level since March 2022. The decline was driven by comments from White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett, who confirmed that Trump is reviewing whether he can dismiss Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The potential threat to Fed independence rattled markets, especially after Powell recently signaled no near-term rate cuts due to inflation concerns and new U.S. tariffs.
The Japanese yen strengthened significantly, with USD/JPY down 1.1%, bolstered by data showing Japan’s core inflation accelerated in March. The AUD/USD pair also surged 0.8%, supported by broader dollar weakness. Other regional currencies posted gains: the Singapore dollar’s USD/SGD fell 0.5%, the South Korean won’s USD/KRW dropped 0.4%, and the Thai baht’s USD/THB slid 0.7%. The Malaysian ringgit’s USD/MYR dipped 0.8%, while India’s USD/INR declined 0.5%.
The Chinese yuan edged higher, with the onshore USD/CNY down 0.2% and the offshore USD/CNH falling 0.3%. The yuan’s move came after the People’s Bank of China left its loan prime rate unchanged, holding the one-year LPR at 3.1% and the five-year at 3.6%. The decision signals China’s focus on fiscal tools over monetary easing amid rising U.S. trade tensions.
The widespread currency gains underscore growing volatility in global forex markets, driven by U.S. political uncertainty and shifting central bank policies.
