Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
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 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Asian currencies struggled to find clear direction on Monday as the US dollar remained resilient, with investors carefully weighing escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East against emerging ceasefire diplomacy. The US Dollar Index inched up 0.1%, with futures mirroring the same modest gain in early trading.
Market attention centered on US President Donald Trump's ultimatum to Iran, demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Trump warned that failure to restore tanker traffic through the critical waterway could trigger strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. However, sentiment stabilized somewhat after Axios reported that the United States, Iran, and regional mediators were actively exploring a potential 45-day ceasefire agreement, though no formal deal had been confirmed.
Currency movements across Asia were largely subdued. The Japanese yen held flat against the dollar, while the South Korean won edged 0.3% lower. The Chinese yuan dipped slightly, and the Singapore dollar traded without significant movement. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar outperformed regional peers, gaining 0.3% against the greenback.
Elevated crude oil prices added further pressure on major Asian oil-importing economies. Nations like Japan, South Korea, and India typically see their trade balances deteriorate when energy costs surge, weighing on their respective currencies.
The Indian rupee weakened notably, with the USD/INR pair climbing 0.6% to 93.281 after touching a two-week low in the prior session. The rupee had benefited from central bank intervention over the past five sessions. Investors now look ahead to the Reserve Bank of India's interest rate decision on Wednesday, where policymakers are widely expected to hold rates steady despite ongoing currency weakness.
Adding to the cautious outlook, stronger-than-expected US jobs data released Friday reinforced speculation that the Federal Reserve may maintain elevated interest rates for an extended period, keeping the dollar broadly supported.
