U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
China’s factory activity likely contracted for the second consecutive month in May, as ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. and EU dampen manufacturing sentiment. According to a Reuters poll of 21 economists, the official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is expected to rise slightly to 49.5 from April’s 49.0 but remain below the key 50-point threshold that indicates growth.
The world’s second-largest economy is battling dual trade conflicts—one with the U.S., driven by President Donald Trump’s aggressive 145% tariffs, and another with the European Union over dumping allegations. These frictions are adding stress to China’s fragile, export-dependent recovery, already weakened by deflation, slow income growth, and an ongoing property sector slump.
In response to the EU’s anti-dumping probe on Chinese-made tires and electric vehicles, Beijing has launched its own investigations into European brandy and dairy imports, escalating the trade dispute.
While China’s GDP beat expectations in Q1 and the government maintains a 5% growth target for 2025, analysts warn that intensifying U.S. tariffs could derail momentum. Exports have been a key pillar supporting the recovery post-COVID, but policymakers are now being pushed to roll out further fiscal and monetary stimulus to stabilize growth and buffer external shocks.
The official PMI for May will be released Saturday, while the private Caixin survey—more reflective of smaller firms—is due on June 3, with expectations of a marginal rise to 50.6 from 50.4.
China’s economic trajectory remains under pressure as global trade dynamics shift, placing urgency on domestic demand stimulation and diplomatic resolutions to avert a deeper slowdown.
