Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
The U.S. dollar slumped to multi-month lows against major currencies on Friday after data showed weaker-than-expected job growth, reinforcing expectations of multiple Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2024. U.S. rate futures now price in 78 basis points of easing this year, with the first rate cut likely in June. Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the central bank will be cautious in adjusting rates, waiting for more clarity on economic policies and inflation trends.
The euro surged, marking its best week in 16 years with a 4.5% gain against the dollar, driven by Germany’s bold fiscal reforms. It peaked at $1.0888 before settling at $1.0845, up 0.6%. Against the yen, the dollar hovered at 147.99 yen, after earlier hitting a five-month low of 146.94 yen.
U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 in February, below the 160,000 forecast, with January’s figure revised down to 125,000. Average hourly earnings growth slowed to 0.3%, easing concerns over wage inflation. The dollar index, tracking the greenback against six major currencies, fell 3.5% for the week, its worst since November 2022, dipping to 103.81.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of an economic "detox period" as the U.S. transitions from public to private spending. Meanwhile, President Trump’s tariff policy uncertainty continues to impact markets, with his recent executive order directing a strategic bitcoin reserve.
Bitcoin dropped 2.8% to $87,030.54 amid regulatory discussions at a White House summit, while ether declined 2.6% to $2,150. The dollar’s broad weakness extended against the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso, reflecting heightened market volatility.
