US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Japan Manufacturing Growth Accelerates in June as Orders Surge Despite Iran War Cost Pressures 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
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.
