UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
The U.S. dollar strengthened slightly on Monday as global investors prepared for a busy week of economic releases following the end of the government shutdown. With fresh data finally set to resume after more than 40 days of silence, markets are hoping for clearer signals on the Federal Reserve’s potential rate move in December.
Market reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s reversal of planned tariffs on over 200 food products remained limited. Analysts noted the shift was largely expected amid rising cost-of-living pressures, reducing any major surprise factor for traders.
Sterling continued to struggle after a volatile end to last week, driven by intense speculation surrounding the UK government’s upcoming November 26 budget. The British pound slipped 0.11% to $1.3161, extending losses sparked when Finance Minister Rachel Reeves confirmed she would not raise income tax rates. Investors had anticipated a tax increase to help close a significant fiscal gap, and the unexpected stance caused borrowing costs to surge on Friday.
Meanwhile, the safe-haven Swiss franc hovered near a one-month high at 0.7941 per dollar, supported by heightened caution following recent turbulence across global equities. The euro dipped 0.11% to $1.1607, and the Australian and New Zealand dollars also eased slightly during early Asian trading. The U.S. dollar index inched up to 99.37.
This week’s focus centers on the long-awaited September nonfarm payrolls report due Thursday, a release that could shape expectations for a December Fed rate cut. Carol Kong of CBA noted that markets are primed for softer payrolls data, which could revive bets on easing and weaken the dollar.
Despite signs of slowing economic momentum in private-sector indicators, markets have scaled back expectations of a December rate cut, placing the odds at just above 40%. Yet the dollar has struggled to gain momentum as traders unwind long positions ahead of what could be a volatile period for U.S. data.
Elsewhere, the yen hovered near 155 per dollar, with traders monitoring the risk of intervention. Japan’s latest GDP report showed a 1.8% annualized contraction in Q3, reflecting export weakness tied to U.S. trade policies, though the currency reaction remained muted.
