ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
The dollar found safe-haven support ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming tariffs, but it remains on track for a monthly loss as investors weigh the tariff threats against a weakening U.S. growth outlook. Meanwhile, the yen is poised to close the month with a 3.6% gain, its best performance since July, due to expectations of more Bank of Japan rate hikes this year. The yen recently edged up 0.04% to 149.65 per dollar after core inflation data from Tokyo showed signs of slowing in February.
Despite inflation pressures in Japan, Rodrigo Catril from National Australia Bank suggests that while normalization is likely, the BOJ will remain cautious in the current uncertain environment. In contrast, the risk-sensitive Australian dollar dipped to a three-week low at $0.62305, losing nearly 2% for the week, though it saw a slight 0.3% gain for the month.
The euro struggled at a two-week low of $1.0389, facing a 0.6% weekly decline but still managing a modest 0.36% monthly gain. The dollar briefly rose above the 7.30 level against the yuan, with the offshore yuan last standing at 7.2966.
Trump's announcement of 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods and an additional 10% duty on Chinese imports has spooked markets, increasing risk aversion. The greenback hovers near a one-week high against a basket of currencies, with the dollar index at 107.24, but it’s set for a 1.1% monthly loss due to weaker-than-expected economic data and growing concerns over U.S. growth. The pound edged up to $1.2607, supported by expectations of fewer rate cuts from the Bank of England.
