Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
The U.S. dollar strengthened slightly on Monday as investors turned to safe-haven assets following rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Market sentiment remained cautious ahead of key U.S. inflation reports expected later this week, with traders closely monitoring the impact of surging oil prices on the economy.
The U.S. Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, climbed 0.1% to 97.96 during late trading. The move came after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Iran reportedly requested recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, an end to hostilities, and compensation for war-related damages. Trump dismissed the proposal as “totally unacceptable,” criticizing Tehran for failing to address its nuclear program. He also described the current ceasefire as “unbelievably weak,” adding further uncertainty to global markets.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, remains a major point of conflict. Supply disruptions have pushed crude oil prices sharply higher, fueling concerns about inflation worldwide. Analysts believe elevated oil prices could continue supporting the U.S. dollar because the American economy is seen as more resilient than many others during energy shocks.
Investors are now focused on upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) reports. Economists expect energy costs to remain a major driver of inflation, while markets will also look for signs that higher fuel prices are spreading into core inflation categories. Stronger inflation data could reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve may maintain higher interest rates for longer, which would likely support the dollar further.
Elsewhere, the Chinese yuan edged higher after stronger-than-expected inflation data from China, while the British pound and euro both slipped against the dollar amid political and economic uncertainty.
