China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
The U.S. dollar remained steady against major global currencies on Thursday as investors positioned themselves ahead of key central bank decisions in the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan. Currency markets showed cautious movement as expectations around interest rate policy continued to shape trading sentiment, keeping the dollar index near recent highs.
Sterling stayed under pressure after an unexpected drop in UK inflation strengthened the case for a Bank of England rate cut. Data showing softer-than-expected November inflation has all but confirmed market expectations, with interest rate futures pricing in a near 100% probability of a quarter-point cut from the BoE. As a result, the pound hovered near $1.3373, following a notable decline in the previous session. Analysts suggested the weak inflation reading effectively sealed the deal for looser UK monetary policy.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies including the euro and yen, was little changed at around 98.35 after advancing earlier in the week. The euro remained stable at approximately $1.1743 as markets largely expect the European Central Bank to keep interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting.
Meanwhile, the Japanese yen showed modest strength, trimming earlier losses as the Bank of Japan began a closely watched two-day meeting. The yen strengthened slightly to around 155.45 per dollar as investors anticipated a possible rate hike. The BOJ is widely expected to raise short-term interest rates to 0.75%, marking the highest level in roughly three decades, driven by persistent inflation pressures linked to higher food costs.
In the United States, uncertainty continues to surround the Federal Reserve’s next move. Conflicting signals from Fed officials have offered little clarity on the timing of future rate cuts, while political uncertainty around the eventual successor to Fed Chair Jerome Powell has added another layer of market speculation. Recent comments from policymakers highlighted differing views on whether further easing is necessary amid signs of labor market softening.
In Asia-Pacific markets, the Australian dollar edged lower to around $0.6600, while the New Zealand dollar slipped to near $0.5763 despite data showing a return to economic growth. In the cryptocurrency market, bitcoin and ether posted modest gains as digital assets tracked broader risk sentiment.
