BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
The U.S. dollar steadied near recent highs on Friday after President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill passed its final hurdle, fueling concerns about fiscal sustainability but boosting short-term market sentiment. The Republican-led House approved the $3.4 trillion package—nicknamed “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”—which will be signed into law Friday, raising the U.S. national debt to $36.2 trillion.
The greenback rebounded from earlier losses driven by stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 147,000 in June, exceeding forecasts and reducing expectations for a near-term Federal Reserve rate cut. Markets now price a 94.8% chance the Fed will hold rates steady in July, up from 76.2% earlier this week, according to CME FedWatch.
Analysts say that while the fiscal outlook is worrying, investors are currently focused on resilient labor data and optimism around potential trade deals. Trump is pressuring nations like Japan to secure bilateral agreements ahead of the July 9 tariff deadline, with the U.S. set to send official rate letters to trade partners. The European Union aims to reach a trade agreement “in principle” before that date.
Despite the dollar’s Thursday rally, it has posted its worst first half since 1973, weighed down by tariff fears and uncertainty surrounding U.S. economic policy. The dollar index hovered at 97.056. The euro edged up to $1.1765, and the yen strengthened slightly to 144.69 per dollar, trimming gains from the previous session. Sterling remained flat at $1.36495.
Currency strategist Hirofumi Suzuki noted that although the U.S. labor market is slowing, its gradual pace is reassuring. He predicted continued dollar softness and yen strength if trade talks disappoint.
