JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
Asian Currencies Strengthen as Indian Rupee and Australian Dollar Rally 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Japan’s Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Exports Hit Record High in 2025 Despite Tariffs 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
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.
