Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
The U.S. dollar remained steady on Tuesday, hovering close to a three-month high, as mixed signals from the Federal Reserve prompted traders to scale back expectations for further interest rate cuts. Investors are also closely watching the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting, where policymakers are expected to keep rates unchanged.
The yen weakened to 154.38 per dollar, near its lowest level in over eight months, triggering concerns of possible intervention from Japanese authorities. Meanwhile, differing opinions among Fed officials and a lack of official economic data due to the U.S. government shutdown have fueled uncertainty about the central bank’s policy direction.
After last week’s rate cut, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled that it could be the final reduction for the year. Market pricing now shows a 65% probability of another cut in December, down from 94% a week ago, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool. This recalibration in expectations has supported the dollar, with the euro slipping 0.11% to $1.1506 and the British pound easing to $1.312. The dollar index rose 0.1% to 99.99, marking a three-month high.
The shutdown has limited access to key economic data, leaving investors reliant on private reports such as ADP’s employment data. A recent ISM survey revealed that U.S. manufacturing contracted for the eighth consecutive month in October, underscoring economic weakness. Analysts at MUFG warned that prolonged shutdown risks could further dampen growth.
In Asia, the yen’s continued weakness contrasts with the Bank of Japan’s cautious stance, even as Governor Kazuo Ueda hinted at possible tightening later this year. Analysts expect further yen depreciation unless the BOJ acts soon.
The Australian dollar traded around $0.6535 ahead of the RBA meeting. Stronger-than-expected inflation data has reduced expectations for near-term rate cuts, with markets now anticipating only one cut by mid-2026. Economists predict the RBA could strike a more hawkish tone, potentially bolstering the Australian dollar in the coming sessions.
