IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
The U.S. dollar remained stable on Monday as investors looked ahead to a series of speeches from Federal Reserve officials that could provide clearer signals on future interest rate policy. The calm in early Asian trading followed last week’s volatility, driven by major central bank decisions from the Fed, Bank of England (BoE), and Bank of Japan (BOJ).
The Japanese yen eased 0.16% to 148.22 per dollar, trimming Friday’s gains after a hawkish BOJ stance revived expectations of a near-term rate hike. Sterling slipped to a two-week low of $1.3458, pressured by rising UK public borrowing and concerns highlighted in the BoE’s latest policy meeting. Analysts at Rabobank now see the next BoE rate cut pushed into 2026, but note that fiscal challenges will likely keep the pound on the defensive.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index ticked higher to 97.75, extending its rebound from last week’s dip following the Fed’s rate cut. The euro edged down 0.07% to $1.1738, and the Australian dollar slipped 0.02% to $0.6589.
Traders are closely monitoring roughly ten Fed officials set to speak this week, including Chair Jerome Powell. Markets are particularly focused on new Governor Stephen Miran, who dissented at September’s meeting in favor of a deeper 50-basis-point cut. Miran is expected to elaborate on his independent stance and policy outlook in a speech later Monday.
In Asia, China held its benchmark lending rates steady for the fourth straight month, aligning with expectations. The offshore yuan was little changed, last rising 0.06% to 7.1151 per dollar.
Global currency markets remain sensitive to central bank commentary, with investors seeking direction on interest rates, inflation, and growth as policy divergence shapes FX movements heading into autumn.
