US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
The U.S. dollar hovered near a five-month low on Monday, pressured by President Donald Trump’s trade policies and weak economic data. The euro remained strong after German parties agreed on a fiscal deal to boost defense spending and economic growth.
Goldman Sachs analysts noted two key market shifts: a downturn in U.S. assets due to tariff volatility and a fiscal boost in Germany, challenging the narrative of U.S. economic dominance. The euro traded at $1.0881, slightly below last week’s peak of $1.0947.
Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz secured Green Party backing for a major borrowing plan, including a €500 billion infrastructure fund. The deal is expected to pass the outgoing parliament next week.
The Japanese yen stayed near a five-month high, supported by hawkish Bank of Japan signals ahead of its Wednesday policy decision. The U.S. Federal Reserve is also expected to hold rates steady.
China’s yuan approached a four-month high in offshore trading, ahead of a key press conference on domestic consumption stimulus. The dollar index stood at 103.71, close to last Tuesday’s five-month low of 103.21, marking a 6% decline from its January peak.
U.S. consumer sentiment hit a two-and-a-half-year low in March, with inflation fears rising due to Trump’s tariffs. The dollar was stable at 148.70 yen, while the BOJ considers rate hikes amid rising wages.
China unveiled a plan to boost domestic consumption through income growth and childcare subsidies. The Australian dollar edged up to $0.6328, while the British pound slipped to $1.2927.
Bitcoin fell 0.5% to around $82,847.
