UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
The U.S. dollar hovered near a two-week low on Friday, heading for its steepest weekly drop in a month as investors weighed ongoing U.S. tariff negotiations and awaited key central bank meetings next week. Both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan are expected to hold rates steady, but traders will scrutinize post-meeting comments for signals on future policy moves.
The yen traded at 147.10 per dollar, poised for a 1% weekly gain—its strongest since mid-May—after a U.S.-Japan trade deal reduced tariffs on auto imports to 15%. Economists polled by Reuters anticipate the BOJ will raise rates by 25 basis points this year. The dollar index stood at 97.448, set for a 1% weekly decline, while the euro held at $1.1754, near a four-year high of $1.183. The euro has surged 13.5% this year amid shifting U.S. trade policies.
Hopes for broader trade agreements grew after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed upcoming talks with Chinese officials in Stockholm. The Australian dollar hovered near an eight-month high at $0.6593, supported by improved risk sentiment.
Markets largely dismissed President Donald Trump’s rare visit to the Fed, where he clashed with Chair Jerome Powell over renovation costs and pushed for rate cuts. Fed policymakers are expected to keep rates at 4.25%-4.50%, with futures pricing in 43 basis points of cuts by year-end. Analysts at ANZ forecast 25-basis-point cuts in September and December, citing slowing demand, labor market weakness, and easing service inflation.
Bitcoin slipped 0.79% to $117,840, while Ethereum fell 2% to $3,655, mirroring broader risk sentiment as traders await clarity from upcoming policy decisions.
