S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
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 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Dollar Stabilizes, Offering Relief to Global Currencies
The U.S. dollar paused its rally on Wednesday, providing relief to major currencies like the yen, following last week's sharp rise to a seven-week high. Investors are reassessing the U.S. interest rate path amid a relatively light economic data calendar this week.
Kiwi Hits Low After RBNZ Holds Rates
The New Zealand dollar slumped to $0.6096, its lowest since August 19, after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) opted to keep interest rates unchanged at 5.50%. The Kiwi was last down 0.55%, trading at $0.61035. The RBNZ had previously started an easing cycle in August to reduce rates from 15-year highs.
U.S. Dollar Outlook: Inflation and Earnings Key
Market attention now shifts to Thursday's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which is expected to drive the next phase of the dollar's movement. Following stronger-than-expected jobs data last week, markets have scaled back expectations for significant interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in November. However, a quarter-point reduction remains a possibility.
Global Currencies Respond
The dollar index remained stable at 102.490, near its recent high of 102.69. The euro held firm at $1.0977, while the British pound traded at $1.3101. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar struggled, down 0.08% at $0.67415.
China's Economic Outlook
In China, despite economic concerns, Beijing expressed confidence in meeting its annual growth targets. However, investors remain cautious as no additional fiscal support measures were announced, leaving the offshore yuan stable at 7.0695 per dollar.
