US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
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US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
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South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Dollar Strengthens Amid Fed Rate Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions
The US dollar surged to a seven-week high against major currencies, driven by evolving expectations for US interest rates and rising tensions in the Middle East. A robust US jobs report last week reduced the likelihood of significant Federal Reserve rate cuts, influencing market sentiment.
Fed Rate Cut Expectations Shift
Investors have adjusted their predictions for Federal Reserve rate cuts. According to the CME FedWatch tool, markets now see an 86% probability of a 25 basis points (bps) cut in November, with December easing expectations lowered to 50 bps from over 70 bps a week prior. This shift has strengthened the dollar against the euro, yen, and sterling.
Forex Market Trends
The dollar index, which measures the USD against major currencies, stood at 102.41, slightly below Friday's seven-week high of 102.69. Traders are factoring in a "no landing" scenario, with strong economic data supporting a cautious Fed approach to rate cuts.
Global Currency Movements
The euro traded at $1.0981, while the pound was at $1.3095, both near recent lows. The yen, which fell to a seven-week low of 149.10 per dollar, recovered slightly to 147.795 following remarks from Japanese officials expressing caution over future rate hikes.
Looking Ahead
Investor focus will now turn to the upcoming US inflation report and the Federal Reserve’s September meeting minutes, as well as key monetary policy decisions from New Zealand and China's reopening after the holidays.
