Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
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.
