US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
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 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
The U.S. dollar edged lower on Wednesday as traders awaited key employment data and updates on trade negotiations led by President Donald Trump. The Trump administration set a Wednesday deadline for countries to submit trade offers, coinciding with the start of a 50% tariff on imported steel and aluminum.
Markets are also watching for a possible phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid tensions over allegations that both nations breached last month’s tariff rollback agreement.
Despite ongoing trade tensions, macroeconomic indicators have begun influencing dollar movements again. After a manufacturing contraction pushed the dollar down 0.8% on Monday, a surprise surge in U.S. job openings helped it recover nearly the same amount on Tuesday. The JOLTS report, which is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, showed significantly higher-than-expected figures, boosting sentiment.
By early Wednesday, the dollar dipped 0.09% to 143.82 yen, while the euro gained 0.13% to $1.1385. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, remained flat at 99.159. Traders are now eyeing the ADP employment report due later in the day, ahead of Friday’s critical non-farm payrolls data.
Joseph Capurso, analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, noted that “job openings were much stronger than expected,” adding that with low expectations for the ADP data, even a small upside surprise could lift the dollar and bond yields.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar held steady at $0.6460 ahead of GDP data, while South Korea’s won rose 0.2% to 1,375.25 per dollar following the presidential election win of liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung.
