BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
The U.S. dollar is on track for a weekly loss, pressured by weak economic data and stalled trade talks. Markets are now focused on the upcoming U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, expected to show a 130,000 job increase, with the unemployment rate projected at 4.2%—though a rise to 4.3% is possible.
Recent U.S. data has fallen short of expectations, intensifying fears that tariffs under President Donald Trump are weighing on growth. The dollar index hovered at 98.72 after touching a six-week low, down 0.7% for the week.
Investors briefly welcomed news of a one-hour call between Trump and China’s Xi Jinping, though optimism faded as details remained vague. Meanwhile, a public dispute between Trump and Elon Musk stole attention from the call’s outcome, adding further market uncertainty.
The euro hit a 1.5-month high of $1.1495 after the European Central Bank's hawkish tone despite a rate cut. It last traded at $1.1449. Monex Europe’s Nick Rees noted caution but adjusted his forecast, now expecting only one more rate cut in September to 1.75%.
Sterling edged up 0.1% to $1.3583 and was set for a 0.9% weekly gain, following a surge to a three-year high. The yen dipped 0.1% to 143.74 per dollar. The Australian dollar rose 0.06% to $0.6512, and the New Zealand dollar climbed 0.17% to $0.6048—both on pace for 1.1% weekly gains.
Currency markets remain range-bound ahead of the U.S. jobs report, with traders watching for signs that the Fed’s tight policy may finally be impacting the labor market and dollar momentum.
