Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
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 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Markets Wobble as AI Fears Rattle Stocks, Oil and Gold Rebound 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Australia’s Corporate Regulator Urges Pension Funds to Boost Technology Investment as Industry Grows 
The U.S. dollar hovered in muted trading Thursday after weak economic data revived fears of stagflation, raising expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. The greenback struggled after U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly contracted in May, while labor market data pointed to cooling job growth. These developments boosted Treasury demand, with the 10-year yield falling to 4.363%, near a four-week low.
Markets are now eyeing Friday’s U.S. non-farm payrolls report, expected to show a modest gain of 130,000 jobs. A weak report could accelerate the dollar’s decline. Currently, traders have priced in 56 basis points of Fed cuts for 2025, with a 95% chance of easing in September, according to LSEG data. President Trump also renewed pressure on the Fed to lower rates, unsettling investor confidence in the central bank’s independence.
In currency markets, the dollar edged up to 143 yen. The euro traded at $1.1412, near a recent six-week high, while the British pound held at $1.3544. The dollar index stood at 98.87, down roughly 9% year-to-date—its worst annual performance since 2017.
Investors remain cautious due to uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy. Markets await updates on the upcoming call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping amid escalating tariff tensions.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, marking its eighth cut in 13 months. Investors are watching closely for signals on whether further easing will follow as inflation slows and recession risks fade.
The Australian dollar held at $0.6491 despite soft GDP figures, while the New Zealand dollar hovered at $0.603, near a seven-month peak. Overall, forex markets remain cautious, awaiting key economic cues and central bank moves.
