Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
The U.S. dollar is poised to end the week steady but faces a quarterly loss, pressured by concerns that looming tariffs could stall economic growth. Market fears over U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to introduce sweeping new tariffs, including a 25% levy on imported cars from April 3, have dragged down U.S. yields, stocks, and the greenback.
Meanwhile, the euro is on track for its strongest quarterly gain in over a year, rising more than 4% to just under $1.08. Contributing factors include optimism over peace in Ukraine, a weaker dollar, and surging German bond yields. The Japanese yen has also edged higher, sitting at 151.19 per dollar, with a near 4% quarterly gain despite a persistent Tokyo inflation print.
Scandinavian currencies lead G10 performance, with the Swedish krona and Norwegian krone up nearly 11% and 9%, respectively, thanks to central banks showing restraint in easing policy. The Canadian dollar has managed a modest 0.5% gain year-to-date to C$1.4306, despite being hit by U.S. tariffs.
Eyes are now on upcoming inflation data from France, Spain, and the U.S. core PCE index. Any reading below the expected 0.3% monthly rise could add pressure on the dollar and further soften interest rate expectations.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar is up around 2% to $0.6291 ahead of next week’s RBA meeting, while the New Zealand dollar has gained 2.5% this quarter to $0.5728. Sterling remains steady at $1.2943, marking a 3.5% rise in 2025 so far.
Currency strategists warn that if the EU becomes Trump’s next tariff target, the euro could face a reversal as Europe prepares to retaliate.
