South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
The U.S. dollar weakened on Monday after Washington and Tehran announced an interim peace agreement, easing geopolitical tensions and reducing demand for traditional safe-haven assets. Improved market sentiment pushed global equities higher, while oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields declined.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the greenback against six major currencies, slipped 0.1% to 99.68 as investors reacted positively to signs of a potential end to a conflict that has weighed on the global economy for more than three months.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the peace deal was “complete” and confirmed authorization for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy shipping route. He also approved the immediate removal of the U.S. naval blockade around Iran’s ports. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, with Pakistan serving as the primary mediator in negotiations.
According to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, both nations agreed to permanently halt military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon. Iran also indicated that the agreement could lead to the lifting of U.S. sanctions, while additional negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and other unresolved issues are expected over the next 60 days.
The prospect of normalized oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz triggered a sharp decline in crude prices, easing inflation concerns and potentially giving the Federal Reserve greater flexibility in future monetary policy decisions. Markets widely expect the Fed to keep interest rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting under Chair Kevin Warsh.
Currency strategists believe lower oil prices could weigh on the U.S. dollar while benefiting major currencies such as the euro and Japanese yen. EUR/USD rose 0.2% to 1.1587, while GBP/USD edged higher to 1.3411.
Investors are also closely watching central bank decisions this week. The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates to 1%, its highest level in over three decades, while the Bank of England is also set to announce its latest policy decision.
