Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
The U.S. dollar wavered on Friday, heading toward its fifth consecutive monthly loss as uncertainty around trade policy and fiscal stability rattled markets ahead of key inflation data. The greenback faced a volatile week, dropping after a federal appeals court reinstated President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, just a day after a lower court had blocked them.
Trump voiced hope that the Supreme Court would uphold his tariff plans, while White House officials suggested alternative legal routes to enforce the measures. The escalating tariff drama has triggered investor flight from U.S. assets, fueling concerns about market volatility under Trump’s unpredictable policies.
Kyle Rodda of Capital.com noted the court ruling opened “a new source of uncertainty” rather than resolving tensions. The euro held firm at $1.1378, while the Swiss franc was steady at 0.8225 per dollar. The greenback is on pace to post monthly losses against major currencies including the euro, pound, and franc.
Economic data released Thursday, including jobless claims and GDP figures, failed to ease recession fears. Investors now await the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index—which is expected to show a 2.2% rise in April, down slightly from March’s 2.3%.
Concerns over sovereign debt are also weighing on sentiment, following weak demand for long-term bonds in both the U.S. and Japan. The dollar index edged up 0.16% to 99.416 but remains down 0.25% for May.
The Japanese yen rose 0.3% to 143.80 per dollar after Tokyo inflation data surpassed expectations, boosting rate hike speculation. However, the yen is still set for its first monthly loss against the dollar in 2025.
Meanwhile, emerging market currencies posted strong gains, with their index up 2.2%—its best monthly performance since November 2023.
