Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
U.S. Dollar Strengthens
The US Dollar extended its bullish trend, supported by US Treasury yields which surged past the 4.3% level.
Housing Market Insights
The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index Composite-20 showed a year-over-year increase of 5.2% in October 2024, surpassing the forecast of 4.9% but lower than last year's 5.9% rise. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index also saw a significant rebound, jumping to 108.7 in October from 99.2 in September, marking the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.
Trump's Crypto Ambitions
Donald Trump is embracing cryptocurrency, aiming to make the U.S. a leading hub for digital currencies. He is also planning to remove SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who has faced criticism from crypto supporters. He is accepting campaign donations in cryptocurrencies, appealing to crypto enthusiasts, while analysts anticipate that a Trump victory could boost Bitcoin's value.
Currency Performance Overview
The British Pound is holding strong as the U.S. Dollar rises, remaining the only major currency that is sturdy. The Australian Dollar and Swiss Franc are struggling, with traders awaiting key inflation data that may influence the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy. The Japanese Yen remains weak, with officials closely monitoring the USD/JPY rate as it approaches the important level of 155.
