Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
The U.S. dollar edged higher in early Thursday trading after suffering broad losses, as investors cautiously monitored the durability of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The dollar index climbed a marginal 0.03% to 99.09, recovering slightly from a one-month low hit Wednesday following the truce announcement.
Major currency pairs reflected the cautious mood. The euro slipped 0.07% to $1.1654, the Japanese yen weakened 0.06% to 158.7 per dollar, and sterling dipped 0.04% to $1.3387. The Australian dollar fell 0.13% to $0.7034, while New Zealand's kiwi eased 0.02% to $0.5821.
Despite the ceasefire, market confidence remains shaky. Israel continued military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Tehran accused both Israel and the U.S. of breaching the agreement, calling further peace negotiations "unreasonable." The Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil transit route — stayed closed to unpermitted vessels, with shipping companies demanding greater clarity before resuming normal operations.
"Any signs that the ceasefire is breaking down, whether through renewed restrictions in the strait or spillover from regional conflicts like Lebanon, could push oil prices higher again, strengthen the U.S. dollar and weigh on risk assets," warned Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com.
The five-week conflict triggered the largest disruption to global oil and gas supplies on record, yet the dollar emerged as one of the primary beneficiaries among major currencies. As a net energy exporter, the U.S. faced less economic exposure than oil-importing nations like Japan and several European countries.
Markets are now watching the release of U.S. February personal spending and PCE deflator data. Strong readings could reignite dollar momentum. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda's parliamentary appearance also drew attention. In crypto markets, Bitcoin fell 0.50% to $71,018.20, while Ethereum declined 0.96% to $2,188.86.
