European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
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 
The U.S. dollar regained its footing against major currencies on Tuesday after pulling back from recent highs, following President Donald Trump's statement that the Iran conflict could conclude "very soon." Despite the partial recovery, global financial markets remain on edge as Iran's Revolutionary Guards publicly rejected Trump's remarks as "nonsense," keeping geopolitical tensions firmly in focus.
In Asian trading, the greenback held at 157.73 yen and $1.1632 per euro, retreating slightly from Monday's peaks. The currency had surged earlier as investors sought safe-haven assets amid fears that an extended Iran war could trigger a severe global energy crisis. U.S. and Israeli military operations have effectively halted oil and gas exports through the critical Strait of Hormuz, sending energy prices into overdrive.
Brent crude futures were trading around $93 per barrel — significantly above pre-conflict levels, though retreating from Monday's near $120 peak. Analysts warn the energy market volatility is far from over. Rodrigo Catril, senior currency strategist at National Australia Bank, cautioned that the path to de-escalation remains uncertain, noting that whether Iran would be open to winding down hostilities is still unclear.
Risk-sensitive currencies bore the brunt of the uncertainty, with the Australian dollar slipping 0.2% to $0.7063 and the New Zealand dollar falling 0.4% to $0.5912. Sterling managed to recover from Monday's losses, holding steady at $1.3434.
Investors are increasingly concerned that persistently high energy prices could dampen global economic growth by driving up business costs and reducing consumer spending, while simultaneously discouraging central banks from cutting interest rates.
Deutsche Bank strategist Henry Allen noted that while markets are inching closer to the thresholds that would trigger broader risk-asset selloffs, equities have yet to reach bear-market territory seen during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine energy shock.
