Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
The U.S. dollar held steady on Thursday, shrugging off weak domestic data as markets turned hopeful over signs of easing global trade tensions. Despite suffering its steepest monthly decline in over two years through April, the greenback regained ground as President Donald Trump hinted at potential trade deals with China, India, South Korea, and Japan.
In early Asian trading, the dollar rose 0.5% against both the euro and the pound, reaching $1.1328 per euro and $1.3323 per pound. It also climbed to 142.93 yen. Analysts see this as a short-term boost driven by speculation of de-escalating trade disputes. Richard Franulovich of Westpac noted, “We’re in a window here where we’re on a de-escalation path.”
Trump’s comments followed a statement by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who clarified that no formal trade talks with China are currently underway. Meanwhile, U.S. data revealed a surprise GDP contraction in Q1, largely due to a surge in imports ahead of tariff hikes. Yet, economists highlighted resilience in private consumption.
Investors are awaiting key U.S. jobless claims and ISM manufacturing data, but the spotlight is on Friday’s April jobs report, expected to show a hiring slowdown to 130,000. Market focus also turns to the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting, as uncertainty around the U.S.-Japan trade relationship and global economic conditions cloud Japan’s interest rate trajectory. No changes are expected, but any dovish signals could weaken the yen further.
The Australian dollar edged up 0.2% to $0.6413 following slightly higher-than-expected inflation data, while the New Zealand dollar remained stable at $0.5940, both showing resilience within their trading ranges.
