Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
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.
