Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Dollar Holds Firm as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Tensions, GBP/USD Slips Amid UK Political Uncertainty 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
The U.S. dollar started the week on steady footing, trading at 143.57 yen and $1.1360 per euro, as investors braced for a wave of economic data that could reveal the impact of President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war. Despite stabilizing, the dollar remains on track for its largest monthly decline in nearly two and a half years, having dropped over 4% against both the euro and yen in April.
Signs of easing tensions between the U.S. and China last week, including reduced tariffs and more conciliatory rhetoric, helped the greenback recover slightly. However, uncertainty persists, as Beijing denies active trade negotiations despite Trump’s claims of progress. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also refrained from confirming any ongoing tariff talks.
Markets are now focused on upcoming key indicators, including April’s U.S. jobs report, first-quarter GDP data, and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, core PCE. A slowdown in hiring is anticipated, potentially influencing the dollar’s trajectory.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar hovered near recent highs at $0.64, with traders eyeing Wednesday’s inflation data ahead of an expected rate cut. The New Zealand dollar also remained firm near $0.60. In Canada, voters head to the polls Monday, but little currency volatility is expected, with the Canadian dollar steady at C$1.3874.
The Bank of Japan will announce monetary policy on Thursday, with no major changes expected. Attention will be on the outlook, particularly amid speculation about U.S.-Japan trade talks influencing currency dynamics. Japan’s top currency official, Atsushi Mimura, denied reports that the U.S. favors a weaker dollar.
