ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Global currency markets shifted cautiously on Wednesday as easing crude oil prices offered a brief respite from recent volatility, lifting risk appetite just ahead of a series of major central bank policy decisions. The U.S. dollar paused its recent rally, with the dollar index edging marginally higher by 0.06% to 99.61 after two consecutive days of losses.
The Japanese yen held near historically sensitive levels, trading at 159.00 per dollar, as markets monitored developments surrounding Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Analysts from Mizuho Securities noted that the Takaichi administration may actually prefer a weaker yen, suggesting limited room for significant USD/JPY downside. The euro dipped slightly to $1.1532 ahead of the European Central Bank's two-day policy meeting, while sterling remained stable at $1.3355.
The broader market context remains shaped by the ongoing Middle East conflict, now entering its third week. The crisis has driven demand for safe-haven assets, pushing the dollar to a 10-month peak late last week as rising oil prices stoked inflation concerns. A reported rise in U.S. crude inventories, based on American Petroleum Institute data, helped temper those pressures temporarily.
The Federal Reserve is expected to announce its rate decision Wednesday, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan all following Thursday. None are anticipated to change rates, though investor attention will be fixed on forward guidance around inflation and economic growth. Markets currently price in roughly 25 basis points of Fed cuts for the year, while expectations for ECB rate hikes in 2026 have grown sharply since the conflict began.
Commodity-linked currencies gained modest ground, with the Australian dollar rising 0.1% to $0.7109 and the New Zealand dollar up 0.05% to $0.586. In crypto markets, Bitcoin slipped 0.40% to $74,257.80, while Ethereum gained 0.22% to $2,333.60.
