Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
The U.S. dollar held firm on Wednesday, supported by safe-haven demand as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran escalated. Investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, fueling demand for the greenback.
Israel has intensified strikes on Iran in an attempt to curb its nuclear capabilities, while calling for regime change. The U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, prompting concerns of wider conflict that could impact global energy supplies and trade routes. As a result, the dollar has gained nearly 1% against major currencies like the yen, Swiss franc, and euro since last Thursday.
Although the dollar had dropped over 8% earlier this year amid doubts over U.S. economic strength and protectionist trade policies, it remains a global safe-haven due to its liquidity. Analysts, including NAB’s Rodrigo Catril, suggest that while structural shifts are weakening its dominance, risk aversion still supports the dollar.
On Wednesday, the dollar rose to a one-week high of 145.21 yen. The Swiss franc was steady at 0.816 per dollar, while the euro edged up 0.1% to $1.149. The U.S. Dollar Index remained flat after a 0.6% gain in the previous session.
Higher oil prices—around $75 a barrel—have weighed on the euro and yen, as the EU and Japan are net importers, unlike the U.S., which is a net exporter.
All eyes now turn to the Fed, expected to keep rates unchanged. Investors await its economic outlook, particularly regarding inflation and growth. The Bank of Japan kept rates steady on Tuesday, while central banks in the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Sweden are set to announce decisions later this week. Meanwhile, Japan's exports fell in May for the first time in eight months, signaling global trade strain.
