Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
The U.S. dollar stayed firm on Friday, extending gains after its strongest daily performance in three weeks. Markets reacted to the Federal Reserve’s steady interest rate stance and cautious outlook on future cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized there’s “no hurry to move,” highlighting uncertainty tied to President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade tariffs.
The dollar index held steady at 103.81 in early Asia trade, following a 0.36% rise on Thursday. Earlier this week, the index had touched a five-month low at 103.19, retreating from its January high of 110.17. Market sentiment has shifted from optimism over Trump’s economic policies to concern over a potential U.S. recession triggered by ongoing trade tensions.
Risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars remained pressured. The Aussie hovered at $0.6303 after Thursday’s 0.86% drop, while the kiwi stabilized at $0.5766 following a 1% plunge, despite GDP data showing New Zealand's economy exiting recession.
The euro remained weak at $1.0854 after falling 0.45% as traders hesitated to push it past $1.1000. Sterling dipped slightly to $1.2961, and the dollar ticked up 0.07% against the yen to 148.88. It also stayed firm against the Canadian dollar at C$1.4321.
With a new round of reciprocal tariffs expected on April 2, market watchers like Pepperstone’s Chris Weston note increased caution, as traders reduce short positions and adopt a more neutral stance on the greenback. As global uncertainty persists, the dollar’s stability amid Fed policy and trade risks continues to guide currency markets.
