US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
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 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
The U.S. dollar is on track for a second straight weekly gain, supported by stronger-than-expected economic data that has eased pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates soon. The dollar index held firm at 98.456 early Friday, set for a 0.64% weekly rise, following last week’s 0.91% increase. Retail sales rebounded in June, and jobless claims hit a three-month low, reinforcing economic resilience. The index reached 98.951 on Thursday, its highest since June 23.
Meanwhile, the yen stayed weak at 148.60 per dollar amid political uncertainty ahead of Japan’s upper house elections, with polls suggesting the ruling coalition could lose its majority. This uncertainty complicates ongoing tariff negotiations with the U.S., especially as Japan faces the threat of a 25% auto tariff from August 1.
Bitcoin remained stable near $119,899, slightly below its record high of $123,153.22 reached earlier this week. The rally came as Congress passed legislation to establish a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged stablecoins.
Despite recent gains, the dollar index is still down 9.3% for the year due to a steep sell-off in March and April, triggered by investor concerns over President Trump’s unpredictable trade policies and fiscal strategies. Ongoing fiscal worries, including a massive spending and tax cut bill, and Trump’s public criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, continue to cloud sentiment.
The euro climbed 0.25% to $1.1626 but remains down 0.59% for the week. The British pound rose 0.13% to $1.3436, trimming its weekly loss to 0.41%. Analysts warn that U.S. policy instability may still weigh on the dollar going forward, despite its recent resilience.
