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 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
The U.S. dollar slipped to a two-week low against the yen on Thursday, pressured by rising fiscal concerns and a weak 20-year Treasury bond auction. The sale underscored growing investor skepticism over U.S. financial stability, especially following last week’s credit rating downgrade by Moody’s.
Market jitters intensified as President Donald Trump pushed forward his ambitious spending and tax-cut bill, which analysts warn could add $3 trillion to $5 trillion to the national debt. Republican lawmakers remain divided, with some criticizing the bill for not doing enough to curb spending.
The dollar fell to 143.27 yen, its lowest since May 7, despite an early boost after Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato’s comments downplaying foreign exchange discussions with U.S. officials. The brief rally faded, highlighting persistent concerns that the White House may favor a weaker dollar, particularly against Asian currencies.
The euro remained stable at $1.1330 after three consecutive days of gains. The British pound held firm at $1.3426, while the Swiss franc inched up 0.1% to 0.8245 per dollar. South Korea’s won surged to 1,368.90 per dollar, its strongest since November, before slightly weakening to 1,377.00, amid reports of U.S. pressure to support the currency.
As traditional safe havens like the dollar lost appeal, investors turned to gold and cryptocurrencies. Gold rose to $3,325.79, nearing its April record, while Bitcoin surged 1.6% to $110,049.82 after hitting an all-time high of $110,636.58. According to Convera’s James Kniveton, safe-haven demand has shifted toward gold, the yen, and the euro, reflecting waning confidence in U.S. fiscal policies.
