Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Taiwan Central Bank Likely to Keep Interest Rates Unchanged Through 2027 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise as Weak Yen and Strong U.S. Jobs Data Increase Pressure 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
ECB Keeps July Rate Options Open Amid Iran War Energy Price Risks 
BoE Policymaker Alan Taylor Signals No Need for Interest Rate Hike Amid Iran War Inflation Risks 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Indonesia Plans Higher Asset Yields to Boost Rupiah and Restore Investor Confidence 
Jerome Powell Warns Against Politicizing the Federal Reserve, Defends Democratic Institutions 
The U.S. Fed speakers have delivered a hawkish speech overall, with two out of the four incoming voting members this year (Harker and Evans) suggesting that three quarter-point hikes in rates over the course of 2017 was plausible. Fed Chair Yellen also spoke, although her comments were a little more balanced.
Chicago Fed President Charles L. Evans said that the U.S. economy could experience a burst of 4 percent growth for a year, though did not see this as something that could likely be sustained, adding that it is not possible to just birth a large cohort of 25-year-olds (highlighting the impact of an ageing population). Evans added that he saw current Fed expectations for 75 basis points of tightening as plausible.
Additionally, Philadelphia Fed President Patrick T. Harker (a voter in 2017) said that the labour market is strong and the US economy is creating jobs at a good pace, noting that inflation is moving back up to our 2 percent goal and growth is solid. Harker added that he sees three modest rate hikes as appropriate for 2017, assuming the economy stays on track.
Lastly, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen in her Q&A session said that the U.S. economy is in a recovery phase, with the labour market getting gradually stronger. She said that inflation is also improving, with the 2 percent target not too far.
