South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
New Zealand's inflation expectations rose to a one-year high in the second quarter, according to a Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) survey released Friday. The data comes as markets anticipate a potential interest rate cut when the central bank meets later this month.
The RBNZ's quarterly survey showed that two-year inflation expectations—considered a key gauge for when monetary policy changes affect consumer prices—rose to 2.29%, up from 2.06% in the first quarter. This figure remains within the RBNZ’s official inflation target range of 1% to 3%.
The survey, which polled 42 business leaders and professional forecasters, also revealed that annual inflation expectations for the year ahead increased to 2.41%, compared to 2.15% in the previous quarter. These rising forecasts reflect lingering price pressures in the economy, despite a slowdown in overall inflation from earlier peaks.
The central bank has held rates steady since its last hike in May 2023, maintaining the official cash rate at 5.5%. However, with recent signs of economic cooling and inflation expectations still anchored within the target range, some analysts believe the RBNZ may soon consider easing policy to support growth.
Market participants are closely watching the upcoming rate decision as they weigh the RBNZ’s balancing act between containing inflation and avoiding a deeper economic slowdown. Any shift in tone or policy stance could influence the New Zealand dollar and broader financial markets.
The latest inflation outlook suggests that while price pressures remain moderate, sentiment among forecasters is turning cautious, potentially setting the stage for a policy pivot in the coming months.
