Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
The U.S. dollar weakened broadly in early Monday trading as a sharp rise in the Japanese yen heightened market anxiety over potential currency intervention and key upcoming decisions from the Federal Reserve. Investors reduced dollar exposure ahead of the Fed’s policy meeting and amid speculation about a possible announcement on the next Federal Reserve chair.
The yen surged nearly 1% to around 154.22 per dollar, its strongest level in two months, extending gains after its biggest one-day rise in almost six months last Friday. Market liquidity was thin due to public holidays in Australia and New Zealand, placing greater focus on the Tokyo market open. Japan’s prime minister reinforced expectations of action by stating the government would take “necessary steps” to counter speculative currency moves, fueling further yen buying.
According to a Reuters source, the New York Federal Reserve had checked dollar-yen rates with market dealers, a move often interpreted as a precursor to official intervention. This development triggered a rush to unwind short yen positions, pushing the currency roughly 3% higher from its recent lows. Analysts noted that growing coordination concerns between U.S. and Japanese authorities added to market unease.
The euro climbed to a four-month high near $1.1875, while sterling, the Australian dollar, and the New Zealand dollar also benefited from broad-based dollar selling. Sterling touched $1.3680, and both the Aussie and kiwi rose about 0.5%, reflecting improving risk sentiment outside the U.S.
Political and policy uncertainty in the United States further pressured the greenback. President Donald Trump signaled he would soon name a successor to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, adding to investor caution. Trade tensions also resurfaced after Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Canada over potential trade ties with China.
Markets now await the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, with expectations for rates to remain unchanged but with possible signals of future easing. Central bank meetings in Canada, Sweden, and Singapore are also on the radar, reinforcing a busy week for global currency markets as dollar risk premiums continue to rise.
