Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
The U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies on Friday as markets reacted to tariff concerns and economic data. The Canadian dollar weakened, while the Mexican peso edged higher after the White House reaffirmed that President Donald Trump would impose tariffs on Saturday.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Trump would delay tariff collection on Canadian and Mexican imports until March 1. However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed the report, stating duties would take effect immediately.
The greenback’s rally was fueled by stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index rose 0.3% last month, signaling robust consumer spending. This supports expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates steady.
The dollar climbed 0.12% against the Canadian dollar to C$1.451, nearing a five-year high, while the Mexican peso gained 0.17% to 20.728 per dollar. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar advanced 0.54% to 155.13, securing a third consecutive week of gains. It also added 0.1% against the Swiss franc, ending two weeks of losses. Meanwhile, the euro slipped 0.3% to $1.0367, recording a 1% weekly drop.
Market sentiment was influenced by global central bank actions. The European Central Bank cut interest rates, signaling another potential cut in March amid sluggish economic growth. The Bank of Japan maintained a loose monetary stance as Tokyo’s core inflation hit 2.5%. The Fed held rates steady, with Chair Jerome Powell suggesting no rush for cuts but acknowledging scope for easing.
The U.S. dollar index rose 0.31% to 108.42, up 0.93% for the week. Investors remained cautious ahead of potential tariff developments and economic shifts as February began.
