Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
The U.S. dollar traded steadily on Wednesday, hovering close to its lowest level since early October as fresh economic data reinforced concerns about a softening labor market and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate move. Investors remain cautious, closely watching upcoming inflation data for clearer signals on the timing of potential rate cuts.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, stood at 98.193, near the October 3 low reached earlier in the week. The index is down roughly 9.5% so far this year, putting it on track for its steepest annual decline since 2017. Weakening expectations around U.S. monetary tightening have weighed heavily on the currency.
Recent labor market data showed the U.S. economy added 64,000 jobs in November, beating market expectations. However, the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, with analysts noting that the prolonged government shutdown distorted the figures. Market participants remain unconvinced that the data materially alters the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, especially with inflation figures still pending.
The Fed delivered a widely expected rate cut last week but signaled limited appetite for further easing, projecting just one additional cut in 2026. In contrast, financial markets are pricing in two cuts next year, though expectations for a January move remain low. Analysts suggest that unless inflation cools more sharply, a March rate cut may also be premature.
In currency markets, the euro traded near a 12-week high at $1.1751 ahead of the European Central Bank’s policy decision, where rates are expected to remain unchanged. Sterling held steady around $1.3424 following weak UK labor data that strengthened expectations for a Bank of England rate cut. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen firmed to around 154.56 per dollar as markets anticipate a Bank of Japan rate hike to a multi-decade high, driven by inflation pressures and concerns over a weak yen.
With multiple major central bank meetings and key inflation data ahead, global currency markets are likely to remain volatile as investors reassess interest rate trajectories into 2026.
