Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
The U.S. Treasuries gained Thursday, following steep losses witnessed in global benchmark energy prices after Saudi Arabia hurdled in the wake of too deeper oil production cuts in the near term. Also, the slightly less hawkish-than-expected tone of the minutes from May’s FOMC policy meeting added to the downward sentiment in bond yields.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury, slipped nearly 1 basis point to 2.27 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yields fell 1 basis point to 2.93 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year note traded 1/2 basis point lower at 1.32 percent by 11:40GMT.
Oil prices witnessed decline after Saudi Arabia failed to agree on deeper production cuts in the coming months, although the members of the OPEC decided to extend the output cut deal for further nine months until March next year. However, markets are now awaiting the turn of non-OPEC members to attend the meeting in the latter half of the day.
The UK gilts have been closely following developments in oil markets because of their impact on inflation expectations. The International benchmark Brent futures fell 0.02 percent to USD53.94 and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.27 percent to USD51.22 by 09:20 GMT.
Lastly, in the FOMC meeting minutes, released last night, "most" FOMC participants considered that an additional rate hike soon "would be appropriate". However, they adopted a rather cautious stance judging that "it would be prudent to await additional evidence" indicating that the weak Q1 GDP print and the soft March inflation data had been transitory before taking another step in removing monetary policy accommodation.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Futures traded 0.27 percent higher at 2,408.50 by 11:10GMT, while at 11:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Dollar Strength Index remained neutral at -3.94 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
