Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
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Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
The Japanese yen stabilized near 18-month lows on Thursday, as investors remained cautious about the risk of currency intervention following strong verbal warnings from Japanese officials ahead of a snap national election. The yen hovered around 158.63 per dollar, after strengthening about 0.4% the previous day, but remained close to the recent low of 159.45, highlighting ongoing pressure on the currency.
Concerns over yen depreciation have intensified since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in October, with the currency sliding nearly 5% amid fears over her proposed fiscal spending plans. Her decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament next week and call an early election has sparked selloffs in both the yen and Japanese government bonds, amplifying worries about Japan’s already massive debt burden. These fiscal uncertainties have complicated the outlook for the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy path and pushed the yen closer to levels that previously triggered intervention.
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama reiterated warnings against “one-sided depreciation,” while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also called for measures to curb excessive foreign exchange volatility. Analysts note that markets are closely watching whether official rhetoric will be backed by concrete action. Japan last intervened in July 2024, spending nearly $37 billion to support the yen when it weakened to around 161.96 per dollar, a 38-year low.
Strategists suggest that intervention risk could rise if the yen moves further into the 161–163 range, especially with thinner liquidity expected due to an upcoming U.S. holiday. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is set to meet next week, with expectations that it will hold rates steady after raising them last month to a 30-year high of 0.75%.
Globally, the U.S. dollar steadied after earlier volatility linked to concerns over Federal Reserve independence under President Donald Trump. Despite political tensions, investors are refocusing on U.S. economic data and the interest rate outlook, while risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars weakened slightly.
Overall, the yen remains vulnerable as election-driven fiscal concerns, intervention risks, and central bank policy uncertainty continue to dominate market sentiment.
