Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
The Japanese yen weakened to a two-week low on Tuesday, falling to 146.44 per dollar, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan and South Korea. The move is the latest in Trump’s escalating trade war, with the new tariffs set to take effect on August 1. The South Korean won also dropped nearly 1% overnight before recovering slightly to 1,370.20 per dollar.
Markets remain volatile amid uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff strategy. Although the original deadline was July 9, Trump extended it and indicated a willingness to adjust if trade partners make alternative proposals. Despite this flexibility, investor sentiment has been rattled.
“There’s still a lot of uncertainty around the final tariff rates and which countries will face which levels,” said Carol Kong, currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. “This is just the beginning—we’ll likely see more developments soon.”
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that Japan would continue trade negotiations with the U.S., aiming for a mutually beneficial deal. Meanwhile, South Korea sees the new deadline as an extended grace period and plans to intensify talks with Washington.
The dollar held steady, with the dollar index at 97.40, maintaining most of Monday’s 0.5% gains. The euro rebounded 0.27% to $1.1741, while the British pound edged up 0.17% to $1.3626. The Australian and New Zealand dollars also regained some ground after heavy losses in the prior session.
Markets now turn to the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is expected to cut interest rates further amid slowing economic growth. Analysts project a 3.1% terminal rate by early 2026, citing continued inflation concerns and weak investment outlook.
