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Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
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The Japanese yen showed signs of stability in early Asian trading, gaining modest ground after several volatile sessions driven by suspected government intervention. The currency strengthened by 0.1% to 156.885 per dollar, extending a broader monthly gain of 1.4%. Most of that increase occurred following a sharp move last Thursday, when market participants widely believed Japanese authorities stepped in to support the yen.
Although officials in Tokyo have not officially confirmed any action, sources cited by Reuters indicated that authorities likely engaged in yen-buying operations for the first time in two years. This marks the third intervention effort in the past four years, raising questions among analysts about the long-term effectiveness of unilateral currency intervention.
Market sentiment remains cautious, especially during Japan’s Golden Week holiday, when reduced liquidity could amplify currency fluctuations. According to Mahjabeen Zaman, head of FX research at ANZ Bank, traders are closely watching for further intervention signals and potential international coordination. She noted that if the yen continues to weaken, the possibility of joint action between Japan and the United States could increase.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index held steady at 98.144, reflecting a balanced performance against a basket of major currencies. The euro edged up 0.1% to $1.1730, supported by diplomatic efforts between Germany and the United States amid rising trade tensions. The British pound also rose slightly to $1.3586.
Commodity-linked currencies saw mild gains, with the Australian dollar climbing 0.1% to $0.7211 and the New Zealand dollar advancing 0.2% to $0.5905. Investors are awaiting the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision, where expectations point to a rate hike to 4.35%, driven by inflation concerns linked to rising fuel and raw material costs.
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin dipped marginally to $78,824.22, while Ethereum posted a slight increase to $2,331.95, reflecting ongoing mixed sentiment across digital assets.
