ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
The yen regained its footing on Wednesday in early Asian trading as investors moved into traditional safe-haven assets following a multi-day global stock selloff. After touching a nine-month low against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, the yen edged up 0.1%, trading around 155.49 per dollar. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index held steady near a one-week high at 99.594, supported by increased demand for U.S. Treasury bonds.
Global equity markets have faced heavy pressure this week, with the S&P 500 extending its losing streak to four sessions. Concerns over lofty valuations in AI-related stocks have weighed heavily on sentiment, and U.S. equity futures continued to slide during Asian hours on Wednesday. Market anxiety deepened after U.S. initial jobless claims data showed a notable rise in Americans receiving unemployment benefits from mid-September to mid-October.
Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG in Sydney, noted that this was the first major data release from the Department of Labor since the U.S. government shutdown began on October 1, adding that the results were “not great.” He emphasized that the upcoming delayed release of September’s non-farm payrolls report would be a more critical gauge of economic momentum.
Investor expectations for Federal Reserve policy also shifted slightly. Fed funds futures are now pricing a 46.6% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the December 10 meeting, up from 42.4% the previous day, according to CME’s FedWatch tool. However, divisions within the Fed remain, with officials split between prioritizing labor market support and managing inflation risks.
Political pressure added another layer of uncertainty. U.S. President Donald Trump renewed criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump is expected to review the final shortlist of candidates after Thanksgiving and may announce his pick before Christmas.
In currency markets, the Australian dollar slipped to $0.65085 as wage data showed steady third-quarter growth, while the New Zealand dollar dipped 0.2% to $0.5659. The euro traded near a one-week low at $1.1580, and the British pound was steady at $1.3148.
Japan continued to increase its holdings of U.S. Treasuries for the ninth consecutive month in September, maintaining its position as the largest foreign holder with $1.189 trillion—its highest level since August 2022.
