
China Holds Lending Rates Steady Amid Global Oil Price Surge and Middle East Tensions
Mar 19, 2026 05:17 am UTC| Economy
China is widely expected to keep its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the tenth straight month in March, according to a Reuters poll, as soaring global oil prices fueled by escalating Middle East conflict introduce...

Asian Markets Tumble as BOJ Holds Rates, Oil Surges Past $110
Mar 19, 2026 05:07 am UTC| Economy
Asian stock markets declined sharply on Thursday as a combination of a cautious Bank of Japan decision, soaring oil prices, and a hawkish U.S. Federal Reserve rattled investor confidence across the region. Japans Nikkei...

Asian Currencies Rebound as Dollar Weakens, BOJ Holds Rates
Mar 19, 2026 05:03 am UTC| Economy
Asian currencies staged a modest recovery on Thursday after suffering steep losses overnight, as the U.S. dollar pulled back following a brief surge driven by stronger-than-expected inflation data and cautious signals from...

Japan's Parliament Backs Dovish BOJ Board Members, Raising Questions on Rate Hike Path
Mar 19, 2026 04:59 am UTC| Economy Politics
Japans lower house of parliament has approved Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis nominations of two monetary doves academics Toichiro Asada and Ayano Sato to serve on the Bank of Japans nine-member policy board. The decision...

BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty
Mar 19, 2026 03:01 am UTC| Economy Central Banks
Japans central bank maintained its benchmark interest rate at 0.75% following a two-day policy meeting that concluded on Thursday, a decision that aligned with broad market expectations. The Bank of Japans move comes at a...

Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade Amid Rate Uncertainty and Iran War Concerns
Mar 19, 2026 02:57 am UTC| Economy
Gold prices edged higher during Asian trading hours on Thursday, clawing back some recent losses after a sharp selloff pushed the precious metal to its lowest point in over a month. Despite the modest recovery, prices...

Australia's February Jobs Data Sends Mixed Signals on Rate Outlook
Mar 19, 2026 02:56 am UTC| Economy
Australias labor market delivered a stronger-than-expected performance in February, though underlying details painted a more complicated picture for the countrys economic trajectory. Official data from the Australian...