The Japanese yen strengthened toward 144 per dollar on Monday, approaching two-week highs as the US dollar extended its decline amid a more dovish Federal Reserve outlook, mounting fiscal concerns, and persistent trade uncertainty. Markets are bracing for key US jobs data this week, which could reveal signs of labor market softness and bolster expectations for a Fed rate cut in July. Domestically, Japanese industrial production rose less than expected in May, as elevated US tariffs continued to weigh on the outlook. The 25% tariff on Japanese car imports remains a major sticking point in...
The Australian dollar edged higher to around $0.653 on Monday, supported by continued weakness in the greenback amid a dovish Federal Reserve and growing fiscal concerns. Investors are closely watching upcoming US jobs data, which could shape expectations for a rate cut in July. Adding to pressure on the greenback is the investor anxiety over a sweeping tax and spending bill currently under consideration in the Senate, which could add $3.3 trillion to the national debt. Domestically, the Melbourne Institute's Monthly Inflation Gauge showed a modest uptick in June, reversing the previous...
Gold edged up, supported by a dip in the dollar, as US trade talks progressed ahead of a July 9 deadline and Senate negotiations continued over President Donald Trump's $4.5 trillion tax cut package. Bullion fell as much as 0.8% on Monday before paring losses to trade slightly higher, following two consecutive weekly declines. With just 10 days to go until Trump's country-specific tariffs are set to resume, investors were weighing signs of potential trade progress following recent comments from top White House advisers that indicated the US is nearing agreements with...