The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, trades on a stronger note around 98.30 during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday. Diminishing odds for a more aggressive policy easing by the Federal Reserve (Fed) after a jump in US July wholesale prices provide some support to the DXY. Traders ramped up expectations on a rate reduction at the Fed's September meeting after a weak July employment report, and as last month's Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data showed limited upward pressure from tariffs....
Most Asian currencies edged lower on Wednesday as investors stayed cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium for cues on the U.S. rate path and the timing of a possible September cut. Regional moves were also shaped by a busy data docket, with China holding its key lending rates steady, Japan's export slump underscoring external headwinds, and New Zealand easing policy as expected. The US Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, edged 0.1% higher in Asia hours after gains in the previous session. RBNZ cuts rates by 25 bps; kiwi...
Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as investors await the next steps in talks to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leaving in place sanctions on Russian crude and the chance of further restrictions on its buyers. Brent crude futures were at $65.90 a barrel, up 11 cents, at 0405 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for September delivery, set to expire on Wednesday, were at $62.40 a barrel, up 5 cents. The more-active October contract was at $61.90 a barrel, up 13 cents. Prices settled down more than 1% on Tuesday on optimism a deal to end the war seemed closer, which...