The US dollar (USD) weakened on Friday (July 18th), retreating from a three-week high as momentum waned. However, the greenback remained supported by strong US economic data released this week, which has reduced the likelihood of an immediate interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, fell about 0.36%, approaching 98.30 in the European session on Friday. This decline came after the index hit a three-week high on Thursday, briefly approaching 99.00. This week's US data has reinforced the...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, as rising tensions between Israel and Iran weighed on investor sentiment. U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a military strike on Iran, while demanding that the country's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "surrender," current and former U.S. officials told NBC News. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, demanded "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" by Iran. "President Trump's comments have fueled speculation that the U.S. will become more involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel that escalated significantly five days ago," ANZ analysts wrote...
The Nikkei 225 edged up 0.2% to above 38,600, while the broader Topix index also rose 0.2% to 2,792 on Wednesday, marking its third straight session of gains as investors digested a slew of economic data. Exports fell in May for the first time in eight months amid U.S. tariff pressures, while imports fell more than expected. Core machine orders slumped in April, and manufacturing sentiment weakened in June, reflecting growing concerns about domestic demand. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady on Tuesday and signaled a cautious approach to balance sheet reduction,...
US equities fell on Tuesday as investors closely monitored escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the Israel-Iran conflict entering its fifth day. The S&P 500 lost 0.8%, the Dow dropped 299 points and the Nasdaq fell 0.9%, amid growing fears that the US could become directly involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. President Trump intensified his rhetoric, demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender" and warning of a potential strike against Supreme Leader Khamenei in a series of Truth Social posts. At the same time, disappointing US retail sales, which dropped 0.9% in May, signaled a...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost some ground on Tuesday, declining below 42,500 as equity markets roil beneath the weight of the burgeoning Israel-Iran conflict. President Donald Trump is racing toward direct involvement in the altercation, a move that could further destabilize the region. Retail Sales data also contracted sharply in May, with Tuesday's data release showing nearly a full percentage decline in American retail shopping volumes. Donald Trump, posting on social media Tuesday, declared that he wants an "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER" from Iranian supreme leader Ali...
The U.S. military is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes, bolstering U.S. military forces in the region as the war between Israel and Iran rages, three U.S. officials said. One of the officials said the deployments include F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter aircraft. Two of the officials stressed the defensive nature of the deployment of fighter aircraft, which have been used to shoot down drones and projectiles. Source: Investing.com
Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Tuesday as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its fifth day, denting global investor confidence ahead of the Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decision. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, fell 156.5 points, or 0.37%, at the open to 42358.62. The S&P 500, fell 21.0 points, or 0.35%, at the open to 6012.15, while the Nasdaq Composite, dropped 74.1 points, or 0.38%, to 19627.082 at the opening bell. Source : Reuters
The Hang Seng lost 81 points or 0.3% to close at 23,980 on Tuesday amid broad sector losses, swinging from gains in the prior session. Sentiment weakened as U.S. stock futures tumbled after President Trump's abrupt exit from the G7 Summit in Canada, while Israel-Iran tensions extended into a fifth day. Investors also turned cautious ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting starting today, with a rate decision due Wednesday. While the board is expected to hold rates steady for a fourth straight time, geopolitical risks and rising oil prices could dampen hopes for near-term...
European stocks fell on Tuesday, with the STOXX 50 down 1% and the STOXX 600 down 0.8%, as fresh concerns over a potential escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict weighed on sentiment. The sell-off followed US President Trump's call for the evacuation of Tehran, and his early departure from the G7 summit, which fueled speculation that Washington may be preparing more forceful support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military operations. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, including missile storage sites and launch infrastructure, continued. Among the worst...
Gold (XAU/USD) is extending its decline on Wednesday for a second consecutive day as the US Dollar (USD) and US Treasury yields firm ahead of the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)...
Oil extended declines after OPEC+ agreed to a bigger-than-expected production increase next month, raising concerns about oversupply just as US tariffs fan fears about the demand outlook.
Brent...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened against its US counterpart and reversed part of Friday's recovery from the lowest level since July 23 following Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda's remarks....