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Market Outlook

Dollar Gains as Protectionist Agenda Weighs on Risk Assets 1

Dollar Gains as Protectionist Agenda Weighs on Risk Assets

The Dollar Spot Index rose 0.4% after US President Donald Trump hinted at broader and more aggressive tariffs than the anticipated 2.5%. The greenback’s ascent highlights its status as a safe-haven asset amid escalating trade tensions. Risk Assets Slide: The tariff rhetoric weighed heavily on risk-sensitive currencies, with the Australian and New Zealand dollars falling […]

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Fed to Pause Rate Cuts as Markets Monitor US Trade Policy and Global Growth Signals 3

Fed to Pause Rate Cuts as Markets Monitor US Trade Policy and Global Growth Signals

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady this week, concluding its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday. This marks the first pause in the rate-cutting cycle initiated in September. Fed Caution Amid Strong Economic Backdrop: The US economy continues to display resilience, with robust job growth and a slower pace of inflation

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Markets Weigh Trump Policies, BOJ Decision, and Commodity Signals 7

Markets Weigh Trump Policies, BOJ Decision, and Commodity Signals

Global markets are grappling with the implications of President Donald Trump’s initial days in office, which have delivered a mixed bag for investors. While Trump reiterated his tariff threats against China, fears of an immediate escalation in the trade war have eased as the world’s second-largest economy has so far been spared direct action. BOJ

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Dollar Surges as Markets Eye BOJ Decision and Commodity Trends 9

Dollar Surges as Markets Eye BOJ Decision and Commodity Trends

The US dollar rallied against all Group-of-10 currencies, driven by trade policy developments and shifting monetary expectations. The unexpected decline in Chinese equities caught some market participants off guard, as China largely avoided the immediate impact of President Donald Trump’s early tariff threats, which instead focused on Canada and Mexico. BOJ Rate Decision in Focus:

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Dollar Strengthens Amid Tariff Threats on Canada and Mexico 11

Dollar Strengthens Amid Tariff Threats on Canada and Mexico

The US dollar advanced as traders absorbed President Donald Trump’s tariff rhetoric on his first day in office, tempered by the absence of immediate sweeping measures targeting all trade partners. While the president reaffirmed plans to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports as soon as February 1, markets found some

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Dollar Retreats Amid Renewed Risk Appetite and Policy Uncertainty 13

Dollar Retreats Amid Renewed Risk Appetite and Policy Uncertainty

The US dollar extended its decline this week, building on last week’s retreat that ended a six-week rally. Renewed risk appetite emerged after discussions between former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade, TikTok, and fentanyl, setting a potential tone for US-China relations that could have significant implications for global forex markets.

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Mixed Inflation Data Shifts Fed Expectations, Boosts Gold Prospects 15

Mixed Inflation Data Shifts Fed Expectations, Boosts Gold Prospects

Inflation Trends Highlight Persistent Challenges December’s US inflation report delivered mixed signals for policymakers and markets alike. The core Consumer Price Index (CPI) eased to 3.2% year-over-year, while the headline CPI climbed to 2.9%, surpassing the Federal Reserve’s 2.0% target. This divergence underscores the complexity of managing inflation pressures, even as core prices exhibit signs

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Risk Sentiment Rebounds Amid Shifting Rate Cut Expectations 17

Risk Sentiment Rebounds Amid Shifting Rate Cut Expectations

Improved Risk Appetite Following US Inflation Data Investor sentiment across global markets brightened as US inflation data pointed to potential progress toward the Federal Reserve’s long-term target. While Fed policymakers remain cautious, emphasizing the need for further evidence of cooling inflation before contemplating additional rate cuts, the data has sparked optimism about a sooner-than-expected policy

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Tariff Talks and Inflation Data Drive Market Sentiment 19

Tariff Talks and Inflation Data Drive Market Sentiment

Dollar Weakens as Gradual Tariff Plan Sparks Optimism The US dollar edged lower following reports that President-elect Donald Trump’s economic team is considering a phased approach to implementing tariffs. This measured strategy contrasts sharply with earlier threats of levies as high as 60% on Chinese goods, which have cast a long shadow over Asian markets.

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