China’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 49.2 in July, compared to 50.3 in the previous reading, China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported on Friday. The reading came in below the market consensus of 50.0 in the reported month. 

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price remains in the negative territory for the second successive day, trading around $82.60 per barrel during the Asian hours on Friday. Crude oil prices have lost ground following renewed hopes for a diplomatic solution to the US-Iran conflict.

Atsushi Mimura, Japan’s Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs and top foreign exchange official, said on Friday that he is in close contact with relevant authorities on foreign exchange, adding that the officials are always prepared to take suitable measures.

The headline Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July rose 2.0% YoY as compared to 1.7% in the previous month, the Statistics Bureau of Japan showed on Friday.

Investors are turning their attention to the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) monetary policy announcement on Friday, after the Japanese Yen (JPY) staged a dramatic rebound during Thursday's American session.

TD Securities’ Senior Asia Economist Alex Loo assesses the July Politburo meeting, noting no major new stimulus despite acknowledged growth challenges. The focus is on fiscal execution, accelerating spending and bond use to support the Six Networks infrastructure program.

RaboResearch highlights Oil as the dominant input for UK monetary policy. The Bank of England’s central forecast assumes Oil prices fall from $76 to around $71, with inflation peaking near 3.2%, but Brent already trades above $90.

Commerzbank FX & Commodity Analyst Volkmar Baur argues that China’s large trade surplus, driven increasingly by green technology exports, is supporting a stronger Chinese Yuan.

MUFG’s Lloyd Chan highlights that Malaysia’s solid growth, low inflation and prudent policy are supporting the Ringgit, but rising domestic political risks could drive USD/MYR in coming months.

Commerzbank Research notes that USD/KRW has fallen to its lowest level since February as South Korean authorities tighten rules on leveraged ETFs to curb Kospi volatility.

Rabobank’s Teeuwe Mevissen highlights that China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth undershot expectations in Q2, with persistent headwinds from weak domestic demand and a deepening real estate crisis.

DBS Group Research economist Chua Han Teng analyzes Singapore’s latest SGD900mn fiscal support package and the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) calibrated tightening of the Singapore Dollar (SGD) Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) band.

MUFG notes Malaysia remains one of Asia’s stronger-performing economies, with above-trend growth, low inflation and robust external demand, especially in electronics.

TD Securities strategists highlight that the Bank of England (BoE) kept Bank Rate at 3.75% with a 6-3 split, signalling slightly more hawkish rhetoric but continued comfort with existing tightening.

Volkmar Baur at Commerzbank assesses that China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.3% year-on-year in Q2 2026 fell short of the government’s 4.5–5% target, with real estate weakness and cautious fiscal policy weighing on demand.

United States EIA Natural Gas Storage Change came in at 28B below forecasts (35B) in July 24

RaboResearch economists Maartje Wijffelaars and Leander Kalff outline how the European Union is intensifying efforts to strengthen Eurozone industry and reduce external dependencies.

Commerzbank’s Dr. Ralph Solveen analyzes German inflation after the July national Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose from 2.3% to 2.8%, driven mainly by higher energy prices linked to conflict in the Persian Gulf and the end of fuel tax rebates.

The Japanese Yen is surging accross the board in the American session on Thursday, without a clear catalyst. This development hints that Japanese authorities may finally be intervening in foreign exchange markets following days of speculation.

TD Securities strategists note the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) July Summary of Deliberations was balanced, with the Bank seeing the economy adjusting to recent shocks and expecting growth to strengthen, while worrying about medium-term inflation expectations drifting higher.

HSBC’s Jose Rasco and Michael Zervos note that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) kept rates unchanged for a fifth straight meeting, with a 9-3 split highlighting internal debate.

TradingKey - Data released by the U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday showed that the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3.7% year-on-year in June, down from 4.1% in May; i

The United States (US) Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index pointed to a further moderation in inflation in June. The headline index fell by 0.1% MoM after a revised 0.5% increase in May, while the annual rate eased to 3.7% from 4.1%, in line with market expectations.

United States Gross Domestic Product Price Index above expectations (3.6%) in 2Q: Actual (6.3%)

United States Continuing Jobless Claims registered at 1.782M, below expectations (1.8M) in July 17

ABN AMRO strategists analyze the latest Federal Reserve decision to keep the federal funds rate at 3.5-3.75%. They highlight dissenting votes, Kevin Warsh’s emphasis on the 2% inflation target, and the Fed’s reliance on market signals.

Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey explains the decision to maintain the bank rate at 3.75% in a 6-3 vote split following the July monetary policy meeting and responds to questions from the press.

Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey explains the decision to maintain the bank rate at 3.75% in a 6-3 vote split following the July monetary policy meeting and responds to questions from the press.

Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey explains the decision to maintain the bank rate at 3.75% in a 6-3 vote split following the July monetary policy meeting and responds to questions from the press.

Annual inflation in Germany, as measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), climbed to 2.8% in July's flash estimate from 2.3% in June. This print came in above the market expectation of 2.7%. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.8%, following the 0.3% decrease recorded in June.