UOB’s Lee Sue Ann highlights that Australia’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.4% in May with a 40.3k employment gain, mainly in part-time jobs, and participation rising to 66.7%.

Societe Generale economists Reo Sakida and Jin Kenzaki analyze June Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI), noting that overall inflation dynamics in Japan changed little from May despite a modest upside surprise in headline and core readings.

BNY’s Geoff Yu highlights that South Korean equities have delivered exceptional returns in 2026 while institutional investors remain net sellers, particularly from the Americas.

Commerzbank strategists note that despite lower Oil and gas prices, European Central Bank (ECB) officials still signal at least one more rate increase, which the bank forecasts for September.

Bart Melek at TD Securities argues that Strait of Hormuz disruptions have driven Oil inventories to historically low levels, leaving Brent oversold and vulnerable to a sharp short-covering rebound.

HSBC strategists describe Malaysia as relatively resilient to elevated Oil prices thanks to its status as a net energy exporter and beneficiary of the AI (Artificial intelligence) hardware cycle.

Geoff Yu at BNY identifies Indonesia as one of the clearest cross-asset signals in Emerging Markets (EM) APAC (Asia-Pacific).

United States UoM 1-year Consumer Inflation Expectations meets forecasts (4.6%) in June

United States Michigan Consumer Expectations Index registered at 50.7 above expectations (49.3) in June

United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index came in at 49.5, below expectations (50) in June

United States UoM 5-year Consumer Inflation Expectation below expectations (3.4%) in June: Actual (3.3%)

Commerzbank’s Bernd Weidensteiner argues that despite market expectations for further Fed tightening, falling Oil and gasoline prices should lower U.S. inflation and ease pressure for hikes.

EMEA FX Strategist Frantisek Taborsky at ING says the Czech National Bank’s (CNB) June minutes confirm it as the most hawkish central bank in the region after its 25bp hike to 3.75%. Markets price another hike as core inflation risks persist.

HSBC strategists highlight Singapore’s strong 1Q26 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, driven by robust electronics exports, construction and services, making it one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies. Despite the energy shock, inflation remains contained for now.

United States Wholesale Inventories above forecasts (0.2%) in May: Actual (0.3%)

United States Goods Trade Balance came in at $-105.8B below forecasts ($-85B) in May

UOB’s Lee Sue Ann notes that Australia’s May labour data show a rebound in headline employment but softer underlying conditions, with rising underemployment and falling hours worked.

Mexico Trade Balance s/a, $ down to $0.638B in May from previous $3.351B

Mexico Trade Balance, $ dipped from previous $4.52B to $2.259B in May

HSBC strategists highlight Indonesia’s solid Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contained inflation but warns that the energy shock is starting to weigh on activity and the balance of payments.

According to the June 23-25 Reuters poll, 78 of 102 economists expect that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will hold interest rates steady in the current range of 3.50%-3.75% the entire year, up from 72 economists who anticipated the same in the early June poll.

India Bank Loan Growth remains unchanged at 17.7% in June 1

The Korean Won (KRW) trades higher on Friday after a knee-jerk reaction at the 1,550 level against the US Dollar (USD), triggering speculation about an intervention by the South Korean Ministry of Finance.

Italy Trade Balance non-EU: €3.843B (May) vs previous €3.846B

Italy 5-y Bond Auction dipped from previous 3.16% to 3.03%

Italy 10-y Bond Auction dipped from previous 3.77% to 3.63%

Italy 10-y Bond Auction: 1.63% vs previous 3.77%

Italy Consumer Confidence registered at 92.4, below expectations (94.5) in June

Italy Business Confidence meets forecasts (88.4) in June

Societe Generale strategists notes that the Indian Rupee (INR) traded broadly flat over the week but outperformed regional peers thanks to debt portfolio inflows. They highlight that broad US Dollar (USD) strength overshadowed moves in Gold and Brent.