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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to the latest European Central Bank (ECB) survey, one-year forward Eurozone inflation expectations are expected to cool down, but longer-term projections remain steady, Reuters reports.
Iranian Foreign Ministry said during the European trading session on Friday that the joint statement by the United States (US) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) contains 'interventionist, irresponsible and provocative positions'.
Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur notes that despite easing Oil prices and lower inflation expectations, market pricing still anticipates at least one more Federal Reserve rate hike by year-end, while the ECB is seen delivering only one further move to 2.5%.
Deutsche Bank strategists note that tech weakness extended from the Magnificent 7 and Apple into Asian markets, weighing on risk sentiment and US equity futures.
EUR/CAD remains flat after paring intraday losses, trading around 1.6150 during the European hours on Friday.