European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Martin Kocher said on Wednesday that the central bank prepared to implement monetary policy measures whenever necessary. 

GBP/USD rises for the second consecutive day, trading around 1.3400 during the Asian hours on Wednesday.

Japan Tertiary Industry Index (MoM) came in at 1.1%, above forecasts (0.4%) in May

China’s Deputy Head of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) expresses confidence during the Asian market session on Wednesday that the economy remains resilient despite a slowdown in the second quarter this year.

The United States (US) military's Central Command (CENTCOM) confirms that it conducted another set of strikes against Iran at 10 PM ET on July 14.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that the “Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the 'end of America’s evils.”

China’s economy expanded 0.9% QoQ in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, compared to a 1.3% growth in Q1, the official data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Wednesday. The figure came in line with the market consensus. 

China Industrial Production (YoY) came in at 5.3%, above forecasts (4.6%) in June

China Retail Sales (YoY) came in at 1%, above expectations (-0.1%) in June

China Fixed Asset Investment (YTD) (YoY) came in at -5.7% below forecasts (-4.9%) in June

China Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) meets expectations (0.9%) in 2Q

China Gross Domestic Product (YoY) below expectations (4.5%) in 2Q: Actual (4.3%)

China House Price Index rose from previous -3.5% to -3.3% in June

Japan Machinery Orders (YoY) registered at -1.9%, below expectations (12.9%) in May

Japan Machinery Orders (MoM) came in at -12.4% below forecasts (-4.2%) in May

Rabobank's Michael Every reports that Chancellor Merz has called for dialogue with China on monetary and FX policy, arguing CNY is 20–30% undervalued and should float more freely.

New Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (MoM) fell from previous 1.7% to -1.4% in June

New Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (YoY): 1.3% (June) vs previous 3.3%

Standard Chartered economists Carol Liao and Hunter Chan note that China’s fiscal support softened in Q2 2026 after strong Q1 activity, leading to a sharp slowdown in infrastructure FAI similar to H2-2025.

Commerzbank’s Dr. Henry Hao and Moses Lim note S&P Global Ratings affirmed Indonesia’s BBB sovereign rating with a stable outlook, citing fiscal discipline and adherence to the 3% deficit ceiling.

United Overseas Bank (UOB) analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note that USD/CNH remains in a consolidation phase, with intraday price action confined to tight ranges.

South Korea Export Price Growth (YoY): 48.9% (June) vs 46.9%

South Korea Import Price Growth (YoY) fell from previous 24.8% to 20.6% in June

United Overseas Bank’s Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note that USD/SGD stayed firm on Monday, closing at 1.2945 after trading between 1.2906 and 1.2950, with the Singapore Dollar (SGD) Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) holding 1.68% above its mid-point.

United States Net Long-Term TIC Flows above forecasts ($128B) in May: Actual ($232.7B)

United States Total Net TIC Flows rose from previous $26.1B to $132.2B in May

Dr. Henry Hao at Commerzbank reports a strong upside surprise in China’s June trade data, with exports up 27% and imports 36% year-on-year, driven by global AI infrastructure demand.

Argentina Consumer Price Index (MoM) in line with forecasts (1.9%) in June

OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong note that S&P’s affirmation of Indonesia’s BBB/A-2 ratings with a stable outlook is mildly supportive for the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) by removing immediate downgrade risk.

UOB’s Jester Koh raises Singapore’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 4.8% from 4.0% after strong 1H26 performance, with manufacturing and electronics leading gains on AI-related demand.