Japan Tertiary Industry Index (MoM) down to -0.4% in February from previous 1.7%

Asian equities rise on Monday despite renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, which pushed oil prices sharply higher, amplifying inflation concerns and increasing the chances of further central bank rate hikes.

China PBoC Interest Rate Decision in line with expectations (3%)

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), China's central bank, announced to leave its Loan Prime Rates (LPRs) unchanged on Monday. The one-year and five-year LPRs were at 3.00% and 3.50%, respectively. 

United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (YoY): -0.9% (April) vs previous -0.2%

United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (MoM) unchanged at 0.8% in April

New Zealand Trade Balance NZD (YoY): $-3.1B (March) vs previous $-3B

New Zealand Trade Balance NZD (MoM) up to $698M in March from previous $-257M

New Zealand Imports: $7.25B (March) vs $6.89B

New Zealand Exports rose from previous $6.63B to $7.94B in March

The Iranian state TV reported on Sunday that the country rejected new peace talks with the United States, following US President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social, indicating US representatives were heading to Pakistan for another round of negotiations on Monday.

US President Donald Trump said he can trust Iranians, according to an interview with ABC News. Trump added that talks will take place only in Islamabad and resume over the weekend.

DBS Group Research expects Singapore’s March 2026 core and headline inflation to rise to 1.6% and 1.8% year-on-year, from 1.4% and 1.2% in February. The report links this to imported energy price pressures after the Middle East conflict.

UBS Chief Economist Paul Donovan assesses how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may affect productivity and whether the European Union (EU) could gain an advantage over the United States (US).

DBS Group Research economists highlight that China’s Q1 2026 GDP growth accelerated to 5.0% year-on-year, driven by strong external demand and resilient industrial production, while domestic demand in consumption, investment and credit stayed weak.

United States CFTC S&P 500 NC Net Positions declined to $-115.8K from previous $-45.7K

United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions climbed from previous 202.2K to 206.5K

Japan CFTC JPY NC Net Positions increased to ¥-83.2K from previous ¥-93.7K

Japan CFTC JPY NC Net Positions down to ¥-832K from previous ¥-93.7K

Eurozone CFTC EUR NC Net Positions: €26K vs €-7.5K

United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions climbed from previous £-56.4K to £-54.7K

United States CFTC Gold NC Net Positions up to $162.5K from previous $156.3K

Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions fell from previous $70.8K to $65.1K

MUFG’s Senior Currency Analyst Lloyd Chan notes that improved diplomatic signals in the Middle East have boosted risk sentiment, softening the US Dollar (USD) and supporting Asian FX. However, high US front-end yields still underpin the Dollar, and bond markets remain cautious.

DBS Group Research expects the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) to keep the 1-year Loan Prime Rate at 3.00% as Chinese growth has firmed and price dynamics improved. The report notes external demand is supporting industrial activity while domestic momentum is uneven.

Christopher Waller, a member of the Federal Reserve (Fed), speaks about the economic outlook and monetary policy at Auburn University in Alabama on Friday. He stated that the break-even rate for the job market is currently likely around zero.

Societe Generale analysts flag that CNY is on course to test 6.80 for the first time in three years, even as the People's Bank of China (PBoC) moderates the pace of appreciation via weaker fixings.

UBS's Chief Economist Paul Donovan highlights that central banks are focused on second-round effects from Gulf developments rather than immediate policy shifts.

Mary Daly, President of the Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of San Francisco, spoke at the University of California-Berkeley's Fisher Center on Friday. She indicated that, at this point, she is observing whether higher oil prices are affecting the prices of other goods and services.

Citing an Iranian official, Fars News Agency reported on Friday that if the US naval blockade persists, Tehran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire and close the Strait of Hormuz, per Reuters.