The United States (US) administration plans to deploy thousands of additional troops to the Middle East in the coming days, according to a report published on Wednesday by The Washington Post, citing US officials familiar with the matter.

Standard Chartered’s Chong Hoon Park and Nicholas Chia argue that the Japanese Yen is unlikely to see significant appreciation near term, with USD/JPY projected at 160 by end-Q2.

India Trade Deficit Government dipped from previous $27.1B to $20.9B in March

Antje Praefcke at Commerzbank highlights that Norges Bank has turned more hawkish after the Middle East war pushed up energy prices and inflation risks. The policy rate remains at 4%, but guidance and the rate path now signal a hike in June and possibly further moves later in 2026.

Greece Consumer Price Index - Harmonized (YoY) climbed from previous 3.1% to 3.4% in March

Greece Consumer Price Index (YoY) up to 3.9% in March from previous 2.7%

AUD/JPY remains stronger for the third successive day, trading around 113.40 during the European hours on Wednesday.

Turkey Budget Balance: -229.9B (March) vs previous 24.37B

Societe Generale analysts warn that President Trump’s move toward shutting the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Iranian threats are likely to keep Brent supported.

France Inflation ex-tobacco (MoM) up to 1% in March from previous 0.6%

United Overseas Bank (UOB) strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann highlight that GBP/USD extended gains to 1.3590, with short-term conditions remaining overbought. They see scope for a further push toward 1.3605, while judging the 1.3640 resistance as likely out of reach for now.

India WPI Inflation above forecasts (3%) in March: Actual (3.88%)

Danske Research Team notes global equities extended gains, pushing MSCI World above pre-war levels on the back of strong earnings revisions. Growth and cyclical stocks outperformed value and defensives, with small caps also participating.

Commerzbank strategists note that Brent Oil dropped nearly 5%, reversing Monday’s gains, as hopes for a second round of US–Iran negotiations and International Energy Agency (IEA) warnings of demand destruction weighed on prices.

US President Donald Trump said in an ABC News interview on Wednesday that he isn't thinking about extending the ceasefire, adding that he doesn't think it will be necessary.

South Korea Money Supply Growth increased to 8% in February from previous 7.1%

Excerpts from US President Donald Trump’s interview with Fox News, to be aired in the American morning on Wednesday.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price extends its losses for the second consecutive day, trading around $87.50 per barrel during the Asian hours on Wednesday.

US Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a public event, signaled that negotiations are ongoing and that Washington is pursuing a broader grand bargain aimed at reshaping Iran’s economic integration with the world.

Japan Machinery Orders (YoY) registered at 24.7% above expectations (8.5%) in February

Japan Machinery Orders (MoM) came in at 13.6%, above forecasts (-1.1%) in February

DBS economist Chua Han Teng highlights that Singapore’s 1Q26 GDP growth was resilient, with real GDP up 4.6% year-on-year, but warns that the Iran war shock and global slowdown pose downside risks.

Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur notes that China’s March trade data were slightly weaker than expected, with exports underperforming forecasts and imports surging, narrowing the trade surplus. He estimates the current account surplus likely eased from Q4’s multi‑year high.

South Korea Import Price Growth (YoY): 18.4% (March) vs 1.2%

South Korea Export Price Growth (YoY) climbed from previous 10.7% to 28.7% in March

MUFG’s Senior Currency Analyst Michael Wan notes that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) tightened its exchange rate policy in April by slightly increasing the slope of the Singapore Dollar Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (S$NEER) band, becoming the first Asia-ex-Japan central bank to tighten

Societe Generale analysts highlight that CNY strength has resumed, with USD/CNY nearing 6.80 for the first time in three years as China-linked tankers transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Argentina Consumer Price Index (MoM) came in at 3.4%, above expectations (3%) in March

UOB’s Jester Koh highlights that MAS raised its 2026 core and headline inflation forecast ranges to 1.5–2.5% as imported energy costs surge. He stresses that higher Oil and gas prices will pass through to Singapore’s CPI via electricity, transport and goods.

OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong note USD/KRW traded higher on heightened Middle East tensions and Oil gains, with Korean Won pressured as a higher-beta, net Oil importer currency.