South Korean Won: Gains hinge on supportive flows against US Dollar – OCBC

The post Gold rebounds above $4,100 as falling Oil weighs on US Dollar appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Gold (XAU/USD) price advances during the North American session on Thursday, up over 1.30% as the US Dollar (USD) retreats due to falling Oil prices amid easing tensions in the Middle East. The XAU/USD pair trades at $4,132 after bouncing off weekly lows of around $4,021 hit on Wednesday. XAU/USD rises as Middle East tensions ease, pressuring Dollar The US-Iran conflict grabbed the headlines during the last two days as both parties exchanged attacks, threatening to derail negotiations that had been scheduled to begin in Pakistan on Saturday before the last escalation. Oil prices jumped, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US Oil benchmark, reclaiming the $ 75.00-per-barrel barrier, but retreated on Thursday. The jump in energy prices grew speculation that the Federal Reserve (Fed) could raise borrowing costs to tame already high inflation near 4.2% as reported in May. Now eye

The post Taiwan Dollar: Policy-driven flows temper losses against US Dollar – OCBC appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. OCBC’s Christopher Wong reports that recent Taiwan Dollar (TWD) weakness is moderating, partly due to Central Bank of the Republic of China (CBC) guidance that banks execute large USD sell orders immediately, bringing forward natural supply. However, foreign equity selling and dividend-related USD demand still restrain recovery, with USD/TWD two-way moves likely. Upside momentum pauses as USD supply emerges “Recent weakness in TWD shows tentative signs of moderation. Part of the moderation may reflect the earlier CBC guidance for banks to execute large USD sell orders on the day received, rather than delaying or staggering them.” “This could have helped bring forward natural USD supply and temper the pace of TWD weakness.” “Still, the broader flow backdrop has not turned decisively positive, with foreign equity selling (week-to-date USD4.3bn) and dividend/remittance-r

The post South Korean Won: Asia outperformer on flows and BoK – Societe Generale appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Societe Generale strategists note the Korean Won (KRW) has become Asia’s best performer in early H2, rallying nearly 2.8% as USD/KRW drops from around 1,550 to near 1,500. They link gains to FX conversion flows tied to SK Hynix ADRs and expectations of a 25 bp Bank of Korea (BoK) hike to 2.75%, following a weak first half for KRW. Won rally driven by flows and policy “Elsewhere in EM, the KRW has emerged as Asia’s best performer in early 2H, with a gain of nearly 2.8% (spot). The sharp drop from around 1,550 in early July to near 1,500 coincided with profit taking in the KOSPI.” “We recently highlighted the shift in the FX regime from one driven primarily by trade balances to one increasingly influenced by portfolio flows, resulting in a more pronounced inverse correlation between the KRW and KOSPI amid concerns of frothy semiconductor valuations incl Samsung and SK Hyn

The post United States Dollar Index falls as Middle East calm cools inflation fears appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the buck’s value against a basket of six currencies, is down 0.14% to 100.93 on Thursday as tensions in the Middle East ease, driving Oil prices lower and trimming Federal Reserve (Fed) hawkish bets spurred by the energy shock. DXY slips as Hormuz calm drags Oil, Fed bets lower Geopolitics grabbed the attention after the US and Iran exchanged attacks during the last two days. The US President Donald Trump is growing impatient about the outcome of the negotiations with Iran, adding that the agreement was “over.” The US military attacked 90 military positions near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, intending to weaken Iran’s ability to attack vessels transiting through the strait. Meanwhile, Iran targeted US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the completion of the task, which weighed on

The post South Korean Won: Oil-linked range view into BoK meeting – Commerzbank appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Commerzbank’s Charlie Lay argues that elevated South Korean inflation strengthens the case for a 25bp Bank of Korea (BoK) hike to 2.75% on 16 July. USD/KRW has fallen from 1560 to 1506 on earlier Oil weakness, but the bank now expects the pair to trade in a 1500–1520 range, with Oil prices and global risk sentiment remaining key drivers. Won pressured by inflation and Oil “South Korea’s inflation remained elevated in June, reinforcing the view that the Bank of Korea (BoK) is on course to hike rates next week. Headline CPI inflation was slightly higher at 3.2% yoy from 3.1% in May, marking the highest reading since December 2023. It remained well above BoK’s 2% target.” “Other factors expected to keep inflationary pressures firm include the weak won and robust wage growth linked to the AI-driven semiconductor boom.” “The latest inflation report strengthens the case for Bo

The post European Central Bank: September hike prospects stay firm – Nordea appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Nordea’s Jan von Gerich argues that the European Central Bank (ECB) is likely to continue tightening policy, with the outlook heavily dependent on Middle East developments and energy prices. He notes that a July move is now unlikely after lower inflation and falling Oil, but sees a September rate hike as probable, in line with current market pricing. ECB path tied to energy risks “The ECB outlook still hinges to a large extent on the developments in the Middle East and in energy prices.” “While a July hike is likely to be off the table without a significant jump in energy prices, a September rate move looks much more likely.” “However, the account supported the view that even a quick end to the conflict would not automatically mean that the ECB would be done hiking rates.” “The major fall seen in energy prices on the back of hopes of a peace in the Middle East and lower-than

The post Equities: Growth downgrades and rotation theme – BNY appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. BNY’s Geoff Yu notes the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has trimmed its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.0%, with uneven impacts across energy exporters, tech economies and low-income importers, influencing global equities. The disinflation trend appears stalled as headline inflation is projected to re-accelerate before easing. Yu sees markets wrestling with stretched valuations, fading momentum and a shift from acceleration to consolidation. IMF downgrades and stagflation concerns “The International Monetary Fund has inched its 2026 global growth forecast down again to a sluggish 3.0%. Growth is projected to rebound to 3.4% in 2027, but that is still below ‌the average of 3.5% seen in 2024 and 2025.” “Global headline inflation is seen rising from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.7% in 2026 before easing to 3.9% in 2027, suggesting the disinflation trend has stalled.” “Stagflation risks remain in pro

Escalating Gulf tensions highlight the fragility of global energy security and underscore the vulnerability of risk assets like cryptocurrencies. The post Saudi Arabia and GCC condemn Iran’s attacks as oil surge rattles crypto markets appeared first on Crypto Briefing.