- Singapore MAS survey: 2026 GDP seen at 3.6%, April tightening odds rise
- China Two Sessions 2026: growth target, fiscal stance and 15th plan signals in focus
- Toyota plans $19bn share unwind in landmark governance reform move – Reuters
- Recap – BOJ hawk Takata flags inflation overshoot risk, yen strengthened on hike signals
- Bank of Korea dot plot points to prolonged 2.50% hold as chip exports support growth
- BoJ’s Takata says Japan is near 2% target, backs further gradual rate hikes
- Australia Q4 capex beats expectations as renewable investment lifts outlook
- PBOC sets USD/ CNY central rate at 6.9228 (vs. estimate at 6.8605)
- Bank of Korea holds rates at 2.50%, introduces Fed-style dot plot guidance
- PBOC is expected to set the USD/CNY reference rate at 6.8605 – Reuters estimate
- Nvidia’s Huang says markets misjudge AI threat as revenue and guidance smash forecasts
- NZ business confidence eases but inflation pressures build – ANZ survey
- BOJ’s Ueda flags March, April hike chance, says wage gains could hasten 2% target
- Rubio says Iran pursuing ICBMs, missile issue a “big problem” before talks
- IMF’s Georgieva says tariffs lifted US goods inflation, backs Fed rate at 3.25%–3.5%
- IMF sees US growth at 2.4% in 2026, urges deficit cuts as debt heads to 140% GDP
- BOJ’s Ueda says rates will rise if outlook strengthens, inflation to re-accelerate
- investingLive Americas FX news wrap 25 Feb: The USD moves lower ahead of Nvidia earnings
- Nvidia Q4 crushes, Q1 guide tops Street as AI engine roars
- Major US indices close higher for the 2nd consecutive day
- Bank of Japan Governor Ueda says will examine the impact of rate hikes so far
US Vice President JD Vance said evidence has been found that Iran is attempting to resume the development of nuclear weapons, raising the geopolitical temperature ahead of renewed talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking before discussions in Geneva, said he would not characterise the meeting as anything more than the latest in an ongoing series of conversations. He added that negotiations will eventually need to extend beyond Iran’s nuclear program to include its ballistic missile capabilities, reinforcing Washington’s broader concerns.
Despite the rhetoric, oil prices remained rangebound as traders balanced the resumption of US–Iran talks with a substantial build in US crude stockpiles. Gold also traded in tight ranges, suggesting markets are not yet pricing in an immediate escalation risk.
In FX, the yen led gains among G10 currencies. Bank of Japan Governor Ueda, in an interview with Yomiuri, reiterated that the Bank remains on track to tighten further if the economic outlook strengthens and inflation re-accelerates. Those gains were reinforced by remarks from BOJ board member Hajime Takata, widely regarded as the most hawkish member of the panel, who warned policymakers must focus on the risk of an inflation overshoot. Takata argued that medium- and long-term inflation expectations are rising and second-round price effects are becoming more evident.
AUD and NZD were broadly steady. In New Zealand, the ANZ business survey showed firms facing higher costs and an increasing share expecting to lift wages to attract or retain staff, pointing to persistent underlying inflation pressures.
South Korea’s central bank kept its benchmark rate unchanged, citing financial stability risks and solid export performance. The Bank of Korea’s updated dot plot reinforced a 2.50% hold bias, with only a small minority signalling scope for a cut. The Korean won strengthened past 1,420 per dollar to its highest level since late October 2025, while the Taiwan dollar climbed to its strongest since mid-December. China’s offshore yuan also firmed to its strongest level in nearly three years.
In equities, Japan’s Nikkei rallied to a fresh all-time high above 59,000, with the Topix also advancing. Chinese markets were softer, with the Hang Seng underperforming amid weakness in tech, consumer discretionary and insurers, while the Shanghai Composite was little changed in the absence of fresh catalysts.
US equity futures traded marginally lower. They initially found support after Nvidia beat on both revenue and earnings, but early gains were gradually pared, leaving the stock flat in after-hours trade and broader futures off their highs.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.
