The Dollar Index (DXY) steadily increased during the past week, leading up to Thursday, July 6. As a result, EUR/USD was more inclined towards the American currency, causing the pair to find a local bottom at the 1.0833 level. The dollar's strength was driven by the publication of the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) last meeting on June 14. In it, the Committee members highlighted the risks of inflationary pressure and expressed a commitment to swiftly achieve their target inflation levels of 2.0%. They also noted the appropriateness of at least one more interest rate hike, in addition to the one in July, which boosted confidence for DXY bulls. Recall that the head of the regulator, Jerome Powell, also stated at the end of June that the "vast majority of Federal Reserve leaders expect two or more rate hikes by the end of the year".
ASIA: Japan's inflation-adjusted gross domestic product shrank 0.3% in August from July as exports to China and Europe fell, as local demand remains sluggish, the Japan Center for Economic Research said in a report released on Tuesday. It is the first month-on-month contraction since May for the world's third-largest economy, owing largely to external factors,
ASIA: China's central bank carried out 2-billion-yuan (about $289 million) worth of reverse repos on Wednesday to maintain liquidity in the banking system. The interest rate for the seven-day reverse repo was set at 2 percent, according to the People's Bank of China. The aim of this step is to maintain stable liquidity in the
ASIA: China's economic growth likely slowed sharply in the second quarter as COVID-19 lockdowns hit factories and consumer spending, a Reuters poll showed, suggesting policymakers may have to do more to spur a faster recovery. On a quarterly basis, GDP is forecast to drop 1.5% in the second quarter, versus growth of 1.3% in January-March,