The Australian Dollar (AUD) tumbles for the third straight day against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday as market sentiment turns sour amid a possible escalation of the conflict, amid doubts for a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. The AUD/USD pair trades below 0.6900, down 0.76%.
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday the delay of Iran's energy plant destruction by ten days, until April 6 at 08:00 PM Eastern Time. Trump emphasized that talks between Washington and Tehran are going "very well" and he decided the pause at the request of the Iranian Government.
Standard Chartered economists Chong Hoon Park and Arup Ghosh update their South Korea forecasts following higher Oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. They now see 2026 CPI inflation at 2.4% versus 2.0% previously, with Oil averaging USD 85/bbl.
ABN AMRO's Senior Economist Arjen van Dijkhuizen reviews China’s macro outlook after the Iran conflict, noting stronger early‑2026 data but slightly lower GDP forecasts.
Banco de Mexico, known as Banxico, unexpectedly cut the country’s main interest rate from 7% to 6.75% on Thursday on a 3-2 vote, with Deputy Governors Jonathan Heath and Galia Borja voting to keep interest rates unchanged.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) rallied about 0.30% on Thursday, climbing from a session low around 99.56 to trade close to 99.90 as the Greenback continued to attract safe-haven interest for a third consecutive trading day.
Mexico Banxico Interest Rate Decision below expectations (7%): Actual (6.75%)
Commerzbank economists Dr. Henry Hao and Moses Lim note USD/PHP rose to 60.10 after President Marcos declared a national state of emergency to tackle surging energy prices.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) surged to near 99.90, holding steady as safe-haven demand amid Middle East tensions and rate differentials underpinned the Greenback amid a cautious market mood.
The Euro (EUR) edges lower against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, with EUR/USD extending losses for a third consecutive day as ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the US-Israel war with Iran keep the Greenback firmly bid across the board.
Gold (XAU/USD) price plummets nearly 2.50% on Thursday as Oil prices rise amid uncertainty about a possible agreement between the US and Iran, adding upward pressure on inflation and pushing the Greenback higher. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades at $4,394 after reaching a daily high of $4,544.
MUFG’s Senior Currency Analyst Lloyd Chan maintains a defensive stance on Asia FX as the US‑Iran conflict keeps external pressures elevated. Higher US yields and Oil prices are supporting the Dollar and weighing on Asian currencies such as THB, PHP and KRW.
