Rupee caught in cross-currents of US yield surge, oil-led risk aversion.The Indian rupee is likely to dip at Monday's open, with a jump in U.S. Treasury yields and the resulting risk-off mood ​souring market sentiment already hit by high oil prices.

China's NBS: Internal drivers remain strong while economy faces external challenges.China's NBS: Internal drivers remain strong while economy faces external challenges

Global bond rout deepens as inflation fears mount.Bonds from Tokyo to New York extended losses on Monday as rising energy prices from the ongoing Middle East war fanned inflation fears and stoked ​investor wagers on rate hikes from global central banks.

Natural Gas News: Will Heat Forecasts Push Futures Above $3.107?.Natural gas prices rallied after bullish weather forecasts and a supportive storage report shifted market sentiment ahead of summer demand.

Oil Breaks Above $111 as US-Iran Conflict Enters Dangerous New Phase.Brent crude exploded above $111 in Asian trading as traders returned from the weekend facing a geopolitical backdrop that had deteriorated sharply on multiple fronts at once.

China April data misses badly, Iran war and weak demand weigh. Retail sales growth plunge..China's April retail sales rose just 0.2%, the weakest since 2022, while industrial output grew only 4.1%, badly missing forecasts, as the Iran war and sluggish domestic demand weighed.

New Zealand Dollar holds losses below 0.5850 on weak Chinese data.New Zealand Dollar holds losses below 0.5850 on weak Chinese data

China Fixed Asset Investment (YTD) (YoY) registered at -1.6%, below expectations (1.6%) in April.China Fixed Asset Investment (YTD) (YoY) registered at -1.6%, below expectations (1.6%) in April

China's Retail Sales rise 0.2% in April, Industrial Production up 4.1%.China's Retail Sales rise 0.2% in April, Industrial Production up 4.1%

Japan's 10-year bond yield hits 1996 high as fresh debt plans emerge. Extra budget coming.Japan's 10-year bond yield hit its highest since 1996 at 4.2% after a government source confirmed fresh debt issuance is planned to fund a supplementary budget to offset Iran war energy costs.

Rupee seen testing record lows; bonds to extend fall on Iran war jitters.The Indian rupee could plumb to record lows again this week, while bonds are expected to extend their fall, as investors fret over growth-inflation risks facing Asia's third-largest economy on account of the ​Iran war.

NZ Services Sector Still Contracting Despite April Rebound as Fuel Costs Bite.New Zealand's services sector showed signs of stabilization in April, though activity remained in contraction territory as firms continued to grapple with rising fuel costs and disruption linked to the Middle East conflict. BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index improved from 46.2 to 48.9, but still below the 50 expansion threshold.

Strong US Inflation Lifts Dollar, Pressures Risk Assets.US stocks fell toward the end of last week after CPI and PPI data came in higher than expected. This increased worries that US inflation may stay high, which pushed long-term US interest rates higher.

Singapore April 2026 non-oil exports +24.5% y/y vs prior 15.30%.Singapore's non-oil domestic exports surged 24.5% year-on-year in April, dramatically beating the median forecast of 10.9% growth, driven by strong electronics shipments including integrated circuits and PCs on robust AI-related demand, though the Singapore dollar was little changed on the data release.

Asia shares slip, oil prices pile pressure on bonds.Asia share markets slipped on Monday as fresh drone attacks in the Gulf pushed up oil prices and bond yields, while the AI boom is set to be tested by earnings ​from tech-diva Nvidia this week.

United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (MoM) increased to 1.2% in May from previous 0.8%.United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (MoM) increased to 1.2% in May from previous 0.8%

United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (YoY) increased to -0.3% in May from previous -0.9%.United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (YoY) increased to -0.3% in May from previous -0.9%

Australian Dollar holds steady near 0.7150 amid rising Fed hike bets, Middle East tensions.Australian Dollar holds steady near 0.7150 amid rising Fed hike bets, Middle East tensions

UK housing prices rise but employer confidence stays near record low.UK asking prices rose 1.2% in May, above seasonal norms, while a separate survey showed British employer confidence near record lows with pay awards set to lag inflation.

UK employers focus on cost management with confidence near record low.British employers are prioritising cost management over growth with their confidence close to ​a record low and their staff are likely ‌to see inflation eat into their pay in the year ahead, according to a survey published on Monday.

US President Donald Trump warns Iran to ‘get moving' or ‘there won't be anything left'.US President Donald Trump warns Iran to ‘get moving' or ‘there won't be anything left'

New Zealand services sector contracts again in April as fuel costs bite.New Zealand's services sector contracted for a second straight month in April, with the PSI reading at 48.9, as businesses cited fuel prices and the Strait of Hormuz conflict as key headwinds.

New Zealand Business NZ PSI rose from previous 46 to 48.9 in April.New Zealand Business NZ PSI rose from previous 46 to 48.9 in April

Dollar, yields and Friday's repricing.Dollar, yields and Friday's repricing

USD/JPY Outlook: JGB bear steepening points to deeper trouble for the yen.Japan's bond market is sending an increasingly uncomfortable message about the risks posed by prolonged disruption to global energy markets, with soaring long-dated yields and renewed yen weakness suggesting markets are becoming less convinced policymakers can contain the fallout without eventually sacrificing either the currency or the bond market.

weekend news - Drone hits UAE nuclear plant as Iran war deadlock deepens.A drone struck an electrical generator at the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant on Sunday as U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks stalled, with Trump warning Tehran time was running out.

Economic and event calendar in Asia Monday, May 18, 2026 - Chinese April data.A mixed bag of data expected from China with improving retail and IP while property investment not. House price data should show a continued slump.

British Pound, Euro and Dollar Week Ahead Predictions: Politics, Inflation and Fed Minutes in Focus.The Pound Sterling, Euro and US Dollar face another volatile week as investors monitor central bank signals, inflation risks and ongoing political instability in the UK. Latest — Exchange Rates:Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR): 1.14607Pound to Dollar (GBP/USD): 1.33234Euro to Dollar (EUR/USD): 1.16253 Currency markets remain heavily influenced.

Bond Yields Explode Globally as Markets Enter “Triple Higher” Regime Following Underwhelming Trump-Xi Summit.Global financial markets entered a far more dangerous macro phase last week as the underwhelming Trump-Xi summit failed to deliver meaningful progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz or easing broader geopolitical tensions. Instead of calming investors, the summit reinforced fears that the global economy may now be entering a prolonged period of structurally higher inflation driven by persistent energy disruption and tightening financial conditions.

Bank of England Could Hike Rates Twice More in 2026, Warns Wells Fargo.Economists at Wells Fargo say the balance of risks for the UK economy has shifted sharply in recent weeks, with inflation risks rising even as the growth outlook deteriorates. The bank said the Bank of England's latest policy meeting signalled growing concern among policymakers that higher energy costs and broader price pressures could.