German Chancellor Merz says weak dollar a burden for German exports.Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined the head of Germany's main foreign trade association on Wednesday in voicing concern over the sharp weakening in the dollar, after it fell to a four-year low.

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Sellers Regain Control Below Key Averages.Natural gas broke below key moving averages, confirming bearish momentum and opening the door to deeper retracement levels as sellers regain near-term control.

January FOMC: The Window To Cut Is Closing.As was widely expected, the FOMC held the fed funds rate steady at its January meeting. The statement and Chair Powell's press conference suggested that the Committee is finely balanced between worries about a gradually deteriorating labor market and still above-target inflation.

New Zealand Trade Balance NZD (YoY) dipped from previous $-2.06B to $-2.2B in December.New Zealand Trade Balance NZD (YoY) dipped from previous $-2.06B to $-2.2B in December

New Zealand Trade Balance NZD (MoM) came in at $52M, above expectations ($30M) in December.New Zealand Trade Balance NZD (MoM) came in at $52M, above expectations ($30M) in December

New Zealand December 2025 trade balance +52mn NZD (vs. +30mn NZD expected).New Zealand trade data December 2025. Just a data post.

Economic and event calendar in Asia 29 January 2026. New Zealand, Japan & Australia data.You'll note below that the data agenda is lower-tier only. None of this lot is likely to move around financial markets too much upon release.

Federal Reserve pauses, sees economy on firm footing.Federal Reserve pauses, sees economy on firm footing

Fed Powell pushes back on political pressure narrative.Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in the post meeting press conference that the US economy expanded at a solid pace last year and is entering 2026 on “firm footing”. He added that monetary policy is “not on a preset course”, reiterating that future rate adjustments will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.

USD Bounces, Fed Holds, but the Bigger Matter is Elsewhere for Now.This was one of those boring rate decisions where markets were confident that no actual moves would be announced today. Instead, the focus is on the nuance, like who would vote to cut rates or what Powell might say during the presser.

Fed Keeps Rates Steady – Market Reactions to FOMC.Changes to the previous statement include a more robust outlook on employment and the economy – This could take out future cuts but for now participants are awaiting for Powell.

Fed Moves Back to the Sidelines, Following Three “Risk Management” Cuts.The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held the policy rate fixed at the target range of 3.5%-3.75%. The move comes after three consecutive quarter-point “risk management” cuts at the past three meetings.

USD/JPY holds firm as US Dollar stays supported after Fed keeps rates unchanged.USD/JPY holds firm as US Dollar stays supported after Fed keeps rates unchanged

Dollar holds gains against euro, yen after Fed stands pat on rates.The U.S. dollar held gains against the euro and the yen on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady, citing still-elevated inflation alongside solid economic growth, and gave little indication in its latest policy statement of when borrowing costs might fall again.

Fed holds, two votes for a cut, but no signal of action.The Fed left interest rates unchanged at 3.50–3.75%, in line with expectations, but the decision was not unanimous. Two governors—Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller—dissented, preferring an immediate 25bp rate cut.

US Dollar holds steady following Fed rate hold.US Dollar holds steady following Fed rate hold

United States Fed Interest Rate Decision meets forecasts (3.75%).United States Fed Interest Rate Decision meets forecasts (3.75%)

Natural Gas, WTI Oil, Brent Oil Forecasts – Oil Tests New Highs As Crude Inventories Drop.Oil traders remain bullish amid U.S. – Iran tensions.

USD/JPY rebounds ahead of Fed decision, BoJ tightening prospects limit upside.USD/JPY rebounds ahead of Fed decision, BoJ tightening prospects limit upside

BoC: Rates unchanged, focus shifts to trade and global risks.BoC: Rates unchanged, focus shifts to trade and global risks

Debasement Trade: How Smart Money Escapes Inflation.When governments overborrow and lean on the money printer, smart money shifts from paper promises to scarce assets like gold, Bitcoin, and real estate to protect long‑term purchasing power

U.S. Dollar Rebounds As Bessent Says U.S. Has A Strong Dollar Policy: Analysis For EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, USD/JPY.Forex traders rush to buy the dip ahead of the Fed decision.

Bessent says US has strong dollar policy, 'absolutely not' intervening to support yen.The U.S. has a strong dollar policy and that means setting the right fundamentals, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday, while denying that Washington was intervening in currency markets to support the Japanese yen.

US Treasury Bessent: Rates up to the Fed, Chair race still wide open.US Treasury Bessent: Rates up to the Fed, Chair race still wide open

Is USD on the Verge of a Major Break After Trump Cheers Dollar Weakness?.Currencies are unique as an asset class and for many traders and quite a few investors, that nuance is difficult to explain. After all, the aim of trading currencies is the same as stocks or gold or palm oil or anything else: To use risk capital in an attempt to profit, and along the way taking risk that could erase some or all of that capital.

Russia Producer Price Index (MoM) declined to -1.6% in December from previous -0.9%.Russia Producer Price Index (MoM) declined to -1.6% in December from previous -0.9%

Russia Producer Price Index (YoY): -3.3% (December) vs previous -1.1%.Russia Producer Price Index (YoY): -3.3% (December) vs previous -1.1%

Bessent's Strong Dollar Talk Fails to Convince as Recovery Lacks Conviction.Dollar found modest support in early US trading, managing a mild recovery as markets position cautiously ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decision. The move looked more like a pause in selling than a decisive shift in sentiment, with traders reluctant to press positions before policy clarity.

USD/JPY forecast: Yen drops on Bessent comments, as focus turns to FOMC.The USD/JPY recovered about 1% as the pair rallied on the back of comments from Scott Bessent earlier today, causing the pair to reverse some of its recent “rate check” related losses. The US Treasury Secretary told CNBC that the US is 'absolutely not' intervening in dollar-yen now" and the “US always has a strong dollar policy.

BoC holds at 2.25%, US trade risk as key source of vulnerability.The BoC left its policy rate unchanged at 2.25%, in line with expectations, and reiterated a neutral bias. The Governing Council said the current setting “remains appropriate,” conditional on the economy evolving broadly in line with its outlook.