Japan finance minister says will respond nimbly to latest market movements.With all the focus on the Middle East, we may get some added volatility from Japan before the week comes to a close. USD/JPY is bordering at the week's highs near the 158.00 level, threatening its highest levels since the 'rate check' at the end of January.

Japanese Yen underperforms as Iran conflict prompts BoJ policy uncertainty.Japanese Yen underperforms as Iran conflict prompts BoJ policy uncertainty

War shock amplifies NFP stakes, Dollar set for double-engine boost.Today's US Non-Farm Payroll report has taken on unusual importance in a week dominated by geopolitical turmoil. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has triggered a surge in oil prices and pushed US Treasury yields sharply higher, with the 10-year yield climbing above 4.14% overnight.

US Nonfarm Payrolls set to grow at moderate pace in February after stellar January.US Nonfarm Payrolls set to grow at moderate pace in February after stellar January

Middle East Conflict Presents Two-Sided Risks for RBNZ.While the lift in oil prices has raised concerns about inflation and the risk of monetary policy tightening in many countries, we view the risks facing the RBNZ as two-sided given the economy's weak starting point.

China's yuan set to end longest weekly rally since 2012 on Middle East turmoil.China's yuan inched higher against the dollar on Friday but remained on course to snap a record weekly winning streak, and post its biggest slump in more than a year, ​reflecting a broadly firmer greenback in light of the widening Middle East conflict.

Rupee gains 2 paise to 91.62 against US dollar in early trade.The rupee strengthened by 2 paise to 91.62 against the US dollar on Friday, buoyed by a 30-day US waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil. This move eased global energy flow concerns amid the West Asian conflict.

EUR/JPY Price Forecast: Gains momentum to near 183.00 as uptrend persists above 100-day EMA.EUR/JPY Price Forecast: Gains momentum to near 183.00 as uptrend persists above 100-day EMA

Indonesia Foreign Reserves declined to $151.9 in February from previous $154.6.Indonesia Foreign Reserves declined to $151.9 in February from previous $154.6

Pound Sterling ticks up against US Dollar in countdown to US NFP.Pound Sterling ticks up against US Dollar in countdown to US NFP

USD/JPY Stays Firm as Traders Await US NFP Catalyst.Looking at the 4-hour chart, the pair settled above 156.50, the 100 simple moving average (red, 4-hour), and the 200 simple moving average (green, 4-hour). The pair traded as high as 157.97 before there was a minor pullback.

WTI Oil crosses 80 after White House timeline uncertainty, 84.3 now key.Crude oil has entered a new phase of the geopolitical crisis. WTI crude officially broke above the 80 per barrel level, marking both an important psychological milestone and its highest level since mid-2024.

India rupee likely to weaken at open; durability of RBI support hinges on oil.The Indian rupee is expected to open weaker on Friday after a rally in the previous session was spurred by likely ​Reserve Bank of India intervention, with traders doubtful that the ‌support can last without relief from oil prices.

ADB sees modest growth impact on Asia if Middle East conflict lasts about a month.The Asian Development Bank's chief economist said on Friday that if the Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz last only about a month, as some U.S. projections suggest, the impact on growth in ​developing Asia would be modest, with only a slight and temporary "downward blip" in annual ​GDP.

Fed's Barkin: Inflation fight not over amid strong data and war risks.Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin cautioned that the Fed need to reassess its policy risks as recent economic data and geopolitical developments complicate the inflation outlook. In remarks to Bloomberg Television overnight, Barkin highlighted that stronger job growth and persistently elevated inflation readings could challenge earlier assumptions about the trajectory of price pressures.

Cliff Notes: Known and Unknown Risks.In Australia, GDP rose 0.8% in Q4. While this fell short of our revised forecast of 1.1%, it was still a robust result which, together with recent revisions, lifted the annual growth pace to 2.6% – the strongest outcome since Q1 2023.

The Good, the Bad and the Simply Perplexing.Australia's economy is in a cyclical upswing, and the latest quarterly accounts suggest there is more supply capacity than some feared. Public sector programs continue to absorb resources, while consumer spending is not as strong as we thought.

Canadian Dollar Loves Conflict – Has CAD Reached a Long-Term Bottom?.Isolated by its historic neighbor amid US First policies, the Canadian Economy had been taking a sustained hit, leading to an accelerated cooling. The Land of Maple Syrup is known to be highly cyclical.

Dollar set for steepest weekly gain in a year as Iran crisis boosts haven bid.The U.S. dollar held broadly steady in early Asian trade on Friday and was poised for its steepest weekly gain ​in more than a year as the escalating conflict in the Middle East drove demand for safe-haven assets.

Japanese Yen inches higher despite BoJ policy uncertainty.Japanese Yen inches higher despite BoJ policy uncertainty

Fed's Goolsbee: Institutions facing a crisis of trust.Fed's Goolsbee: Institutions facing a crisis of trust

Japan JP Foreign Reserves: $1B (February) vs previous $1394.8B.Japan JP Foreign Reserves: $1B (February) vs previous $1394.8B

US President Donald Trump administration seeks to tame oil prices.US President Donald Trump administration seeks to tame oil prices

South Korea Current Account Balance: 13.26B (January) vs previous 18.7B.South Korea Current Account Balance: 13.26B (January) vs previous 18.7B

South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (YoY) below forecasts (2.1%) in February: Actual (2%).South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (YoY) below forecasts (2.1%) in February: Actual (2%)

South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (MoM) registered at 0.3%, below expectations (0.4%) in February.South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (MoM) registered at 0.3%, below expectations (0.4%) in February

US Dollar Forecast: DXY Rises as Oil Hits $80 and Inflation Fears Mount.The U.S. Dollar edges higher as oil hits $80, driving inflation fears and Treasury yields. Is this safe-haven buying or a re-examination of dollar value?

Crude Oil Price Forecast: Technical Signals Point to Long-Term Strength.Crude oil surged to a multi-year high above key resistance, reclaiming the 200-week average and triggering bullish patterns, signaling potential continuation of the long-term upward trend.

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Bullish Wedge Signal or Breakdown Risk?.Natural gas is attempting to confirm a bullish wedge breakout, but conflicting signals around the 20-day average and trendline leave the next move dependent on key resistance and support levels.

TRADING DAY War fuels stagflation fears.Stocks sank on Thursday and another surge in oil prices sent bond yields shooting higher, as the spiraling conflict across the Middle East raised investor fears over energy supplies, higher inflation and slower growth.