Analysis: Currencies

Chicago private equity firm has stake in Gaza aid company

WASHINGTON -A Chicago-based private equity firm - controlled by a member of the family that founded American publishing company Rand McNally - has an economic interest in the logistics company...

Bank of Canada: some firms see less chance of a worst-case tariffs scenario

Canadian firms and industry associations affected by trade tensions are less worried about a worst-case scenario involving U.S. tariffs but are set to raise prices, the Bank of Canada said on...

Fed policymakers flag inflation concerns, a view that argues against rate cuts

A pair of Federal Reserve policymakers signaled on Thursday that they believe higher inflation is for now a more pressing risk than a slowing labor market, a view that implies support for keeping...

Weekly jobless claims hit seven-month high; imports post record decline

WASHINGTON -The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased to a seven-month high last week, pointing to softening labor market conditions amid mounting economic...

Sterling holds its own against stronger dollar, trade optimism lends supports

LONDON -Sterling ticked higher against the dollar on Thursday, one of the few major currencies to hold its own against the greenback which regained ground after weak U.S. data dragged it lower on...

South African rand firms on better-than-expected current account data

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand strengthened on Thursday, helped by better-than-expected current account data. The country's current account deficit stood at 0.5% of gross domestic...

Swedish flash inflation below forecast, strengthens rate cut hopes

STOCKHOLM -Swedish inflation came in below forecasts in May, flash figures showed on Thursday, raising hopes that the central bank will cut interest rates in the coming months as the economy slows. ...

Rupee nearly flat, wedged between uptick in Asia FX and corporate dollar bids

The Indian rupee was little changed on Thursday as corporate dollar bids, including from local oil companies, blunted positive cues from a rise in most of its Asian peers. The rupee was...

Dollar drops against euro after ECB indicates possible end to rate easing cycle

NEW YORK -The dollar dropped against the euro on Thursday after the European Central Bank indicated a possible end to its year-long policy easing cycle and U.S. data pointed to softening labor market...

Japan April real wages slump for fourth month as inflation bites

TOKYO -Japanese real wages fell for a fourth consecutive month in April, eroded by stubborn inflation that has continued to outpace pay hikes delivered so far by companies, government data showed on...

Brazil currency seen flat in near-term, restrained by trade worries

Brazil's real currency is expected to trade relatively steady in coming months, restrained by concerns over a deterioration in the country's external accounts, a Reuters poll showed. The...

Dollar to decline further on U.S. fiscal, growth and trade risks

Falling demand for U.S. dollar-denominated assets will push the greenback lower in coming months, according to FX strategists surveyed by Reuters, as concerns mount about the U.S. federal deficit and...

Criteria to adopt the euro currency

BRUSSELS -The European Commission said on Wednesday Bulgaria can enter the euro zone and become the bloc's 21st member from 2026. European Union countries aspiring to adopt the single...

Sterling edges up, UK avoids higher US metals tariffs

Sterling firmed against the dollar on Wednesday, as investors were relieved the United Kingdom was not in the crosshairs of U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff escalation, while upbeat...

EU gives Bulgaria green light to adopt euro from start of 2026

BRUSSELS -The European Commission and the European Central Bank gave Bulgaria the go-ahead on Wednesday to adopt the euro currency from the start of 2026, making Bulgaria the 21st country to join the...

Bank of Canada holds key rate steady but says a future cut is possible

OTTAWA -The Bank of Canada on Wednesday held its key benchmark rate at 2.75%, citing the need to probe the effects of U.S. trade policy, but said another cut might be necessary if the economy...

South African rand gains as parliamentary committee backs budget

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand maintained early gains on Wednesday after a key parliamentary committee backed the long-delayed national budget, which has been tied up in political wrangling for...

Safe-haven gold rises on weak data, simmering uncertainty

Gold rose 1% on Wednesday, supported by a softer dollar and weak U.S. data, as investors grappled with mounting economic and political uncertainty. Spot gold climbed 0.8% to $3,378.22 an...

Russian services sector sees fastest growth since January in May, PMI shows

Russia's services sector expanded in May at the quickest pace since January, driven by stronger demand and new orders, even as firms reduced their workforce numbers, a business survey showed on...