US Dollar Jumps on Hawkish FOMC Minutes – USD/JPY Near Breakout Zone.The US dollar was the strongest major currency on Wednesday after hawkish FOMC minutes revived rate hike speculation. Several officials warned that further tightening may be required if inflation remains elevated, prompting a reassessment of the Fed's policy path.

Economic and event calendar in Asia Thursday, February 19, 2026 - Australian jobs data.Note that while Singapore is back from holiday today mainland China and Hong Kong are still out. Liquididity in markets will be somewhat thinner than usual.

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Support Holds Amid Bearish Correction.Natural gas tests key support near $3.01 after a corrective low, with wedge patterns suggesting potential upside if demand improves and trendline holds.

United States API Weekly Crude Oil Stock: -0.609M (February 13) vs previous 13.4M.United States API Weekly Crude Oil Stock: -0.609M (February 13) vs previous 13.4M

investingLive Americas FX news wrap 18 Feb: USD higher with yields, commodities leading.The USD moved broadly higher, supported by rising Treasury yields and a run of better-than-expected US data. December durable goods orders fell -1.4%, but that was better than the -2.0% expected.

United States Net Long-Term TIC Flows down to $28B in December from previous $220.2B.United States Net Long-Term TIC Flows down to $28B in December from previous $220.2B

United States Total Net TIC Flows down to $44.9B in December from previous $212B.United States Total Net TIC Flows down to $44.9B in December from previous $212B

Fed says last month's 'rate checks' were at Treasury's request.The U.S. central bank on Wednesday confirmed it had asked dealers last month for quotes on dollar/yen rates at the behest of the U.S. Treasury, an unusual move that strengthened the stubbornly weak yen and put investors on alert for the first joint U.S.-Japan currency intervention in 15 years.

Mexico's Walmex reports 4% drop in Q4 profit, missing forecasts.Walmart's Mexico and Central America unit Walmex WALMEX.MXon Wednesday reported a 3.9% drop in its fourth-quarter net profit compared to the same period in 2024, missing analysts' forecasts.

Global trade: China extends port dominance – Standard Chartered.Global trade: China extends port dominance – Standard Chartered

U.S. Dollar Tests Weekly Highs Ahead Of FOMC Minutes: Analysis For EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, USD/JPY.The American currency gains ground, supported by encouraging economic reports.

United States 20-Year Bond Auction down to 4.664% from previous 4.846%.United States 20-Year Bond Auction down to 4.664% from previous 4.846%

Natural Gas, WTI Oil, Brent Oil Forecasts – Oil Gains 4% As Russia – Ukraine Talks Deliver No Progress.Traders are also worried that U.S. will strike Iran to put more pressure on the country.

USD/JPY Price Forecast: Volatility fades as pair holds near mid-Bollinger Band.USD/JPY Price Forecast: Volatility fades as pair holds near mid-Bollinger Band

Oil Prices Hold Firm as Iran Risk Offsets Bearish EIA Outlook.Oil prices are holding firm near recent highs as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East counterbalance a more cautious demand outlook from the EIA.

WTI crude oil surges on Iran nuclear talk uncertainty and Strait of Hormuz closure.WTI crude oil surges on Iran nuclear talk uncertainty and Strait of Hormuz closure

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Holds the OCR at 2.25%.The RBNZ held the OCR at 2.25% in its first decision under Governor Anna Breman. The Kiwi sold off as the rate forecast disappointed hawkish expectations.

Natural Gas Price Analysis – Natural Gas Continues to Flounder.The natural gas market looks absolutely lost as we continue to see a lack of demand being a major worry at the moment.

Crude Oil Price Analysis – Oil Bounces on Tensions.The crude oil markets continue to see consolidation, but the tensions between Russia and Ukraine have put a bit of a bounce into the market on Wednesday.

AUD/CHF, AUD/USD and AUD/JPY Forecast – Aussie Dollar Showing Risk Appetite Direction.The Australian dollar has been slightly mixed on Wednesday, as traders are trying to determine the overall direction of risk appetite, not only in the Aussie, but markets in general.

US Dollar Short-term Outlook: USD Coils Between Key Levels – Breakout Looms.The US Dollar stalled at resistance early in the month, leaving price action contained within a well-defined consolidation band. The recent pullback keeps the index within the confines of the late-January uptrend with the opening range now clearly established and the next sustained move beyond its boundaries is likely to dictate near-term direction.

US Dollar Forecast: DXY Eyes Breakout at 97.522 as Safe-Haven Flows Return.U.S. Dollar Index climbs toward 97.522 breakout level on Iran tensions and Euro weakness. Safe-haven buying drives DXY higher as Fed minutes loom.

DXY, USD/JPY, RUSSELL 2000 and PL Forecast – Markets in Motion on Wednesday.Several markets are in play at the moment, and there are even a few I am watching for a bit of a “heads up” on others.

United States Industrial Production (MoM) above forecasts (0.4%) in January: Actual (0.7%).United States Industrial Production (MoM) above forecasts (0.4%) in January: Actual (0.7%)

United States Capacity Utilization came in at 76.2%, below expectations (76.5%) in January.United States Capacity Utilization came in at 76.2%, below expectations (76.5%) in January

Fed Minutes to shed light on January hold decision amid hawkish rate outlook.Fed Minutes to shed light on January hold decision amid hawkish rate outlook

Natural Gas News: Forecast Points to Falling Demand, Surging Production Ahead.Natural gas futures drop on bearish weather forecast and 2.5-year high rig count. Lower demand meets surging production, sell-the-rally mode returns.

Dollar Leads as Markets Seek Guidance From Fed Minutes.Dollar trades slightly firmer as investors position ahead of FOMC minutes from January meeting. The hold decision itself is old news; what markets want to understand is how far policymakers are from resuming rate cuts.

Japan PM Takaichi hopes BOJ works closely with government to durably hit price goal.Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday she hopes the central bank works closely with the government to durably achieve its 2% inflation target accompanied by wage gains.

United States Redbook Index (YoY) rose from previous 6.5% to 7.2% in February 13.United States Redbook Index (YoY) rose from previous 6.5% to 7.2% in February 13