Australia NAB Survey Shows Cost Growth Jumps to 4.5% as Margin Squeeze Intensifies.Australia's NAB business survey for April painted an increasingly stagflationary picture, with activity indicators weakening further even as cost pressures accelerated sharply. Business confidence improved slightly from -29 to -24, but remained deeply negative, while business conditions fell from 6 to 3, pointing to a significant slowdown in underlying activity momentum.

AI rally pauses as Middle East ceasefire goes on 'life support'.Oil crept higher and the dollar rose on Tuesday as hopes faded for a deal to get ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz, while a red-hot chip rally in chip stocks cooled and ​traders waited on U.S. inflation figures.

BoJ Summary Shows Growing Support for Near-Term Rate Hike.Bank of Japan's Summary of Opinions from the April meeting revealed a noticeably more hawkish debate inside the board, with several policymakers arguing that another interest rate hike could come sooner rather than later as the Iran war intensifies inflation pressures. One member explicitly said “it is quite possible the BoJ will raise interest rates from the next meeting onward,” even if uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict remains unresolved.

Canadian Dollar struggles due ongoing safe-haven demand.Canadian Dollar struggles due ongoing safe-haven demand

WTI drifts higher above $95.50 on US-Iran tensions, Strait of Hormuz disruption fears.WTI drifts higher above $95.50 on US-Iran tensions, Strait of Hormuz disruption fears

New Zealand Dollar slips below mid-0.5900s vs USD as geopolitical risks weigh on sentiment.New Zealand Dollar slips below mid-0.5900s vs USD as geopolitical risks weigh on sentiment

Dollar steady as Middle East peace hopes recede.The U.S. dollar held its ground on Tuesday as talks to end the war in the Middle East showed no signs of progress, ​pushing oil prices higher and worrying investors that interest rates may need to stay higher to tackle inflationary pressures.

Japanese Yen drifts lower vs USD as weak Household Spending data counters hawkish BoJ.Japanese Yen drifts lower vs USD as weak Household Spending data counters hawkish BoJ

Katayama says two-hour Bessent talks covered forex, critical minerals and AI.Japan's Finance Minister Katayama said she held a two-hour meeting with US Treasury Secretary Bessent covering forex markets, financial cooperation, critical minerals and AI supply chains.

Japan, US affirm close cooperation on currency moves.Japan and ​the U.S. reaffirmed their close ‌cooperation on currency moves, Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama told ​reporters after a meeting ​with her U.S. counterpart, Scott ⁠Bessent, on Tuesday.

Euro softens below 1.1800 on US-Iran ceasefire risks, traders await US CPI data.Euro softens below 1.1800 on US-Iran ceasefire risks, traders await US CPI data

BoJ Summary of Opinions: Member says bank may need to tackle risk of rising price deviations.BoJ Summary of Opinions: Member says bank may need to tackle risk of rising price deviations

Japan JP Foreign Reserves down to $1B in April from previous $1374.7B.Japan JP Foreign Reserves down to $1B in April from previous $1374.7B

Japan Overall Household Spending (YoY) came in at -2.9% below forecasts (-1.3%) in March.Japan Overall Household Spending (YoY) came in at -2.9% below forecasts (-1.3%) in March

US President Donald Trump says US-Iran ceasefire on ‘massive life support'.US President Donald Trump says US-Iran ceasefire on ‘massive life support'

UK consumer spending falls for first time since 2024 as Iran war bites.UK consumer spending fell 0.1% in April, the first annual decline since late 2024, as Iran war fears drove households toward savings and away from big-ticket and travel spending, Barclays and BRC data showed.

Australian Dollar capped ahead of Australian Budget release.Australian Dollar capped ahead of Australian Budget release

China: Reflation momentum delays PBoC cuts – ING.China: Reflation momentum delays PBoC cuts – ING

US Dollar Coiling, USD/JPY Eyes Resistance Heading into US CPI.The US dollar is holding within a tight range ahead of today's US CPI report, as traders assess whether elevated oil prices linked to the Iran conflict continue to fuel inflationary pressures. While the broader bearish USD thesis remains intact for now, USD/JPY is rebounding towards key resistance near 158 following suspected intervention from Japan's Ministry of Finance.

Chinese Yuan: Strengthens into US–China summit – Societe Generale.Chinese Yuan: Strengthens into US–China summit – Societe Generale

investingLive Americas FX news wrap 11 May: Markets stall as Iran tensions simmer.President Trump sharply criticized Iran's response to the reported U.S. 14-point peace framework, calling it “totally unacceptable,” “garbage,” and “unbelievably weak.” He said he did not even finish reading the response because he felt Iran was “playing games.

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Bullish Reversal Extends Higher.Natural gas extends its bullish structure after reclaiming key moving averages and breaking out from a falling wedge, with momentum pointing toward higher resistance levels.

Natural Gas News: Futures Spike 6% as Weather Forecast Ignites Market.Natural gas futures surged 6% as hotter weather, LNG risk and tighter inventory forecasts triggered aggressive short covering across the market.

China: Supportive policy but slower growth – BNP Paribas.China: Supportive policy but slower growth – BNP Paribas

Economic and event calendar Asia Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - BoJ will give us their thoughts.The Bank of Japan (BOJ) releases a "Summary of Opinions" after each monetary policy meeting. It serves as a record of the discussion and views of the Policy Board members on various economic and financial issues.

Malaysian Ringgit: Stronger BNM reserves back stability – UOB.Malaysian Ringgit: Stronger BNM reserves back stability – UOB

Japanese Yen loses ground as Trump rejects Iran proposal ahead of US CPI.Japanese Yen loses ground as Trump rejects Iran proposal ahead of US CPI

Japan: Wage gains, confidence risks and BoJ – Rabobank.Japan: Wage gains, confidence risks and BoJ – Rabobank

Swiss Franc: Safe-haven CHF held back by SNB – MUFG.Swiss Franc: Safe-haven CHF held back by SNB – MUFG

Iran is ready to dilute highly enriched uranium to levels of 3.7% and 20%.Iran is ready to dilute highly enriched uranium to levels of 3.7% and 20%, according to Al Jazeera citing a source. Washington refused to transfer the highly enriched uranium to Russia and instead suggested a third country receive it.