Analysis: Currencies

South African rand weakens after data shows GDP stagnates in first quarter

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand weakened on Tuesday after first-quarter gross domestic product data came in marginally better than expected but showed that the economy had stagnated. ...

US skips hike in UK steel and aluminum tariffs as both countries eye quick trade deal

LONDON/WASHINGTON -The United States on Tuesday announced it would skip doubling steel and aluminum tariffs for Britain, hours after the UK government said the two countries agreed on the need to...

Bank of Canada to hold rates at 2.75% but cut at least twice more this year

The Bank of Canada will hold interest rates at 2.75% on Wednesday as policymakers await further news on an economy that grew faster than expected last quarter, with at least two more cuts likely this...

Sterling firms with focus on defence plan, weaker dollar

Sterling had a firm start to the week on Monday, as investors assessed a domestic defence plan and a batch of better-than-expected British economic data, while simmering trade tensions between the...

South African rand shrugs off mixed local data

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand strengthened against a weaker dollar on Monday, shrugging off a further decline in local manufacturing sentiment and upbeat vehicle sales figures. ...

Russian manufacturing sector returns to growth in May, PMI shows

Russia's manufacturing sector returned to growth in May, supported by a fresh upturn in new orders, even as output contracted for the third month running amid reports of supply shortages, a business...

US debt is 'sound', no concerns about US dollar's reserve role, Taiwan's central bank says

TAIPEI -Taiwan's central bank said on Sunday that U.S. government debt is sound and still favoured by investors, and there are no worries about the U.S. dollar's position as the leading international...

Canada's economy grows by 2.2% annualized rate in first quarter

TORONTO -Canada's economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, expanding by a 2.2% annualized rate, data showed on Friday.     Market reaction: CAD/ LINK:...

US consumers pulling back spending; inflation slowing for now

WASHINGTON -U.S. consumer spending increased marginally in April, with households opting to boost savings amid mounting economic uncertainty because of a constantly changing tariff landscape. ...

Russian airlines' passenger traffic up 2.7% year on year in April, Rosaviatsia says

Russian airlines carried 8.4 million passengers in April 2025, up 2.7% year-on-year, national aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said on Friday on its Telegram channel. ...

Russia's Gazprom says Q1 net profit edges up to $8.4 billion

MOSCOW -Russian energy giant Gazprom's first-quarter net income edged up around 1% compared with the same period last year to 660.4 billion roubles , with sales and the rouble exchange rate also up,...

Sterling set for fourth monthly rise against a weakened dollar

Sterling held steady on Friday, set for its fourth month in a row of gains against the dollar, as recent favourable economic data support Britain's currency just as worries over U.S. tariffs and high...

German inflation nears ECB target in May but challenges remain

BERLIN -German inflation eased further in May, bringing it closer to the European Central Bank's 2% target and bolstering the case for an interest rate cut next week, but economic turmoil and...

Slovakia's Fico excoriates judge over central banker bribery conviction

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico lambasted a judge who fined central bank Governor Petr Kazimir for corruption on Thursday, saying the judge might be politically motivated and should be probed for...

South African rand falls back after strong gains

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand retreated on Friday following strong recent gains, but analysts said the outlook for the currency remained positive. The rand traded at 17.94...

Trump spurs questions about safety of Germany's gold in New York

FRANKFURT/BERLIN -The safety of Germany's gold reserves held overseas and in New York in particular, until recently mainly a talking point for the country's far-right party and gold bugs, is becoming...

Rupee flips back to monthly decline, lags Asian peers

MUMBAI -The Indian rupee declined by about 1% in May, reversing course after gaining in the previous two months, influenced by factors such as continued uncertainty over U.S. trade policies, gains in...

Dollar mixed on tariff uncertainty, headed for monthly gain against yen

NEW YORK -The dollar was mixed on Friday but on track for the first monthly gain against the Japanese yen this year as investors factored in the likelihood of trade tariffs remaining in some form,...

Fed's Kugler says monitoring markets amid big policy shifts

Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler said on Thursday she's closely watching markets amid substantial shifts in trade policy and possible diminished investor desire to hold U.S. dollar assets.  ...