IC – Asia Fundamental Forecast | 08 September 2026

IC – Asia Fundamental Forecast | 08 September 2026

What happened in the U.S. session?

The combination of stronger U.S. employment data and a renewed oil-driven inflation shock. The strong jobs report has increased the possibility of a Fed rate hike this month, supporting Treasury yields, but the dollar has struggled to sustain its gains. Meanwhile, escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil sharply higher, creating another potential source of inflation. With U.S. CPI due Friday, markets are likely to remain highly sensitive to oil prices, Treasury yields and Fed expectations throughout the week.

What does it mean for the Asia Session?

The escalating U.S.–Iran confrontation and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz are keeping oil prices elevated and increasing inflation concerns globally. At the same time, expectations of tighter Japanese monetary policy are supporting the yen, while Asian equities remain vulnerable to any renewed deterioration in risk sentiment.
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The Dollar Index (DXY)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from DXY today?

The dollar has a mixed but increasingly rate-sensitive outlook today. Strong U.S. employment data and rising inflation concerns are bullish factors, but USD/JPY weakness, expectations of BoJ tightening and the euro’s potential support from an ECB hike are limiting dollar gains. Friday’s U.S. CPI will be the key event to watch, with a hotter reading likely to strengthen the dollar and a softer reading potentially triggering further weakness.

Central Bank Notes:

• The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% at its July 28–29, 2026, meeting, marking the fifth consecutive meeting without a policy change. The Committee voted 9–3 to maintain rates, with three members dissenting in favor of a 25-basis-point rate hike, highlighting growing concern among some policymakers that inflation remains too high.
• The Committee reaffirmed its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. Officials noted that the labor market remains resilient, with job gains broadly keeping pace with labor force growth and the unemployment rate remaining relatively stable. The FOMC continues to view employment conditions as consistent with a healthy economy while remaining vigilant for signs of labor market weakening.
• Inflation remains the Committee’s primary concern. While some recent inflation data have shown moderation, overall price pressures remain above the Fed’s 2% target. Policymakers emphasized that elevated inflation continues to be driven in part by higher energy prices and persistent supply-side pressures, leading the Committee to maintain a restrictive monetary policy stance.
• Economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty. Strong productivity growth, business investment, and continued spending related to artificial intelligence remain supportive of economic growth. However, the FOMC acknowledged that geopolitical tensions, particularly developments affecting global energy markets, continue to pose risks to both inflation and the broader economic outlook.
• The July meeting highlighted increasing divisions within the Committee. Three policymakers—Beth Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie Logan—voted against the majority, preferring an immediate rate increase. This unusually large number of dissents reflects growing concern among some officials that inflation could remain persistent and may require additional policy tightening if progress stalls.
• Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated that future policy decisions will remain strictly data-dependent. He avoided providing explicit forward guidance, emphasizing that upcoming decisions will depend on incoming inflation, employment, and growth data. Warsh also stressed that the Committee remains fully committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective and is prepared to act if inflationary pressures intensify.
• The FOMC continues its balance sheet normalization program without changes. The Federal Reserve will maintain Treasury runoff caps at $5 billion per month and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) runoff caps at $35 billion per month, while continuing to ensure ample reserves remain available within the banking system.
• The next meeting is scheduled for 15 to 16 September 2026.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Medium Bullish 

Gold (XAU)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from Gold today?

Gold is under pressure as stronger U.S. employment data has pushed Fed rate-hike expectations higher and lifted Treasury yields. The upcoming U.S. PPI and CPI reports are likely to be the major catalysts this week. A hotter inflation reading could extend the bearish move toward lower support, while softer inflation could weaken the dollar/yields and give gold room to recover. Geopolitical tensions and continued central-bank buying provide a counterweight to the near-term bearish pressure.

Next 24 Hours Bias
Medium Bullish

The Australian Dollar (AUD)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from AUD today?

The Australian dollar is starting the week on strong footing, with RBA rate-hike expectations and stronger Australian growth providing the main bullish catalysts. AUD/USD is holding around the 0.72 region, while traders will increasingly focus on U.S. inflation data and upcoming RBA communication for the next major directional move. A sustained break above recent highs could extend the Aussie rally, while a stronger-than-expected U.S. CPI reading could trigger a pullback.

Central Bank Notes:

• The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to maintain a cautious, data-dependent policy stance heading into its September 2026 Monetary Policy Meeting. The Cash Rate Target remains at 4.35%, following three increases earlier in 2026. The RBA has indicated that monetary policy needs to remain sufficiently restrictive to bring inflation back toward the 2–3% target while allowing the Board to assess the effects of previous tightening on household demand, employment and economic activity.
• Inflation remains the central issue for the September meeting, although headline price pressures have continued to moderate. Australia’s CPI rose 3.8% year-on-year in June 2026, down from 4.0% in May, while trimmed-mean inflation remained at 3.6%. This suggests that underlying inflation is proving more persistent than headline inflation and remains above the RBA’s 2–3% target band. Housing costs continue to be an important source of inflationary pressure, while the end of some electricity rebates has also contributed significantly to household costs.
• The August and September inflation data will be particularly important for determining the RBA’s next move. The ABS is scheduled to release July 2026 CPI on 26 August, giving policymakers a fresh inflation reading before the September meeting. The data will help determine whether the recent moderation in headline inflation is becoming more broad-based or whether services and domestic cost pressures remain stubborn.
• The labour market remains relatively resilient, but there are early signs of moderation. Australia’s unemployment rate was 4.4% in June, while employment increased by approximately 76,300 people and the participation rate rose to 67.0%. The increase in employment provides the RBA with room to keep policy restrictive, although rising unemployment or a significant decline in employment growth could strengthen the case for eventually easing monetary policy.
• Wage growth will remain an important indicator for the September decision. The latest available Wage Price Index showed wages increasing 0.8% quarter-on-quarter and 3.3% year-on-year in the March quarter. The June-quarter wage data is scheduled for release on 19 August 2026, meaning the RBA will have this information available before its September meeting. A stronger-than-expected wage result could reinforce concerns about persistent domestic inflation, while softer wage growth would support the argument that inflation is gradually returning toward target.
• Household demand and economic growth will remain closely monitored. Higher borrowing costs continue to place pressure on mortgage holders and discretionary household spending. At the same time, improving real incomes and easing headline inflation could gradually support consumption later in the year. The RBA will therefore need to balance the risk of keeping rates restrictive for too long against the risk of easing policy before underlying inflation has been sufficiently contained.
• Global economic and commodity-market conditions remain an important risk for Australia. Developments in energy prices, geopolitical tensions and China’s economic performance could have significant implications for Australia’s inflation and export outlook. A renewed increase in energy prices could raise Australia’s inflation outlook, while weaker Chinese demand could weigh on commodity exports, business activity and overall economic growth.
• Financial markets are likely to remain highly sensitive to incoming inflation and employment data. With the cash rate already at 4.35%, markets will closely assess whether the RBA is approaching the end of its tightening cycle or whether another increase could become necessary. A sustained decline in underlying inflation and weaker domestic demand would strengthen expectations for eventual rate cuts, while persistent services inflation, strong wages or renewed energy-price pressures could keep the possibility of another hike alive.
  
  
• The next meeting is on 28 to 29 September 2026.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Strong Bullish

The Kiwi Dollar (NZD)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from NZD today?

The NZD enters Tuesday with a bearish bias despite the RBNZ’s 25-bp hike to 2.75%. The central bank is tightening because inflation is still above target, but its cautious assessment of domestic growth and employment has limited the positive impact on the currency. Meanwhile, oil-price volatility remains a major swing factor for New Zealand inflation and monetary policy.

Central Bank Notes:

• The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) raised the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 2.75% at its 2 September 2026 Monetary Policy Statement meeting. The decision was reached by consensus, marking another step in the Bank’s tightening cycle as policymakers seek to bring inflation sustainably back toward the 2% midpoint.
• Inflation remains the key reason behind the RBNZ’s tightening stance. Annual consumer inflation increased to 4.1% in the June 2026 quarter, driven largely by higher fuel prices associated with the Middle East conflict. The RBNZ expects inflation to remain above 3% for the remainder of 2026 before returning to the 1–3% target range next year and moving toward the 2% midpoint.
• Energy prices and geopolitical developments remain an important upside risk to inflation. Higher petrol and diesel prices have increased transportation and production costs, feeding into prices for goods and services such as food and air travel. The RBNZ remains concerned that renewed increases in energy prices could make inflation more persistent than currently expected.
• The RBNZ indicated that further OCR increases may still be required this year, but policy is not on a predetermined path. Future decisions will depend on the balance of risks to medium-term inflation, including inflation expectations, domestic price pressures, economic activity and the response of households and businesses to tighter financial conditions.
• New Zealand’s economic recovery appears to have resumed, although growth remains uneven. Economic activity was lacklustre during the June quarter as higher fuel costs reduced household purchasing power. However, stronger export prices and resilient demand from trading partners are supporting income growth and investment, particularly in export-oriented sectors.
• Household demand and the housing market remain areas of weakness. Weak income growth, job insecurity and relatively flat house prices continue to weigh on household spending and residential investment, particularly in Auckland and Wellington. The RBNZ nevertheless expects the recovery to strengthen gradually as inflation declines and purchasing power improves.
• The labour market remains relatively soft, but the Bank expects conditions to improve as economic activity strengthens. High unemployment and subdued household demand remain concerns, but stronger economic growth should gradually encourage businesses to increase hiring. This creates a delicate balance for the RBNZ between containing inflation and avoiding unnecessary weakness in employment and output.
• The RBNZ continues to see strong export performance as an important support for the economy. New Zealand’s agricultural and other export sectors are benefiting from resilient global demand and strong commodity prices, helping offset weakness in domestic consumption and residential investment.
• The next meeting is on 28 October 2026.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Medium Bullish

The Japanese Yen (JPY)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from JPY today?

The Japanese yen enters Tuesday with strong bullish momentum after a sharp recovery against the U.S. dollar. The combination of rising BOJ rate-hike expectations, previous Japanese intervention, carry-trade unwinding and dollar weakness is supporting JPY. The key levels to watch are 155 on USD/JPY, followed by the 154 area; sustained trading below these levels could reinforce the bearish USD/JPY trend. However, Friday’s U.S. CPI and the BOJ’s September meeting remain major catalysts that could determine whether the yen’s rally continues.

Central Bank Notes:

• The Bank of Japan (BOJ) maintained the short-term policy rate at 1.00% at its 30–31 July 2026 Monetary Policy Meeting. The decision reflected confidence that Japan’s economy continues to recover moderately, while policymakers judged that further tightening should proceed gradually as they assess incoming data and the sustainability of inflation.
• The BOJ continues to guide the uncollateralized overnight call rate at around 1.00%, emphasizing that future policy adjustments will remain data-dependent. The Bank reiterated that any additional rate increases will depend on sustained wage growth, inflation remaining durably around or above the 2% target, stable financial markets, and resilient domestic demand rather than following a predetermined path.
• The Bank will continue reducing its purchases of Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) in line with its previously announced tapering plan while maintaining flexibility to conduct market operations if excessive volatility threatens financial stability. Policymakers also remain attentive to sharp movements in the yen and their potential impact on inflation and financial conditions.
• Japan’s economy continues to expand at a moderate pace, supported by firm domestic consumption, strong corporate investment, improving labor market conditions, and recovering global demand. However, uncertainty surrounding global trade, geopolitical developments, and external manufacturing activity continues to pose downside risks to the growth outlook.
• Underlying inflation continues to strengthen. While headline inflation has moderated somewhat due to easing energy prices, core inflation remains above the BOJ’s 2% objective, supported by broad-based services inflation, rising labor costs, and stronger pricing behavior among firms. The BOJ now sees upside risks to medium-term inflation from persistent wage growth and structural price-setting changes.
• Domestic inflationary pressures remain supported by robust wage settlements, persistent labor shortages, and continued pass-through of higher labor costs into services prices. At the same time, policymakers are closely monitoring the effects of yen depreciation, which could accelerate imported inflation if sustained, even as lower commodity and energy prices provide some offset.
• The BOJ expects real GDP growth to remain moderate over the near term as accommodative financial conditions, rising household incomes, and business investment continue to support activity. Nevertheless, policymakers acknowledge that tighter global financial conditions, weaker external demand, and geopolitical uncertainty could temporarily restrain growth.
• Looking ahead, the BOJ maintains that if inflation continues to stabilize around its 2% objective alongside sustained wage gains and economic expansion, further gradual policy normalization remains appropriate. Financial markets generally expect another 25-basis-point rate increase later in 2026, although the timing will depend on incoming economic and inflation data.
• The next meeting is on 17 to 18 September 2026.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Strong Bullish

Oil

Key news events today

API Crude Oil Stock (8:30 pm GMT)

What can we expect from Oil today?

Oil remains strongly supported as geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran intensify and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz threatens global supply. Brent is now approaching $100, with WTI above $92, while OPEC+’s decision to keep October output steady provides little additional supply relief. For traders, Hormuz developments, tanker traffic, and any signs of escalation or de-escalation are likely to remain the key catalysts for oil this week.

Next 24 Hours Bias
Strong Bullish

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