• BUSINESS
    • FINANCE
    • LEGAL
    • RETAIL & CONSUMER
    • AUTOS & TRANSPORTATION
    • HEALTHCARE & PHARMACEUTICALS
    • MEDIA & TELECOM
    • AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE
    • ENERGY
  • MARKETS
    • EUROPEAN MARKETS
    • ASIAN MARKETS
    • U.S. MARKETS
    • COMMODITIES
    • EMERGING MARKETS
    • DEALS
    • RATES & BONDS
  • WORLD
    • UNITED STATES
    • EUROPE
    • UNITED KINGDOM
    • ASIA PACIFIC
    • MIDDLE EAST
    • AFRICA
    • CHINA
    • INDIA
    • JAPAN
    • AMERICAS
    • FRANCE
    • GERMANY
  • POLITICS
    • GOVERNMENT
    • UNITED STATES
    • US SUPREME COURT
  • TECH
    • ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
    • CYBERSECURITY
    • SPACE
    • DISRUPTED
  • COMMENTARY
  • BREAKINGVIEWS
    • BREAKINGVIEWS PREDICTIONS
  • MONEY
    • WEALTH
    • FUNDS
    • ETFS
  • LIFE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • SPORTS
    • SCIENCE
  • SECTORS
    • ENERGY
    • HEALTHCARE
    • MEDIA & TELECOM
    • SUSTAINABILITY
    • ENVIRONMENT
    • RETAIL & CONSUMER
    • AUTOS & TRANSPORTATION
    • AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE
FinanceTime
  • August 22nd, 2026

FinanceTimeFinancetime

  • BUSINESS
    • FINANCE
    • LEGAL
    • RETAIL & CONSUMER
    • AUTOS & TRANSPORTATION
    • HEALTHCARE & PHARMACEUTICALS
    • MEDIA & TELECOM
    • AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE
    • ENERGY
  • MARKETS
    • EUROPEAN MARKETS
    • ASIAN MARKETS
    • U.S. MARKETS
    • COMMODITIES
    • EMERGING MARKETS
    • DEALS
    • RATES & BONDS
  • WORLD
    • UNITED STATES
    • EUROPE
    • UNITED KINGDOM
    • ASIA PACIFIC
    • MIDDLE EAST
    • AFRICA
    • CHINA
    • INDIA
    • JAPAN
    • AMERICAS
    • FRANCE
    • GERMANY
  • POLITICS
    • GOVERNMENT
    • UNITED STATES
    • US SUPREME COURT
  • TECH
    • ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
    • CYBERSECURITY
    • SPACE
    • DISRUPTED
  • COMMENTARY
  • BREAKINGVIEWS
    • BREAKINGVIEWS PREDICTIONS
  • MONEY
    • WEALTH
    • FUNDS
    • ETFS
  • LIFE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • SPORTS
    • SCIENCE
  • SECTORS
    • ENERGY
    • HEALTHCARE
    • MEDIA & TELECOM
    • SUSTAINABILITY
    • ENVIRONMENT
    • RETAIL & CONSUMER
    • AUTOS & TRANSPORTATION
    • AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE
A man walks past an electronic screen displaying the current Japanese yen exchange rate against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies after Japan and the United States conducted coordinated yen-buying intervention, in Tokyo, Japan, August 3, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato
A man walks past an electronic screen displaying the current Japanese yen exchange rate against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies after Japan and the United States conducted coordinated yen-buying intervention, in Tokyo, Japan, August 3, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato
A notepad in front of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent reads "To Do Buy Japanese Yen $5-10 bil" as he participates in a cabinet meeting at Camp David, Maryland, U.S., July 31, 2026. The note, photographed at 11:33 EDT, came after Reuters earlier reported the Treasury had put banks on alert for a possible U.S. intervention in the market for Japan's currency. REUTERS/Daniel Heuer
A notepad in front of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent reads "To Do Buy Japanese Yen $5-10 bil" as he participates in a cabinet meeting at Camp David, Maryland, U.S., July 31, 2026. The note, photographed at 11:33 EDT, came after Reuters earlier reported the Treasury had put banks on alert for a possible U.S. intervention in the market for Japan's currency. REUTERS/Daniel Heuer
Home
World
China

Take Five: Markets aren't going on a summer holiday

August 7th, 2026 | 08:05 AM WORLD China 4

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest

Worth reading...

Global equity fund inflows hit three-week high before late selloff
Taiwan warns off, shadows Chinese research ship sailing to its west
India set to approve $1.2 billion incentive plan to make building equipment, sources say
Hong Kong court convicts Tiananmen vigil group of inciting subversion
By Reuters

No time for a break. Even in the middle of August, there is plenty of market news to watch.

There's possibly more U.S.-Japanese intervention to support the yen, key economic data, and, whether the U.S. will accept an emerging interim deal being negotiated by Iran and Oman that would give Tehran control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Here's ​all you need to know about the coming week in financial markets from Amanda Cooper, Dhara Ranasinghe and Alun John in London, Lewis Krauskopf in ‌New York and Rae Wee in Singapore.

1/ THE ANGEL FROM MY NIGHTMARE

A currency languishing at four-decade lows — making fuel imports more expensive during an energy shock — is a nightmare for any policymaker. Right now, that policymaker is in Japan.

Cue Scott Bessent and a well-timed photograph of the U.S. Treasury Secretary's "to-do" list mentioning purchases of yen. Coupled with a rare joint U.S.-Japanese intervention to stem yen weakness, it may have eased ​Tokyo's concerns.

Job done? Not quite.

FX traders still have plenty of unanswered questions.

First, will policymakers signal that Japan's central bank is preparing a September rate hike to reinforce ​the yen's rebound? Then there is the bigger question over the use of euros rather than dollars in the U.S. intervention.

Some analysts say ⁠that suggests the U.S. Treasury does not want bond market strains worsened by foreign central banks selling Treasuries to fund currency-support operations. The debate over the resilience of the dollar's reserve-currency ​status is far from over.

2/FUDGE IT

Investors are clutching at yet another deal to end the Gulf conflict and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This time, the talks involve Iran and ​Oman, with no U.S. involvement, or sign-off, so far.

But with the conflict entering its 24th week, expectations that any agreement will hold remain modest. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias have attacked Saudi Arabia and targeted tankers in the Red Sea, another key route for Gulf oil exports.

With less than five months until midterm elections, the U.S. president wants a deal. Gas prices remain stubbornly above $4 a gallon and, while inflation is ​not as bad as feared, it's a problem with voters.

For now, optimism about earnings growth and the potential for AI-driven productivity gains may calm investors and encourage acceptance of a ​near-term fudge for the strait.

3/ SPOTLIGHT ON INFLATION

U.S. inflation data on Wednesday could add to growing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

Economists polled by Reuters expect the July consumer price index ‌to rise ⁠3.4% year on year. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is forecast to increase 2.5% annually.

Producer price data due a day later will provide a fuller picture of inflation. CPI and PPI figures in the previous month were softer than expected, but inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target.

Retail sales data on August 14 cap a busy week for economic releases.

The Fed held rates steady last month, but three policymakers dissented in favour of a hike. Markets are pricing in roughly even odds of a hike at the Fed's next meeting in ​September.

4/ TIGHTENING CYCLE OVER?

Things are different down ​under.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected ⁠to leave rates unchanged on Tuesday as policymakers assess whether the three hikes delivered this year have done enough to tame inflation.

Recent data showed consumer prices rose at a slower pace in the June quarter, a day after RBA Governor Michele Bullock said the central bank stood ​ready to raise rates again if needed.

Analysts suspect the RBA to maintain a hawkish stance.

Also in the tightening camp, Norges Bank ​meets on Thursday but ⁠is similarly expected to keep rates on hold, after Norway's core inflation slowed in June.

5/ AN ECONOMIC BURNHAM BOUNCE?

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be hoping for good news when Britain publishes GDP data on Thursday for both the second quarter and June.

The monthly figures could see a bounce. June retail sales were unexpectedly strong, helped by spending linked to the soccer World Cup and hot weather.

Lower ⁠energy prices that ​month during the short-lived U.S.-Iran deal could also have helped.

However, the quarterly figure could be less encouraging, ​as strong growth in the first three months of the year fizzled out in April and May.

Still, Burnham, who took power in July, will be hoping for a surprise similar to that seen in the euro zone. Preliminary ​data showed the bloc expanded faster than expected in the second quarter. An updated euro zone estimate is also due Thursday.

  • Topic
  • GLOBAL
  • MARKETS/THEMES (PIX)
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article Global equity fund inflows hit three-week high before late selloff

Related Posts

China
August 21st, 2026

Global equity fund inflows hit three-week high before late selloff

China
August 21st, 2026

Taiwan warns off, shadows Chinese research ship sailing to its west

China
August 21st, 2026

India set to approve $1.2 billion incentive plan to make building equipm...

China
August 21st, 2026

Hong Kong court convicts Tiananmen vigil group of inciting subversion

China
August 21st, 2026

Morning Bid: So much for the Bessent bid

China
August 21st, 2026

Asia shares downbeat for week as bond yields, oil stay high

The Wire
Aug 21st 1 day ago
Government

Trump administration moves to end attorney group's law scho...

Aug 21st 1 day ago
Africa

First migrants buried in Spain's Ceuta after deadly border ...

Aug 21st 1 day ago
Americas

Lula, Trump discuss tariffs in phone call, Brazil says

Aug 21st 1 day ago
World

US plans $725 million payment towards its large UN debt

Aug 21st 1 day ago
Middle East

NATO members discuss Strait of Hormuz options without allia...

TRENDING ON FINANCETIME
Aug 21st, 2026 Americas

Mexican governor accused by US of cartel ties returns to office

Aug 21st, 2026 Middle East

Turkey to seek Interpol notice for Netanyahu in Gaza flotilla case

Aug 21st, 2026 Litigation

Explainer: Why is Trump talking about the Keystone XL oil pipeline?

Aug 21st, 2026 Wealth

Guggenheim fund hits 17-year low after short-seller claims

Aug 21st, 2026 Wealth

Ken Griffin's Citadel sheds over $4 billion of Situational Awareness' bets

Markets-Sectors
ENERGY -0.20%
FINANCIALS +0.93%
TECHNOLOGY +0.14%

  • BUSINESS
  • MARKETS
  • WORLD
  • POLITICS
  • TECH
  • COMMENTARY
  • BREAKINGVIEWS
  • MONEY
  • LIFE
  • SECTORS
  • Back to top
FinanceTime
FinanceTime

World Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News

Additional Services
  • Privacy-Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© Financetime.org 2026. All rights reserved. Hosted by LeadsDeposit.com
Produced by C-iT