{
  "id": 1435574,
  "title": "Asian shares rise, dollar slips as markets pare Fed rate risks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/asian-shares-rise-dollar-slips-as-markets-pare-fed-rate-risks",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-17T06:24:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/asian-shares-mark-time-as-gulf-war-keeps-oil-prices-up-4862057"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asian markets saw a slight uptick on Monday, propelled by Chinese equities as investors awaited crucial economic indicators. The U.S. dollar, however, slipped to near two-month lows following a series of disappointing economic data, including a surprise dip in retail sales, which prompted a reassessment of the Federal Reserve's plans for an immediate rate increase. Consequently, the FedWatch tool now assigns a 30% probability of a rate hike next month, down significantly from a 50% estimate a week prior. MSCI's broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan climbed 0.5%, while Japan's Nikkei index edged up 0.3%. Chinese major companies increased by 0.8%, and the Hang Seng index rose 1.6%, ahead of China's economic activity data for July expected later that day. Forecasts suggest a deceleration in industrial output growth to 4.8%, down from 5.3% earlier, but a potential upside is possible due to strong global semiconductor demand last month. South Korean markets were idle on a national holiday. Korean won showed minimal reaction after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in joint military drills with the country. Oil prices fluctuated amid last week's surge, with Iran advocating for a U.S. acceptance of defeat, while Trump advocated for higher gasoline prices during ongoing conflict. At least 11 individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry, marking one of the deadliest incidents since the nation signed a U.S.-mediated peace agreement with Israel. Brent crude prices rose 0.2% to $88.67 per barrel after a 6% increase last week, whereas U.S. crude dropped 0.2% to $82.19 per barrel after a 5.4% gain last week. In spite of the peace framework between Israel and neighboring Israel, the situation in Iran/Hormuz remains unresolved, with oil prices expected to remain within a $70-$100 range, as Iran hinders a drop and the U.S. attempts to mitigate prices above $100, according to Shane Oliver, chief economist at AMP. The risk remains that there will be no lasting peace agreement, oil exports from the Middle East continue to decline 10%-15% from normal levels, and higher oil prices may become necessary as reserves dwindle. In Europe, EUROSTOXX 50 futures rose 0.3%. S&P 500 futures gained 0.1%, having reached a record the previous week, while Nasdaq futures increased 0.3%. The recent surge in stocks has been fueled by the decreasing likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate hike next month. U.S. retail sales declined for the first time in nine months in July, and consumer sentiment deteriorated more than anticipated, adding to weak inflation data. This week's key economic indicator is the August S&P Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) to assess whether the mid-year acceleration in U.S. business activity can be maintained. In bond markets, U.S. Treasury yields fell after finishing mixed the previous week, with the two-year yield dropping 2 basis points to 4.154%, following a 3 basis point decline last week to a seven-week low of 4.0977%. Ten-year yields also decreased 2 basis points to 4.680%, after rising 4 basis points last week. The soft economic data has negatively impacted the dollar, with the euro reaching a two-month high of $1.1588. The Australian and New Zealand dollars also hit 10-week peaks at $0.7105 and $0.5910, respectively. In commodity trading, gold rose 0.4% to $4,391 per ounce, having climbed 0.8% last week.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindu BusinessLine",
        "title": "Dollar weakens as traders pare Fed rate-hike bets: Markets Wrap",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/dollar-weakens-as-traders-pare-fed-rate-hike-bets-markets-wrap",
        "published": "2026-08-17T05:20:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Moneyweb",
        "title": "Dollar weakens as traders pare Fed rate-hike bets: Markets wrap",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/dollar-weakens-as-traders-pare-fed-rate-hike-bets-markets-wrap-1434231",
        "published": "2026-08-17T06:00:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Asian shares rise, dollar slips as markets pare Fed rate risks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/asian-shares-rise-dollar-slips-as-markets-pare-fed-rate-risks-1438279",
        "published": "2026-08-17T06:58:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}