{
  "id": 1438279,
  "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",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-17T06:58:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/08/1512987/asian-shares-rise-dollar-slips-markets-pare-fed-rate-risks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asian shares rose on Monday, buoyed by Chinese stocks ahead of crucial economic data, while investors monitored oil prices after recent sharp gains driven by an ongoing stalemate in the Gulf conflict. The US dollar declined, nearing two-month lows, after a series of lackluster economic data, including an unexpected dip in retail sales, prompted markets to abandon expectations of an imminent rate increase from the Federal Reserve. The probability of a rate hike next month now stands at 30%, down significantly from around 50% a week ago, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. MSCI's Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japan, climbed 0.50%, and Japan's Nikkei index edged up by 0.30%. Chinese blue-chip stocks increased by 0.80%, and the Hang Seng index gained 1.60%, ahead of China's July economic activity data. Investors are anticipating a slowdown in industrial output growth to 4.80% from the previous 5.30%, but could brace for an upside surprise due to robust global artificial intelligence demand boosting exports last month. South Korean markets were closed for a public holiday on Monday. Korean won showed minimal reaction following US President Donald Trump's directive to the Pentagon to considerably reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Oil prices fluctuated following last week's gains, with Iran urging the US to concede defeat, while Trump advised Americans to accept higher gasoline prices amid the conflict. At least 11 individuals were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. Brent crude rose 0.20% to $88.67 a barrel, up 6% from last week, while US crude fell 0.20% to $82.19 a barrel, after gaining 5.40% the previous week. Despite the ongoing Iran/Hormuz impasse, the base case remains that oil prices will remain between $70 and $100, with Iran preventing prices from dropping and the US attempting to calm the situation when they surpass $100, according to Shane Oliver, chief economist at AMP. The risk persists that there will be no lasting peace deal, oil exports from the Middle East will continue at 10%-15% below normal levels, and higher oil prices will be inevitable as reserves dwindle. In Europe, EUROSTOXX 50 futures rose by 0.30%. S&P 500 futures increased by 0.10%, having reached a record high the previous week, while Nasdaq futures surged by 0.30%. The upward trend in stocks has been fueled by decreasing risk of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike next month. US retail sales declined for the first time in nine months in July, and consumer sentiment worsened more than anticipated, adding to soft inflation readings. Earnings this week are lighter, with Home Depot, Target, and Walmart among the companies anticipated to be scrutinized for the strength of US consumers. The primary data point this week is the August S&P Purchasing Managers' Indices (PMIs) to determine whether the mid-year acceleration in US business activity can be maintained. In bond markets, US Treasury yields decreased after finishing mixed last week, with the two-year yield falling 2 basis points to 4.15%, down from last week's 4.10% low. Ten-year yields slipped 2 basis points to 4.68%, after rising 4 basis points the previous week. The soft data has negatively impacted the dollar, with the euro hitting a two-month high of $1.1588. The Australian and New Zealand dollars also reached 10-week peaks at $0.7105 and $0.5910, respectively. In commodity markets, gold rebounded by 0.40% to $4,391 an ounce, having climbed 0.80% the previous week.",
  "summary": "SYDNEY: Asian shares edged higher on Monday, led by Chinese stocks ahead of key economic data, while investors kept a wary eye on oil prices after sizeable gains last week amid a stalemate in the Gulf conflict.",
  "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": "Investing.com",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-17T06:24:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}