{
  "id": 645826,
  "title": "Dollar ticks up on Iran tensions, with US data in focus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/dollar-ticks-up-on-iran-tensions-with-us-data-in-focus",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-12T08:03:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNA - Business",
    "slug": "cna-business",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/dollar-ticks-up-iran-tensions-us-data-in-focus-6313356"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 12, the U.S. dollar edged upwards due to growing concerns over tensions in the Gulf region. Markets were closely monitoring forthcoming economic data from the United States, which could provide insights into the Federal Reserve's policy direction. Oil prices rose after the U.S. and Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed separate attacks on ships earlier in the week. Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz would remain shut unless Washington complies with its demands. Investors often turn to the dollar as a safe-haven asset when worries about the economic fallout from the potential Iran conflict escalate.\n\nDespite the dollar's gains, Friday's subdued U.S. jobs data did not have a significant impact on the currency. Economists anticipate that subsequent economic indicators will reveal inflation increasing in the previous month, following a drop in June driven by falling oil prices and hopes for an Iran peace agreement. Austan Goolsbee, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, echoed this sentiment on Tuesday, expressing greater concern over excessive inflation rather than a weak labor market.\n\nEconomists anticipate data released later in the session will indicate inflation rose last month after easing in June, when oil prices fell following expectations of an Iran peace deal. Experts believe a modestly weaker set of numbers would shift market expectations for a September Federal Reserve interest rate hike from a 50% probability favoring no change to a 50% probability against no change. The U.S. dollar index, which gauges the dollar's strength against six other currencies, rose 0.05% to 99.85.\n\nThe U.S. Treasury yields and the ongoing removal of expectations for Federal Reserve rate hikes would be key factors supporting the yen. A rate hike from the Bank of Japan would bolster the argument for further policy normalization. The yen weakened by 0.05% against the dollar, reaching its lowest level of the month despite a joint intervention by U.S. and Japanese authorities. The euro also dropped by 0.1% to $1.1534. The Australia dollar declined slightly by 0.1% to $0.7056, while the New Zealand dollar rose after a confidence vote in favor of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was secured.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Dollar ticks up on Iran tensions, with US data in focus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/dollar-ticks-up-on-iran-tensions-with-us-data-in-focus-646035",
        "published": "2026-08-12T08:03:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}