IC Markets Asia Fundamental Forecast | 6 August 2025

IC Markets

Commodity

Forex

Economic

Summary:

What happened in the U.S session?

U.S. stocks rebounded from oversold levels, but the macro backdrop remains tentative: jobs growth is soft, services and manufacturing are under pressure, and global trade uncertainty continues to weigh on sentiment. Safe-haven demand held for bonds and gold as prospects for Fed easing increased; the dollar was volatile amid shifting rate outlooks and policy uncertainty. The most-affected assets were technology stocks, exporter equities, Treasuries, the dollar, and industrial commodities like copper. Overall, the session reflected cautious optimism for risk assets but remains highly sensitive to economic data and new trade policy headlines, with defensive positioning prevalent across global markets.

What does it mean for the Asia sessions?

Asian traders should watch for volatility driven by regional data, U.S. tariff fallout, and powerful capital rotation flows. Earnings resilience and currency support remain tailwinds, even as headlines around trade, shipping, and macro releases heighten the potential for sharp, reactive moves throughout Wednesday’s session. Foreign funding rotation into Asian equities remains the dominant theme, aided by currency momentum and robust earnings, but sensitive to policy shifts and global trade headlines.Market focus stays on U.S. tariff escalations and their supply chain impacts, especially for India, South Korea, and China. Wednesday’s inflation prints (China), central bank updates (India), and wage/employment reports (Japan, NZ) are likely to drive near-term volatility, particularly for FX and equities. Watch for further declines in metals and freight rates if Chinese data stays weak, but oil may remain rangebound awaiting fresh supply/demand signals.

The Dollar Index (DXY)

On August 6, 2025, the dollar is showing mild weakness, pressured by increasingly soft domestic economic data, firm bets for Fed rate cuts, and defensive global risk sentiment. The dollar’s trend remains volatile and data-driven, with further swings possible as the macro and policy landscape develops through the week. The U.S. dollar continued to weaken against most major and emerging market currencies, following a sharp drop triggered by soft U.S. ISM PMI and factory order data earlier in the week. The DXY index fell from above 100 to below 99 late last week and has been unable to recover meaningfully, with volatility staying elevated due to shifting Fed expectations.Central Bank Notes:

● The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System voted unanimously to maintain the Federal Funds Rate in a target range of 4.25% to 4.50% at its meeting on July 29–30, 2025, keeping policy unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting.

● The Committee reiterated its objective of achieving maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2% over the longer run. While uncertainty around the economic outlook has diminished since earlier in the year, the Committee notes that challenges remain and continued vigilance is warranted.

● Policymakers remain highly attentive to risks on both sides of their dual mandate. The unemployment rate remains low, near 4.2%–4.5%, and labor market conditions are described as solid. However, inflation is still somewhat elevated, with the PCE price index at 2.6% and core inflation forecast at 3.1% for year-end 2025, up from earlier projections; tariff-related pressures are cited as a contributing factor.

● The Committee acknowledged that recent economic activity has expanded at a solid pace, with second-quarter annualized growth estimates near 2.4%. However, GDP growth for 2025 has been revised downward to 1.4% (from 1.7% projected in March), reflecting expectations of a slowdown in the coming quarters.

● In the revised Summary of Economic Projections, the unemployment rate is expected to average 4.5% in 2025, and headline PCE inflation is forecast at 3.0% for the year, with core PCE at 3.1%. Policymakers continue to anticipate that inflation will moderate gradually, with ongoing risks from tariffs and global conditions.

● The Committee reaffirmed its data-dependent and risk-aware approach to future policy decisions. Officials stated they are prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede progress toward the Fed’s goals.

● As previously outlined, the Committee continues the measured run-off of its securities holdings. The pace of balance sheet reduction, which slowed since April (monthly redemption cap on Treasury securities reduced from $25B to $5B, while holding agency MBS cap steady at $35B), was left unchanged this month to support orderly market functioning and financial conditions.

● The next meeting is scheduled for 16 to 17 September 2025.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Weak Bearish

Gold (XAU)

Gold continues to trade near all-time highs, underpinned by dovish Fed expectations, robust safe-haven demand, and ongoing political and trade uncertainty, even as minor U.S. dollar strength briefly caps further gains. The outlook remains bullish-to-neutral with volatility likely as global headline risk persists. Gold remains supported by a surge in expectations for a September interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve, triggered by last week’s weak jobs data and ongoing economic softness. Market participants currently price in about an 81% chance of a rate cut in September, with at least two cuts forecast before year-end.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Medium Bullish

The Australian Dollar (AUD)

The Australian Dollar starts August 6 on the defensive, trading at multi-month lows versus the U.S. dollar as the RBA is expected to cut rates, and labor data signal ongoing softening. Modest gains in household spending and services activity offer some support, but the overall trend remains weak amid global and local headwinds. Markets are positioned for further volatility tied to monetary policy, jobs data, and global macro developments.

Central Bank Notes:

● The RBA held its cash rate steady at 3.85% at the July meeting on 8 July 2025, following a 25bps reduction in May and in line with widespread market expectations after recent data showed inflation tracking within the target band.

● Inflation continues to ease from its peak, with higher interest rates helping to rebalance demand and supply across the Australian economy. Data for the June quarter signaled ongoing progress, though underlying pressures persist in certain sectors.

● Trimmed mean inflation for the June quarter likely remained near 2.9% and headline CPI around 2.4%, both within the RBA’s 2–3% target range. The Board noted further evidence of inflation convergence, but flagged that not all price categories are moving in tandem.

● Financial markets have shown increased volatility in the wake of global tariff and trade policy developments—especially as a result of recent U.S. and EU announcements. This has pushed asset prices higher but contributed to an uncertain outlook for domestic growth and employment.

● Private domestic demand showed a tentative recovery. Real household incomes improved and signs of easing household financial stress emerged, but some business sectors continued to face subdued demand, limiting their ability to pass on cost increases.

● Labour market conditions remained tight overall. Employment continued to expand, with low rates of underutilization. Business surveys suggest labour availability remains a constraint, though there are signs of a gradual easing compared to earlier in 2025.

● Underlying wage growth softened modestly, though unit labour cost growth remains elevated due to below-trend productivity gains. The Board remains attentive to developments in wage and productivity dynamics as cost pressures continue to evolve.

● Uncertainties persist for both domestic activity and inflation. Consumption growth has risen, but more slowly than anticipated three months ago, with global and domestic factors both contributing to the cautious outlook.

● There remains a risk that household spending picks up more slowly than forecast, which could result in ongoing subdued aggregate demand and a sharper deterioration in employment conditions.

● Given that inflation is expected to remain around the target band, the Board judged that it was appropriate to keep policy settings unchanged in July, maintaining a position that is still mildly restrictive.

● The Board continues to monitor all incoming data and assesses risks carefully, with a focus on global trends, domestic demand indicators, inflation outcomes, and the labour market outlook.

● The RBA remains committed to its mandate of price stability and full employment and stands ready to adjust policy as needed to achieve these objectives.

● The next meeting is on 11 to 12 August 2025.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Weak Bearish

The Kiwi Dollar (NZD)

The NZD is moderately bearish as of Wednesday, pressured by rising expectations of an RBNZ rate cut, global trade headwinds (especially new U.S. tariffs), and subdued domestic economic momentum. Markets are defensive awaiting the Q2 jobs report and central bank policy updates, with risks skewed to further downside if local or external data disappoints. The New Zealand Dollar remains weak, trading at $0.589 against the U.S. dollar, near two-month lows and down roughly 1.8% over the past month. The currency has been in a mild downtrend ahead of crucial Q2 labor data, with the market anticipating a higher jobless rate and slower wage growth.

Central Bank Notes:

● The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) agreed to hold the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3.25% on 9 July, marking the first pause following six consecutive rate cuts.

● The MPC cited heightened uncertainty and near-term inflation risks as reasons to wait until August for further action.

● Although the annual consumer price index inflation increased to 2.5% in the first quarter of 2025, it remained within the MPC’s target range of 1 to 3%, noting that the outlook for medium-term inflation pressures has evolved broadly in line with the May MPS projections.

● While it is expected to be near the upper end of the band in the second and third quarters of this year, easing core inflation and spare capacity in the economy should help return it toward the 2% midpoint over time.

● The MPC noted that, despite global factors, domestic financial conditions are evolving broadly as expected, as mortgage and deposit interest rates have continued to decline, reflecting a lower OCR, strong bank liquidity, and soft credit growth.

● In aggregate, GDP growth over the December and March quarters was stronger than expected, reflecting a pickup in household consumption and business investment. However, higher-frequency indicators suggest weaker-than-expected growth in April and May.

● Large economic policy shifts overseas and concerns about sovereign risk could result in additional financial market volatility and increased bond yields, while prolonged economic uncertainty might induce further precautionary behaviour by households and firms, slowing the domestic economic recovery.

● Subject to medium-term inflation pressures continuing to ease in line with the Committee’s central projections, the Committee expects to lower the OCR further, broadly consistent with the projection outlined in May.

● The next meeting is on 20 August 2025.

Next 24 Hours Bias

Weak Bearish

The Japanese Yen (JPY)

The Japanese yen is holding its recent gains and remains in demand as a global safe-haven, supported by cautious BOJ policy commentary, elevated global trade risks, and persistent volatility in risk assets. Daily direction for the yen is firm to bullish on Wednesday, 6 August 2025. Over the last week, the yen appreciated notably, benefiting from a global unwind of yen carry trades and rising investor risk aversion. The currency remains up over 2% from last Friday’s lows after safe-haven flows boosted demand for the yen.

Central Bank Notes:

● The Policy Board of the Bank of Japan decided on 31 July, by a unanimous vote, to set the following guidelines for money market operations for the inter-meeting period:

● The Bank will encourage the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain at around 0.5%.

● The BOJ will maintain its gradual reduction of monthly outright purchases of Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs). The scheduled amount of long-term government bond purchases will, in principle, continue to decrease by about ¥400 billion each quarter from January to March 2026, and by about ¥200 billion each quarter from April to June 2026 onward, targeting a purchase level near ¥2 trillion in January to March 2027.

● Japan’s economy is experiencing a moderate recovery overall, though some sectors remain sluggish. Overseas economies are generally growing moderately, but recent trade policies in major economies have introduced pockets of weakness. Exports and industrial production in Japan are essentially flat, with any uptick largely driven by front-loaded demand ahead of U.S. tariff increases.

● On the price front, the year-on-year rate of change in consumer prices (excluding fresh food) remains in the mid-3% range. This reflects continued wage pass-through, previous import cost surges, and further increases in food prices, particularly rice. Expectations for future inflation have begun to rise moderately.

● The effects of the earlier import price and food cost increases are expected to fade during the outlook period. There may be a temporary stagnation in core inflation as overall growth momentum softens.

● Looking forward, the economy is likely to see a slower growth pace in the near term as overseas economies feel the pinch of ongoing global trade policies, putting downward pressure on Japanese corporate profits. Accommodative financial conditions are expected to buffer these headwinds somewhat. In the medium term, as global growth recovers, Japan’s growth rate is also expected to improve.

● With renewed economic expansion, intensifying labor shortages, and a steady rise in medium- to long-term expected inflation rates, core inflation is projected to gradually pick up. By the latter half of the BOJ’s projection period, inflation is forecast to move in line with the 2% price stability target.

● There are multiple risks to the outlook, with especially elevated uncertainty regarding the future path of global trade policies and overseas price trends. The BOJ will continue to closely monitor their impact on financial and foreign exchange markets, as well as on Japan’s economy and inflation.

● The next meeting is scheduled for 17 to 18 September 2025.

Next 24 Hours BiasStrong Bullish

Oil

Oil prices are under clear pressure on August 6, 2025, as the market digests a major OPEC+ output hike and renewed geopolitical tensions from U.S. sanctions threats and ongoing Russian supply risks. The near-term outlook remains weak to bearish, barring a meaningful supply disruption or positive surprise in macroeconomic data.OPEC+ agreed to increase production by 547,000 barrels per day for September, completing the reversal of previous supply cuts. The significant rise in OPEC+ supply is a primary factor weighing on prices as traders now fear a burgeoning glut, especially amid signs of softer global demand.Next 24 Hours Bias

Weak Bearish

Source: IC Markets

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