Forex

China’s humanoid robot games expand from niche event to strategic showcase
Beijing’s World Humanoid Robot Games now feature over 100 teams, marking the shift from university contests to a government-backed platform for industrial and consumer robotics.

German CDU leader urges EU tariffs on Chinese hybrid cars
Lower Saxony's CDU chairman calls for swift EU import duties on Chinese hybrid vehicles, citing subsidized competition and rising import pressure. Volkswagen's Wolfsburg base highlighted as regional concern.

Mexico expects trade deal with U.S. to mirror emerging U.S.-Canada pact
Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard anticipates outcomes similar to ongoing U.S.-Canada negotiations. Talks focus on tariff pauses, automotive rules, and North American supply chains.

Central banks hold most gold reserves at Bank of England, World Gold Council data shows
Survey finds 57% of central banks use the Bank of England as a foreign custodian for gold reserves, with Goldman Sachs estimating monthly purchases by official sector at 50 tonnes through 2026.

Swiss franc overtakes yen in carry trade as SNB cheers shift
The Swiss franc has become the preferred funding currency for new carry trades, displacing the yen as global investors seek lower volatility and stable yields. The shift benefits the SNB and Swiss exporters amid a fragile market backdrop.

Swiss wealth managers face high compliance costs under TBTF rules
Regulatory burdens for small Swiss asset managers under new rules exceed CHF 50,000 annually per firm, raising concerns over proportionality and transparency in Finma oversight.

U.S., Iran escalate rhetoric as new sanctions set for Monday rollout
Washington and Tehran exchange threats ahead of Washington’s announcement of sweeping new economic penalties on Iran, while oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain near halt.

U.S. jobless claims drop to 206,000, beating forecasts
Initial unemployment filings fell below expectations for a second straight week, signaling steady labor market conditions despite recent volatility.

NextTrip debuts B2B travel platform for advisors with zero subscription fee
The NASDAQ-listed travel tech firm launches NextTrip Pro, a commission-based platform offering booking tools and group travel management at no cost to qualified travel professionals.

Argentina trade surplus widens to $2.12 bln in July
Exports rose to $8.85 billion while imports climbed to $6.74 billion, exceeding analyst forecasts of $1.85 billion.

Moderna, Merck mRNA cancer vaccine hits milestone in melanoma trial
Combined therapy shows first late-stage success for personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, driving Moderna shares up 150%. Keytruda patent cliff looms as rivals race to replicate results.

China warns U.S. against Iran sanctions escalation after Trump threat
Beijing cautions Washington that further sanctions on Tehran would undermine diplomatic solutions, as Trump threatens a 'trade war' over Iran's nuclear program.

Poland’s industrial output rises 5.1% in July, below forecasts
Factory production growth slowed to 5.1% year-on-year in July, undershooting expectations of a 4.9% gain, as mining and manufacturing momentum eased from June.

U.S. Manufacturing PMI drops to 53.2, undershooting forecasts
Factory activity expansion slows as ISM reading falls short of 54.0 estimate, signaling softer industrial momentum. Dollar sentiment turns cautious.

U.S. crude oil inventories rise 4.4 million barrels, EIA data shows
Commercial stockpiles reach five-year average as gasoline inventories climb. WTI crude and Brent futures edge higher on the day.

Diesel cracks surge above $100/bbl as supply tightens sharply
Record-high diesel crack spreads signal a physical market far tighter than Brent futures suggest, with Middle East and Russian exports down over 50% amid regional conflicts.

Analysis: US Treasury buybacks seen supporting softer dollar, risk appetite
Analysts argue the latest US Treasury intervention signals concern over high bond yields rather than a policy credibility crisis, potentially aiding high-beta and emerging market currencies.

Australia jobless rate climbs to 4.5% as hiring declines in July
Unemployment unexpectedly rose to 4.5% last month, with employment falling by 15,800 jobs, reversing most of June’s gains. Markets trim rate-hike bets ahead of September RBA meeting.

USD/CHF bears regain control as Swiss franc draws haven flows
U.S. Treasury’s expanded long-end buybacks and shifting correlations fuel safe-haven demand for the franc, pushing USD/CHF below key support. Technicals and fundamentals suggest further downside if resistance holds.

Novartis to present cardiovascular data at ESC Congress 2026
Ten abstracts across Novartis's cardiovascular portfolio will highlight Leqvio, abelacimab and Entresto, including late-breaking Phase IV trial results and Lp(a) testing strategies.

Carry traders target Swiss franc as yen loses appeal
Hedge funds boosted net short positions in the Swiss franc to a two-month high as yen carry trades face volatility after recent interventions. Analysts cite low Swiss rates and SNB intervention risks as key drivers.

SEC unveils crypto rules proposal, drawing bipartisan praise
Commissioners Hester Peirce and Paul Atkins commend new SEC framework as a shift from enforcement-only approach to clearer digital asset oversight amid stalled Senate legislation.

EUR/USD breakout tests dollar’s yield-driven support amid Treasury buybacks
Dollar weakens after U.S. Treasury doubles long-end bond buybacks to $4bn, narrowing yield spreads with Germany. EUR/USD eyes 1.1785 after breaking above 200-day average.

Shanghai cuts mortgage down payment to 15% to revive housing demand
City reduces minimum down payment for second homes and offers subsidies up to 80,000 yuan as authorities roll out fresh measures to stabilize the property market.

