Overview
- Brent crude futures traded above $100 a barrel, intensifying concerns over energy-driven inflation and slower global growth.
- The US Dollar Index hovered near 99.44, close to its strongest since November, even as it eased slightly in late trading.
- Market gauges from LSEG and CME FedWatch signaled rising odds of an ECB hike as early as June and potential RBA increases, with Fed easing pushed to at least September.
- The euro slipped to about $1.1540 and the yen weakened to roughly 159.23 per dollar, moves analysts linked to heavier exposure to imported energy.
- Risk signals were mixed as cryptocurrencies fell, while spot gold gained on softer Treasury yields and a modest pullback in the dollar.