- Asian equity markets rose this week as a slew of data confirmed that the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its most aggressive rate-hike cycle in decades.
- An Asia Pacific stock index was set to close at its highest level since mid-February, while benchmarks from Japan to China all rose on Friday. On Thursday, the S&P 500 rose the most this month, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 had its best day since the middle of March, thanks to lower-than-expected US factory gate prices. Futures for US equities changed little.
- The dollar index fell for the fourth day in a row, and the currency remained weaker against its Group-of-10 peers. The euro has maintained its gains after reaching a year high on Thursday on speculation that the Fed will only raise interest rates once more in May.
- The South Korean won led Asian currencies higher on Friday. In yet another sign of peak rates, the Singapore central bank maintained its policy settings after five tightening moves.
