Core Viewpoint - The Japanese yen is under pressure following the Bank of Japan's decision to maintain interest rates, influenced by reduced safe-haven demand and optimism regarding a potential US-China trade agreement [1] Group 1: Currency Market Impact - The euro/yen pair found support around 177.50 after two consecutive days of decline [1] - The Bank of Japan's decision to keep the short-term interest rate target in the range of 0.4%-0.5% challenges the yen [1] - The yen's weakness is expected to continue as market sentiment improves due to optimism surrounding US-China trade discussions [1] Group 2: Monetary Policy and Economic Outlook - The Bank of Japan has extended its pause on tightening monetary policy for the sixth meeting, following a 25 basis point hike in January [1] - Officials from the Bank of Japan are expected to discuss conditions for resuming rate hikes amid easing tariff pressures and rising domestic inflation [1] - The outlook is complicated by the new Prime Minister's support for loose monetary policy and resistance to early tightening [1] Group 3: US-China Trade Relations - US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are meeting to discuss a wide range of topics, including tariffs on fentanyl, rare earths, soybean trade, and TikTok agreements [1] - The discussions are anticipated to influence market sentiment and the performance of the yen [1]

Market Expectations - The market anticipates a 2% (200 basis points) interest rate cut by the Russian Central Bank, marking the second consecutive cut and the end of the tightening cycle [1] Economic Slowdown - The Russian economy is experiencing a slowdown, with economic growth for the first 7 months of the year nearing the lower bound of the Central Bank's 1%-2% forecast [1] - Economists are warning that full-year economic growth may fall below the 1%-2% range [1] - July's industrial production grew by only 0.7%, falling short of June's 2% and approximately half of economists' expectations [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Brazilian Central Bank has unanimously decided that the tightening cycle is expected to come to an end [1] Group 1 - The decision by the Brazilian Central Bank reflects a consensus among its members [1] - The end of the tightening cycle indicates a potential shift in monetary policy direction [1]