- USDTHB: moving in the range 32.00 – 32.05 this morning, supportive level at 31.85 resistance level at 32.15
- SET Index: 1,482.45 (-0.49%), 17 Apr 2026
- S&P 500 Index: 7,126.06 (+1.20%), 17 Apr 2026
- Thai 10-year government bond yield (interpolated): 2.029 (+3.02 bps), 17 Apr 2026
- US 10-year treasury yield: 4.26 (-6.00 bps), 17 Apr 2026
- Strait of Hormuz stays shut as US seizes Iranian vessel
- Fed’s Waller and Daly flag war-driven inflation risks, signal rates likely on hold
- Japan nears 2% defense target as rising costs strain finances
- China keeps benchmark lending rates unchanged
- Dollar moves in line with Middle East tensions
Strait of Hormuz stays shut as US seizes Iranian vessel
Iran initially announced the full reopening of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, but later reversed course after the US continued enforcing its blockade. In response, Tehran halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and said it would not join any further talks unless Washington removes its own blockade. In the Gulf of Oman, the US Navy intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel after it failed to heed orders to stop. Despite the tensions, the US president had earlier announced he was sending Vice President JD Vance back to Pakistan for additional discussions, though Iran did not commit to taking part. In addition, US President Trump said he may not extend the ceasefire beyond Wednesday if no deal is reached and would maintain the blockade on Iranian ports.
Fed’s Waller and Daly flag war-driven inflation risks, signal rates likely on hold
Christopher Waller said a prolonged war could drive a tough mix of high inflation and weak labour, supporting a hold on rates. Mary Daly added that policy depends on how long the conflict and high oil prices persist, with inflation risks outweighing growth; she described rates as slightly restrictive and said the Fed could hold, hike if inflation rises or cut if pressures fade.
Japan nears 2% defense target as rising costs strain finances
Japan’s defense budget and related spending for the fiscal year starting in April will total about ¥10.6 trillion ($66.6 billion), or 1.9% of GDP—just below Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s 2% target, which she moved up by two years from the original 2028 deadline. The government plans to bridge the gap using surplus revenue, reserves, spending reforms, and tax hikes, but the push is straining public finances, especially as economic growth has made earlier GDP-based calculations (2022) understate the effort needed.
China keeps benchmark lending rates unchanged
China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for an 11th straight month, holding steady as policymakers balance Middle East-driven energy price risks against resilient domestic growth and easing deflation. The People’s Bank of China left the one-year LPR at 3.0% and the five-year LPR at 3.5%
Dollar moves in line with Middle East tensions
The 10-year government bond yield (interpolated) on the previous trading day was 2.029, +3.02 bps. The benchmark government bond yield (LB365A) was 2.03, +3.00 bps. Meantime, the latest closed US 10-year bond yields was 4.26, -6.0 bps. USDTHB on the previous trading day closed around 32.08, moving in a range of 32.00 – 32.05 this morning. USDTHB could be closed between 31.85 – 32.15 today. The dollar was little changed after rebounding from losses sparked by Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s remarks that the Strait of Hormuz was fully open, later clarified as offering no new developments. Meanwhile, Fed officials Mary Daly and Christopher Waller indicated policy remains slightly restrictive and signaled openness to holding rates steady. On Monday, the dollar index rose in early Asian trading, heading for its strongest level in a week as renewed Middle East tensions drove investors toward safe-haven assets.
Sources : ttb analytics , Bloomberg, CNBC, Trading economics, Investing, CEIC
