Market Pulse – September 1, 2026

📊 Market Snapshot

💶 EUR/USD – 1.1600, near a two-week low as USD stays firm ahead of Friday's NFP. Eurozone flash CPI due today could cement a September ECB hike.

🥇 Gold – $4,445, drifting lower in the Asian session as Middle East tensions fuel inflation and Fed hike bets, but holding above $4,400 support.

🛢️ Brent – $90.60, extending gains as fresh US–Iran strikes near the Strait of Hormuz revive supply-disruption fears.

₿ Bitcoin – $78,600, holding steady after its best August in nearly a decade; hawkish Fed bets keep upside capped.

🌏 Asian Markets

China and Japan PMIs beat forecasts 📈 Shanghai Composite +0.2%, Nikkei off earlier lows, Hang Seng -1%, KOSPI mildly lower.

📅 Today's Focus

🇨🇳 China Manufacturing PMI ✅ beat 🇯🇵 Japan Consumer Confidence 🇪🇺 Eurozone Flash CPI YoY 🇺🇸 US JOLTs & ISM Manufacturing PMI

All eyes stay on Friday's US Nonfarm Payrolls and the upcoming ECB decision as this week's dominant theme ⚡