17 August 2017
The U.S. dollar was on the defensive on Thursday after the minutes from the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting showed policymakers were increasingly wary of recent softness in inflation and could delay a rate hike.The dollar's index against a basket of six major currencies slipped to 93.39 from Wednesday's three-week high of 94.145.

In stocks, Asian stocks edged higher on Thursday as tensions between the United States and North Korea came off the boil.MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.5 percent.

In the Middle East, most stock markets rose on Wednesday, with Egypt ending a six-day losing streak, but trading volumes were thin in the absence of major new catalysts for investors.The Dubai index rose 0.3 percent as GFH Financial , the most active stock, climbed 2.9 percent.

Abu Dhabi's index gained 0.6 percent on the back of a 5.1 percent surge by Dana Gas after it reported a 71 percent leap in quarterly profit.
In Saudi Arabia, the index rose 0.4 percent.

In commodities, oil prices edged up early on Thursday, clawing back some ground after losses in the previous session.Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $50.43 per barrel at 0101 GMT, up 16 cents, or 0.3 percent, from their last close.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $46.88 a barrel, up 10 cents, or 0.2 percent.

Gold edged up early Thursday, extending gains from the previous session, as the dollar remained subdued after minutes from the Federal Reserve's July meeting hinted at a delay in further rate hikes.

In other news, Japan's exports rose for an eighth straight month in July on robust shipments to the United States and a boost from a weak yen, suggesting the economy is carrying strong momentum through to the second half of the year.

Egypt's state grain buyer GASC said on Wednesday it has bought 355,000 tonnes of wheat in an international tender.

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