In currencies, the dollar firmed after minutes from the Federal Reserve's (Fed) latest meeting showed policymakers were in no rush to cut rates. Oil prices held gains after surging in the previous session, as investors priced in potential supply disruptions on concerns of a conflict between the US and Iran. Brent crude futures were down slightly at US$70.31 a barrel after jumping 4.35% in the previous session, while US crude was last at US$65.10, holding on to most of Wednesday's 4.6% gain. I think this is just designed to put more pressure on Iran to come back with more reasonable objectives from these talks," said Sycamore. The New Zealand dollar was up 0.11% at US$0.5972, having tumbled 1.4% in the previous session after the country's central bank tempered market expectations for a hawkish pivot at its policy meeting.

Source: The Edge Markets February 18, 2026 23:07 UTC