Forex News Timeline

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

United States API Weekly Crude Oil Stock rose from previous -4.6M to 6.037M in March 28

Gold prices retreated on Tuesday as traders booked profits, awaiting April 2’s Liberation Day in the US, an event in which President Donald Trump is expected to announce additional tariffs aimed at improving the trade deficit imbalance.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}Gold dips 0.28% after rally on Tuesday with market cautious ahead of April 2 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement.Recession fears increase as Atlanta Fed cuts Q1 GDP projection to -3.7%, spiking Fed rate cut expectations to 78 bps.US data sends mixed signals; ISM indicates worsening conditions, S&P Global suggests expansion.Gold prices retreated on Tuesday as traders booked profits, awaiting April 2’s Liberation Day in the US, an event in which President Donald Trump is expected to announce additional tariffs aimed at improving the trade deficit imbalance. The XAU/USD trades at $3,114, down 0.28%. Market sentiment remains mixed as reflected by US equity markets. Investors are anticipating the release of the latest US tariffs on Wednesday with speculation that they will be universal and may reach as high as 20%, according to The Washington Post. Bullion’s rally was halted on Tuesday despite traders remaining uncertain about the magnitude of the tariffs imposed. The US economic schedule revealed data that presents a bleak economic outlook as evidenced by money market futures pricing in more than 78 basis points of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed). Business activity in the US was mixed, according to data announced by S&P Global and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The former revealed expansion, while the latter hinted that business conditions are worsening as another round of tariffs looms. Other data revealed that the labor market remains robust as the US Department of Labor reported a decrease in job openings. In the meantime, recession fears in the US are growing. Goldman Sachs revealed that the odds of a recession in the United States (US) rose from 20% to 35%, primarily due to business and household pessimism about the outlook, as well as Washington's tolerance of a deeper economic slowdown. The latest estimate from the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model indicates that GDP for Q1 2025 is expected to contract by -3.7%, down from the  -2.8% estimate on March 28. Ahead this week, the US economic docket will feature the ISM Services PMI, Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) figures, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech on Friday. Daily digest market movers: Gold price treads water amid lower US yields The US 10-year T-note yield tumbles four basis points to 4.169%. US real yields edge down two bps to 1.832%, according to US 10-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) yields. The US ISM Manufacturing PMI fell sharply in March, dropping from 50.3 to 49.3, signaling contraction in the sector. The survey’s comments highlighted tariffs as a key factor contributing to weakness across multiple sub-components. The JOLTS report from the US Department of Labor showed that job openings decreased to 7.568 million in February, down from 7.762 million and missing the forecast of 7.63 million. Despite the decline, vacancies remained relatively steady. In contrast, S&P Global's Manufacturing PMI indicated modest growth, rising from 49.8 to 50.2, suggesting a slight rebound in factory activity. On the commodities front, major Wall Street banks including Goldman Sachs, Société Générale, and Bank of America have raised their Gold price forecasts. They now eye $3,300 as the next upside target, according to a report by Kitco. XAU/USD technical outlook: Gold price retreats from all-time highs near $3,150 Gold price’s uptrend remains intact, yet price action on Tuesday formed a Doji candlestick, an indication that buyers and sellers lack commitment to open fresh positions ahead of Trump’s announcement. Technical indicators, such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), suggest that the yellow metal is overbought, paving the way for a retracement. Despite this, if XAU/USD remains above $3,100, it maintains buyers' control. A breach of this level will expose the March 20 high, which has since turned into support at $3,057, followed by the $3,000 mark. Conversely, if the rally extends, the first resistance level would be the record high at $3,149, followed by the $3,200 mark. Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.  

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar against a basket of currencies, trades near the 104.20 area on Tuesday, showing little directional bias after a series of soft US economic data releases.

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A weaker-than-expected ISM Manufacturing PMI print, a decline in Job Openings, and cautious Fed commentary paint a murky outlook for the Greenback. Despite modest gains, the technical backdrop remains fragile as traders look ahead to further macro drivers later this week. Daily digest market movers: US Dollar steadies as cracks widen in data US ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 49 in March from 50.3 in February, missing the 49.5 forecast. The sector's Employment Index dropped to 44.7, its lowest since last July, signaling a faster pace of job cuts. The Prices Paid Index surged to 69.4 from 62.4, pointing to renewed inflationary pressure amid tariff-linked supply issues. Chair of ISM's Business Survey Committee said demand remains confusing for businesses with destaffing and production cuts ongoing. US JOLTS Job Openings dropped to 7.56 million in February, below expectations and confirming labor market softening. Total hires and separations remained broadly unchanged at 5.4 million and 5.3 million, respectively. Fed’s Barkin warned that current data is hard to read, calling it “wrapped in a thick fog.” Despite declining Job Openings, the Fed’s updated SEP projects a stable Unemployment Rate near 4.4% in 2025. Currency markets appear less reactive to tariffs, focusing more on signs of economic stagnation or contraction. Traders are increasingly cautious ahead of Friday’s Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report. CME data shows low odds of a May rate cut, but dovish pressure could build with further data disappointments. The DXY continues to drift between 104.00 and 105.00 as the market searches for conviction. Risk sentiment remains fragile with traders wary of additional downside in equities and bonds. Technical analysis The US Dollar Index is posting modest gains on Tuesday, but the broader technical outlook remains bearish. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) still signals a potential bullish crossover, yet longer-term indicators such as the 100-day and 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMA), as well as the 30-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), continue to flash sell signals. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 76.92, alongside stochastic readings, points to overbought conditions, while the Awesome Oscillator remains neutral. The 20-day SMA offers mild bullish support. Resistance is located at 104.435, 104.841 and 104.847, while support lies near 104.169, 104.165 and 104.128.   Employment FAQs How do employment levels affect currencies? Labor market conditions are a key element in assessing the health of an economy and thus a key driver for currency valuation. High employment, or low unemployment, has positive implications for consumer spending and economic growth, boosting the value of the local currency. Moreover, a very tight labor market – a situation in which there is a shortage of workers to fill open positions – can also have implications on inflation levels because low labor supply and high demand leads to higher wages. Why is wage growth important? The pace at which salaries are growing in an economy is key for policymakers. High wage growth means that households have more money to spend, usually leading to price increases in consumer goods. In contrast to more volatile sources of inflation such as energy prices, wage growth is seen as a key component of underlying and persisting inflation as salary increases are unlikely to be undone. Central banks around the world pay close attention to wage growth data when deciding on monetary policy. How much do central banks care about employment? The weight that each central bank assigns to labor market conditions depends on its objectives. Some central banks explicitly have mandates related to the labor market beyond controlling inflation levels. The US Federal Reserve (Fed), for example, has the dual mandate of promoting maximum employment and stable prices. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank’s (ECB) sole mandate is to keep inflation under control. Still, and despite whatever mandates they have, labor market conditions are an important factor for policymakers given their significance as a gauge of the health of the economy and their direct relationship to inflation.  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) kicked around the charts on Tuesday, declining after US Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) survey results came in worse than expected, but recovered ground after markets pivoted to hoping for a ramp-up in the Fed’s rate-cutting cycle.

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Investors are largely sidelined as traders await this week’s long-threatened tariff announcement from United States (US) President Donald Trump, which he has dubbed “Liberation Day”.  The exact details of what tariffs are getting announced and when they will come into effect remains elusive. The Trump administration has been playing a game of chicken with markets on tariffs since Trump assumed office on January 20, announcing, changing, and pulling back on multiple waves of tariffs over the past 71 days. President Trump has leaned into his self-imposed deadline of April 2 for several months and is promising an ever-changing list of tariffs that could include flat import taxes on automobiles, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, in addition to across-the-board tariffs on most of the US’s largest trading partners. President Trump’s tariff announcement is expected at 1900 GMT (4 pm EST) on Wednesday during a ceremony in the White House’s Rose Garden.The US ISM Manufacturing PMI for March sank faster than expected, falling to 49.0 from 50.3 as businesses hunker down ahead of expected tariff announcements. Median market forecasts expected a print of 49.5 or better. The ISM Manufacturing New Orders Index also fell sharply for the second month in a row, declining to a two-year low of 45.2.Read more economic data news: US JOLTS Job Openings decline to 7.56 million in FebruaryDespite downside prints in key data and rising fears of Trump tariffs, rate markets took the opportunity to ramp up their bets of additional Fed easing this year. According to the CME’s FedWatch Tool, rate traders are now pricing in nearly 80% odds of at least a 25 bps rate trim from the Federal Reserve (Fed) at the June 18 policy meeting. Stock news Most equity indexes are holding close to flat on Tuesday. However, the Dow Jones is still trading around 200 points below Monday’s closing prices, cycling near 41,800. The Standard & Poor’s 500 eased slightly, falling below 5,600, while the Nasdaq Composite holds steady near 17,300. Tesla (TSLA) rebounded 4.7% on Tuesday, climbing back to $271 per share. Despite a near-term recovery, the battered electric vehicle producer is still down sharply from record highs above $435 per share set last December. On the low side, Southwest Airlines (LUV) tumbled 6.8% to $31 per share after airline companies caught a hard downgrade this week, sending air travel stocks tumbling. Southwest Airlines was the loser of the bunch, getting downgraded to a firm “underperform” rating by Jeffries credit ratings analysts.Read more stock news: Johnson & Johnson stock sinks on third talc verdictDow Jones price forecast The Dow Jones Industrial Average is churning chart paper near the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at the 42,000 handle as investors brace for the top on brewing geopolitical pressures to finally blow. The major equity index remains capped on the low side of record highs just above 45,000 set last November, but a firm technical floor appears to be priced in just north of the 40,000 major price level. Dow Jones daily chart Dow Jones FAQs What is the Dow Jones? The Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the oldest stock market indices in the world, is compiled of the 30 most traded stocks in the US. The index is price-weighted rather than weighted by capitalization. It is calculated by summing the prices of the constituent stocks and dividing them by a factor, currently 0.152. The index was founded by Charles Dow, who also founded the Wall Street Journal. In later years it has been criticized for not being broadly representative enough because it only tracks 30 conglomerates, unlike broader indices such as the S&P 500. What factors impact the Dow Jones Industrial Average? Many different factors drive the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). The aggregate performance of the component companies revealed in quarterly company earnings reports is the main one. US and global macroeconomic data also contributes as it impacts on investor sentiment. The level of interest rates, set by the Federal Reserve (Fed), also influences the DJIA as it affects the cost of credit, on which many corporations are heavily reliant. Therefore, inflation can be a major driver as well as other metrics which impact the Fed decisions. What is Dow Theory? Dow Theory is a method for identifying the primary trend of the stock market developed by Charles Dow. A key step is to compare the direction of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Dow Jones Transportation Average (DJTA) and only follow trends where both are moving in the same direction. Volume is a confirmatory criteria. The theory uses elements of peak and trough analysis. Dow’s theory posits three trend phases: accumulation, when smart money starts buying or selling; public participation, when the wider public joins in; and distribution, when the smart money exits. How can I trade the DJIA? There are a number of ways to trade the DJIA. One is to use ETFs which allow investors to trade the DJIA as a single security, rather than having to buy shares in all 30 constituent companies. A leading example is the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA). DJIA futures contracts enable traders to speculate on the future value of the index and Options provide the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the index at a predetermined price in the future. Mutual funds enable investors to buy a share of a diversified portfolio of DJIA stocks thus providing exposure to the overall index.  

The Mexican Peso (MXN) recovers some ground on Tuesday as traders brace for “Liberation Day” on Wednesday, when the United States (US) President, Donald Trump, is expected to announce additional tariffs aimed at reducing the trade deficit.

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Earlier, US economic data painted a gloomy economic outlook, which weighed on the Greenback as reflected by the USD/MXN pair trading at 20.35, down 0.53%. Mexico’s economic docket revealed that Business Confidence deteriorated in March, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática (INEGI). Other data by S&P Global reported that manufacturing activity contracted for the ninth consecutive month, reaching its lowest level in three years. Although the data suggest that Mexico’s economy is slowing down, the Peso benefits from broad US Dollar (USD) weakness, ahead of Trump’s announcement on Wednesday. In the meantime, the Greenback weakened due to a softer-than-expected ISM Manufacturing PMI print in March, alongside a drop in job vacancies, as revealed by the February Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report. After the data release, market participants began to price in 79 basis points (bps) of easing by the Federal Reserve (Fed) toward the end of 2025. This week, Mexico’s economic agenda will include Gross Fixed Investment data. In the US, traders are focusing on the Trump tariff announcement, the ISM Services PMI for March, Nonfarm Payroll figures, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech. This week, the Mexican economic schedule will feature Business Confidence, S&P Global Manufacturing PMI, and Gross Fixed Investment figures. Daily digest market movers: Mexican Peso recovers as US Dollar weakens Mexico’s Business Confidence in February deteriorated sharply, according to INEGI. Confidence fell to 49.9, down from 50.4 in February, indicating that companies are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the economy, with the result being its lowest level since May 2021. Mexico’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI remained in contractionary territory for the ninth consecutive month, at 46.5, which is worse than February’s 47.6. US ISM Manufacturing PMI plunged from 50.3 to 49 in March. Comments of the survey suggest that tariffs are the main driver in most sub-components of the index. JOLTS data reported by the US Department of Labor revealed that vacancies decreased in February but remained near the previous level, according to the release. The figures came in at 7.568 million, down from 7.762 million and missing the estimate of 7.63 million. In the US, S&P Global revealed that manufacturing activity expanded, with the PMI rising from 49.8 to 50.2. Banxico’s Governor, Victoria Rodríguez Ceja, stated that the central bank will remain attentive to US trade policies and their impact on the country, with a primary focus on inflation, as she noted in an interview with El Financiero. JP Morgan supports an additional 50 bps cut due to the risks of an imminent recession, according to analyst Steven Palacio at the bank. “It's inevitable that Mexico will go through a recession because the tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding their implementation are occurring in an economic context that was already in sharp decline,” Palacio said. USD/MXN technical outlook: Mexican Peso advances water as USD/MXN tumbles below  20.40 The uptrend in USD/MXN remains intact even though the pair dipped to the confluence of the 100 and 50-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs) near 20.35/36. Momemntum remains bullish, but in the short term, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) aims lower, an indication that sellers are gathering pace. If USD/MXN drops below 20.30, the next support would be 20.00, followed by the 200-day SMA at 19.75. On the other hand, if buyers reclaim 20.50, the next resistance would be the March 4 peak of 20.99, followed by the year-to-date (YTD) high of 21.28. Mexican Peso FAQs What key factors drive the Mexican Peso? The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the most traded currency among its Latin American peers. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Mexican economy, the country’s central bank’s policy, the amount of foreign investment in the country and even the levels of remittances sent by Mexicans who live abroad, particularly in the United States. Geopolitical trends can also move MXN: for example, the process of nearshoring – or the decision by some firms to relocate manufacturing capacity and supply chains closer to their home countries – is also seen as a catalyst for the Mexican currency as the country is considered a key manufacturing hub in the American continent. Another catalyst for MXN is Oil prices as Mexico is a key exporter of the commodity. How do decisions of the Banxico impact the Mexican Peso? The main objective of Mexico’s central bank, also known as Banxico, is to maintain inflation at low and stable levels (at or close to its target of 3%, the midpoint in a tolerance band of between 2% and 4%). To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, Banxico will attempt to tame it by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money, thus cooling demand and the overall economy. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Mexican Peso (MXN) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken MXN. How does economic data influence the value of the Mexican Peso? Macroeconomic data releases are key to assess the state of the economy and can have an impact on the Mexican Peso (MXN) valuation. A strong Mexican economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for MXN. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) to increase interest rates, particularly if this strength comes together with elevated inflation. However, if economic data is weak, MXN is likely to depreciate. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Mexican Peso? As an emerging-market currency, the Mexican Peso (MXN) tends to strive during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and thus are eager to engage with investments that carry a higher risk. Conversely, MXN tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.  

The Greenback treaded water just above the 104.00 mark amid omnipresent trade concerns and investors’ steady caution prior to the dubbed “Liberation Day”.

The Greenback treaded water just above the 104.00 mark amid omnipresent trade concerns and investors’ steady caution prior to the dubbed “Liberation Day”.Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, April 2: The US Dollar Index (DXY) alternated gains with losses in the low-104.00s against the backdrop of a generalised weakness in US yields. President Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs will be the salient event, seconded by Factory Orders, the EIA’s weekly report on US crude oil inventories, and the speech by the Fed’s Kugler.EUR/USD accelerated losses towards the end of the NA session, revisiting the 1.0780 zone, down for the second day in a row. The speeches by the ECB’s Lane and Schnabel will gather importance in the euro docket.GBP/USD charted an irresolute day near 1.2920 amid the flattish mood in the Greenback. Next on tap across the Channel will be the final S&P Global Services PMI on April 3.USD/JPY quickly left behind Monday’s recovery attempt and put the 149.00 support to the test once again. The next event in the Japanese calendar will be the weekly Foreign Bond Investment and the final Jibun Bank Services PMI on April 3.AUD/USD regained balance, set aside two daily drops in a row and traded close to the key 0.6300 barrier. The Ai Group survey is due, seconded by Building Permits, Private House Approvals and the speech by the RBA’s Kent.WTI prices corrected lower after hitting new highs just north of the $72.00 mark per barrel amid steady tariff concerns.Gold prices receded marginally after hitting an all-time high near the $3,150 mark per troy ounce backed by rising fears surrounding tariffs and concerns over the US economy. Silver prices fell for the third consecutive session, hovering around multi-day lows near $33.50 per ounce.

The EUR/USD pair eased slightly on Tuesday’s session after the European close, holding near the 1.0800 area.

EUR/USD trades near the 1.0800 zone after the European session, keeping within Tuesday’s intraday range.Momentum indicators send mixed signals, with bearish short-term pressure offset by long-term bullish trend support.Support awaits at 1.0777 and 1.0730, while resistance is seen around 1.0810–1.0815 levels.The EUR/USD pair eased slightly on Tuesday’s session after the European close, holding near the 1.0800 area. Despite the marginal decline, the pair remains well within its daily range as traders assess diverging technical cues. Price action stays neutral overall, as short-term weakness contrasts with broader bullish structural support. Daily chart Technical indicators remain inconclusive. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is neutral at 56, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) leans slightly bearish, suggesting a lack of upside traction. The Bull Bear Power prints close to zero, and the Average Directional Index (ADX) at 25.7 also implies a non-trending environment. These mixed signals reflect the current sideways nature of the pair. Among moving averages, the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.0839 provides immediate overhead resistance, reinforcing the near-term bearish bias. However, longer-term indicators like the 100-day SMA at 1.0520 and the 200-day SMA at 1.0731 continue to signal a broader uptrend. The Ichimoku Base Line at 1.0657 remains neutral, confirming the indecisiveness in market momentum. Looking ahead, key support levels are aligned at 1.0777, followed by 1.0731 and 1.0729. On the upside, resistance emerges around 1.0811, 1.0812, and 1.0815. A break on either side of the current range may define the next directional move.

The Pound Sterling trades with minuscule losses against the US Dollar following the release of the latest Manufacturing PMI from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), suggesting that business conditions are deteriorating, with companies feeling the impact of tariffs.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}GBP/USD holds firm as ISM Manufacturing PMI drops to 49, fueling recession fears, spurred by rising tariffs.UK Manufacturing sinks to 17-month low, but GBP remains resilient amid broad Greenback weakness.Starmer eyes US-UK trade deal to avoid tariffs; traders now await ISM Services, NFP, and Powell’s speech.The Pound Sterling trades with minuscule losses against the US Dollar following the release of the latest Manufacturing PMI from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), suggesting that business conditions are deteriorating, with companies feeling the impact of tariffs. At the time of writing, the GBP/USD trades at 1.2920, virtually unchanged. Sterling holds ground despite soft UK PMI, as US factory activity slumps and Fed’s Barkin warns of tariff risks March’s ISM Manufacturing PMI painted a gloomy economic outlook, after plunging to 49 from February’s 50.3, below forecasts of 49.3. The index contracted after two straight months of expansion, preceded by 26 consecutive months of contraction. At the same time, JOLTS data reported by the US Department of Labor depicted that vacancies in February decreased but remained at the same level, according to the release. The figures came at 7.568 million, down from 7.762 million and missing estimates of 7.63 million. Earlier S&P Global revealed that manufacturing activity expanded, with the PMI rising from 49.8 to 50.2. Across the pond, manufacturing activity continued its downward trajectory with the S&P Global falling to a 17-month low of 44.9, and still, the GBP/USD pair was unfazed as the Greenback gets battered across the board. In the meantime, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that talks with the US on a trade agreement could help Britain avoid the tariffs imposed by Trump. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the greenback against a basket of six peers, drops 0.08% to 104.10. Meanwhile, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin stated that the bond market is pricing in more recession risk, noting that he sees challenges to inflation and employment arising from tariffs. Ahead this week, the US economic docket will feature the ISM Services PMI, Nonfarm Payrolls for March, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech on Friday. In the UK, the docket is scarce with traders awaiting the Construction PMI. GBP/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook The GBP/USD uptrend remains in place, though in the short-term the major will consolidate. Buyers need to surpass the March 31 peak of 1.2972, if they want to test their chances to claim 1.30. If cleared, the next stop would be the November 7 high of 1.3047. On the other hand, if sellers push the exchange rate below 1.2900, the next support would be the March 27 low of 1.2865, followed by the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.2805. British Pound PRICE This week The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies this week. British Pound was the strongest against the Swiss Franc.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.22% 0.10% -0.30% 0.01% 0.09% 0.26% 0.32% EUR -0.22%   -0.02% -0.45% -0.17% -0.04% 0.08% 0.15% GBP -0.10% 0.02%   -0.50% -0.10% -0.02% 0.13% 0.22% JPY 0.30% 0.45% 0.50%   0.30% 0.43% 0.59% 0.53% CAD -0.01% 0.17% 0.10% -0.30%   0.11% 0.25% 0.32% AUD -0.09% 0.04% 0.02% -0.43% -0.11%   0.14% 0.20% NZD -0.26% -0.08% -0.13% -0.59% -0.25% -0.14%   0.06% CHF -0.32% -0.15% -0.22% -0.53% -0.32% -0.20% -0.06%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).  

New Zealand GDT Price Index increased to 1.1% from previous 0%

The business activity in the US' manufacturing sector contracted in March, with the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) dropping to 49 from 50.3 in February.

The ISM Manufacturing PMI dropped into contraction territory below 50 in March.US Dollar Index holds slightly above 104.00 after the data.The business activity in the US' manufacturing sector contracted in March, with the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) dropping to 49 from 50.3 in February. This reading came in below the market expectation of 49.5. The Employment Index fell to 44.7 from 47.6 in the same period, highlighting a decrease in the sector's payrolls at an accelerating pace. In the meantime, the Prices Paid Index, the inflation component of the survey, rose to 69.4 from 62.4. Assessing the survey's findings, "demand and production retreated and destaffing continued, as panelists’ companies responded to demand confusion," said Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "Prices growth accelerated due to tariffs, causing new order placement backlogs, supplier delivery slowdowns and manufacturing inventory growth." Market reaction The US Dollar (USD) struggles to gather strength against its rivals following the disappointing PMI data. At the time of press, the USD Index was down 0.05% on the day at 104.12.

The USD/JPY pair falls sharply to near 149.00 during North American trading hours on Tuesday.

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The pair faces intense selling pressure as the Japanese Yen (JPY) outperforms, given its safe-haven status while investors bracing for the release of a detailed reciprocal tariff plan by United States (US) President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Japanese Yen PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies today. Japanese Yen was the strongest against the British Pound.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.03% 0.05% -0.45% -0.15% -0.36% -0.35% -0.22% EUR -0.03%   -0.03% -0.50% -0.23% -0.44% -0.41% -0.29% GBP -0.05% 0.03%   -0.50% -0.21% -0.42% -0.41% -0.28% JPY 0.45% 0.50% 0.50%   0.30% 0.09% 0.08% 0.24% CAD 0.15% 0.23% 0.21% -0.30%   -0.21% -0.20% -0.07% AUD 0.36% 0.44% 0.42% -0.09% 0.21%   0.01% 0.14% NZD 0.35% 0.41% 0.41% -0.08% 0.20% -0.01%   0.13% CHF 0.22% 0.29% 0.28% -0.24% 0.07% -0.14% -0.13%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Japanese Yen from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent JPY (base)/USD (quote). Though the US Dollar (USD) also carries a safe-haven status, it struggles to attract bids as investors expect Trump tariffs will prompt economic risks in the US economy. It will be US importers who will bear the burden of higher tariffs and will pass on to consumers. Such a scenario will significantly diminish the purchasing power of households. According to the Washington Post, the White House aides have drafted a proposal to impose 20% tariffs on most imports to the US. The strength in the Japanese Yen (JPY) is also driven by growing expectations that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will raise interest rates in the May policy meeting. With inflation remaining above 2% due to strong consumption and wage growth, the BoJ could deliver a 25 basis-point hike in May," analysts at ING said. Meanwhile, weak US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for March, and soft JOLTS Job Openings data for February has also exerted some pressure on the US Dollar. The ISM Manufacturing PMI came in lower at 49.0 against estimates of 49.5 and February's reading of 50.3. A figure below 50.0 suggests that the manufacturing sector activity contracted. US employers posted 7.57 million jobs in February, slightly lower than the expectations of 7.63 million and the prior release of 7.76 million. US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.  

United States RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism (MoM) below forecasts (50.1) in April: Actual (49.1)

United States JOLTS Job Openings below forecasts (7.63M) in February: Actual (7.568M)

United States ISM Manufacturing Prices Paid registered at 69.4 above expectations (65) in March

United States ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 49, below expectations (49.5) in March

United States ISM Manufacturing Employment Index fell from previous 47.6 to 44.7 in March

United States ISM Manufacturing New Orders Index down to 45.2 in March from previous 48.6

United States Construction Spending (MoM) above expectations (0.3%) in February: Actual (0.7%)

Despite the losses of the last few days, the Copper price on the Comex is up a good 25 percent since the beginning of the year, almost on a par with tin.

Despite the losses of the last few days, the Copper price on the Comex is up a good 25 percent since the beginning of the year, almost on a par with tin. But on the LME, too, Copper is trading around 10 percent higher than at the beginning of the year, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Barbara Lambrecht notes.  Copper is still bullish despite the recent decline  "We see the latest price decline being caused, on the one hand, by the general increase in risk aversion in the markets and, on the other, as a ‘healthy’ correction after the almost overheated price rise of the previous weeks. However, there are also some supportive news for the Copper price: the improved sentiment indices in China's industry and construction sector, although it has to be admitted that the escalating tariff dispute could soon put a damper on this again."  "The disappointing Chilean Copper production, which fell back below 400 thousand tons in February, or 5.5% below the previous year, after reaching a record high of almost 570 thousand tons in December, a good 14% above the previous year; the low or negative treatment charges (TC/RCs) in China. During a conference of Chinese Copper smelters, no official indication was given for the second quarter, but it was said that the supply of concentrate remained very tight."  "Some smelters had therefore started maintenance work early and new political protests in front of a Copper mine in Peru. The mine affected is the country's seventh largest, Antapaccay. As a reminder, in 2023/2024, the expansion of the Las Bambas Copper mine was subject to significant delays in the approval process due to protests by indigenous groups."

United States S&P Global Manufacturing PMI registered at 50.2 above expectations (49.8) in March

The European gas price (TTF) has fallen back to around EUR40 per MWh over the past week, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Thu Lan Nguyen notes.

The European gas price (TTF) has fallen back to around EUR40 per MWh over the past week, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Thu Lan Nguyen notes.  Scope for further natural gas price weakness is limited "In addition to general economic concerns, a better supply situation is also providing relief. According to Bloomberg data, LNG imports in March reached their highest level for the month since 2017, which should somewhat alleviate fears regarding the current lower filling levels."  "According to the GIE, European gas storage facilities were 34% full on 30 March, compared to a 5-year average of 45% at this time. The relatively high gas price compared to last year — it is currently around twice as high as last year — is likely to have helped increase imports."  "This in turn means that a permanently high price is necessary to ensure that producers continue to sell large quantities of LNG to Europe. We therefore believe that the scope for further price weakness is limited."

The initial market reaction to Trump's threat of secondary tariffs on Russian oil was muted.

The initial market reaction to Trump's threat of secondary tariffs on Russian oil was muted. Oil prices only started to rise in the course of trading yesterday, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch notes.  Trump is set to announce a whole series of tariffs "This morning, Brent reached the $75 per barrel mark for the first time since the end of February. However, it is unlikely to rise much further. This is because the gradual reversal of the voluntary production cuts by eight OPEC+ countries begins today, which will increase the oil supply by just under 140 thousand barrels per day."  "At the same time, compensatory production cuts are to be made to offset previous overproduction, which could also reduce the expansion in production. However, last year's experience calls for scepticism regarding the implementation of these cuts."  "In addition, US President Trump is set to announce a whole series of tariffs, which could push demand concerns on the oil market back into focus. We can therefore envisage oil prices falling again in the coming days."

Silver price (XAG/USD) trades cautiously around $34.00 in Tuesday’s North American session.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}Silver price trades with caution around $34.00, with investors focusing on the release of reciprocal tariffs by US President trump on Wednesday.Trump’s tariffs are expected to shrink economic growth across the globe.The USD Index edges higher ahead of the US ISM Manufacturing PMI and the JOLTS Job Openings data.Silver price (XAG/USD) trades cautiously around $34.00 in Tuesday’s North American session. The white metal continues to face selling pressure above $34.00 since Friday as investors seek clarity over the level of tariffs to be announced by United States (US) President Donald Trump on Wednesday or so-called “Liberation Day”. According to the Washington Post, the White House aides have drafted a proposal to impose 20% tariffs on most imports to the US. The imposition of significant levies by US President Trump is seen as resulting in significant economic shocks across the globe. Such a scenario bodes well for safe-haven assets, such as Silver. Investors expect that Trump's tariffs will also impact the US economy, given that the burden of higher import duties will be borne by domestic importers. This has escalated risks of a resurgence in inflationary pressures in the near term. Fears of an acceleration in price pressures have led Federal Reserve (Fed) officials to continue maintaining a restrictive monetary policy stance for a longer period. Meanwhile, investors await the US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for March and the JOLTS Job Openings data for February, which will be published at 14:00 GMT. Economists expect the Manufacturing PMI to have declined to 49.5 from 50.3 in February. US employers are estimated to have posted 7.63 million jobs in February, slightly lower than the prior release of 7.74 million. Ahead of the US economic data, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades slightly higher to near 104.30. Silver technical analysis Silver price struggles to advance its upside move towards the flat border of the Ascending Triangle chart pattern formation on the daily timeframe near the October 22 high of $34.87. The upward-sloping border of the above-mentioned chart pattern is placed from the August 8 low of $26.45. Technically, the Ascending Triangle pattern indicates indecisiveness among market participants. The 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near $33.40 continues to provide support to the Silver price. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) rebounds above 60.00, suggesting a resurgence in bullish momentum. Looking down, the March 6 high of $32.77 will act as key support for the Silver price. While, the October 22 high of $34.87 will be the major barrier. Silver daily chart Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.  

Canada S&P Global Manufacturing PMI down to 46.3 in March from previous 47.8

The price of Gold continues to rush from record high to record high.

The price of Gold continues to rush from record high to record high. It has now broken through the $3,100 per troy ounce mark, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Thu Lan Nguyen notes.  Risk of a setback looms over Gold "The Gold price rose by 19% in the past quarter, which was the strongest quarterly increase since 1986, albeit at a significantly lower price level at the time. The main driver continues to be the high level of uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's US tariff threats."  "It remains unclear how broad the reciprocal tariffs announced for 2 April will be, as well as the counter-tariffs that are likely to follow, particularly from Europe and China. The market appears to be particularly fearful of the consequences for the US economy and is therefore increasingly betting on interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve."  "As the tariffs also have an inflationary effect, the (expected) US real interest rate is being depressed, which in turn is having a positive impact on the Gold price. In contrast, our economists do not expect the Fed to resume interest rate cuts quickly due to the inflation risks, which is why we continue to see the risk of a setback for Gold."

Pound Sterling (GBP) is entering the NA session largely unchanged from Monday’s close, a mid-performer among its G10 peers, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.

Pound Sterling (GBP) is entering the NA session largely unchanged from Monday’s close, a mid-performer among its G10 peers, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  GBP little changed on the day "The manufacturing PMI release came in slightly above expectations at 44.9 (vs. 44.6 prev.) but the levels remain well below the expansion/contraction threshold at 50."  "Comments from the BoE have focused on rising inflation expectations and unexpectedly persistent wage growth. Markets are currently pricing about 20bpts of easing for the May 8 BoE meeting, offering possible support if policymakers shift toward a neutral stance." "The moderation in momentum reflects the continued consolidation within a one-month range roughly bound between the mid1.28s and levels just above 1.30. Nearer-term price action offers support around 1.2880 and resistance just below 1.30."

Euro (EUR) is underperforming with a modest 0.2% decline vs.

Euro (EUR) is underperforming with a modest 0.2% decline vs. the US Dollar (USD), while still trading within a relatively tight range around 1.08, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  Near-term price action remains centered around 1.08 "Data releases have offered few surprises with the Eurozone manufacturing PMI coming in at 48.6 (vs. 48.7 exp.) and headline CPI printing 2.2% y/y as expected. Messaging out of the ECB continues to shift toward a pause at the April 17 meeting, which should offer support to the EUR via spreads given that markets are still pricing about 20bps of easing."  "Near-term risk will remain centered on trade however, as markets maintain their focus on Wednesdays’ US trade announcement."  "Near-term price action remains centered around 1.08 with support in the mid-1.07s and resistance around 1.0850. The moderation in momentum reflects the broader, month-long consolidation bound between the low 1.07 area and the mid-1.09s."

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is little changed. Spot nudged up to the 1.44 area in overnight trade but remains close to yesterday’s closing levels as markets settle into a holding pattern ahead of US tariffs and the global response to them, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is little changed. Spot nudged up to the 1.44 area in overnight trade but remains close to yesterday’s closing levels as markets settle into a holding pattern ahead of US tariffs and the global response to them, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  CAD trades narrowly around 1.44 "Slower global trade and growth is sure to result which will undercut the appeal of commodity FX—although a lot of bad news is arguably priced into the CAD already at these levels. Fair Value continues to sit a fair way below spot (1.4135) by our estimate but approaching anything close to that sort of level seems unlikely for now." "After a solid rise in the USD yesterday, spot gains have stalled around the 1.44 point. Intraday price signals suggest a high level of indecision at current levels. Long “upper shadows” on the 6-hour candlesticks suggest better selling pressure above the figure but only limited downside movement in the USD has resulted."  "More, tight range trading around the figure seems likely this morning. Above 1.400 targets an extension to 1.4450, potentially 1.4520. Support is 1.4330."

The US Dollar (USD) is trading mixed to slightly weaker against its major currency peers as markets chop around ahead of tomorrow’s tariff announcement from the White House.

The US Dollar (USD) is trading mixed to slightly weaker against its major currency peers as markets chop around ahead of tomorrow’s tariff announcement from the White House. Hhigher tariffs will drive a (one-time) increase in the level of US prices and slow US growth; the larger the tariff, the bigger the impact. European stocks are firmer but US equity futures are in the red and bonds are bid, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  USD mixed to lower versus majors "The Washington Post reported that the tariff plan is centering on a 20% levy on 'most' imports to the US. This is aggressive but the report notes that this a 'draft plan', suggesting nothing is finalized even at this late stage. Things could clearly change but the last-minute nature of strategizing what is a signature policy of the president suggests that issues and potential pitfalls could get overlooked."  "Yesterday, the WH press secretary said there would be 'no exemptions at this time' to the reciprocal tariffs the president is due to roll out tomorrow, perhaps providing a glimmer of hope for markets that high tariffs will not persist for any significant period. Yet if that is the case, markets may wonder how the administration can raise the sorts of revenues needed to fund promised tax cuts or effectively encourage manufacturers to reshores supply chains over the long run."  "The JPY is outperforming and gold hit a new high ($3149/oz). The DXY is holding its consolidation range but remains prone to more technical weakness at least below support at 103.75/80. This morning’s US data reports may shed more light on the impact of tariff uncertainty on the US economy. ISM Manufacturing may reflect slowing growth and rising price trends across industry. The headline index is forecast to drop back under the expansion/ constriction threshold (50) to 49.5 in March, from 50.3."

Brazil S&P Global Manufacturing PMI: 51.8 (March) vs previous 53

United States Redbook Index (YoY) down to 4.8% in March 28 from previous 5.6%

Financial markets remain wary on Tuesday, although panic seen at the start of the week receded. The EUR/USD pair trades a handful of pips below the 1.0800 mark early in the American session, with a slight downward bias as per still finding sellers on intraday spikes.

EUR/USD Current price: 1.0786Upcoming US tariffs announcement on Wednesday keeps investors on their toes.Eurozone inflation eased modestly in March, according to preliminary estimates.EUR/USD under pressure below 1.0800 and poised to extend its slide.
Financial markets remain wary on Tuesday, although panic seen at the start of the week receded. The EUR/USD pair trades a handful of pips below the 1.0800 mark early in the American session, with a slight downward bias as per still finding sellers on intraday spikes.Concerns keep revolving around United States (US) tariffs. President Donald Trump  threats left and right with levies on friends and enemies, beyond the already scheduled reciprocal tariffs, set to be announced on Wednesday. US President Trump is set to announce details on the so-called Liberation Day, with speculative interest uncertain on the extend of upcoming levies.Nevertheless, global stocks shrugged of the negative tone, and most Asian and European indexes trade in the green. Wall Street futures, however, maintains the soft tone.Meanwhile, the Eurozone (EU) released the preliminary estimate of the March   Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which rose at an annual pace of 2.2%, as expected, easing from the 2.3% posted in February. Core annual HICP was up 2.4% against the 2.5% expected and the previous 2.6%.Other than that, the Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) published the final estimates of the March Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the region, most of which suffered downward revisions. The final EU Manufacturing PMI was confirmed at 48.6 vs the previously estimated 48.7.The upcoming American session will bring the March US ISM Manufacturing PMI and the final S&P Global estimate of manufacturing output. Additionally, the country will publish the February JOLTS Job Openings report, relevant ahead of Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) figures scheduled for Friday.EUR/USD short-term technical outlookFrom a technical point of view, the daily chart for the EUR/USD pair shows that sellers hold the grip. The pair develops below a still bullish 20 Simple Moving Average (SMA) providing dynamic resistance at around 1.0850. At the same time, technical indicators extend their slides, although with limited downward strength. The Momentum indicator is already below its midline, in line with another leg south, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator hovers around 54. Finally, a flat 200 SMA provides support at around 1.0730.The EUR/USD pair’s 4-hour chart suggests the risk skews to the downside. The pair is actually sliding below a flat 20 SMA, while the 100 SMA acts as a weekly roof at around 1.0850. At the same time, technical indicators have turned lower, although the downward momentum is limited, while indicators stand between neutral and bearish territory.  Additional slides are likely on a break below 1.0765, where buyers surged on Friday.Support levels: 1.0765 1.0730 1.0690Resistance levels: 10850 1.0885 1.0925

19 of 51 FX strategists polled by Reuters noted that they are concerned about the US Dollar's (USD) status as a safe-haven.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} 19 of 51 FX strategists polled by Reuters noted that they are concerned about the US Dollar's (USD) status as a safe-haven."Asked how positioning would change by end-April, forecasters provided no clear majority view," Reuters noted. "That was a marked shift from just two months ago when they expected speculators to keep piling on 'long' dollar trades."According to medians of a wider survey, EUR/USD is expected to trade at 1.0700 in three months before rising to 1.0800 in six months and to 1.1000 in a year.Market reactionEUR/USD largely ignores this headline and was last seen trading at 1.0790, where it was down 0.2% on the day. US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.

South Africa Total New Vehicle Sales up to 49493 in March from previous 47978

March PMIs beat market expectations, although Q1 momentum softened from Q4-2024.

March PMIs beat market expectations, although Q1 momentum softened from Q4-2024. We raise our 2025 growth forecast to 4.8% from 4.5% on Q1 outperformance, firm policy assurances. CPI deflation likely eased in March on base effects; the import contraction may have persisted, Standard Chartered's economists Hunter Chan and Shuang Ding report. Raising GDP growth forecasts "China’s official manufacturing PMI edged up to 50.5 in March from 50.2 in February as demand improved, consistent with the Caixin PMI and our SMEI survey. The new orders and new export orders indices rebounded to nearly one-year highs, supporting solid production activity. Meanwhile, the average manufacturing PMI edged down to 49.9 in Q1 from 50.2 in Q4-2024. In addition, the average services PMI fell 0.5pts from Q4-2024 to 50.2 in Q1, indicating a q/q slowdown." "With both January-February real activity and March PMIs beating expectations, we raise our Q1 GDP growth forecast to 5.2% y/y from 4.8% prior, with q/q growth slowing to 1.3% from 1.6% in Q4-2024. Imports may have continued to decline, resulting in a sizeable trade surplus. While China remains vulnerable to additional US tariffs and restrictions, the authorities’ commitment to roll out more stimulus when needed should help curtail downside risks. We further revise our quarterly growth forecasts to 5.1% y/y for Q2 (4.7% prior), 4.8% for Q3 (4.6%) and 4.2% for Q4 (4.1%); as such, we now forecast 2025 growth at 4.8% (4.5% prior)." "We expect CPI inflation to have stayed negative in March on falling food and fuel prices, albeit easing from February levels, thanks to base effects. Growth in CNY loans outstanding likely eased further in March on soft loan demand and the ongoing debt-to-bond swap programme. Meanwhile, government bond financing remained solid, supporting a m/m increase in new total social financing (TSF)."

The AUD/USD pair turns sideways around 0.6250 in Tuesday’s European session.

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The Aussie pair flattens after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)’s monetary policy meeting in which it left the key Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 4.1%, as expected, and didn’t provide meaningful guidance on the interest rate outlook. RBA Governor Michele Bullock said during the press conference that the board did not discuss a rate cut and did not make up its mind on a May move as they are still not 100% confident that inflation is moving towards their 2%-3% range. Going forward, the major threat for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the release of a detailed reciprocal tariff plan by United States (US) President Donald Trump, which he will unveil on Wednesday. Investors expect Trump to announce the highest tariff measures on China for having the largest trade surplus against the US among all its trading allies. Such a scenario will make Chinese products less competitive in the global market. This will also have a significant impact on the Aussie Dollar, given that the Australian economy relies heavily on its exports to China. Meanwhile, the US Dollar (USD) trades sideways as investors have been sidelined, waiting for the release of the Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. According to the Washington Post, the White House aides have drafted a proposal to impose tariffs of around 20% on most imports to the US. Additionally, investors also await the US JOLTS Job Opening data for February and the ISM Manufacturing PMI data for March, which will be published at 14:00 GMT. Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.  

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is consolidating further this week with highs and lows coming in closer to one another at the 104.00 round level this Tuesday.

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Clearly, market participants are not fond of the Greenback at this moment amidst tariff uncertainty. Richmond Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank President Thomas Barkin said the economic reading is wrapped in a thick fog and is unclear for the Fed to read where rates should go, while recession fears are still on the table, CNBC reports.  The economic data releases for this week could get things moving in the runup to the Nonfarm Payrolls data to be published on Friday.  For this Tuesday, the US JOLTS Job Openings for February are due, where a substantially lower number could indicate less demand in the labor force because of a slowdown in US consumption. The US Institute for Supply Management (ISM) is due to release its March Manufacturing data. Daily digest market movers: Data with potential to move marketsAt 13:00 GMT, Richmond Bank Fed President Thomas Barkin is due to speak.  At 13:45 GMT, the US S&P Global Manufacturing Purchase Managers Index (PMI) data for March will see its final reading. Expectations are for a steady 49.8. At 14:00 GMT, a bulk data release is set to take place: The US ISM manufacturing data for March: The PMI component is expected to fall into contraction at 49.5, coming from 50.3. The Prices Paid element is expected to tick up to 65, coming from 62.4. New Orders has no forecast and was at 48.6 previously. The Employment Index has no survey number and was at 47.6 the last time. The US JOLTS Job Openings for February are expected to shrink to 7.63 million job postings against 7.74 million in January. The US Economic Optimism Index month-on-month from the TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy and Politics (TIPP) for April is expected to increase to 50.1, coming from 49.8. Equities are all over the place this Tuesday. Asian futures closed off flat on the day, the European ones are rallying near 1.00%. US equities are still making up their mind.  According to the CME Fedwatch Tool, the probability of interest rates remaining at the current range of 4.25%-4.50% in May’s meeting is 85.5%. For June’s meeting, the odds for borrowing costs being lower stand at 74.4%. The US 10-year yield trades around 4.17%, a fresh low for three weeks. US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Counting down to ‘Liberation Day’The US Dollar Index (DXY) sees other asset classes brace for the ‘Liberation Day’ set for Wednesday around 19:00 GMT. The fact that the Greenback is again unfazed by the announcement, while Gold spikes and US Bond yields drop, shows that currency traders are awaiting the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the US economy. There are high hopes that the DXY could finally move higher or lower with this data-filled week.  A return to the 105.00 round level could still occur in the coming days, with the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) converging at that point and reinforcing this area as a strong resistance at 104.93. Once broken through that zone, a string of pivotal levels, such as 105.53 and 105.89, could limit the upward momentum.  On the downside, the 104.00 round level is the first nearby support, although it looks bleak after being tested on Friday and Monday. If that level does not hold, the DXY risks falling back into that March range between 104.00 and 103.00. Once the lower end at 103.00 gives way, watch out for 101.90 on the downside.  US Dollar Index: Daily Chart US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.  

USD/CNH is firmer on heightened trade-related uncertainties, BBH's FX analysts report.

USD/CNH is firmer on heightened trade-related uncertainties, BBH's FX analysts report. Growth outlook remains unimpressive "The private sector Caixin manufacturing PMI unexpectedly improved in March to a four-month high at 51.2 (consensus: 50.6) vs. 50.8 in February." "Nevertheless, the growth outlook will remain unimpressive as long as policymakers fail to address the root cause of weak consumption spending activity: low household income levels, high precautionary savings, and high levels of household debt."

Brief decline did not lead to a clear increase in downward momentum; USD is likely to trade in a 7.2550/7.2750 range.

Brief decline did not lead to a clear increase in downward momentum; USD is likely to trade in a 7.2550/7.2750 range. In the longer run, upward momentum has slowed; a breach of 7.2500 would indicate that USD has moved into a range trading phase, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note. Below 7.2500, USD to move into a range trading phase 24-HOUR VIEW: "USD dropped to 7.2532 yesterday. The decline was, however, brief, as it rebounded quickly to close largely unchanged at 7.2651 (-0.06%). The brief decline did not lead to a clear increase in downward momentum. Today, instead of continuing to decline, USD is more likely to trade in a 7.2550/7.2750 range." 1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "When USD was at 7.2655 last Wednesday (26 Mar), we highlighted that 'there appears to be enough momentum for USD to rise to 7.2820.' After USD rose to 7.2822, we highlighted on Thursday (27 Mar, spot at 7.2765) that 'momentum has improved further, and USD could continue to rise to 7.2980.' Yesterday, USD fell to a low of 7.2532. Although upward momentum has slowed, only a breach of 7.2500 (no change in ‘strong support’ level from previously) would indicate that USD has moved into a range trading phase."

AUD/USD retraced some of yesterday’s sharp losses triggered by the broad sell-off in risk assets, BBH's FX analysts report.

AUD/USD retraced some of yesterday’s sharp losses triggered by the broad sell-off in risk assets, BBH's FX analysts report. Board remains cautious on prospects for further policy easing "As was widely expected, the RBA left the cash rate target unchanged at 4.10%. However, the RBA signaled it’s in no hurry to resume easing. First, the RBA scrapped the sentence from the February statement that 'the Board remains cautious on prospects for further policy easing'." "Second, the RBA noted 'the continued decline in underlying inflation is welcome, but there are nevertheless risks on both sides and the Board is cautious about the outlook'. RBA Governor Michele Bullock added during the press conference that the Board does not have '100% confidence' that inflation is moving sustainably towards the midpoint of the 2–3% target range." "Bullock confirmed that the decision to hold was a consensus one and there was no explicit rate cut discussion. Cash rate futures scaled back odds of a 25bps cut at the May 20 meeting to 70% from 80% prior to the rate announcement. Ahead of the May policy meeting, two labor market prints and the Q1 CPI data will help shape near-term RBA rate expectations. The next Statement on Monetary Policy will also be published at the May 20 meeting."

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday that White House aides have drafted a proposal to impose tariffs of around 20% on most imports to the United States, per Reuters.

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Instead of continuing to decline, US Dollar (USD) is more likely to trade in a range between 149.00 and 150.50 vs Japanese Yen (JPY).

Instead of continuing to decline, US Dollar (USD) is more likely to trade in a range between 149.00 and 150.50 vs Japanese Yen (JPY). In the longer run, USD appears to have moved into a 148.40/151.00 consolidation range, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note. USD appears to have moved into a consolidation range 24-HOUR VIEW: "Yesterday, USD fell to a low of 148.68 and then staged a strong and sharp rebound to close largely unchanged at 149.95 (+0.09%). The rebound in oversold conditions suggest instead of continuing to decline, USD is more likely to trade in a range today, probably between 149.00 and 150.50." 1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "Last Wednesday, 26 Mar, when USD was at 149.90, we highlighted that 'while there is scope for USD to rise further, it may find the 151.00/151.30 resistance zone difficult to break.' After USD rose to a high of 151.15, in our latest update from last Friday (28 Mar, spot at 151.00), we highlighted that 'if USD breaks and holds above 151.30, it could trigger additional gains toward 152.30.' USD did not break above 151.30, but instead, it fell and broke below our ‘strong support’ level at 149.50 yesterday. USD appears to have moved into a consolidation phase. For the time being, we expected USD to trade in a 148.40/151.00 range."

USD/JPY is consolidating around 150.00, BBH's FX analysts report.

USD/JPY is consolidating around 150.00, BBH's FX analysts report. BOJ to hike rates by less than 75bps over the next three years "Japan’s Q1 Tankan business sentiment survey reinforce the case for a gradual Bank of Japan (BOJ) normalization cycle. The all industries business conditions index printed at 15 for a second consecutive quarter, highest since Q4 2018, and points to a further recovery in real GDP growth. The swaps market still implies less than 75bps of total BOJ rate hikes over the next three years which is an ongoing headwind for JPY." "The details of the Tankan survey showed the large manufacturing index dipped in line with consensus by 0.2 points to a one year low at 12 but the small manufacturing index unexpectedly increased by 1 point to 2 (consensus: -1)." "Meanwhile, the large and small non-manufacturing indexes are both at their highest level since Q3 1991. Finally, inflation expectations for all enterprises rose 0.1pts over the next one, three and five years to 2.5%, 2.4%, and 2.3%, respectively."

EUR/USD attracts some bids and ticks higher to near 1.0820 during the European trading session on Tuesday after the release of the preliminary Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for March and the Eurozone Unemployment Rate for February.

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In 12 months to March, the Eurozone HICP rose by 2.2%, as expected, slower than the 2.3% increase seen in February. In the same period, the core HICP grew moderately by 2.4% compared to expectations of 2.5% and the former release of 2.6%. The Unemployment Rate decelerated to 6.1% in February from the prior release and the estimates of 6.2%. The impact of the Eurozone inflation data is expected to be limited on the European Central Bank’s (ECB) monetary policy outlook as United States (US) President Donald Trump is set to unveil a detailed reciprocal tariff plan for all of the US trading allies on Wednesday, which is expected to be inflationary and weaker for growth in the shared continent. Market participants expect Trump to announce a significant number of tariff measures on the Eurozone as the President has blamed the European Union (EU) for adopting unfair trade practices against the US. The announcement of a 25% levy on imports of foreign cars and light trucks into the US, which will become effective on Wednesday, has already forced financial market participants to revise down their growth forecasts for Germany, given that 13% of the country’s total auto exports are taken by the US. The European Commission (EC) has prepared countermeasures in advance to respond to Trump’s expected new suite of tariffs, as reported by EC President Ursula von der Leyen during European trading hours on Tuesday. “We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to do so, and we will use it,” von der Leyen said, adding that we have the power to “push back against US tariffs”. On Monday, ECB President Christine Lagarde said in an interview with France Inter radio that she sees April 2, touted as “Liberation Day” by Trump, as a moment when we must together decide to take “better control of our destiny” and a step towards independence. Daily digest market movers: EUR/USD remains on tenterhooks ahead of Trump’s tariffs EUR/USD stays on its toes as the Euro and the US Dollar (USD) outlook is uncertain as tariffs from President Trump are inevitable. Market participants expect that Trump’s tariffs will also result in economic shocks for the US economy as domestic importers will bear the burden of higher prices. Investors also expect that Trump’s economic policies could lead to a recession in the US. Market participants' confidence in recession risks escalated after a slew of US officials, including President Donald Trump, didn’t rule out the possibility of economic damage when asked whether new policies could lead to a recession. Meanwhile, investment banking firm Goldman Sachs has also revised its chances for a potential recession to 35%, up from their prior expectations of 20%. The upward revision for recession risks was based on a sharp “deterioration in household and business confidence”. International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva also signaled in an interview with Reuters NEXT Newsmaker on Monday that Trump’s push for imposing reciprocal tariffs has created greater uncertainty and dented confidence, but ruled out fears of a recession. Georgieva said that the IMF is not seeing a" dramatic impact" from the tariffs slapped and threatened so far by Trump. On the economic front, investors await a slew of business and labor market-related data, which will influence market expectations for the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy outlook. In Tuesday’s session, investors will pay close attention to the US S&P Global and ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data for March and the JOLTS Job Openings data for February, which will be published during the North American session. Technical Analysis: EUR/USD oscillates inside Monday’s trading range EUR/USD edges up around 1.0820 against the US Dollar on Tuesday but stays confined inside Monday’s trading range. The near-term outlook of the pair remains firm as it holds the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which trades around 1.0776. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) cools down below 60.00, suggesting that the bullish momentum is over, but the upside bias is intact. Looking down, the December 6 high of 1.0630 will act as the major support zone for the pair. Conversely, the psychological level of 1.1000 will be the key barrier for the Euro bulls. Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 19 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
 

Oil prices have rebounded lately, Danske Bank's FX analyst Stefan Mellin reports.

Oil prices have rebounded lately, Danske Bank's FX analyst Stefan Mellin reports. Market is worried about sanctions and related supply side effects "A host of factors are driving the market including trade woes, growth concerns, halt in the USD sell-off and new oil-related sanctions. The fact that oil prices are rising in this environment to us suggests that the market is more worried about sanctions and related supply side effects." "However, we doubt this can drive oil prices much higher since OPEC+ has started hiking output. Rather clarity on global trade policy and preferably fewer tariffs than what has been pre-announced so far could push oil prices another leg higher."

Oversold decline has not stabilised; New Zealand Dollar (NZD) could drop further, but a sustained break below 0.5640 is unlikely.

Oversold decline has not stabilised; New Zealand Dollar (NZD) could drop further, but a sustained break below 0.5640 is unlikely. In the longer run, rapid increase in momentum suggests NZD is likely to continue to head lower; the major support at 0.5610 may not come into view so quickly, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note. NZD is likely to continue to head lower 24-HOUR VIEW: "After trading in a range for a few days, NZD lurched lower yesterday, falling sharply to a low of 0.5649. While oversold, the decline has not stabilised. Today, provided that NZD holds below 0.5710 (minor resistance is at 0.5690), it could drop further toward the significant support level at 0.5640. Given the oversold conditions, a sustained break below this level is unlikely." 1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "In our most recent narrative from last Wednesday (26 Mar, spot at 0.5730), we highlighted that NZD 'is likely to edge lower toward the major support zone between 0.5650 and 0.5670.' We also highlighted that 'while the likelihood of NZD breaking this support zone is not high, the downward bias will remain intact provided that NZD remains below 0.5770 (‘strong resistance’ level).' NZD subsequently traded in a range, holding below 0.5770 until yesterday, when it plummeted below the support zone, reaching a low of 0.5649. The price action has resulted in a rapid increase in momentum, and we continue to expect NZD to trade lower. However, the next support at 0.5610 may not come into view so quickly. On the upside, the ‘strong resistance’ level has moved lower to 0.5725 from 0.5770."

AUD/USD downtrend has stalled after reaching 0.6080 in February.

AUD/USD downtrend has stalled after reaching 0.6080 in February. It has evolved within a base however a breakout from this consolidation is crucial for confirming a larger up move, Societe Generale's FX analysts report. 0.6185/0.6165 and 0.6080 are next short-term supports "The pair recently failed to overcome the upper limit of its range near 0.6410 resulting in a pullback. If it fails to cross last week high of 0.6330, there could be a risk of continuation in decline. Last month low of 0.6185/0.6165 and 0.6080 are next short-term supports."

Yesterday's figures on the Swiss National Bank's (SNB) foreign exchange interventions, which amounted to around 100 million in the fourth quarter, once again confirmed that the SNB is currently intervening in the foreign exchange market rather cautiously, Commerzbank's FX analyst Michael Pfister notes.

Yesterday's figures on the Swiss National Bank's (SNB) foreign exchange interventions, which amounted to around 100 million in the fourth quarter, once again confirmed that the SNB is currently intervening in the foreign exchange market rather cautiously, Commerzbank's FX analyst Michael Pfister notes. SNB is likely to be comfortable with the franc at the moment "In total, the SNB bought around 1.2 billion CHF in foreign currencies last year to weaken the franc - not a particularly large sum compared with the 22.6 billion CHF in foreign currency sales in the fourth quarter 2023 alone, when the SNB was still trying to strengthen the franc." "But the new figures will have come as little surprise to market participants. While the SNB has emphasised its willingness to intervene more forcefully in the foreign exchange market if necessary, it has also repeatedly warned of the risks of an excessively large balance sheet." "And with Donald Trump in the White House and the risk of being hit with tariffs for intervening to weaken the franc, the SNB is likely to remain cautious in the coming months. However, with EUR/CHF now trading higher than at the end of February due to a stronger euro, the SNB is likely to be more comfortable with the franc at the moment than it was last year."

Silver prices (XAG/USD) broadly unchanged on Tuesday, according to FXStreet data.

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The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, stood at 91.95 on Tuesday, up from 91.62 on Monday. Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver. (An automation tool was used in creating this post.)

Australian Dollar (AUD) could retest the 0.6220 level; any further decline is not expected to reach 0.6185.

Australian Dollar (AUD) could retest the 0.6220 level; any further decline is not expected to reach 0.6185. Increase in momentum indicates AUD could continue to decline, but it is too early to determine if it can reach 0.6185, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note. Momentum indicates AUD can continue to decline 24-HOUR VIEW: "AUD fell sharply yesterday, dropping to a low of 0.6219 before closing on a weak note at 0.6250 (-0.64%). While the rapid drop appears to be overdone, there is no sign of stabilisation just yet. Today, AUD could retest the 0.6220 level, but given the oversold conditions, any further decline is not expected to reach the major support at 0.6185. Resistance is at 0.6265, followed by 0.6280." 1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "Our most recent narrative was from last Wednesday (26 Mar, spot at 0.6305), wherein AUD 'appears range-bound for now, likely between 0.6240 and 0.6355.' AUD subsequently traded sideways until yesterday, when it plummeted to a low of 0.6219. The sharp drop has resulted in an increase in downward momentum, and AUD is likely to continue to decline. Currently, it is too early to determine if AUD has enough momentum to reach last month’s low, near 0.6185. To sustain the buildup in momentum, AUD must remain below the ‘strong resistance’ level, currently at 0.6300."

The currency market caught up with the tariff threat at the start of this week, with the dollar stronger across the board, the yen supported, and high-beta currencies under pressure.

The currency market caught up with the tariff threat at the start of this week, with the dollar stronger across the board, the yen supported, and high-beta currencies under pressure. Again, the big underperformers have been AUD and NZD, likely on the view that China will remain a big focus of US protectionism, ING’s FX analysts Francesco Pesole notes. DXY can move above 104.50 before the big announcement "Despite yesterday’s moves, the dollar has plenty of room to rally should tomorrow’s tariff announcement surprise on the hawkish (risk-negative) side, but remains at risk of data-led downside pressure." "The US macro calendar will have a big say on today’s FX moves, but if we don’t see any data surprise we would not fight the dollar’s tentative recovery, as the latest comments from the US administration are quelling hopes for a lenient tariff announcement tomorrow. We could see DXY move above 104.50 before tomorrow’s big announcement." "JOLTS job openings for February are expected to show a moderate decline to 7.6 million today, with some focus also on the layoff figures. The ISM manufacturing index for March is expected to drop back below 50.0, mirroring the deterioration in sentiment in the sector given tariff uncertainty."

European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Olli Rehn commented on the Bank’s interest rate outlook on Tuesday.

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Gold price (XAU/USD) edges higher again for a second day this week and for the first day of the second quarter of 2025.

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The precious metal trades slightly above $3,130 at the time of writing and the new all-time high was eked out at $3,149 this Tuesday. Investors are still seeking refuge in Gold’s market with United States (US) President Donald Trump set to announce reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday around 19:00 GMT.  Meanwhile, traders brace for a heavy trading week in terms of US economic data. In the runup towards the Nonfarm Payrolls release due on Friday, markets will wait for several data to be published. Overnight, during a CNBC interview, Richmond Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank President Thomas Barkin said the economic reading is wrapped in a thick fog and is unclear for policymakers to read where rates should go, while recession fears are still on the table, CNBC reports. Daily digest market movers: The event just around the cornerThe surging Gold price has propelled South African mining Stocks to their best monthly performance on record, shielding the country’s benchmark index from the mayhem in global markets, Reuters reports. The South African mining Equities had their best monthly performance on record in March, with a 33% jump, driven by increasing Gold prices. The CME FedWatch tool sees chances for a rate cut in May decrease to 13.1% compared to near 18.1% on Monday. A rate cut in June is still the most plausible outcome, with only a 23.1% chance for rates to remain at current levels. Physical demand and a favorable macro backdrop are helping drive the Gold rally, according to Amy Gower, a commodity strategist at Morgan Stanley, which predicts prices may rise to $3,300 or $3,400 this year. That outlook coincides with forecasts from other major banks, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now looking for $3,300 by year-end, Bloomberg reports.Gold Price Technical Analysis: Once the event is thereA small ‘parental advisory’ on the longevity of the Gold rally makes sense around now. With the main tailwind for the Goldrush set to be officially announced, the ‘buy the rumour, sell the fact’ rule of thumb should be considered. The risk could be that once the reciprocal tariffs take effect on Wednesday, only easing due to profit-taking in Gold could occur once separate trade agreements and partial unwinds take place.   On the upside, the daily R1 resistance at $3,142 has already been tested in Tuesday’s steep rally. The R2 resistance at $3,160 could still be targeted later in the US trading session as the European session sees Gold price action settle a touch. Further up, the broader upside target stands at $3,200. On the downside, the daily Pivot Point at $3,109 should be strong enough to support any selling pressure. Further down, the S1 support at $3,091 is quite far, though it could still be tested without completely erasing the prior’s day move. Finally, the S2 support at $3,058 should ensure that Gold does not fall back below $3,000. XAU/USD: Daily Chart Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.  

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price falls on Tuesday, early in the European session.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price falls on Tuesday, early in the European session. WTI trades at $70.99 per barrel, down from Monday’s close at $71.14. Brent Oil Exchange Rate (Brent crude) is also shedding ground, trading at $74.40 after its previous daily close at $74.56. WTI Oil FAQs What is WTI Oil? WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media. What factors drive the price of WTI Oil? Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa. How does inventory data impact the price of WTI Oil The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency. How does OPEC influence the price of WTI Oil? OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia. Disclaimer: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent oil prices mentioned above are based on FXStreet data feed for Contracts for Differences (CFDs). (An automation tool was used in creating this post.)

The USD/CAD pair touches a two-and-half-week top on Tuesday, though it struggles to find acceptance or build on the intraday uptick beyond the 1.4400 mark.

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Spot prices, however, manage to preserve the recent recovery gains as traders now await US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs announcement before placing fresh directional bets. In the meantime, a modest US Dollar (USD) strength acts as a tailwind for the USD/CAD pair. The Canadian Dollar (CAD), on the other hand, is undermined by the risk of a further escalation of the US-Canada trade war. Apart from this, domestic political uncertainty ahead of the snap election on April 28 is seen weighing on the CAD and lending support to the currency pair.  Meanwhile, investors now seem convinced that slowing US economic growth on the back of the uncertainty over Trump's trade tariffs could force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to resume its rate-cutting cycle soon. This, along with a slight improvement in the global risk sentiment, keeps a lid on any meaningful upside for the safe-haven Greenback and the USD/CAD pair.  Furthermore, the recent move up in Crude Oil prices, to over a one-month high touched on Monday, underpins the commodity-linked Loonie and contributes to capping the USD/CAD pair. Trump threatened massive tariffs on Russian oil and potential bombings in Iran, which raises the risk of supply disruption and acting as a tailwind for Crude Oil prices.  Traders now look forward to the US economic docket – featuring the release of JOLTS Job Openings and ISM Manufacturing PMI. The focus, however, will remain glued to Trump's trade policies, which will influence the broader risk sentiment and drive the USD demand. Apart from this, Oil price dynamics should provide some impetus to the USD/CAD pair. Tariffs FAQs What are tariffs? Tariffs are customs duties levied on certain merchandise imports or a category of products. Tariffs are designed to help local producers and manufacturers be more competitive in the market by providing a price advantage over similar goods that can be imported. Tariffs are widely used as tools of protectionism, along with trade barriers and import quotas. What is the difference between taxes and tariffs? Although tariffs and taxes both generate government revenue to fund public goods and services, they have several distinctions. Tariffs are prepaid at the port of entry, while taxes are paid at the time of purchase. Taxes are imposed on individual taxpayers and businesses, while tariffs are paid by importers. Are tariffs good or bad? There are two schools of thought among economists regarding the usage of tariffs. While some argue that tariffs are necessary to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances, others see them as a harmful tool that could potentially drive prices higher over the long term and lead to a damaging trade war by encouraging tit-for-tat tariffs. What is US President Donald Trump’s tariff plan? During the run-up to the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump made it clear that he intends to use tariffs to support the US economy and American producers. In 2024, Mexico, China and Canada accounted for 42% of total US imports. In this period, Mexico stood out as the top exporter with $466.6 billion, according to the US Census Bureau. Hence, Trump wants to focus on these three nations when imposing tariffs. He also plans to use the revenue generated through tariffs to lower personal income taxes.  

The Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose at an annual pace of 2.2% in March after increasing by 2.3% in February, the official data released by Eurostat showed Tuesday. The data matched the market forecast of 2.2% in the reported period.

The Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose at an annual pace of 2.2% in March after increasing by 2.3% in February, the official data released by Eurostat showed Tuesday. The data matched the market forecast of 2.2% in the reported period.The core HICP accelerated 2.4% year-over-year (YoY) in March, compared with a 2.6% growth in February, missing the 2.5% market estimate.more to come ....

Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade with a negative tone at the beginning of Tuesday, according to FXStreet data.

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Eurozone Unemployment Rate came in at 6.1%, below expectations (6.2%) in February

Eurozone Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) up to 1% in March from previous 0.5%

Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) up to 0.6% in March from previous 0.4%

Greece Unemployment Rate (MoM): 8.6% (February) vs previous 8.7%

Eurozone Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY) came in at 2.4%, below expectations (2.5%) in March

Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY) in line with forecasts (2.2%) in March

Bank of England (BoE) policymaker Megan Greene said on Tuesday that “rising inflation expectations are a concern.”

.fxs-related-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-related-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-related-module-related-link a{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a{text-decoration:none;color:#1b1c23;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;line-height:20px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a:hover,.fxs-related-module-related-link:hover,.fxs-related-module-related-link:hover a{color:#e4871b}.fxs-related-module-related-link a:hover{text-decoration:none}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-related-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}} Bank of England (BoE) policymaker Megan Greene said on Tuesday that “rising inflation expectations are a concern.”Further commentsInflation expectations remain anchored.Slack is opening in the UK labour market.Disinflation continues to be underway.Wage growth is above what our models can explain.Worried supply is weaker than expected.I am more worried about supply than demand.It's possible people are now more sensitive to inflation.The risk is that this leads to second-round effects.There are moderate upside risks to gas prices.The quality of UK stats is another source of uncertainty.Wage growth is not slowing as fast as I'd like to see.Tariffs on balance are disinflationary for UK.Trade diversion could happen very quickly. Related news Pound Sterling flattens against US Dollar as investors await new suite of Trump’s tariffs UK inflation cools down Pound GBP/USD: Any decline is likely limited to a test of 1.2880 – UOB Group

The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate unchanged at 4.1% this morning.

The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate unchanged at 4.1% this morning. In its statement, the RBA made it clear that its priority was to return inflation to the middle of its 2-3% target range and that there were still too many uncertainties about the economic outlook, both in Australia and globally, to cut rates again at this time, Commerzbank's FX analyst Volkmar Baur notes.  RBA to make a move at the next meeting in May "On the domestic front, the RBA is particularly concerned that the labour market remains very tight and that persistently low unemployment and weak productivity could lead to wage growth that could reignite inflation. On the global front, the central bank is particularly concerned about a potential trade war, which could weaken the economy but still fuel inflation." "More surprisingly, the central bank says that there is uncertainty about the time lag with which changes in monetary policy take effect. The statement itself is absolutely correct – but it can hardly refer to the interest rate hikes, because the majority of them took place more than two years ago. And the RBA only cut rates six weeks ago, and then only by 25 basis points. In the current global environment of high uncertainty, it will be probably be difficult to discern the impact of a single 25 basis point move at all, regardless of the time lag. It would have to cut rates by a larger amount." "In the coming weeks, much will depend on the development of the labour market, which has shown some weakness recently. I continue to believe that both the economy and inflation will prove less robust than the RBA currently anticipates, and therefore expect a rate move at the next meeting in May."

Oil prices rose yesterday amid growing threats to oil supplies, ING's commodity experts Ewa Manthey and Warren Patterson note.

Oil prices rose yesterday amid growing threats to oil supplies, ING's commodity experts Ewa Manthey and Warren Patterson note. Oil prices to push much higher  "ICE Brent settled almost 2.8% higher after with President Trump threatened secondary tariffs on Russia and Iran. This follows an executive order last week taking similar action against Venezuela. For now, it appears to be just a threat to Russia and Iran. However, if it becomes a reality, it creates plenty of upside risk to the market given the significant oil export volumes from both countries." "Russia exports around 7.4m b/d of crude oil and refined products, while Iran exports around 1.4m b/d of crude oil. This tool could be very effective in persuading buyers to shun the targeted oil, with the impact on the buying country’s economy potentially far outweighing the benefits of buying discounted crude oil."  "The key buyers of Russian crude oil are China and India, whose top export markets are the US. However, taking such action, particularly against Russia, would make it harder for Trump to lower oil prices, as promised. Instead, it would push prices much higher."

As the 2 April 'Liberation Day' approaches, financial markets have turned more jittery with exporters and businesses bracing for potentially hard-hitting import tariffs imposed by US President Trump, UOB Group's economists Suan Teck Kin and Alvin Liew note.

As the 2 April 'Liberation Day' approaches, financial markets have turned more jittery with exporters and businesses bracing for potentially hard-hitting import tariffs imposed by US President Trump, UOB Group's economists Suan Teck Kin and Alvin Liew note.   Market in turmoil ahead of 2 Apr 'Liberation Day' "Ahead of the 2 Apr 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement by US President Trump, it is highly uncertain how Asian exporters will be affected, as a number of them are likely to be on the 'Dirty 15' list, including Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, and Malaysia."  "The upcoming tariff announcements could be a combination of: 1) countryspecific tariff, e.g. the earlier announcement of 25% imposed on all imports from Canada and Mexico; 2) reciprocal tariff i.e. the US would implement tariff rate on imports from others that match tariffs that those countries impose on US products; and 3) product specific, e.g. the 25% duty on all automobile imports into the US that is slated to take effect from 2 April."  "For Asian countries, particularly ASEAN-5, reciprocal tariff would be relatively easier to manage, since the average rates in those countries hover around 7- 8%. However, product specific tariff rates, especially in the double-digit range, could cause significant impact to these exporters and their supply chain partners. It is too early to assess the potential implications at this point, and we will await 2 April for better clarity."

Pound Sterling (GBP) is under mild downward pressure vs US Dollar (USD); it is expected to edge lower, but any decline is likely limited to a test of 1.2880.

Pound Sterling (GBP) is under mild downward pressure vs US Dollar (USD); it is expected to edge lower, but any decline is likely limited to a test of 1.2880. In the longer run, current price movements are likely part of a range trading phase, expected to be between 1.2850 and 1.3050, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.   GBP is under mild downward pressure 24-HOUR VIEW: "GBP dropped to 1.2886 yesterday, closing slightly lower at 1.2918 (-0.10%). The price action has resulted in a modest increase in downward momentum. Today, we expect GBP to edge lower, but as momentum is not strong, any decline is likely limited to a test of 1.2880. The major support at 1.2850 is unlikely to come under threat. Resistance is at 1.2940; a breach of 1.2960 would indicate that the current mild downward pressure has faded."  1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "Our most recent narrative was from last Friday (28 Mar, spot at 1.2950), wherein 'the current price movements are likely part of a range trading phase, expected to be between 1.2850 and 1.3050.' There is no change in our view."

Yesterday brought us three pieces of news that could be relevant for the euro.

Yesterday brought us three pieces of news that could be relevant for the euro. Italian inflation in March was much higher than expected, while German inflation was slightly lower. In France, Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling EU funds and sentenced to prison and a fine, as well as banned from standing in elections for the next five years. Finally, reports emerged overnight that an increasing number of ECB Governing Council members are open to the idea of leaving interest rates unchanged in April. As a result, market expectations were slightly corrected and the euro gained some ground, Commerzbank's FX analyst Michael Pfister notes.  ECB can leave interest rates unchanged "With the Dutch figures published this morning, almost 85% of the figures for the euro area as a whole are now known. The figures so far point to slight upside risks with 0.68% for month-on-month and 2.23% for year-on-year inflation (0.6% and 2.2% are expected). However, as we are not the only ones to derive an estimate for the euro area as a whole from the already known figures, the surprise should be limited – if it comes at all and the missing 15% does not prevent it." "In France, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing nationalist Rassemblement National, was found guilty of embezzling EU funds and sentenced to prison and a fine, as well as banned from standing in elections for the next five years. The latter is immediate and cannot be delayed by a possible lengthy appeal process through the courts. This is a major setback for Le Pen, especially with the French presidential elections in 2027, and fuels fears that France is becoming ungovernable, which does not bode well for the euro area." "This ECB point is likely to be the most important for the euro for the time being. Now that the appreciation of the euro in the wake of the German fiscal package has corrected somewhat in recent days, the euro's future strength is likely to depend primarily on how much the ECB delays further interest rate cuts. If the ECB refrains from cutting rates in April and instead emphasises the uncertainties regarding inflation due to possible US tariffs, this would be a strong signal for the euro. Anyone who is bullish on the euro will be hoping for further reports between now and then that the ECB wants to take a slower approach."

United Kingdom S&P Global/CIPS Manufacturing PMI registered at 44.9 above expectations (44.6) in March

Euro (EUR) is expected to trade in a sideways range between 1.0780 and 1.0840 vs US Dollar (USD).

Euro (EUR) is expected to trade in a sideways range between 1.0780 and 1.0840 vs US Dollar (USD). In the longer run, current price movements are likely part of a range trading phase; EUR is expected to trade in a 1.0730/1.0845 range for now, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.  Current price movements are likely part of a range trading phase 24-HOUR VIEW: "EUR traded between 1.0783 and 1.0849 yesterday, closing little changed at 1.0817 (-0.09%). The price movements did not result in any increase in either downward or upward momentum. Today, we expect EUR to trade sideways, probably between 1.0780 and 1.0840."  1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "In our latest update from last Friday (28 Mar), when EUR was at 1.0800, we indicated that 'if EUR breaks above 1.0825, it would mean that it is likely to trade in a range instead of declining.' EUR subsequently rose above 1.0825. The current price movements are likely part of a range trading phase, and EUR is expected to trade in a 1.0730/1.0895 range for now."

EUR/USD traded briefly below 1.080 yesterday before revering later in the session.

EUR/USD traded briefly below 1.080 yesterday before revering later in the session. The euro remains rather resilient to the whole tariff story anyway: despite the EU being among the biggest victims of this week’s round of tariffs, European currencies are faring much better than China proxies or CAD, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes. A move to 1.070-1.073 can be on the cards in the coming days "What also may have helped the euro is a Bloomberg report suggesting that more ECB officials are ready to accept a pause in April. There is a possibility the ECB tipped the media as policymakers were uncomfortable with markets pricing in over 20bp of easing for the April meeting yesterday morning. The ECB probably wants to avoid a situation where it is led by market pricing to take a decision (cut) with the alternative (hold) being delivering a blow to an already turbulent bond market." "Anyway, the implied probability of a cut as of this morning is still high (74%). We’ll see what the flash CPI report for March tells us today, but the indications were modestly dovish from Germany yesterday and the consensus is for a decline from 2.6% to 2.5% in core eurozone inflation." "We remain generally cautious about following any EUR/USD rally into the tariff event and instead see mostly downside risks, barring any meaningful US data surprise. We still think a move to 1.070-1.073 can be on the cards in the coming days if the US goes ahead with an aggressive tariff plan."

Austria Unemployment fell from previous 347.4K to 316.3K in March

Austria Unemployment Rate down to 7.4% in March from previous 8.1%

Italy Unemployment below expectations (6.3%) in February: Actual (5.9%)

Greece S&P Global Manufacturing PMI climbed from previous 52.6 to 55 in March

Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI came in at 48.6 below forecasts (48.7) in March

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) will be released on Tuesday by the United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}The US JOLTS data will be watched closely ahead of the release of the March employment report on Friday.Job openings are forecast to decline toward 7.63 million in February.The state of the labor market is a key factor for Fed officials when setting policy.The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) will be released on Tuesday by the United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The publication will provide data about the change in the number of job openings in February, alongside the number of layoffs and quits. JOLTS data is scrutinized by market participants and Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers because it can provide valuable insights into the supply-demand dynamics in the labor market, a key factor impacting salaries and inflation. Job openings have been declining steadily since coming in above 12 million in March 2022, indicating a steady cooldown in labor market conditions. In September 2024, the number of jobs declined to 7.44 million, marking the lowest reading since January 2021, before rising to 7.8 million and 8.09 million in October and November, respectively. At the end of 2024, the data came in at 7.5 million before rebounding to 7.74 million in January.  What to expect in the next JOLTS report? Markets expect job openings to decline to 7.63 million on the last business day of February. Following the March policy meeting, the Federal Reserve (Fed) noted that the Unemployment rate has stabilized at a low level and labor market conditions remain solid. The revised Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) showed that Fed policymakers project a 4.4% unemployment rate at the end of 2025, compared to 4.3% in December’s SEP. In the post-meeting press conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell repeated that the labor market seemed to be broadly in balance. It is important to note that while the JOLTS data refers to the end of February, the official Employment report, which will be released on Friday, measures data for March. Additionally, market participants could refrain from taking large positions based on this data before US President Donald Trump announces the details of the new tariff regime on Wednesday.  In February, Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) rose by 151,000, falling short of the market expectation for an increase of 160,000. The CME FedWatch Tool currently shows that markets are pricing in a less-than-20% probability of a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut in May. Although the job openings data is unlikely to influence the Fed rate outlook, a significant negative surprise, with a reading at or below 7 million, could weigh on the US Dollar (USD) with the immediate reaction. On the other hand, the market positioning suggests that the USD doesn’t have a lot of room on the upside, even if the data comes in better than forecast.  "Hires held at 5.4 million, and total separations changed little at 5.3 million,” the BLS said in its January JOLTS report. “Within separations, quits (3.3 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.6 million) changed little.” Economic Indicator JOLTS Job Openings JOLTS Job Openings is a survey done by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to help measure job vacancies. It collects data from employers including retailers, manufacturers and different offices each month. Read more. Next release: Tue Apr 01, 2025 14:00 Frequency: MonthlyConsensus: 7.63MPrevious: 7.74MSource: US Bureau of Labor Statistics When will the JOLTS report be released and how could it affect EUR/USD? Job opening numbers will be published on Tuesday at 14:00 GMT. Eren Sengezer, European Session Lead Analyst at FXStreet, shares his technical outlook for EUR/USD: “EUR/USD clings to a bullish stance but lacks momentum, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the daily chart holding slightly above 50. On the downside, the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) aligns as a key support level at 1.0730 before 1.0585-1.0570 (50-day SMA, Fibonacci 38.2% retracement of the October-January downtrend).” “Looking north, the first resistance level could be spotted at 1.0900 (static level) ahead of 1.1000 (Fibonacci 78.6% retracement) and 1.1100 (static level).” US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.
 

Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI in line with forecasts (48.3) in March

The Pound Sterling (GBP) ranges around 1.2900 against the US Dollar (USD) in Tuesday’s European session.

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The GBP/USD pair flattens as investors brace for reciprocal tariffs from United States (US) President Donald Trump, which will be announced on the so-called “Liberation Day” on Wednesday.  President Trump is expected to impose large tariffs on nations with significantly higher trade surpluses against the US, aiming to fix what he calls “trade imbalances”.  On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with Fox News that people are going to see “fair trade” that will make the global trading system “fair for American workers” again, and that the US trading allies will have an opportunity to lower their “tariffs and non-tariff barriers”. Given that higher tariffs from Donald Trump are inevitable, investors will majorly focus on responses from US trading partners. Trump's tariffs are expected to majorly impact China, the Eurozone, Canada, Japan, and Mexico, and any retaliatory measures from them will lead to an all-over global trade war. Such a scenario will be unfavorable for global economic growth, including the US, as US importers will bear the impact of higher tariffs. This week, investors will also focus on a slew of US business and labor market data, which will influence market expectations for the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy outlook. Meanwhile, Fed officials have been guiding that interest rates should remain in their current range of 4.25%-4.50% as Trump’s economic policies are expected to be inflationary for the economy. In Tuesday’s session, investors will focus on the US S&P Global and ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data for March, which will be published at 13:45 and 14:00 GMT, respectively. The revised S&P Global Manufacturing PMI is expected to remain unchanged from the preliminary reading of 49.8 in March, while the ISM Manufacturing PMI is estimated to have fallen to 49.5 from 50.3 in February. A figure below 50.0 suggests that the manufacturing sector activity contracted. Daily digest market movers: Pound Sterling trades with caution as US-UK economic deal delays The Pound Sterling trades cautiously against its major peers on Tuesday, with United Kingdom (UK) officials assessing potential economic risks from Trump’s tariffs, which will be unveiled on Wednesday.  On Monday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman said that the administration has been actively preparing for all “eventualities” ahead of President Trump's announcement of “planned tariffs”, which are expected to impact the “UK alongside other countries”. Starmer added that negotiations between London and Washington on securing an economic deal that would have averted tariffs have been extended beyond Wednesday. The UK Office for Business Responsibility (OBR) warns that Trump’s policies could wipe out the government fiscal buffer and cut the economy’s size by as much as 1%. Such a scenario could force the Bank of England (BoE) to adopt a swift monetary easing stance to stimulate economic growth. Currently, traders see the BoE reducing interest rates two times this year. The BoE has already cut interest rates once in 2025. On the economic front, investors will focus on revised S&P Global/CIPS Manufacturing PMI data for March, which will be published at 08:30 GMT. The Manufacturing PMI is expected to have remained in line with preliminary estimates of 44.6. Technical Analysis: Pound Sterling ranges against US Dollar around 1.2900 The Pound Sterling trades inside Monday’s trading range against the US Dollar on Tuesday. The GBP/USD pair continues to wobble around the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement, plotted from late-September high to mid-January low, near 1.2930. The 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) continues to provide support to the pair around 1.2890. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) cools down to near 60.00 after turning overbought above 70.00. Should a fresh bullish momentum come into action if the RSI resumes the upside journey after holding above the 60.00 level Looking down, the 50% Fibonacci retracement at 1.2770 and the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement at 1.2615 will act as key support zones for the pair. On the upside, the October 15 high of 1.3100 will act as a key resistance zone. Pound Sterling FAQs What is the Pound Sterling? The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling? The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects. How does economic data influence the value of the Pound? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall. How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound? Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

Indian Rupee (INR) crosses trade on the front foot at the beginning of Tuesday, according to FXStreet data.

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France HCOB Manufacturing PMI came in at 48.5 below forecasts (48.9) in March

Italy HCOB Manufacturing PMI came in at 46.6, below expectations (48) in March

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday, “we do not necessarily want to retaliate. But if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to do so and we will use it.”

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a} European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday, “we do not necessarily want to retaliate. But if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to do so and we will use it.”Additional comments"Will assess US announcements carefully to give calibrated response.""All instruments are on the table for countermeasures.""We have the power to push back against US tariffs."Market reactionThe Euro (EUR) remains unfazed by these headlines, with EUR/USD losing 0.07% on the day to trade near 1.0800 as of writing. Euro PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the weakest against the Japanese Yen. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD 0.06% 0.10% -0.16% 0.07% 0.02% 0.14% -0.13% EUR -0.06% -0.02% -0.27% -0.04% -0.10% 0.03% -0.25% GBP -0.10% 0.02% -0.27% -0.03% -0.08% 0.05% -0.23% JPY 0.16% 0.27% 0.27% 0.24% 0.19% 0.30% 0.05% CAD -0.07% 0.04% 0.03% -0.24% -0.06% 0.07% -0.21% AUD -0.02% 0.10% 0.08% -0.19% 0.06% 0.13% -0.18% NZD -0.14% -0.03% -0.05% -0.30% -0.07% -0.13% -0.27% CHF 0.13% 0.25% 0.23% -0.05% 0.21% 0.18% 0.27% The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote). =

Switzerland SVME - Purchasing Managers' Index below forecasts (49.8) in March: Actual (48.9)

Spain HCOB Manufacturing PMI below expectations (50) in March: Actual (49.5)

The USD/CHF pair softens to near 0.8840 during the early European session on Tuesday.

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Several Trump administration officials suggested that reciprocal tariffs would be focused on a handful of countries that have large trade imbalances with the US. However, US President Donald Trump said that his “reciprocal tariffs” plan will target all other countries when they are unveiled on Wednesday. The lack of advance clarity on trade policy, along with the potential economic impact of another round of sweeping tariffs, could undermine the Greenback in the near term.

Data released by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office on Tuesday showed that the country’s Real Retail Sales rose 1.6% YoY in February, compared to a rise of 2.9% in January (revised from 1.3%). This reading came in stronger than the expectation of 1.5%. The Swiss Franc remains firm in immediate reaction to the upbeat Swiss economic data. 

Meanwhile, global uncertainties and persistent geopolitical tensions could boost the safe-haven flows, benefiting the CHF. Trump also threatened Iran over the weekend with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. Iran officials warn against any military adventurism and will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the US or its proxy, against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests.  Swiss Franc FAQs What key factors drive the Swiss Franc? The Swiss Franc (CHF) is Switzerland’s official currency. It is among the top ten most traded currencies globally, reaching volumes that well exceed the size of the Swiss economy. Its value is determined by the broad market sentiment, the country’s economic health or action taken by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), among other factors. Between 2011 and 2015, the Swiss Franc was pegged to the Euro (EUR). The peg was abruptly removed, resulting in a more than 20% increase in the Franc’s value, causing a turmoil in markets. Even though the peg isn’t in force anymore, CHF fortunes tend to be highly correlated with the Euro ones due to the high dependency of the Swiss economy on the neighboring Eurozone. Why is the Swiss Franc considered a safe-haven currency? The Swiss Franc (CHF) is considered a safe-haven asset, or a currency that investors tend to buy in times of market stress. This is due to the perceived status of Switzerland in the world: a stable economy, a strong export sector, big central bank reserves or a longstanding political stance towards neutrality in global conflicts make the country’s currency a good choice for investors fleeing from risks. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen CHF value against other currencies that are seen as more risky to invest in. How do decisions of the Swiss National Bank impact the Swiss Franc? The Swiss National Bank (SNB) meets four times a year – once every quarter, less than other major central banks – to decide on monetary policy. The bank aims for an annual inflation rate of less than 2%. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF. How does economic data influence the value of the Swiss Franc? Macroeconomic data releases in Switzerland are key to assessing the state of the economy and can impact the Swiss Franc’s (CHF) valuation. The Swiss economy is broadly stable, but any sudden change in economic growth, inflation, current account or the central bank’s currency reserves have the potential to trigger moves in CHF. Generally, high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence are good for CHF. Conversely, if economic data points to weakening momentum, CHF is likely to depreciate. How does the Eurozone monetary policy affect the Swiss Franc? As a small and open economy, Switzerland is heavily dependent on the health of the neighboring Eurozone economies. The broader European Union is Switzerland’s main economic partner and a key political ally, so macroeconomic and monetary policy stability in the Eurozone is essential for Switzerland and, thus, for the Swiss Franc (CHF). With such dependency, some models suggest that the correlation between the fortunes of the Euro (EUR) and the CHF is more than 90%, or close to perfect.  

Here is what you need to know on Tuesday, April 1:

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In the European session, March inflation data from the Euro area will be watched closely and the US economic calendar will feature JOLTS Job Openings data for February and ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report for March. US Dollar PRICE Last 7 days The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies last 7 days. US Dollar was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD -0.06% 0.01% -0.57% 0.53% 0.47% 1.00% 0.09% EUR 0.06% 0.06% -0.53% 0.58% 0.55% 1.05% 0.14% GBP -0.01% -0.06% -0.60% 0.52% 0.49% 1.00% 0.04% JPY 0.57% 0.53% 0.60% 1.11% 1.09% 1.58% 0.66% CAD -0.53% -0.58% -0.52% -1.11% -0.02% 0.47% -0.48% AUD -0.47% -0.55% -0.49% -1.09% 0.02% 0.50% -0.42% NZD -1.00% -1.05% -1.00% -1.58% -0.47% -0.50% -0.95% CHF -0.09% -0.14% -0.04% -0.66% 0.48% 0.42% 0.95% The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote). The US Dollar (USD) benefited from the risk-averse market atmosphere in the first half of the day on Monday. Following a bearish opening, Wall Street's main indexes staged a rebound later in the American session and limited the USD's gains. US President Donald Trump reiterated late Monday that his reciprocal tariffs plan will target all countries.During the Asian trading hours, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced that it left the policy rate unchanged at 4.1%, as expected. In its policy statement, the RBA noted that the uncertainty about the outlook abroad remains significant. While speaking in the post-meeting press conference, RBA Governor Michele Bullock said policymakers did not discuss a rate cut and explained that they will be waiting for more data before taking the next step. After losing nearly 0.7% on Monday, AUD/USD holds its ground and trades marginally higher on the day at around 0.6250 in the European morning. Meanwhile, the data from China showed that the Caixin Manufacturing PMI improved to 51.2 in March from 50.8 in February.EUR/USD struggles to gain traction and trades near 1.0800 after posting small losses on Monday.GBP/USD recovered modestly after dipping below 1.2900 on Monday and ended the day marginally lower. The pair stays relatively quiet and fluctuates in a narrow channel at around 1.2920 to start the European session.The Unemployment Rate in Japan edged lower to 2.4% in February from 2.5% in January. Other data from Japan showed that the Tankan Large Industry Capex rose by 3.1% in the first quarter. USD/JPY showed no reaction to these data and was last seen moving sideways slightly below 150.00.Gold set a new all-time high near $3,150 during the Asian session on Tuesday after rising more than 1% on Monday. XAU/USD corrects lower toward $3,130 in the European morning.
Tariffs FAQs What are tariffs? Tariffs are customs duties levied on certain merchandise imports or a category of products. Tariffs are designed to help local producers and manufacturers be more competitive in the market by providing a price advantage over similar goods that can be imported. Tariffs are widely used as tools of protectionism, along with trade barriers and import quotas. What is the difference between taxes and tariffs? Although tariffs and taxes both generate government revenue to fund public goods and services, they have several distinctions. Tariffs are prepaid at the port of entry, while taxes are paid at the time of purchase. Taxes are imposed on individual taxpayers and businesses, while tariffs are paid by importers. Are tariffs good or bad? There are two schools of thought among economists regarding the usage of tariffs. While some argue that tariffs are necessary to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances, others see them as a harmful tool that could potentially drive prices higher over the long term and lead to a damaging trade war by encouraging tit-for-tat tariffs. What is US President Donald Trump’s tariff plan? During the run-up to the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump made it clear that he intends to use tariffs to support the US economy and American producers. In 2024, Mexico, China and Canada accounted for 42% of total US imports. In this period, Mexico stood out as the top exporter with $466.6 billion, according to the US Census Bureau. Hence, Trump wants to focus on these three nations when imposing tariffs. He also plans to use the revenue generated through tariffs to lower personal income taxes.

Sweden Purchasing Managers Index Manufacturing (MoM): 53.6 (March) vs 53.5

Switzerland Real Retail Sales (YoY) above expectations (1.5%) in February: Actual (1.6%)

The EUR/USD pair gains momentum to around 1.0815 during the early European session on Tuesday.

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Trump said late Monday that his reciprocal tariffs plan will target all other countries when it is unveiled Wednesday, adding more uncertainty to the much-anticipated trade policy just days before its implementation.  Trump denied that the additional tariffs will target just the top 10 or 15 trade partners that have their own import duties on US goods. 

Furthermore, the concerns over the economic slowdown in the US could drag the US Dollar (USD) lower and create a tailwind for the major pair in the near term. Nonetheless, the softening stance on tariffs from the Trump administration could soothe investors worried a global trade war will slow down the US economy, which could help limit the USD’s losses. 

Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin said late Monday that the US central bank would need to have confidence that inflation will move down before cutting the interest rates again. New York Fed President John Williams noted that the policy is in a good position to navigate through uncertainties, despite potential risks of higher inflation. Swaps traders continued to price in about two quarter-point rate cuts this year, with the first seen coming in July, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Traders will keep an eye on the preliminary reading of Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) data for March from the Eurozone. Also, the European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde is scheduled to speak later on Tuesday. On the US docket, the ISM Manufacturing PMI report for March will be released.  Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 19 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

Russia S&P Global Manufacturing PMI dipped from previous 50.2 to 48.2 in March

United Kingdom Nationwide Housing Prices n.s.a (YoY) remains unchanged at 3.9% in March

United Kingdom Nationwide Housing Prices s.a (MoM) below expectations (0.2%) in March: Actual (0%)

At the onset of the new fiscal year (FY) 2025-2026 in India, the Gold price stands tall on Tuesday after gaining 32% in FY 2024-2025.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} At the onset of the new fiscal year (FY) 2025-2026 in India, the Gold price stands tall on Tuesday after gaining 32% in FY 2024-2025. The buying interest around Gold price in India remains unabated amid speculations about its potential to reach Indian Rupees (INR) 1 lakh per 10 grams in FY26.  Increased central bank buying and escalating trade war tensions, triggered by US President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies, continue to power the traditional safe-haven asset.  At the time of writing, Gold price changes hands at INR 8,647.24 per gram, following Monday's close of INR 8,586.34, according to data compiled by FXStreet. Meanwhile, Gold price increased to INR 100,859.70 per tola from INR 100,149.40 per tola a day earlier. Unit measure Gold Price in INR 1 Gram 8,647.24 10 Grams 86,472.42 Tola 100,859.70 Troy Ounce 268,959.50   Global Market Movers: Gold price buying remains unabated  The US President dashed hopes the levies would be limited to a smaller group of countries with the biggest trade imbalances and said on Sunday that reciprocal tariffs would essentially include all nations. This comes on top of Trump's 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, and auto imports, stoking worries about a widening global trade war. Furthermore, investors now seem convinced that a tariff-driven slowdown in the US economic activity would force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to resume its rate-cutting cycle soon, despite sticky inflation. This, in turn, assists the safe-haven Gold price to register its strongest quarter since 1986 and hit a fresh record high on Tuesday.  The markets are currently pricing in the possibility that the US central bank will lower borrowing costs by 80 basis points by the end of this year. This keeps the US Treasury bond yields depressed, which, in turn, does little to help the US Dollar attract any meaningful buyers and further underpins the non-yielding yellow metal.  On the geopolitical front, Ukrainian officials said early on Monday that Russia bombed the city of Kharkiv in north-eastern Ukraine for the second night in a row. Moreover, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had fired more than 1,000 drones in the past week and called for a response from the US and other allies. Israel earlier this month ended its ceasefire with the Hamas militant group and renewed its air and ground strikes. Adding to this, the Israeli military has issued mass evacuation orders for Rafah, signaling a possible new ground operation in the city, raising the risk of a further escalation of tensions in the region.  Traders now look to this week's key US macro releases, scheduled at the beginning of a new month, starting with the JOLTS openings and ISM Manufacturing PMI on Tuesday. This will be followed by the ADP report on Wednesday, US ISM Services PMI on Thursday, and the closely-watched US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) on Friday.  The focus, however, will remain glued to Trump's impending reciprocal tariffs announcement later today, at 19:00 GMT. This will play a key role in influencing the broader risk sentiment and the USD price dynamics, which, in turn, should provide some meaningful impetus to the XAU/USD pair.  FXStreet calculates Gold prices in India by adapting international prices (USD/INR) to the local currency and measurement units. Prices are updated daily based on the market rates taken at the time of publication. Prices are just for reference and local rates could diverge slightly.   Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up. (An automation tool was used in creating this post.)

Silver (XAG/USD) oscillates in a narrow trading band following the previous day's good two-way price moves, though it holds above the $34.00 mark through the Asian session on Tuesday.

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Moreover, the white metal remains close to a multi-month high, around the $34.60 area touched last Friday. Looking at the broader picture, the recent strong positive move witnessed since the beginning of 2025 has been along an upward-sloping channel. This points to a well-established short-term uptrend. Furthermore, oscillators on the daily chart are holding comfortably in positive territory and are still away from being in the overbought zone. This, in turn, suggests that the path of least resistance for the XAG/USD is to the upside.  Hence, a move beyond the year-to-date high around the $34.60 area, towards retesting a multi-year peak near the $34.85 region touched in October, looks like a distinct possibility. The latter now coincides with the top boundary of the aforementioned trend channel, which if cleared decisively will be seen as a fresh trigger for bulls and set the stage for a further near-term appreciating move for the XAG/USD. On the flip side, any corrective pullback might continue to attract some dip-buyers and remain limited near the overnight swing low, around mid-$33.00s. A convincing break below, however, might prompt some technical selling and drag the XAG/USD to the $33.00 round figure, en route to the $32.65 region and the $32.00 mark. The latter represents the lower end of the ascending trend channel and should act as a strong base for the commodity. Silver daily chart Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.  

Australia RBA Commodity Index SDR (YoY) climbed from previous -8.2% to -6.5% in March

Netherlands, The Markit Manufacturing PMI fell from previous 50 to 49.6 in March

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $71.35 during the early Asian session on Tuesday.

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Trump said on Sunday that he was "pissed off" at Russian President Vladimir Putin and would impose secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on buyers of Russian oil if he feels Moscow is blocking his efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump also threatened Iran over the weekend with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program.

"(Trump's) threat on secondary tariffs on Russian and Iranian oil is a factor oil market participants are tracking, although he has indicated he is not planning to introduce them for now," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. "But, there is a rising risk of larger supply risks down the road.”

On the other hand, concerns over a global economic downturn intensified ahead of Trump’s auto and reciprocal tariffs, which are set to take effect on Wednesday. Trump said late Monday that his reciprocal tariffs plan will target all other countries when it is unveiled Wednesday, adding more uncertainty to the much-anticipated trade policy just days before its implementation.   WTI Oil FAQs What is WTI Oil? WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media. What factors drive the price of WTI Oil? Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa. How does inventory data impact the price of WTI Oil The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency. How does OPEC influence the price of WTI Oil? OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.  

The NZD/USD pair struggles to capitalize on the previous day's modest bounce from the 0.5650-0.5645 region or a nearly four-week low and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Tuesday.

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Spot prices currently trade around the 0.5675-0.5680 area, nearly unchanged for the day amid mixed fundamental cues. Asian stocks tracked overnight gains on Wall Street and recovered slightly amid some repositioning trade ahead of US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs announcement. Furthermore, the growing acceptance that a tariff-driven slowdown in US economic growth might force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to resume its rate-cutting cycle soon keeps the US Dollar (USD) bulls on the defensive. This, in turn, acts as a tailwind for the NZD/USD pair.  Adding to this, the better-than-expected China's Caixin Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), which rose to 51.2 in March from 50.8 in the previous month, further underpins antipodean currencies, including the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). That said, persistent worries about the potential economic fallout from Trump's aggressive trade policies hold back traders from placing fresh directional bets and cap the upside for the NZD/USD pair. Traders now look forward to important US macro releases, scheduled at the start of a new month, starting with the JOLTS Jobs Openings data and ISM Manufacturing PMI later today, for some meaningful impetus. The focus, however, will remain glued to Trump's impending reciprocal tariffs, which will play a key role in influencing the broader risk sentiment. This, in turn, will drive the USD demand and produce short-term opportunities around the NZD/USD pair.  New Zealand Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD. How do decisions of the RBNZ impact the New Zealand Dollar? The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair. How does economic data influence the value of the New Zealand Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate. How does broader risk sentiment impact the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.  

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock is addressing a press conference following the announcement of the April monetary policy decision on Tuesday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock is addressing a press conference following the announcement of the April monetary policy decision on Tuesday. Earlier on, the RBA kept the benchmark interest rate steady at 4.1% as widely expected.  Key quotes Chance there is more strength in economy than seems. Talking to other central banks to make sense of global uncertainty. Have to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves on policy. Board did not discuuss a rate cut. Holding rates was a consensus decision.   developing story .... Market reaction AUD/USD is holding higher ground near 0.6260 on the above comments, adding 0.30% on the day, as of writing. RBA FAQs What is the Reserve Bank of Australia and how does it influence the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for Australia. Decisions are made by a board of governors at 11 meetings a year and ad hoc emergency meetings as required. The RBA’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means an inflation rate of 2-3%, but also “..to contribute to the stability of the currency, full employment, and the economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people.” Its main tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will strengthen the Australian Dollar (AUD) and vice versa. Other RBA tools include quantitative easing and tightening. How does inflation data impact the value of the Australian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for currencies since it lowers the value of money in general, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Moderately higher inflation now tends to lead central banks to put up their interest rates, which in turn has the effect of attracting more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in the case of Australia is the Aussie Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Australian Dollar? Macroeconomic data gauges the health of an economy and can have an impact on the value of its currency. Investors prefer to invest their capital in economies that are safe and growing rather than precarious and shrinking. Greater capital inflows increase the aggregate demand and value of the domestic currency. Classic indicators, such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can influence AUD. A strong economy may encourage the Reserve Bank of Australia to put up interest rates, also supporting AUD. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it affect the Australian Dollar? Quantitative Easing (QE) is a tool used in extreme situations when lowering interest rates is not enough to restore the flow of credit in the economy. QE is the process by which the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) prints Australian Dollars (AUD) for the purpose of buying assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from financial institutions, thereby providing them with much-needed liquidity. QE usually results in a weaker AUD. What is Quantitative tightening (QT) and how does it affect the Australian Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE. It is undertaken after QE when an economic recovery is underway and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the RBA stops buying more assets, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It would be positive (or bullish) for the Australian Dollar.  

Netherlands, The Retail Sales (YoY) down to -0.5% in February from previous 5.3%

FX option expiries for Apr 1 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.

FX option expiries for Apr 1 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.EUR/USD: EUR amounts1.0840 590m1.0860 411m1.0900 615m1.0930 937mGBP/USD: GBP amounts     1.2850 481mUSD/JPY: USD amounts                                 150.00 2bAUD/USD: AUD amounts0.6265 410mNZD/USD: NZD amounts0.5700 460m0.5930 598m

Gold price (XAU/USD) builds on the previous day's breakout momentum beyond the $3,100 mark and gains positive traction for the fourth successive day on Tuesday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}Gold price continues to scale new record highs for the fourth straight day on Tuesday.Worries about the widening global trade war and geopolitical risks boost the commodity. Fed rate cut bets weigh on the USD and further benefit the non-yielding yellow metal.Gold price (XAU/USD) builds on the previous day's breakout momentum beyond the $3,100 mark and gains positive traction for the fourth successive day on Tuesday. The momentum lifts the commodity to a fresh all-time peak, around the $3,144-3,145 area during the Asian session, and is sponsored by the global flight to safety. Investors remain worried about the potential economic fallout from US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies. Adding to this, geopolitical tensions turn out to be key factors that continue to boost demand for the traditional safe-haven bullion. Meanwhile, investors now seem convinced that a tariff-driven slowdown in US economic growth will outweigh a temporary lift in inflation and prompt the Federal Reserve (Fed) to resume its rate-cutting cycle soon. This keeps the US Dollar (USD) bulls on the defensive and lends additional support to the non-yielding Gold price. The XAU/USD bulls seem rather unaffected by an improvement in the global risk sentiment. However, overbought conditions warrant some caution before placing fresh bullish bets around the XAU/USD pair and positioning for any further appreciating move.  Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price continues to attract safe-haven flows amid rising trade tensions The US President dashed hopes the levies would be limited to a smaller group of countries with the biggest trade imbalances and said on Sunday that reciprocal tariffs would essentially include all nations. This comes on top of Trump's 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, and auto imports, stoking worries about a widening global trade war. Furthermore, investors now seem convinced that a tariff-driven slowdown in the US economic activity would force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to resume its rate-cutting cycle soon, despite sticky inflation. This, in turn, assists the safe-haven Gold price to register its strongest quarter since 1986 and hit a fresh record high on Tuesday.  The markets are currently pricing in the possibility that the US central bank will lower borrowing costs by 80 basis points by the end of this year. This keeps the US Treasury bond yields depressed, which, in turn, does little to help the US Dollar attract any meaningful buyers and further underpins the non-yielding yellow metal.  On the geopolitical front, Ukrainian officials said early on Monday that Russia bombed the city of Kharkiv in north-eastern Ukraine for the second night in a row. Moreover, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had fired more than 1,000 drones in the past week and called for a response from the US and other allies. Israel earlier this month ended its ceasefire with the Hamas militant group and renewed its air and ground strikes. Adding to this, the Israeli military has issued mass evacuation orders for Rafah, signaling a possible new ground operation in the city, raising the risk of a further escalation of tensions in the region.  Traders now look to this week's key US macro releases, scheduled at the beginning of a new month, starting with the JOLTS openings and ISM Manufacturing PMI on Tuesday. This will be followed by the ADP report on Wednesday, US ISM Services PMI on Thursday, and the closely-watched US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) on Friday.  The focus, however, will remain glued to Trump's impending reciprocal tariffs announcement later today, at 19:00 GMT. This will play a key role in influencing the broader risk sentiment and the USD price dynamics, which, in turn, should provide some meaningful impetus to the XAU/USD pair.  Gold price could witness a corrective pullback amid overbought daily RSI; bullish potential seems intact From a technical perspective, the daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands well above the 70 mark and indicates overbought conditions. This, in turn, makes it prudent to wait for some near-term consolidation or a modest pullback before traders start positioning for any further appreciating move. Nevertheless, the overnight breakout above the $3,100 mark and the subsequent move up suggest that the path of least resistance for the Gold price remains to the upside. Hence, any corrective pullback could be seen as a buying opportunity and is more likely to remain limited. In the meantime, the $3,128-3,127 region could act as immediate support ahead of the $3,100 round figure. A convincing break below the latter might prompt some long-unwinding and drag the Gold price below the  $3,076 area, or the overnight swing low, towards the $3,057-3,058 resistance breakpoint en route to the $3,036-3,035 support zone. This is followed by the $3,000 psychological mark, which should act as a strong base for the XAU/USD and key pivotal point for short-term traders. Tariffs FAQs What are tariffs? Tariffs are customs duties levied on certain merchandise imports or a category of products. Tariffs are designed to help local producers and manufacturers be more competitive in the market by providing a price advantage over similar goods that can be imported. Tariffs are widely used as tools of protectionism, along with trade barriers and import quotas. What is the difference between taxes and tariffs? Although tariffs and taxes both generate government revenue to fund public goods and services, they have several distinctions. Tariffs are prepaid at the port of entry, while taxes are paid at the time of purchase. Taxes are imposed on individual taxpayers and businesses, while tariffs are paid by importers. Are tariffs good or bad? There are two schools of thought among economists regarding the usage of tariffs. While some argue that tariffs are necessary to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances, others see them as a harmful tool that could potentially drive prices higher over the long term and lead to a damaging trade war by encouraging tit-for-tat tariffs. What is US President Donald Trump’s tariff plan? During the run-up to the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump made it clear that he intends to use tariffs to support the US economy and American producers. In 2024, Mexico, China and Canada accounted for 42% of total US imports. In this period, Mexico stood out as the top exporter with $466.6 billion, according to the US Census Bureau. Hence, Trump wants to focus on these three nations when imposing tariffs. He also plans to use the revenue generated through tariffs to lower personal income taxes.  

The AUD/JPY cross struggles to capitalize on the previous day's modest bounce from the 93.00 neighborhood, or over a two-week low, and oscillates in a range during the Asian session on Tuesday.

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Spot prices hold steady around the 93.70 region and move little after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced its policy decision. As was widely expected, the Australian central bank announced that it left the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 4.1% at the conclusion of the April monetary policy meeting. In the accompanying policy statement, the RBA sounded cautious about the outlook and reiterated that returning inflation sustainably to target remains the highest priority. Furthermore, the central bank said that the continued decline in underlying inflation is welcome and the monetary policy remains restrictive, leaving the door open for a possible rate cut in May.  This, along with persistent worries about US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and their impact on the global economy, continues to weigh on the Australian Dollar (AUD). Apart from this, the emergence of some dip-buying around the Japanese Yen (JPY), caps the AUD/JPY cross. The Bank of Japan's (BoJ) Tankan survey released today showed that Japanese enterprises have raised their inflation forecasts for one year, three years, and five years ahead. This backs the case for more BoJ rate hikes and underpins the JPY.  Traders, however, might refrain from placing aggressive directional bets and opt to wait for Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs announcement later today, at 19:00 GMT. Nevertheless, the aforementioned fundamental backdrop suggests that the path of least resistance for the AUD/JPY cross is to the downside and any intraday move-up might still be seen as a selling opportunity. Economic Indicator RBA Interest Rate Decision The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announces its interest rate decision at the end of its eight scheduled meetings per year. If the RBA is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is usually bullish for the Australian Dollar (AUD). Likewise, if the RBA has a dovish view on the Australian economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is seen as bearish for AUD. Read more. Last release: Tue Apr 01, 2025 03:30 Frequency: IrregularActual: 4.1%Consensus: 4.1%Previous: 4.1%Source: Reserve Bank of Australia  

Australia RBA Interest Rate Decision meets expectations (4.1%)

The Australian Dollar (AUD) gains traction on Tuesday, bolstered by the upbeat Chinese economic data.

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All eyes will be on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate decision on Tuesday. The RBA is anticipated to keep interest rates unchanged at the April meeting as it waits out an election campaign fought on cost-of-living issues and girds for the economic impact of a US-driven upheaval in global trade. RBA Governor Michele Bullock’s press conference will follow at 04:30 GMT. On the US front, the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for March will be in the spotlight.  Australian Dollar edges higher ahead of RBA rate decision China’s NBS Manufacturing PMI rose to 50.5 in March versus 50.2 prior, in line with the market consensus. Meanwhile, the NBS Non-Manufacturing PMI climbed to 50.8 in March from 50.4 in February and was stronger than the estimation of 50.5. Trump stated late Monday that his reciprocal tariffs plan will target all other countries when they are unveiled Wednesday. He denied that the additional tariffs will target just the top ten or 15 trade partners that have their own import duties on US goods. Australia’s Retail Sales rose 0.2% MoM in February, compared to a rise of 0.3% in January, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Tuesday. The reading came in below the market expectations of 0.3%.  Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect the Australian central bank will stand pat at 4.1% and stick with a cautious stance after easing for the first time in four years last month.   Australian Dollar maintains a bearish lean within a symmetrical triangle AUD/USD trades firmer on the day. The pair trades within the symmetrical triangle pattern on the daily timeframe. The negative outlook of AUD/USD remains in play, with the price holding below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). The downward momentum is supported by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which stands below the midline near 41.50, supporting the sellers in the near term. 

The lower limit of the triangle pattern at 0.6225 acts as an initial support level for the pair. Extended losses could see a drop to 0.6186, the low of March 4. Further south, the next contention level is located at 0.6130, the low of January 13. 

On the flip side, the first barrier for AUD/USD is seen at 0.6330, the high of March 26. The next hurdle to watch is 0.6352, the 100-day EMA. A decisive break above this level could see a rally to 0.6370, the upper boundary of the symmetrical triangle pattern. RBA FAQs What is the Reserve Bank of Australia and how does it influence the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for Australia. Decisions are made by a board of governors at 11 meetings a year and ad hoc emergency meetings as required. The RBA’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means an inflation rate of 2-3%, but also “..to contribute to the stability of the currency, full employment, and the economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people.” Its main tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will strengthen the Australian Dollar (AUD) and vice versa. Other RBA tools include quantitative easing and tightening. How does inflation data impact the value of the Australian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for currencies since it lowers the value of money in general, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Moderately higher inflation now tends to lead central banks to put up their interest rates, which in turn has the effect of attracting more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in the case of Australia is the Aussie Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Australian Dollar? Macroeconomic data gauges the health of an economy and can have an impact on the value of its currency. Investors prefer to invest their capital in economies that are safe and growing rather than precarious and shrinking. Greater capital inflows increase the aggregate demand and value of the domestic currency. Classic indicators, such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can influence AUD. A strong economy may encourage the Reserve Bank of Australia to put up interest rates, also supporting AUD. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it affect the Australian Dollar? Quantitative Easing (QE) is a tool used in extreme situations when lowering interest rates is not enough to restore the flow of credit in the economy. QE is the process by which the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) prints Australian Dollars (AUD) for the purpose of buying assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from financial institutions, thereby providing them with much-needed liquidity. QE usually results in a weaker AUD. What is Quantitative tightening (QT) and how does it affect the Australian Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE. It is undertaken after QE when an economic recovery is underway and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the RBA stops buying more assets, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It would be positive (or bullish) for the Australian Dollar.
 

Japan Prime Minister (PM) Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that “we need to achieve wage gains that exceed pace of inflation, which is imminent task and key growth strategy for Japan.”

Japan Prime Minister (PM) Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that “we need to achieve wage gains that exceed pace of inflation, which is imminent task and key growth strategy for Japan.”Additional quotes"Will compile measures to push up Japan’s minimum wage by May.""We will deploy all available means to broaden wage hikes across the country."Market reactionAt the press time, USD/JPY loses 0.13% on the day to trade near 149.80.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges higher against its American counterpart during the Asian session on Tuesday and for now, seems to have stalled the previous day's retracement slide from over a one-week high.

.fxs-event-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-event-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-event-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-event-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:12px}.fxs-event-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-event-module-header{color:#1b1c23;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;line-height:20px;margin:0;padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;padding-right:32px}.fxs-event-module-header label{cursor:pointer;display:block}.fxs-event-module-header label:after,.fxs-event-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:17.6px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:20.8px;margin:4px 0 0 0}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title-description-wrapper{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;padding-bottom:16px;margin-bottom:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar{padding:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-section{padding:0}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:12.8px;line-height:17px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{display:flex;align-items:center;align-content:center;gap:4px;color:#e4871b;font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-read-more svg{width:16px;height:16px}.fxs-event-module-read-more:hover span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-release{margin:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px}.fxs-event-module-release>p{font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;line-height:17px;margin:0}.fxs-event-module-release>p>strong{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:700}.fxs-event-module-release>p>span{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:400}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a{color:#e4871b;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a:hover>span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-container{margin:16px 0 0 0;border-top:1px solid #ececf1;padding:12px 0 0 0}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-release p{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{font-size:22.4px;line-height:25.6px}.fxs-event-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-event-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}The Japanese Yen attracts some buyers on Tuesday, though it lacks follow-through.Concerns that Trump’s tariffs would impact Japan’s industries cap gains for the JPY.The divergent BoJ-Fed expectations favor USD/JPY bears amid subdued USD demand.The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges higher against its American counterpart during the Asian session on Tuesday and for now, seems to have stalled the previous day's retracement slide from over a one-week high. The Bank of Japan's (BoJ) Tankan survey showed that Japanese enterprises raised their inflation forecasts for one year, three years, and five years ahead. This, in turn, backs the case for more rate increases from the BoJ and turns out to be a key factor supporting the JPY. Moreover, a modest US Dollar (USD) downtick keeps the USD/JPY pair depressed below the 150.00 psychological mark.  The JPY bulls, however, lack conviction amid a positive turnaround in the global risk sentiment, which tends to undermine the safe-haven currency. Apart from this, receding expectations that the BoJ would raise the policy rate at a faster pace, amid worries about an economic slowdown on the back of US tariffs, act as a headwind for the JPY. Nevertheless, the BoJ's hawkish outlook still marks a big divergence in comparison to bets that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will resume its rate-cutting cycle soon. This, in turn, suggests that the path of least resistance for the lower-yielding JPY remains to the upside.  Japanese Yen draws support from bets that the BoJ will continue raising interest rates The Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey released earlier this Tuesday showed that business confidence at large manufacturers in Japan eased in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025. The headline large Manufacturers' Sentiment Index came in at 12.0 in Q1 from the previous reading of 14.0, in line with consensus estimates. Additional details revealed that the large Manufacturing Outlook for the first quarter arrived at 12.0 versus 13.0 prior and the 9.0 expected.  Furthermore, Japanese enterprises projected consumer prices to rise 2.5% in one year and 2.4% in three years versus 2.4% and 2.3% increase, respectively, in the prior survey. They also forecast inflation to rise 2.3% in five years compared to a 2.2% increase in the prior survey. This comes on top of Friday's strong consumer inflation figures from Tokyo – Japan's capital city – and reaffirms bets that the BoJ might continue raising interest rates in 2025.  US President Donald Trump last week unveiled a 25% tariff on imported cars and will announce reciprocal tariffs later today, at 19:00 GMT. Investors remain worried that the new levies would have a far-reaching impact on Japan's key industries and force the BoJ to keep the policy steady for the time being. Apart from this, a positive tone around the Asian equity markets might hold traders from placing bullish bets around the safe-haven Japanese Yen.  The US Dollar, on the other hand, continues with its struggle to attract any meaningful buyers amid concerns that Trump's trade tariffs would dent economic growth. Furthermore, the global flight to safety and expectations of multiple rate cuts from the Federal Reserve drag the US Treasury bond yields lower. The resultant narrowing of the US-Japan rate differential lends additional support to the lower-yielding JPY during the Asian session on Tuesday. Traders now look forward to this week's important US macro releases, scheduled at the beginning of a new month, starting with the JOLTS openings and ISM Manufacturing PMI on Tuesday. This will be followed by the ADP report on Wednesday, the US ISM Services PMI on Thursday, and the closely-watched US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) on Friday. This will play a key role in influencing the USD and provide some meaningful impetus to the USD/JPY pair. USD/JPY seems vulnerable; pullback to broken multi-month-old lower ascending channel boundary in play From a technical perspective, the overnight breakdown below the lower end of a multi-week-old ascending trend channel was seen as a key trigger for the USD/JPY bears. However, neutral oscillators on the daily chart and the overnight resilience below the 100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the daily chart warrant caution before positioning for further losses. Hence, any subsequent slide could find some support near the 149.00 mark ahead of the overnight swing low, around the 148.70 area. Some follow-through selling will reaffirm the negative bias and make spot prices vulnerable to resuming a well-established downtrend witnessed over the past three months or so. On the flip side, momentum beyond the previous day's peak, around the 150.25 area, could lift the USD/JPY pair beyond the 150.75-150.80 hurdle and allow bulls to reclaim the 151.00 mark. This is followed by the March monthly swing high, around the 151.30 region and a technically significant 200-day SMA, currently pegged near the 151.60 zone. A sustained strength beyond the latter might shift the bias in favor of bulls and lift the pair to the 152.00 mark en route to the 152.45-152.50 region and the 100-day SMA, around the 153.00 round figure. Economic Indicator Tankan Large Manufacturing Outlook Tankan major production growth forecast published by Bank of Japan is the forecast of growth in the Manufacturing sector in the next quarter. It is considered an indicator of future business expectations. A high index is considered positive (or bullish) for JPY, while a low index is seen as negative (or bearish) for JPY. Read more. Last release: Mon Mar 31, 2025 23:50 Frequency: QuarterlyActual: 12Consensus: 9Previous: 13Source: Bank of Japan  

China's Caixin Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 51.2 in March from 50.8 in February, according to the latest data released on Tuesday.

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Manufacturers saw their promotional efforts pay off as the market improved. In March, output grew for the 17th straight month and at the fastest pace in four months, while the subindex for total new orders stayed in expansionary territory for the sixth straight month,” said Wang Zhe, an economist at Caixin Insight Group.AUD/USD reaction to China’s PMI dataThe upbeat Chinese Manufacturing PMI helped the Aussie Dollar pare some losses, as AUD/USD recovered to near 0.6240 at the time of writing, modestly flat on the day. Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.

China Caixin Manufacturing PMI registered at 51.2 above expectations (51.1) in March

The Indian Rupee (INR) softens on Tuesday, pressured by renewed US Dollar (USD) demand.

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On the other hand, easing domestic inflation and the resumption of foreign inflows into stocks and bonds might help limit the Indian currency’s losses. Traders brace for the US March ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data, which is due later on Tuesday. Also, the JOLTS Job Openings, the final S&P Global Manufacturing PMI will be published.   Indian Rupee weakens amid global uncertainties   India's economy is set to grow at a rate of 6.5% in the fiscal year 2025-26, continuing its steady growth momentum, aligning with the revised estimates of the National Statistical Office (NSO). According to EY Economy Watch, India’s economy is projected to grow 6.5% in the fiscal year 2025-26.  US President Donald Trump said late Monday that his reciprocal tariffs plan will target all other countries when they are unveiled Wednesday, adding more uncertainty to the much-anticipated trade policy just days before its implementation.  Trump pushed back on the possibility that the fresh tariffs will target just the top 10 or 15 trade partners that have their own import duties on US goods. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin said late Monday that the US central bank would need to have confidence that inflation will move down before cutting the interest rates again, per Bloomberg.  New York Fed President John Williams noted that the policy is in a good position to navigate through uncertainties, despite potential risks of higher inflation.  USD/INR paints a negative picture, oversold RSI warrants caution for bears The Indian Rupee trades on a softer note on the day. The bearish outlook of the USD/INR pair remains in play as the price is below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily timeframe. The downward momentum is supported by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which stands below the midline. Nonetheless, the oversold RSI condition indicates that further consolidation or temporary recovery cannot be ruled out before positioning for any near-term USD/INR depreciation.

The initial support level for the pair is located at the 85.00 psychological mark. Any follow-through selling below the mentioned level could see a drop to 84.84, the low of December 19, followed by 84.22, the low of November 25, 2024. 

On the bright side, the crucial resistance level for USD/INR is seen at the 85.90-86.00 region, representing the 100-day EMA and round mark. Sustained trading above this level could pave the way to 86.48, the low of February 21, en route to 87.00, the round figure.  Indian Rupee FAQs What are the key factors driving the Indian Rupee? The Indian Rupee (INR) is one of the most sensitive currencies to external factors. The price of Crude Oil (the country is highly dependent on imported Oil), the value of the US Dollar – most trade is conducted in USD – and the level of foreign investment, are all influential. Direct intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in FX markets to keep the exchange rate stable, as well as the level of interest rates set by the RBI, are further major influencing factors on the Rupee. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of India impact the Indian Rupee? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively intervenes in forex markets to maintain a stable exchange rate, to help facilitate trade. In addition, the RBI tries to maintain the inflation rate at its 4% target by adjusting interest rates. Higher interest rates usually strengthen the Rupee. This is due to the role of the ‘carry trade’ in which investors borrow in countries with lower interest rates so as to place their money in countries’ offering relatively higher interest rates and profit from the difference. What macroeconomic factors influence the value of the Indian Rupee? Macroeconomic factors that influence the value of the Rupee include inflation, interest rates, the economic growth rate (GDP), the balance of trade, and inflows from foreign investment. A higher growth rate can lead to more overseas investment, pushing up demand for the Rupee. A less negative balance of trade will eventually lead to a stronger Rupee. Higher interest rates, especially real rates (interest rates less inflation) are also positive for the Rupee. A risk-on environment can lead to greater inflows of Foreign Direct and Indirect Investment (FDI and FII), which also benefit the Rupee. How does inflation impact the Indian Rupee? Higher inflation, particularly, if it is comparatively higher than India’s peers, is generally negative for the currency as it reflects devaluation through oversupply. Inflation also increases the cost of exports, leading to more Rupees being sold to purchase foreign imports, which is Rupee-negative. At the same time, higher inflation usually leads to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates and this can be positive for the Rupee, due to increased demand from international investors. The opposite effect is true of lower inflation.  

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Tuesday at 7.1775 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.1782 and 7.2606 Reuters estimate.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Tuesday at 7.1775 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.1782 and 7.2606 Reuters estimate. PBOC FAQs What does the People's Bank of China do? The primary monetary policy objectives of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) are to safeguard price stability, including exchange rate stability, and promote economic growth. China’s central bank also aims to implement financial reforms, such as opening and developing the financial market. Who owns the PBoC? The PBoC is owned by the state of the People's Republic of China (PRC), so it is not considered an autonomous institution. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Committee Secretary, nominated by the Chairman of the State Council, has a key influence on the PBoC’s management and direction, not the governor. However, Mr. Pan Gongsheng currently holds both of these posts. What are the main policy tools used by the PBoC? Unlike the Western economies, the PBoC uses a broader set of monetary policy instruments to achieve its objectives. The primary tools include a seven-day Reverse Repo Rate (RRR), Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF), foreign exchange interventions and Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR). However, The Loan Prime Rate (LPR) is China’s benchmark interest rate. Changes to the LPR directly influence the rates that need to be paid in the market for loans and mortgages and the interest paid on savings. By changing the LPR, China’s central bank can also influence the exchange rates of the Chinese Renminbi. Are private banks allowed in China? Yes, China has 19 private banks – a small fraction of the financial system. The largest private banks are digital lenders WeBank and MYbank, which are backed by tech giants Tencent and Ant Group, per The Straits Times. In 2014, China allowed domestic lenders fully capitalized by private funds to operate in the state-dominated financial sector.  

Australia’s Retail Sales, a measure of the country’s consumer spending, rose 0.2% MoM in February, compared to a rise of 0.3% in January, the official data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed on Tuesday.

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The reading came in below the market expectations of 0.3%.  Market reaction to Australia’s Retail Sales data At the time of writing, the AUD/USD pair is down 0.10% on the day at 0.6241. Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.  

South Korea S&P Global Manufacturing PMI: 49.1 (March) vs previous 49.9

Japan Jibun Bank Manufacturing PMI came in at 48.4, above expectations (48.3) in March

Australia Retail Sales s.a. (MoM) registered at 0.2%, below expectations (0.3%) in February

Iran's U.N. Ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote in a letter that Tehran "strongly warns against any military adventurism and will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the United States or its proxy, the Israeli regime, against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests,” per Reuters.

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This action came after US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. Market reaction  At the time of writing, the Gold price (XAU/USD) is trading 0.07% lower on the day to trade at $3,120.  Risk sentiment FAQs What do the terms"risk-on" and "risk-off" mean when referring to sentiment in financial markets? In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off'' refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced. In a “risk-on” market, investors are optimistic about the future and more willing to buy risky assets. In a “risk-off” market investors start to ‘play it safe’ because they are worried about the future, and therefore buy less risky assets that are more certain of bringing a return, even if it is relatively modest. What are the key assets to track to understand risk sentiment dynamics? Typically, during periods of “risk-on”, stock markets will rise, most commodities – except Gold – will also gain in value, since they benefit from a positive growth outlook. The currencies of nations that are heavy commodity exporters strengthen because of increased demand, and Cryptocurrencies rise. In a “risk-off” market, Bonds go up – especially major government Bonds – Gold shines, and safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and US Dollar all benefit. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-on"? The Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and minor FX like the Ruble (RUB) and the South African Rand (ZAR), all tend to rise in markets that are “risk-on”. This is because the economies of these currencies are heavily reliant on commodity exports for growth, and commodities tend to rise in price during risk-on periods. This is because investors foresee greater demand for raw materials in the future due to heightened economic activity. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-off"? The major currencies that tend to rise during periods of “risk-off” are the US Dollar (USD), the Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Swiss Franc (CHF). The US Dollar, because it is the world’s reserve currency, and because in times of crisis investors buy US government debt, which is seen as safe because the largest economy in the world is unlikely to default. The Yen, from increased demand for Japanese government bonds, because a high proportion are held by domestic investors who are unlikely to dump them – even in a crisis. The Swiss Franc, because strict Swiss banking laws offer investors enhanced capital protection.  

Ireland Purchasing Manager Index Manufacturing fell from previous 51.9 to 51.6 in March

South Korea Trade Balance registered at $4.99B, below expectations ($6.1B) in March

EUR/USD flubbed a bullish run at the 1.0850 level on Monday, kicking off the new trading week on decidedly tepid footing.

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Investors are preparing for the newest round of tariff threats from US President Donald Trump. The Trump administration plans to implement a broad range of tariffs affecting nearly all of the US’s trading partners starting April 2. While the specific details of these tariff strategies remain unclear, major threats include “reciprocal” tariffs on any country that imposes its own import tariffs on US products, irrespective of the economic situation. Additional retaliatory tariffs on Canada and the European Union are also anticipated, alongside proposed blanket tariffs on copper and automobiles. European inflation figures will be updated this week, with preliminary Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) inflation slated for a Wednesday release. Not much change is expected on the pan-EU inflation front, with price pressures remaining stubbornly stable but delivering few surprises in 2025. On the American side, a fresh print of US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) labor figures are due later this week. This NFP release could be a major datapoint for markets as the US economy heads into a post-tariff economic environment, with March’s labor data set to act as a “bellwether” for the impacts of the Trump team’s tariff plans. EUR/USD price forecast EUR/USD continues to trade in the middle of a technical trap, with buyers unable to take a firm leg higher, but short pressure too limited to push Fiber price action back under the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) just south of the 1.0700 handle. EUR/USD snapped a near-term losing streak, pushing technical oscillators into oversold territory, but a continuation pattern remains unlikely as market participants focus on geopolitical factors. EUR/USD daily chart Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 19 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

Business confidence at large manufacturers in Japan eases in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, according to the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan survey on Tuesday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Business confidence at large manufacturers in Japan eases in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, according to the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan survey on Tuesday.

The headline large Manufacturers' Sentiment Index came in at 12.0 in Q1 from the previous reading of 14.0, in line with the market consensus. 

Further details unveil that the large Manufacturing Outlook for the first quarter arrived at 12.0 versus 13.0 prior. This figure came in stronger than the 9.0 expected.  Market reaction to Japan’s Tankan survey At the time of press, the USD/JPY pair was unchanged on the day at 149.98. Japanese Yen FAQs What key factors drive the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. How do the decisions of the Bank of Japan impact the Japanese Yen? One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.  

GBP/USD churned chart paper in familiar territory on Monday, grinding out a familiar congestion zone as investors brace for the latest iteration of US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}GBP/USD continues to cycle familiar technical levels near 1.3000.Market data has taken a backseat to headlines as tariff changes loom.The Trump administration is still on pace to impose sweeping tariff packages.GBP/USD churned chart paper in familiar territory on Monday, grinding out a familiar congestion zone as investors brace for the latest iteration of US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. The Trump administration is set to enact a wide catalogue of tariffs on functionally all of the US’s trading partners beginning on April 2. The specific details of the Trump administration’s tariff plans for this week remain fuzzy and elusive, but prominent tariff threats remain “reciprocal” tariffs on every country that have their own import tariffs on US goods, regardless of the economic context. Further retaliatory tariffs on Canada and the European Union are also expected, with additional flat tariffs proposed on Copper and automobiles across the board. The release schedule on the UK side of the economic data docket remains light this week, but a fresh print of US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) labor figures are due later this week. This NFP release could be a major datapoint for markets as the US economy heads into a post-tariff economic environment, with March’s labor data set to act as a “bellwether” for the impacts of the Trump team’s tariff plans. GBP/USD price forecast GBP/USD has chalked in a firm consolidation phase just below the 1.3000 handle. Pound traders remain unwilling to push bids any higher, and Greenback flows are also dominating most of the marketscape. However, Cable short pressure also remains limited. Bullish trendlines remain intact from January’s deep swing low at the 1.2100 price level, and momentum remains in favor of bidders as price action churns on the high side of the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.2725. GBP/USD daily chart Pound Sterling FAQs What is the Pound Sterling? The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling? The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects. How does economic data influence the value of the Pound? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall. How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound? Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

Japan Tankan Non - Manufacturing Outlook registered at 28, below expectations (29) in 1Q

Japan Tankan Large Manufacturing Outlook came in at 12, above expectations (9) in 1Q

Japan Tankan Large Manufacturing Index meets forecasts (12) in 1Q

Japan Tankan Non - Manufacturing Index came in at 35, above forecasts (33) in 1Q

Japan Tankan Large All Industry Capex fell from previous 11.3% to 3.1% in 1Q

Japan Unemployment Rate came in at 2.4% below forecasts (2.5%) in February

Japan Jobs / Applicants Ratio registered at 1.24, below expectations (1.26) in February

US President Donald Trump said late Monday that his reciprocal tariffs plan will target all other countries when they are unveiled Wednesday, adding more uncertainty to the much-anticipated trade policy just days before its implementation.

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Trump pushed back on the possibility that the fresh tariffs will target just the top 10 or 15 trade partners that have their own import duties on US goods. Market reaction At the time of press, the US Dollar Index was up 0.01% on the day at 104.19. Tariffs FAQs What are tariffs? Tariffs are customs duties levied on certain merchandise imports or a category of products. Tariffs are designed to help local producers and manufacturers be more competitive in the market by providing a price advantage over similar goods that can be imported. Tariffs are widely used as tools of protectionism, along with trade barriers and import quotas. What is the difference between taxes and tariffs? Although tariffs and taxes both generate government revenue to fund public goods and services, they have several distinctions. Tariffs are prepaid at the port of entry, while taxes are paid at the time of purchase. Taxes are imposed on individual taxpayers and businesses, while tariffs are paid by importers. Are tariffs good or bad? There are two schools of thought among economists regarding the usage of tariffs. While some argue that tariffs are necessary to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances, others see them as a harmful tool that could potentially drive prices higher over the long term and lead to a damaging trade war by encouraging tit-for-tat tariffs. What is US President Donald Trump’s tariff plan? During the run-up to the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump made it clear that he intends to use tariffs to support the US economy and American producers. In 2024, Mexico, China and Canada accounted for 42% of total US imports. In this period, Mexico stood out as the top exporter with $466.6 billion, according to the US Census Bureau. Hence, Trump wants to focus on these three nations when imposing tariffs. He also plans to use the revenue generated through tariffs to lower personal income taxes.  

United Kingdom BRC Shop Price Index (YoY): -0.4% (March) vs -0.7%

The USD/CAD pair edges higher to near 1.4390 during the late American session on Monday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}USD/CAD regains traction to around 1.4390 in Monday’s late American session. Trump said that his reciprocal tariffs plan will target all other countries when it is unveiled on Wednesday. The swirl of uncertainty surrounding the forthcoming US tariffs weighs on the Loonie. The USD/CAD pair edges higher to near 1.4390 during the late American session on Monday. The Canadian Dollar (CAD) weakens against the US Dollar (USD) as traders grow risk-averse ahead of US trade tariffs expected to be unveiled on Wednesday. The US March ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) will be in the spotlight later on Tuesday. 

US President Donald Trump said that his reciprocal tariff plan will target all other countries when it comes up on Wednesday, adding uncertainty to the much-anticipated trade policy just days before its implementation. Trump denied that the additional tariffs will target just the top 10 or 15 trade partners that have their own import duties on US goods.

The Loonie remains under selling pressure since Trump last week signed a proclamation to implement a 25% tariff on auto imports and pledged harsher punishment on the EU and Canada if they join forces against the US. Canada sends about 75% of its exports to the US, including oil and autos.

On the other hand, a rise in Crude Oil prices might lift the commodity-linked CAD in the near term and create a headwind for USD/CAD. It’s worth noting that Canada is the largest oil exporter to the United States (US), and higher crude oil prices tend to have a positive impact on the CAD value.  Canadian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar? The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar. How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar? The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive. How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar? The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD. How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.  

The GBP/JPY begins Tuesday’s Asian session mostly unchanged, trading at 193.63, below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 193.91, as it consolidates on top and below of the latter.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}GBP/JPY consolidates in tight 192.70–193.98 range, hovering just below 200-day SMA at 193.91.Bullish bias intact above Kumo, but buyers must clear 194.00 and 195.71 to resume upward trajectory.A drop below 192.89/193.00 could expose 191.81 Kijun-sen and 50-day SMA at 191.63.The GBP/JPY begins Tuesday’s Asian session mostly unchanged, trading at 193.63, below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 193.91, as it consolidates on top and below of the latter. The cross pair remains steady within the 192.70 – 193.98 range, with buyers unable to extend its gains. GBP/JPY Price Forecast: Technical outlook The GBP/JPY is neutral to upward biased, with buyers' lack of strength to push prices above the 200-day SMA, so they would shift the bias to bullish. Even though price action is above the Ichimoku Cloud (Kumo), bulls must clear 194.00 alongside the March 28 peak of 195.71, so the uptrend could resume. Key resistance levels lie above the latter, like 196.00 and the January 7 daily high of 198.24. On the flip side, if GBP/JPY tumbles below the confluence of the top of the Kumo and the 100-day SMA around 192.89/193.00, this could exacerbate a retest of 191.81, where the Kijun-sen lies, followed by the 50-day SMA at 191.63. GBP/JPY Price Chart – Daily British Pound PRICE This week The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies this week. British Pound was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   -0.07% -0.02% -0.06% 0.01% 0.03% 0.08% -0.03% EUR 0.07%   -0.00% 0.00% 0.04% 0.05% 0.08% -0.01% GBP 0.02% 0.00%   -0.04% 0.03% 0.04% 0.08% -0.01% JPY 0.06% 0.00% 0.04%   0.08% 0.08% 0.10% 0.03% CAD -0.01% -0.04% -0.03% -0.08%   0.00% 0.05% -0.05% AUD -0.03% -0.05% -0.04% -0.08% -0.01%   0.03% -0.06% NZD -0.08% -0.08% -0.08% -0.10% -0.05% -0.03%   -0.09% CHF 0.03% 0.00% 0.01% -0.03% 0.05% 0.06% 0.09%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).  

Australia Judo Bank Manufacturing PMI fell from previous 52.6 to 52.1 in March

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is having its monetary policy meeting and will announce its decision early on Tuesday.

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.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:12.8px;line-height:17px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{display:flex;align-items:center;align-content:center;gap:4px;color:#e4871b;font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-read-more svg{width:16px;height:16px}.fxs-event-module-read-more:hover span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-release{margin:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px}.fxs-event-module-release>p{font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;line-height:17px;margin:0}.fxs-event-module-release>p>strong{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:700}.fxs-event-module-release>p>span{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:400}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a{color:#e4871b;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a:hover>span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-container{margin:16px 0 0 0;border-top:1px solid #ececf1;padding:12px 0 0 0}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-release p{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{font-size:22.4px;line-height:25.6px}.fxs-event-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-event-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to keep rates on hold in March.RBA Governor Michele Bullock’s comments could trigger some market reactions.The Australian Dollar is weak ahead of the announcement amid ruling risk aversion.The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is having its monetary policy meeting and will announce its decision early on Tuesday. The RBA is expected to keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) steady at 4.10% following the interest cut delivered in February.  Back then, the central bank announced a 25 basis points (bps) trim, the first one since late in 2020. The new decision will be announced at 03:30 GMT, and Governor Michele Bullock’s press conference will follow at 04:30 GMT. RBA to hold, eyes on Governor Bullock’s clue on interest rate  The RBA had maintained the OCR at multi-year highs for longer than any other central bank, however, tepid economic growth took its toll on policymakers, which finally delivered in February. “The Board’s assessment is that monetary policy has been restrictive and will remain so after this reduction in the cash rate. Some of the upside risks to inflation appear to have eased and there are signs that disinflation might be occurring a little more quickly than earlier expected. There are nevertheless risks on both sides,” the February statement reads. Even further, policymakers added: “The forecasts published today suggest that, if monetary policy is eased too much too soon, disinflation could stall, and inflation would settle above the midpoint of the target range. In removing a little of the policy restrictiveness in its decision today, the board acknowledges that progress has been made but is cautious about the outlook.” Subtly, officials suggested they would have a cautious approach to interest rate cuts. With that in mind, market players anticipated no movements in March, moreover considering the Q1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will not be released until the end of April. Policymakers will likely wait for the growth update and additional inflation data before deciding on the next movement. It is worth remembering that the Australian economy grew 1.3% in the final quarter of 2024, slightly better than the 1.2% anticipated by market participants. Exports supported broad-based growth, which, anyway, was considered “modest” by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Meanwhile, headline inflation dropped to a three-year low of 2.4% in the three months to December, according to Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, while underlying inflation shrank to a three-year low of 3.2%. The figures made it easy for the RBA to deliver a rate cut. Still, the next quarterly inflation report will be out in roughly a month, giving RBA policymakers another reason to delay modifying rates until May.  With no changes expected in the OCR, the focus will be on Governor Michele Bullock’s words and any hint she may offer about the future of monetary policy. Whereas the Board discussed rate cuts or not would give a picture of how concerned officials are. The more dovish the perspective, the more chances of an interest rate trim in the foreseeable future.  How will the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision impact AUD/USD? Ahead of the announcement, the Australian Dollar (AUD) is under strong selling pressure, with the AUD/USD pair approaching the 0.6200 mark and trading at its lowest since March 4. The ongoing slump has little to do with Australia and is purely linked to market panic amid United States (US) tariffs. President Donald Trump is set to launch his “Liberation Day,” that is, massive reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday, while threatening to add more levies on US imports. Financial markets fear this will take its toll on global growth.  Valeria Bednarik, Chief Analyst at FXStreet, notes: “The AUD/USD pair is bearish ahead of the announcement, and the odds that the RBA can trigger a recovery seem limited. The anticipated on-hold decision, the most likely outcome, and the fact that the Board will wait for more data, anticipate that the decision could be a non-event. Tariff-related concerns are expected to keep overshadowing macro announcements.” “Indeed, a surprise announcement, such as an unexpected rate cut or hike, could result in crazy volatility around the AUD/USD,” Bednarik adds, although clarifying that both are quite unlikely scenarios.  Finally, Bednarik notes: “From a technical point of view, the risk skews to the downside, given that the AUD/USD pair daily chart shows it develops below all its moving averages, while the downward momentum remains strong. Below the 0.6200 mark, the next relevant support is the March monthly low at 0.6186, followed by the 0.6130 price zone. Resistance, on the other hand, comes at around 0.6300, followed by the recent highs in the 0.6330 region.” Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative. Economic Indicator RBA Interest Rate Decision The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announces its interest rate decision at the end of its eight scheduled meetings per year. If the RBA is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is usually bullish for the Australian Dollar (AUD). Likewise, if the RBA has a dovish view on the Australian economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is seen as bearish for AUD. Read more. Next release: Tue Apr 01, 2025 03:30 Frequency: IrregularConsensus: 4.1%Previous: 4.1%Source: Reserve Bank of Australia  

NZD/USD extended its decline on Monday’s session ahead of the Asian open, slipping to the mid-0.5600s and pressing into the lower half of the recent range.

NZD/USD trades near the 0.5670 zone ahead of the Asian session, slipping further within Monday's intraday range.The bearish bias strengthens as the pair breaks below key averages while technical indicators remain broadly negative.Support lies below recent lows, while resistance aligns near the 0.5700–0.5710 congestion area.NZD/USD extended its decline on Monday’s session ahead of the Asian open, slipping to the mid-0.5600s and pressing into the lower half of the recent range. The pair remains under pressure as technical indicators flash bearish cues, with sellers gaining the upper hand after a failed attempt to consolidate around the 0.5730 zone. Daily chart The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) signals a fresh sell bias, while the Relative Strength Index (14) prints at 42.7 is gradually moving lower. The Awesome Oscillator echoes a similar neutral tone, suggesting a lack of bullish conviction in the short term. From a trend perspective, selling pressure is confirmed by key moving averages. The 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 0.57347, 100-day SMA at 0.57269, and the longer-term 200-day SMA at 0.59120 all slope downward, reinforcing a bearish structure. Additional short-term signals from the 10-day EMA at 0.57267 and 10-day SMA at 0.57449 also support the downside outlook. On the downside, the next line of support may emerge below 0.5670, with previous swing lows and psychological barriers likely to be tested. Resistance remains capped near 0.5700, followed by 0.57050 and 0.57084. A break above these could ease short-term pressure, but the broader structure remains tilted to the downside unless buyers reclaim ground above the 20 and 100-day SMAs.

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) headed lower on Monday, kicking off the new trading week by shedding half of a percent against the US Dollar (USD) as the Trump administration’s April 2 deadline for sweeping tariffs looms ahead.

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The Loonie has accelerated its weak positioning, losing ground for a third straight trading day. The Trump team still intends to carry through with a wide swath of targeted and “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2, which will include retaliatory tariffs on any country that has its own import restrictions on US goods, as well as targeted sector tariffs on automobiles, as well as Canadian goods and materials from the European Union. Daily digest market movers: Markets jostle for position ahead of tariff deadline The Canadian Dollar slipped on Monday, falling 0.5% against the Greenback as market flow jitters underpin positioning. Tariff concerns are quickly taking center stage, crimping investor sentiment. The Trump administration is poised to kick in several tariff packages, many of which will be cumulative and drastically impact both US consumers and US trading partners. Key labor data is due at the end of the week from both Canada and the US. Canadian labor figures and US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) prints this week will serve as “bellwether” datapoints for pre- and post-tariff analysis. Canadian Dollar price forecast: Loonie extends backslide as tariffs loom The Canadian Dollar lost further ground to kick off the new trading week, falling against the US Dollar and kicking the USD/CAD chart back toward the 1.4400 handle. Despite the Loonie’s fresh-found weakness in the face of tariff pressures, USD/CAD remains in incredibly familiar territory. USD/CAD has cycled within a choppy range for nearly four months. The Loonie remains trapped in congestion against the Greenback, and even near-term choppiness from geopolitical factors leaves USD/CAD in an environment where technical patterns still lend themselves to trading consolidation patterns. USD/CAD daily chart Canadian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar? The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar. How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar? The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive. How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar? The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD. How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.  

The AUD/JPY pair drifted lower on Monday’s session ahead of the Asian open, trading around the 93.80 zone and extending its decline toward the bottom of its intraday range.

AUD/JPY trades near the 93.80 area ahead of the Asian session, posting losses within the lower end of its daily range.The pair is flashing bearish signals despite a buy reading from the MACD, with momentum indicators and moving averages skewing negative.Support lies near 93.78, while resistance appears around the 94.05–94.27 zone.The AUD/JPY pair drifted lower on Monday’s session ahead of the Asian open, trading around the 93.80 zone and extending its decline toward the bottom of its intraday range. The pair remains under mild pressure as market sentiment turns cautious. Technical indicators and trend signals are increasingly skewed to the downside, even though some momentum readings offer mixed signals. Daily chart Looking at trend indicators, all key moving averages reinforce selling pressure. The 20-day SMA at 94.05, 100-day SMA at 96.76, and 200-day SMA at 98.63 are all tilted downward, with shorter-term averages like the 10-day EMA (94.33) and SMA (94.43) also pointing south. These align with the broader bearish technical tone for the pair. Immediate support can be found at 93.78, with further downside targets near 93.05. On the upside, resistance levels are stacked at 93.92, 94.05, and 94.26. Unless the pair reclaims ground above these zones, the path of least resistance remains to the downside.
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