Gold prices retreated by more than 1.50% on Wednesday, driven by an improvement in risk appetite following the announcement of tariff talks between the United States (US) and China. Meanwhile, traders' focus is on the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy meeting later in the day.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) trimmed into the midrange during early Wednesday trading, treading water just above the 41,000 major handle as investors await the latest rate call from the Federal Reserve (Fed).
The USD/JPY pair is trading in a tight range as markets await the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy decision on Wednesday. Investors widely expect the central bank to keep its policy rate unchanged in the 4.25%-4.50% range for the third consecutive meeting, despite rising economic uncertainties.
United States (US) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed that US-China trade talks will begin on neutral ground when delegates from the two countries meet in Switzerland this weekend.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) is trading lower on Wednesday after failing to break above a key resistance level, with markets turning cautious ahead of expected commentary from United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell and high-level trade talks between the US and China.
The EUR/GBP pair remained relatively flat on Wednesday, hovering near the 0.8500 zone after the European session. Price action was contained within a narrow range, reflecting a market lacking clear directional momentum.
The Pound Sterling retreated after posting back-to-back days of gains versus the US Dollar. Still, positive news related to a possible de-escalation of the Sino-US tensions lent a lifeline to the Greenback, which remains firm in early trading.
The NZD/USD pair retraces to near 0.5980 during North American trading hours on Wednesday after revisiting the six-month high of 0.6025 earlier in the day.
United States EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change came in at -2.032M, above expectations (-2.5M) in May 2
EUR/USD is nearing a technical inflection point, where macroeconomic divergence and chart compression converge. While strong data from Germany and France support the Euro (EUR), weak retail sales and Federal Reserve (Fed) uncertainty have dampened momentum.
The USD/JPY pair rebounds to near 143.30 on Wednesday, snapping the three-day losing streak. The pair gains ground as the Japanese Yen (JPY) underperforms across the board.
Brazil Industrial Output (YoY) came in at 3.1%, above expectations (1.4%) in March
Brazil Industrial Output (MoM) registered at 1.2% above expectations (0.3%) in March
The Euro (EUR) is quietly consolidating within a tight range in the mid/upper1.13s, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is soft, trading marginally lower from Tuesday’s multi-month recovery high, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
The US Dollar (USD) is steady, attempting stabilization against most of the G10 currencies and clawing back some of its recent weakness against JPY, SEK, AUD, and NZD as we head into Wednesday’s NA session.
The Mexican Peso (MXN) extends gains against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday, benefiting from renewed hopes of de-escalation in global trade tensions after positive developments between the United States and China.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, trades broadly flat on Wednesday at around 99.40 after printing a fresh five-day low on Tuesday.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), futures on NYMEX, aims to extend its two-day recovery move above the key resistance of $60.00 during European trading hours on Wednesday.
United States MBA Mortgage Applications up to 11% in May 2 from previous -4.2%
The USD/CAD pair rises to near 1.3800 during European trading hours on Wednesday. The Loonie pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) edges up ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision at 18:00 GMT.
Outlook is mixed; US Dollar (USD) is likely to trade in a 7.1900/7.2300 range against Chinese Yuan (CNH). In the longer run, USD could range-trade for a few days before resuming its decline; the level to watch is at 7.1700, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.
USD/JPY struggles to sustain upward momentum, with a failure at key resistance and risks building for a deeper pullback toward 140 and below, Société Générale's FX analysts note.
US Dollar (USD) is likely to consolidate in a 142.20/144.00 range. In the longer run, USD has likely entered a consolidation phase and is likely to trade between 142.20 and 146.70 for now, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.
NZD/USD is consolidating recent gains around 0.6000. New Zealand’s Q1 labor market data was mixed and still argues for additional RBNZ easing, BBH FX analysts report.
Gold (XAU/USD) drops by more than 1% on Wednesday to $3,391 at the time of writing, ahead of the Federal Reserve (Fed) rate decision and after statements from both China and the United States (US) confirmed that trade talks will kick off this weekend.
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) could break above 0.6030 vs US Dollar (USD) but might not be able to maintain a foothold above this level; 0.6060 is probably out of reach.
The United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) will announce monetary policy decisions following the May policy meeting on Wednesday.
After a long period of uncertainty, it is now official: negotiations on a deal between the US and China are going to begin, Commerzbank's Head of FX and Commodity Research Thu Lan Nguyen notes.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) falls slightly to near 1.3330 against the US Dollar (USD) during European trading hours on Wednesday.
Despite political noise out of Germany, EUR/USD held firm as markets eye the Fed for hints of dovishness and remain positioned for further USD weakness over the year, Danske Bank's FX analysts report.
While some politically savvy people may have fallen off their chairs yesterday after the first round of voting for the new German Chancellor, the fx market seemed less than impressed, Commerzbank's Head of FX and Commodity Research Thu Lan Nguyen notes.
Silver prices (XAG/USD) fell on Wednesday, according to FXStreet data.
European natural gas prices displayed plenty of strength yesterday, ING's commodity experts Ewa Manthey and Warren Patterson note.
Apart perhaps from the US President, hardly any market participants are likely in any doubt that the US Fed will leave interest rates unchanged today.
The latest data published by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) showed that China continued to build its Gold reserves for a sixth month in a row in April.
The AUD/USD pair breaks its three-day winning streak, trading around 0.6480 during the European hours on Wednesday. The technical analysis of the daily chart suggests a persistent bullish bias as the pair is moving upwards within the ascending channel pattern.
News that the US and China will start trade talks this weekend has Brent crude trading higher, extending a relief rally in oil yesterday. Talks would be a sign of potential de-escalation in trade tensions.
Pound Sterling (GBP) is likely to trade in a range vs US Dollar (USD), expected to be between 1.3300 and 1.3400. In the longer run, the current price movements are part of a 1.3240/1.3450 range-trading phase, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.
The Eurozone’s Retail Sales increased 1.5% year-over-year in March, following a revised 1.9% growth in February, according to official data released by Eurostat on Wednesday. Markets estimated a 1.6% figure.
Singapore Foreign Reserves (MoM) rose from previous 381.1B to 389.2B in April
Eurozone Retail Sales (MoM) came in at -0.1%, below expectations (0%) in March
Eurozone Retail Sales (YoY) registered at 1.5%, below expectations (1.6%) in March
Last night's news that the US and China would begin formal trade talks on 10-11 May to de-escalate the tariff war saw the dollar briefly spike 0.4/0.5%.
China’s exports likely to plunge, but imports may also slow, mitigating the tariff impact on net exports. Import intensity has been falling due to ‘onshoring’ of production and economic rebalancing.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the value of the US Dollar (USD) against a basket of six major currencies, is trading around 99.50 during European hours on Wednesday, rebounding after losing over 0.50% in the previous session.
Sterling is trading steadily, but politics should be supportive this month. We've already seen a new UK-Indian trade deal announced yesterday, but speculation is rising that a US-UK trade deal could be reached this week, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.
Price action did not result in any increase in either downward or upward momentum; Euro (EUR) is likely to trade between 1.1290 and 1.1390 vs US Dollar (USD).
United Kingdom S&P Global/CIPS Construction PMI: 46.6 (April) vs 46.4
It's been quite an attractive story to tell that if German fiscal expansion caused the EUR/USD exchange rate to rise significantly in March (from 1.04 to 1.09), then a weakened Friedrich Merz should see EUR/USD fall a few figures back, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.
USD/CHF halts its three-day losing streak, hovering around 0.8250 during Wednesday’s European session as the US Dollar (USD) gains traction.
China Foreign Exchange Reserves (MoM): $3.282T (April) vs $3.241T
Italy Retail Sales n.s.a (YoY): -2.8% (March) vs previous -1.5%
Italy Retail Sales s.a. (MoM) registered at -0.5%, below expectations (0.2%) in March
EUR/USD clings to the previous day’s gains around 1.1370 during European trading hours on Wednesday. The major currency pair trades firmly as the US Dollar (USD) ticks down ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision at 18:00 GMT.
Headlines crossed from China on Wednesday, with Beijing clarifying that the “meeting with the US on trade is at the US' request.”
Indian Rupee (INR) crosses trade mixed at the start of Wednesday, according to FXStreet data. The Euro (EUR) to the Indian Rupee changes hands at 96.27, with the EUR/INR pair rising from its previous close at 95.85.
Austria Wholesale Prices n.s.a (MoM) climbed from previous -0.8% to -0.4% in April
Austria Wholesale Prices n.s.a (YoY): -1% (April) vs previous -0.2%
Switzerland Foreign Currency Reserves: 703B (April) vs previous 726B
Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, May 7:
France Imports, EUR climbed from previous €57.54B to €58.799B in March
Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade with a negative tone at the beginning of Wednesday, according to FXStreet data. Palladium (XPD) changes hands at $973.20 a troy ounce, with the XPD/USD pair easing from its previous close at $978.15.
France Current Account rose from previous €-1.9B to €1.4B in March
France Trade Balance EUR registered at €-6.248B above expectations (€-6.9B) in March
France Exports, EUR increased to €52.551B in March from previous €49.67B
France Imports, EUR rose from previous €57.54B to €58.8B in March
France Nonfarm Payrolls (QoQ) in line with forecasts (0%) in 1Q
FX option expiries for May 7 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price advances on Wednesday, early in the European session. WTI trades at $59.35 per barrel, up from Tuesday’s close at $58.71.
The official data published by the Federal Statistics Office showed Friday that Germany's Factory Orders jumped more than expected in March, suggesting that the country’s manufacturing sector has picked up momentum.
Germany Factory Orders n.s.a. (YoY) up to 3.8% in March from previous -0.2%
Germany Factory Orders s.a. (MoM) above expectations (1.3%) in March: Actual (3.6%)
Russia S&P Global Services PMI unchanged at 50.1 in April
EUR/USD retraces its recent gains from the previous session, hovering near 1.1360 during Wednesday’s Asian session. Technical analysis on the daily chart continues to show a bullish bias, with the pair staying within an ascending channel pattern.
The GBP/USD pair attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Wednesday and erodes a part of its weekly gains registered over the past two days, to the 1.3400 mark. The intraday slide is sponsored by a modest US Dollar (USD) strength and drags spot prices below mid-1.3300s in the last hour.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday, “we must firmly maintain post-war international order.”
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Crude Oil prices gain some follow-through positive traction on Wednesday and climb to a one-week high during the Asian session.
Silver (XAG/USD) retreated on Wednesday during Asian trading hours, hovering around $33.00 per troy ounce after two consecutive days of gains.
Gold prices fell in India on Wednesday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakens across the board during the Asian session on Wednesday as the optimism over the US-China trade talks is seen undermining demand for traditional safe-haven assets.
USD/CAD is recovering its losses registered in the previous session, trading around 1.3790 during the Asian hours on Wednesday.
The Indian Rupee (INR) loses ground against the US Dollar (USD) during Wednesday's Asian trading session.
The NZD/USD pair retreats following an Asian session uptick to the 0.6020-0.6025 area, or over a two-week high, and for now, seems to have snapped a three-day winning streak.
Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts heavy selling during the Asian session on Wednesday and snaps a two-day winning streak to a two-week high, around the $3,434-3,435 region touched the previous day.
The head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said on Wednesday, “US tariff policy has brought great pressure to China's capital markets.”
Following a meeting with the People's Bank of China (PBOC), China Securities Regulatory Commission, National Financial Regulatory Authority, the Chinese central bank Governor Pan Gosheng announces interest rates cuts.
The AUD/USD pair continues its upward momentum for the fourth consecutive session, hovering around the 0.6510 mark during Wednesday’s Asian trading hours. The Australian Dollar (AUD) finds support from releasing domestic mid-tier economic data and improving global trade sentiment.
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Wednesday at 7.2005 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.2008 and 7.2124 Reuters estimate.
Japan Jibun Bank Services PMI above forecasts (52.2) in April: Actual (52.4)
EUR/USD muddled through Tuesday’s market action, marking out a fresh near-term consolidation range near the 1.1300 major handle as Fiber traders wait for a reason to move.
GBP/USD rose on Tuesday, climbing four-tenths of one percent on the day and testing the 1.3400 handle on headlines of a possible US-UK trade deal that would see the UK avoid the brunt of trade tariffs being actively pursued by the Trump administration.
Gold rallied to a two-week peak on Tuesday as the Chinese markets resumed operations following a long weekend holiday and concerns about US trade policies. Geopolitical risks also boosted the precious metal, with a new conflict emerging between Pakistan and India.
New Zealand Labour Cost Index (YoY) below expectations (2.7%) in 1Q: Actual (2.5%)
New Zealand Participation Rate below forecasts (71%) in 1Q: Actual (70.8%)
New Zealand Employment Change meets forecasts (0.1%) in 1Q
New Zealand Unemployment Rate came in at 5.1%, below expectations (5.3%) in 1Q
New Zealand Labour Cost Index (QoQ) came in at 0.4%, below expectations (0.5%) in 1Q
The AUD/NZD pair edged lower on Tuesday, trading near the 1.0800 zone after a steady decline through the European session. Price action remained confined within the day’s range, but the downside drift highlights the underlying bearish tone as the pair approaches the Asian session.
USD/JPY is trading weaker on Tuesday, hovering in the 142.00 area as safe-haven demand strengthens the Japanese Yen.
The EUR/JPY pair weakened slightly on Tuesday, hovering around the 162.00 mark after the European session, with price action holding mid-range between intraday highs and lows.