The USD/CAD pair holds steady around the 1.3900 zone on Friday as markets weigh fresh US-China trade headlines and stronger oil prices against a firmer Greenback.
United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count rose from previous 481 to 483
The EUR/GBP pair was seen trading near the 0.8500 mark during Friday's session, edging lower intraday yet holding within the mid-range of 0.8511 to 0.8548. Investors appear cautious amid a light macroeconomic backdrop, with the pair moving in sync with subtle shifts in broader market sentiment.
The EURUSD pair was seen hovering near the 1.1400 region on Friday after easing slightly in the aftermath of the European session. The pair is consolidating within a narrow range between 1.1315 and 1.1391, reflecting a pause in bullish momentum while still holding ground near recent highs.
The Pound Sterling registers losses against the strong US Dollar, yet it remains above 1.3300. A strong UK Retail Sales report failed to underpin Cable, which registers losses of 0.20% as the GBP/USD trades at 1.3311.
Silver price (XAG/USD) plunges more than 1.5% to near $33.00 during North American trading hours on Friday. The white metal falls sharply from its three-week high of $33.70 posted earlier in the day.
Bank of England (BoE) policymaker Megan Greene said on Friday that they are not sure if the weakness in the UK economy is caused by demand or supply, per Reuters.
The USD/JPY pair is expected to conclude the week on a positive note above 143.00. The pair surges to near 143.50 on Friday as the US Dollar (USD) has resumed its recovery move on hopes that United States (US) President Donald Trump is close to make deals with number of his trading partners.
United States Michigan Consumer Expectations Index registered at 47.3 above expectations (47.2) in April
United States UoM 1-year Consumer Inflation Expectations registered at 6.5, below expectations (6.7) in April
United States UoM 5-year Consumer Inflation Expectation in line with forecasts (4.4%) in April
United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index registered at 52.2 above expectations (50.8) in April
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said on Friday that the disinflation process in the Eurozone is well on track, per Reuters.
The United States and China are not engaged in any talks on tariffs, the Chinese embassy said on Friday, according to Reuters.
After US President Trump backtracked significantly on both tariffs against China and the dismissal of Fed Chair Powell, the price of Gold temporarily fell back below $3,300 per troy ounce, Commerzbank's FX analyst Thu Lan Nguyen notes.
Given this situation, it is hardly conceivable that Kazakhstan will limit oil production as planned, let alone compensate for the current overproduction with larger production cuts, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch notes.
Canada Retail Sales ex Autos (MoM) came in at 0.5%, above expectations (-0.4%) in February
Canada Retail Sales (MoM) in line with expectations (-0.4%) in February
Japanese Yen (JPY) is weak, down 0.7% against the US Dollar (USD) and underperforming most of the G10 currencies in an environment of broad-based USD strength, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
According to a Reuters report, the eight OPEC+ countries with voluntary production cuts could also increase oil production more significantly in June, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch notes.
Pound Sterling (GBP) is down a modest 0.3% and showing relative gains against nearly all the G10 currencies, once again trading in tandem with its peers on trade-related headlines while still lagging in terms of magnitude, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
In the middle of next week, the World Gold Council (WGC) will publish its report on gold demand in the first quarter. This is likely to show that the sharp rise in the gold price in the first three months of the year was driven by strong investment demand.
Euro (EUR) is weak, down 0.4% against the US Dollar (USD) and a mid-performer among the G10. Trade-related headlines continue to dominate and data releases have been limited, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
Brazil Mid-month Inflation meets expectations (0.43%) in April
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is marginally softer on the session but holding up better than its major currency peers to the USD’s broader rebound, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
The price of Brent oil rose to more than $68 per barrel this week, reaching its highest level since the announcement of reciprocal tariffs by US President Trump at the beginning of April, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch notes.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), futures on NYMEX, is down over 1% to near $62.00 during European trading hours on Friday.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, trades slightly higher and turns positive for the week on Friday.
Markets are ending the week on a steadier note. The USD is a little stronger, US equity futures slipping back after yesterday’s pop higher and US Treasurys are a little firmer.
India FX Reserves, USD increased to $686.15B in April 14 from previous $677.84B
Russia Interest Rate Decision meets forecasts (21%)
Next week, China will release its official PMIs, which, unlike in other countries, are always released on the last day of the month rather than the first day of the following month.
The AUD/USD pair falls sharply to near 0.6380 in Friday’s North American session. The Aussie pair weakens as the US Dollar (USD) resumes its upside recovery after a corrective move on Thursday.
The inflation rate for the Tokyo area rose to 3.5% in April, once again exceeding the expectations of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Rice prices rose sharply again in April, Commerzbank's FX analyst Volkmar Baur notes.
Brent crude has bounced from the lower limit of its downtrend but faces key resistance at $68.70–$70.50. A failure to break higher could trigger a pullback, with $65.30 and $62.30 as key support levels, Société Générale's FX analysts note.
Russia’s central bank (CBR) will announce its rate decision today: analysts unanimously expect an unchanged key rate of 21.0%, which has been pre-signalled by policymakers.
As US-China tariff tensions escalate, early data suggest US importers are shouldering most of the burden, with little price relief from Chinese exporters. Despite sharp tariff hikes, consumer prices remain largely unaffected — for now.
Relative calm continues to be observed this week amid Trump’s de-escalation. Trump continued to speak about how his administration was talking to China about trade even as Beijing denied the existence of negotiations.
On the subject of trade talks, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's discussions with Japan and South Korea seem to be going well, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.
Silver prices (XAG/USD) fell on Friday, according to FXStreet data.
EUR/USD trades lower around 1.1350 during European trading hours on Friday. The major currency pair weakens due to a recovery move in the US Dollar (USD) on hopes of an improvement in trade relations between the United States (US) and China.
The very modest dollar bounce has seen EUR/USD trade a little lower.
Euro (EUR) continued to ease lower after hitting a more than 3Y high of 1.1570s. EUR was last at 1.1350 levels, OCBC's FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong note.
The dollar is continuing its positive correlation with US equity markets and is edging higher. Investors seem to be taking positively the newsflow that US-China tariffs could be negotiated substantially lower.
Gold price (XAU/USD) is on the back foot on Friday, almost erasing all of Thursday’s gains, and looks set to close off this week in the red.
The USD/CAD pair retains its positive bias through the first half of the European session on Friday and currently trades near the top end of the weekly range.
Swiss National Bank (SNB) Chairman Martin Schlegel warned on Friday that an “economic slowdown in Switzerland cannot be ruled out.”
European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Robert Holzmann said on Friday that “next policy steps are completely open.”
Silver price (XAG/USD) inches lower following two days of gains, trading around $33.40 per troy ounce during the European hours on Friday. The metal’s safe-haven appeal weakens as reports emerge suggesting China may lift tariffs on certain US imports.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) bounces back against its major peers on Friday after the release of surprisingly positive United Kingdom (UK) Retail Sales data for March.
Commenting on the trade talks with the United States (US), China's Foreign Ministry clarified that “China and the US are not having any consultations or negotiations on tariffs.”
Indian Rupee (INR) crosses trade with a negative bias at the start of Friday, according to FXStreet data. The Euro (EUR) to the Indian Rupee changes hands at 96.93, with the EUR/INR pair declining from its previous close at 97.19.
The NZD/USD pair offers its recent gains registered in the previous session, trading around 0.5960 during early European trading hours on Friday.
Here is what you need to know on Friday, April 25:
France Business Climate in Manufacturing came in at 99, above expectations (96) in April
The EUR/GBP cross loses momentum to near 0.8530 during the early European session on Friday. The Pound Sterling (GBP) strengthens against the Euro (EUR) after the stronger-than-expected UK economic data.
Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade with a negative tone at the beginning of Friday, according to FXStreet data.
USD/CHF recovered its previous session losses and is trading around 0.8320 during the Asian session on Friday.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price advances on Friday, early in the European session. WTI trades at $62.84 per barrel, up from Thursday’s close at $62.61.Brent Oil Exchange Rate (Brent crude) is also up, advancing from the $65.65 price posted on Thursday, and trading at $65.88.
The United Kingdom (UK) Retail Sales jumped 0.4% month-over-month (MoM) in March after advancing 0.7% in February, the latest data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed Friday. Markets expected a 0.4% drop in the reported month.
United Kingdom Retail Sales ex-Fuel (MoM) above expectations (-0.3%) in March: Actual (0.5%)
United Kingdom Retail Sales ex-Fuel (YoY) registered at 3.3% above expectations (2.3%) in March
United Kingdom Retail Sales (YoY) above expectations (1.8%) in March: Actual (2.6%)
United Kingdom Retail Sales (MoM) came in at 0.4%, above expectations (-0.4%) in March
China held the Politburo meeting on Friday, with the key takeaways noted below.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, edges higher to near 99.75 during the early European session on Friday amid positive developments in negotiations with allies India, Japan and South Korea.
GBP/USD is retracing its recent gains, hovering around 1.3290 during Friday’s Asian session.
Singapore Industrial Production (MoM) rose from previous -7.5% to -3.6% in March
Singapore Industrial Production (YoY) registered at 5.8%, below expectations (6.9%) in March
FX option expiries for Apr 25 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.
Silver (XAG/USD) edges lower after testing the three-week top during the Asian session on Friday and currently trades around the mid-$33.00s, down 0.30% for the day. The technical setup, however, warrants caution before positioning for any meaningful depreciating move.
Gold prices fell in India on Friday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
EUR/JPY extends its gains for the third successive session, trading around 162.80 during the Asian hours on Friday. Technical analysis of the daily chart shows the currency cross consolidating within an ascending channel, reinforcing a bullish outlook.
The AUD/JPY cross attracts some follow-through buyers for the third successive day and touches over a three-week top, around the 92.00 mark during the Asian session on Friday.
Gold price (XAU/USD) struggles to capitalize on the previous day's move higher and oscillates in a narrow trading band during the Asian session on Friday amid mixed fundamental cues.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported on Friday that China is mulling suspending its 125% tariff on some US imports including medical equipment, ethane and plane leasing.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price extends its gains for a second straight day, trading around $62.80 during Friday's Asian session.
The Indian Rupee (INR) strengthens on Friday. The optimism surrounding US-India trade talks provides some support to the Indian currency. Currently, the 26% reciprocal tariff on India that the US imposed is on a 90-day pause. The suspension will expire on July 8.
USD/CAD recovers its recent losses from the previous session, trading around 1.3870 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) strengthens, supported by optimism surrounding potential US trade deals.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges lower during the Asian session on Friday as hopes for the potential de-escalation of the US-China trade standoff remain supportive of a positive risk tone and temper demand for traditional safe-haven assets.
The NZD/USD pair edges lower to around 0.5985 during the Asian session on Friday, pressured by the firmer Greenback. The lack of progress toward defusing the US-China trade deal exerts some selling pressure on the China-proxy Kiwi.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) edges lower against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, retreating after gains in the previous session.
People's Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng said on Friday that all parties expressed concern about the negative impact of trade frictions. Pan added that economic fragmentation and trade tensions continue to disrupt the industrial supply chain and weaken the momentum of global growth.
On Friday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.2066 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.2098.
The GBP/USD pair attracts some sellers to around 1.3310 during the early Asian session on Friday, pressured by the renewed US Dollar (USD) demand. The UK Retail Sales data for March will be the highlight later on Friday.
China's Finance Ministry said on Friday that the current world economic growth momentum was insufficient, with tariff and trade wars further impacting economic and financial stability, per Reuters.
The EUR/USD pair weakens to near 1.1380 during the early Asian session on Friday. However, the downside for the major pair might be limited as investors remain concerned about the US-China trade tensions. Later on Friday, the final reading of Michigan Consumer Sentiment will be released.
Japan Tokyo CPI ex Food, Energy (YoY) climbed from previous 1.1% to 2% in April
The headline Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April climbed 3.5% YoY as compared to 2.9% in the previous month, the Statistics Bureau of Japan showed on Friday.
Japan Tokyo Consumer Price Index (YoY) climbed from previous 2.9% to 3.5% in April
Japan Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food (YoY) came in at 3.4%, above forecasts (3.2%) in April
United Kingdom GfK Consumer Confidence came in at -23, below expectations (-21) in April
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said late Thursday that he is worried that with the uncertainty, businesses will do layoffs.
Silver finished Thursday's session virtually unchanged, yet it remains near weekly highs of $33.65, with traders poised to push the grey metal higher.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday that the Japanese central bank will continue to raise interest rates if underlying inflation converges toward its 2% inflation target as projected.
The EURJPY pair was seen trading near the 162.00 area on Thursday, holding steady ahead of the Asian session after a mildly choppy European trading day.
The NZDJPY pair was seen trading near the 90.50 area on Thursday, stabilizing after mild intraday gains. The pair is attempting to consolidate above key short-term levels, as investors weigh broad risk sentiment and upcoming Asian market flows.
The Mexican Peso registered modest gains versus the US Dollar on Thursday due to the latter’s broad weakness, even though Mexico’s inflation came in slightly higher than expected. At the time of writing, the USD/MXN trades at 19.57 after hitting a daily high of 19.63.