The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, currently trades near 98.25 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The DXY trades on a flat note amid uncertainty surrounding a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
GBP/USD loses ground for the third successive day, trading around 1.3520 during the Asian hours on Friday. The Pound Sterling (GBP) remains under pressure as traders pare back expectations for a Bank of England (BoE) rate hike, amid increasing optimism that tensions in the Middle East may be easing.
Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda said that a decision on how soon to raise interest rates must take into account the fact that the nation's real interest rate is low, Reuters reported on Friday.
The USD/JPY pair gathers strength around 159.35 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The pair extends the rally for the third consecutive day amid uncertainty in the Middle East. However, heightening intervention warnings from Japanese officials might cap the upside for USD/JPY.
The AUD/USD pair holds steady above mid-0.7100s during the Asian session on Friday and for now, seems to have stalled the previous day's modest pullback from its highest level since June 2022. Spot prices remain on track to register strong weekly gains amid a supportive fundamental backdrop.
USD/CAD remains subdued for the fifth consecutive day, trading around 1.3700 during the Asian hours on Friday.
On Friday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 6.8622 compared to the previous day's fix of 6.8616 and 6.8206 Reuters estimate.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $89.00 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The WTI price edges higher after reports that Lebanon's army accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire.
Silver (XAG/USD) is seen consolidating around the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the March downfall and trading just below the $79.00 mark during the Asian session on Friday, up 0.50% for the day.
NZD/USD remains subdued for the second successive day, trading around 0.5890 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair weakens as the US Dollar (USD) edges higher, supported by cautious market sentiment ahead of the upcoming meeting between the United States (US) and Iran scheduled for the weekend.
The Lebanese army said that it recorded multiple ceasefire violations by Israel after the truce went into effect, CNN reported on Friday.
The EUR/USD pair trades in negative territory near 1.1780 during the early Asian session on Friday. The major pair retreats from eight-week highs as traders remain cautious ahead of the next meeting between the United States (US) and Iran, scheduled for the weekend.
Finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) on Friday emphasized the urgent need to limit the economic repercussions of an ongoing Middle East conflict, highlighting a commitment to pursuing enduring peace.
UOB economist Ho Woei Chen assesses China’s stronger 1Q26 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data and its implications for policy. Despite real GDP rising 5.0% year-on-year, the team keeps its 2026 growth forecast at 4.7% due to external headwinds and weak domestic demand.
Gold price (XAU/USD) posts modest gains near $4,795 during the early Asian session on Friday. Traders weigh signs of easing geopolitical tensions against persistent inflationary pressures. The next meeting between the United States (US) and Iran may take place over the weekend.
OCBC’s strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong observe USD/MYR nearing key support as markets price optimism over US–Iran negotiations and a softer US Dollar (USD).
GBP/USD gave up recent gains on Thursday, falling around 0.25% to settle close to 1.3525 after slipping back below the 1.3550 handle. Price drifted lower through the European and North American sessions in a steady grind rather than an impulsive move, with sellers leaning against intraday rallies.
The USD/JPY reclaims the 159.00 figure after reaching a weekly low of 158.26 amid mixed economic data in the US, strengthening the US Dollar, which rose to a two-day high of 98.29 according to the US Dollar Index (DXY). At the time of writing, the pair trades at 159.17, up 0.11%.
The NZD/USD pair is trading with a muted tone around the 0.5890 area on Thursday, April 16, as the US Dollar (USD) continues to benefit from safe-haven flows driven by escalating geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing disruptions in global energy routes.
Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur says China’s 5.0% growth, despite weak investment and retail sales, underscores reliance on external demand, keeping authorities wary of strong CNY appreciation.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with multiple world leaders this week, detailing the US' agenda of securing trade deals and policies aimed largely at reversing damage done through the first year of the Trump administration, specifically on earth minerals and general trade.
AUD/USD snapped a three-day winning streak on Thursday, finishing nearly flat close to 0.7165 after failing to clear the 0.7200 handle earlier in the session.
Standard Chartered economists Jonathan Koh and Edward Lee now expect Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep its policy rate at 4.25% in April, delaying a previously anticipated 25 bps hike to June.
TD Securities strategists highlight that China’s Q1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 5.0% year-on-year, at the top of the official target range, driven by strong exports and early bond quota usage.
Silver (XAG/USD) loses 0.30% on Thursday, failing to clear a key resistance at $81.00 as the Greenback stages a comeback. At the time of writing, XAG/USD trades at $78.73 after hitting a daily high of $80.86.
BNY's Geoff Yu highlights that South Korea, Taiwan and Japan have become key surplus providers to the U.S. as China’s exports to America declined.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading near the 98.20 price region on a firm footing amid a complex geopolitical backdrop. The Strait of Hormuz remains partially blocked, with reports of a “double blockage” disrupting flows even as some tankers manage to pass.
Danske Bank’s Danske Research Team observes that Chinese GDP and industrial production surprised to the upside, while retail sales remained weak and unemployment ticked higher.
Commerzbank’s Michael Pfister notes that G10 and Gelişen Piyasalar (EM) carry trades have delivered strong paper gains, helped by Iran-related market moves and high-yield currencies like the Brazilian Real and Mexican Peso.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) trades under pressure against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, as the Greenback steadies after recent weakness, allowing AUD/USD to snap a three-day winning streak.
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