VT Markets https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html In April, the US flash S&P Global Composite PMI rose to 52, up from March’s 50.3 VT Markets – Reliable Forex & CFD Broker | VT Markets Risk aversion boosts the US Dollar, driving USD/CHF higher near 0.7900 amid US–Iran uncertainty Eli Lilly: A Pharma Giant in Motion In March, Japan’s corporate service prices climbed year-on-year to 3.1%, up from 2.7% If ceasefire collapses, US military officials plan strikes against Iran’s Strait of Hormuz defensive capabilities, CNN reports Japan’s core CPI, excluding food and energy, eased to 2.4% year-on-year from 2.5% in March Oil Rally Tests $100 As Hormuz Risk Returns Japan’s March core CPI excluding fresh food rose 1.8% year-on-year, matching economists’ expectations Japan’s annual national consumer inflation rose to 1.5% in March, up from 1.3% previously Trump said Israel and Lebanon would extend their ceasefire three weeks, allowing long-term talks and easing the Iran war hurdle During early Asian trading, gold slid towards $4,690 as a firmer dollar and pricey oil raised inflation fears April’s UK GfK consumer confidence fell to -25, underperforming expectations of -24 in the latest reading Oil price surge eclipses BSP hawkishness, leaving USD/PHP near record highs, according to BBH’s Elias Haddad NZD/USD hovers near 0.5860 with a negative tone, as robust US data underpins the US Dollar Commerzbank says Bank Indonesia held rates at 4.75% yet adopted a hawkish tone to stabilise rupiah Geoff Yu of BNY says energy and gas stress haven’t driven ASEAN economies into unsustainable external deficits Bitcoin Tests $80K on ETF Demand Geopolitical news drove silver down 3%, after rejection at its 50-day SMA, signalling further declines Standard Chartered economists say Hong Kong’s SME index dropped to 43.3 in Q2 amid oil prices, Middle East tensions Min Joo Kang says South Korea’s Q1 2026 GDP rose 1.7%, lifting 2026 growth forecast to 2.8% Middle East tensions cooled risk demand, pushing GBP/JPY from 215.70 towards 215.00, with 216.00 rejected UOB economists say BSP began tightening, raised the RRP rate to 4.50%, supporting PHP and hinting more hikes Amid strong US data and Middle East tensions, the dollar index holds near two-week highs, extending gains Philip Wee of DBS Research says Asian currencies consolidate cautiously as War Powers deadline nears, USD/CNY flattens Gold hovers near $4,700 as rising yields and Middle East tensions unsettle markets amid White House talks Risk aversion grew as Iran denied Ghalibaf’s exit from talks, pushing US-session crude prices higher US 4-week bill auction yield remained unchanged, holding steady at 3.595%, according to official results WTI rises for a fourth session as Hormuz strife and Ghalibaf rumours raise supply and negotiation worries With the dollar easing, EUR/USD recovered from lows despite strong PMIs and ongoing Hormuz-related US-Iran tensions Standard Chartered’s Dan Pan expects BCB to keep easing cautiously, cutting 25bps in late April amid inflation risks DJIA futures hover near 49,400, as semiconductor gains persist, after two-session swings between 49,100 and 49,600 Sterling holds near 1.3500 against dollar as Hormuz tensions rise; US-Iran talks stalled, curbing gains GBP/USD hovers near 1.3500 as Middle East strains and Hormuz vessel seizures cap gains, talks stalled After solid US PMI and jobs data lifted the Dollar, AUD/USD hovered around 0.7160, mostly flat As the dollar weakens, gold recovers slightly, though persistent high rate expectations and oil inflation limit gains Rabobank strategist Michael Every warns US–Canada trade frictions ahead of USMCA talks, increasing Canada’s trade risks Commerzbank’s Ghose says USD/TRY could hit 55 by year-end as Turkey shuns hikes, using interventions Ghalibaf resigned from Iran’s negotiating team, prompting risk-off sentiment across markets, according to Israel’s N12 News In April, Kansas Fed manufacturing activity in the United States edged down from 11 to 10 Amid cautious sentiment over US-Iran tensions, USD/CHF stays near 0.7845, swinging choppily without strong bets Nomura expects the ECB to hold the deposit rate at 2.00% on 30 April, through Q4 2027 Though slightly weaker against the dollar, the pound outperforms G10 peers, buoyed by stronger UK PMI data Amid Middle East tensions, NZD/USD slips to about 0.5875, with RBNZ hawkishness curbing losses US EIA reports natural gas storage rose 103B, exceeding the 96B forecast for April 17 release Societe Generale analysts say USD/BRL rejected the falling 200-day average, resuming weakness towards multi-month channel lows Rabobank’s Jane Foley says robust New Zealand CPI and hawkish RBNZ rhetoric boost NZD/USD, amplifying tightening expectations Nomura analysts warn Eurozone PMI data show slowing activity alongside rising prices, increasing stagflation risks for April BNY’s Geoff Yu says Latin American currencies led emerging markets, with robust holdings, conflict resilience, and attractive rates Near 159.45, USD/JPY holds close to recent highs, supported by oil-fuelled inflation after three rises