Trading news

NZD/USD edges lower on Thursday, trading around 0.5875 at the time of writing, down 0.47% on the day, as risk aversion dominates market sentiment.

United States EIA Natural Gas Storage Change above forecasts (96B) in April 17: Actual (103B)

Societe Generale analysts note the Brazilian Real's (BRL) performance and highlight that USD/BRL failed to clear its downward‑sloping 200‑day moving average during recent consolidation, confirming the broader bearish trend.

Rabobank Senior FX Strategist Jane Foley highlights that stronger-than-expected New Zealand Consumer Price Index (CPI) and a hawkish Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) stance have driven aggressive market pricing for policy tightening and supported the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

Nomura analysts note that April Euro area PMIs point to stagflation risks as activity softens while price indices jump to highs last seen in 2022/23.

United States S&P Global Manufacturing PMI registered at 54 above expectations (52.5) in April

United States S&P Global Composite PMI climbed from previous 50.3 to 52 in April

United States S&P Global Services PMI registered at 51.3 above expectations (50) in April

ING’s Francesco Pesole notes that the Norwegian Krone (NOK) has rallied sharply versus both US Dollar (USD) and Euro (EUR) in April, supported by resilient US equities and higher Oil prices.

The British Pound (GBP) weakens against the Japanese Yen (JPY) on Thursday as the Yen outperforms most of its major peers amid intervention warnings from Japanese authorities, with USD/JPY trading close to the 160.00 level.

Rabobank’s Global Strategist Michael Every highlights how United States (US) economic statecraft is reinforcing the global role of the US Dollar (USD) through tools such as suspended Dollar shipments to Iraq and potential new swap lines for Gulf and Asian allies.

Scotiabank strategists Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret note the Canadian Dollar (CAD) is holding relatively firm against a stronger US Dollar (USD), helped by resilient risk sentiment and record S&P 500 levels.

AUD/USD trades around 0.7140 on Thursday, down 0.27% on the day, moving within a tight range as market sentiment remains pressured by geopolitical tensions.

Russia Central Bank Reserves $ climbed from previous $774.8B to $779.5B

United States (US) President Donald Trump just announced through Truth Social that he has ordered to "shoot and kill" any boat that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.

TD Securities strategists argue that Kevin Warsh’s path to the Fed chair and related independence concerns mostly point to a weaker Dollar in 2026.

Gold (XAU/USD) trims earlier intraday losses on Thursday, but upside remains limited as a firmer US Dollar (USD) and elevated Oil prices weigh on the precious metal, while uncertainty over stalled US-Iran talks keeps market sentiment cautious.

ING strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey describe a cautious backdrop for base metals, with Copper and Aluminium edging higher after reduced near-term geopolitical risk but ongoing Strait of Hormuz closure.

Canada Employment Insurance Beneficiaries Change (MoM) rose from previous -1.9% to -1.6% in February

The US Department of Labor (DOL) reported on Thursday that the number of US citizens filing new applications for unemployment insurance rose to 214K for the week ending April 18, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up from 207K to 208K.