Trading news

The USD/IDR pair catches aggressive bids during the Asian session on Friday and advances to a fresh all-time peak, around 17,1885-17,190 region in the lar hour. Spot prices remain on track to register strong weekly gains and seem poised to appreciate further.

The EUR/USD pair trades subduedly near 1.1777 during the Asian trading session on Friday. The major currency pair has turned sideways after a two-week-long rally to near 1.1825 as investors await the announcement of another round of talks between the United States (US) and Iran.

Gold (XAU/USD) reverses modest Asian session losses to the $4,768-$4,767 region, or a three-day trough, though it lacks follow-through and remains below the $4,800 mark amid mixed cues.

USD/CHF moves little after two days of gains, trading around 0.7830 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair steadies as traders adopt caution on uncertainty over US–Iran peace deal discussions.

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. 

New Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (MoM) dipped from previous 1.4% to 0.7% in March