Trading news

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the US struck military targets at a strategic Iranian outpost in the Persian Gulf and warned it could hit oil infrastructure next if Tehran keeps disrupting energy flows in the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying the two-week conflict in the region.

The Euro finalized the week posting losses of over 1.74% against the Greenback and 0.84% in the day. The EUR/USD posted four bearish days after falling below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.1672, turning the pair bearishly biased. At the time of writing, the pair trades at 1.1414.

An article of the Wall Street Journal mentioned that a Federal Judge threw out a pair of subpoenas that the Justice Department issued to the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Gold price loses some 0.70% on Friday. It seems poised to end the week with losses of more than 2% as the Greenback remains the choice for safety amid the Middle East conflict, which has increased investors' angst over a reacceleration of inflation.

United States CFTC Gold NC Net Positions climbed from previous $160.1K to $163.1K

United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions down to £-84.2K from previous £-72.7K

United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions up to 228K from previous 172.2K

Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions dipped from previous $67.8K to $54.2K

United States CFTC S&P 500 NC Net Positions climbed from previous $-168.2K to $-134.5K

Eurozone CFTC EUR NC Net Positions declined to €105.1K from previous €136.5K

Japan CFTC JPY NC Net Positions dipped from previous ¥-16.6K to ¥-41.4K

OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong highlight that USD/KRW has pushed toward 1,495, reflecting KRW’s high-beta nature during geopolitical stress and energy price spikes.

The US Dollar (USD) is ending the week on a firmer stance as the US/Israeli war against Iran closes in on two weeks. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has spiked Oil prices, boosting inflation risks and prompting investors to hide in safe-haven currencies like the Greenback.

Commerzbank’s Senior Economist Dr. Henry Hao expects upcoming China data to confirm a structural divergence: Industrial Production around 5.5% year-on-year, supported by a 21.8% export surge in green tech, versus modest 3.0% retail sales and subdued Fixed-Asset Investment near 1.5%.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the Greenback's value against a basket of six major currencies, extends its advance on Friday and is set for a second consecutive weekly gain amid escalating Middle East tensions, which continue to boost demand for the US Dollar (USD).

MUFG analysts Lin Li, Michael Wan, Lloyd Chan and Khang Sek Lee highlight that Asian currencies and rates are vulnerable as the Iran conflict threatens Oil supply via the Strait of Hormuz.

ING’s Chris Turner explains that previously popular long South African Rand positions are being unwound as low inflation comes under pressure, volatility rises and precious metals lose momentum.

United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count increased to 412 from previous 411

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Oil trades around $95.30 on Friday at the time of writing, virtually unchanged for the day, as markets balance supply relief measures with escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East.

BNY’s iFlow data show heightened risk aversion, with bond buying concentrated in G10 and Eurozone debt while EM sovereigns are sold. FX flows highlight outflows from INR and EUR against demand for CNY and ZAR.