Trading news

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

New Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (YoY): 2.7% (March) vs 1.5%

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 price loses 0.30% on Thursday as the Greenback stages a comeback and as the white metal fails to clear key resistance at $81.00. At the time of writing, XAG/USD trades at $78.73 after hitting a daily high of $80.85.

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.