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Swiss National Bank (SNB) Chairman Martin Schlegel warned on Friday that an “economic slowdown in Switzerland cannot be ruled out.”
European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Robert Holzmann said on Friday that “next policy steps are completely open.”
Silver price (XAG/USD) inches lower following two days of gains, trading around $33.40 per troy ounce during the European hours on Friday. The metal’s safe-haven appeal weakens as reports emerge suggesting China may lift tariffs on certain US imports.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) bounces back against its major peers on Friday after the release of surprisingly positive United Kingdom (UK) Retail Sales data for March.
Commenting on the trade talks with the United States (US), China's Foreign Ministry clarified that “China and the US are not having any consultations or negotiations on tariffs.”
Indian Rupee (INR) crosses trade with a negative bias at the start of Friday, according to FXStreet data. The Euro (EUR) to the Indian Rupee changes hands at 96.93, with the EUR/INR pair declining from its previous close at 97.19.
The NZD/USD pair offers its recent gains registered in the previous session, trading around 0.5960 during early European trading hours on Friday.
Here is what you need to know on Friday, April 25:
France Business Climate in Manufacturing came in at 99, above expectations (96) in April
The EUR/GBP cross loses momentum to near 0.8530 during the early European session on Friday. The Pound Sterling (GBP) strengthens against the Euro (EUR) after the stronger-than-expected UK economic data.
Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade with a negative tone at the beginning of Friday, according to FXStreet data.
USD/CHF recovered its previous session losses and is trading around 0.8320 during the Asian session on Friday.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price advances on Friday, early in the European session. WTI trades at $62.84 per barrel, up from Thursday’s close at $62.61.Brent Oil Exchange Rate (Brent crude) is also up, advancing from the $65.65 price posted on Thursday, and trading at $65.88.
The United Kingdom (UK) Retail Sales jumped 0.4% month-over-month (MoM) in March after advancing 0.7% in February, the latest data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed Friday. Markets expected a 0.4% drop in the reported month.
United Kingdom Retail Sales ex-Fuel (MoM) above expectations (-0.3%) in March: Actual (0.5%)
United Kingdom Retail Sales ex-Fuel (YoY) registered at 3.3% above expectations (2.3%) in March
United Kingdom Retail Sales (YoY) above expectations (1.8%) in March: Actual (2.6%)
United Kingdom Retail Sales (MoM) came in at 0.4%, above expectations (-0.4%) in March
China held the Politburo meeting on Friday, with the key takeaways noted below.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, edges higher to near 99.75 during the early European session on Friday amid positive developments in negotiations with allies India, Japan and South Korea.
GBP/USD is retracing its recent gains, hovering around 1.3290 during Friday’s Asian session.
Singapore Industrial Production (MoM) rose from previous -7.5% to -3.6% in March
Singapore Industrial Production (YoY) registered at 5.8%, below expectations (6.9%) in March
FX option expiries for Apr 25 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.
Silver (XAG/USD) edges lower after testing the three-week top during the Asian session on Friday and currently trades around the mid-$33.00s, down 0.30% for the day. The technical setup, however, warrants caution before positioning for any meaningful depreciating move.
Gold prices fell in India on Friday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
EUR/JPY extends its gains for the third successive session, trading around 162.80 during the Asian hours on Friday. Technical analysis of the daily chart shows the currency cross consolidating within an ascending channel, reinforcing a bullish outlook.
The AUD/JPY cross attracts some follow-through buyers for the third successive day and touches over a three-week top, around the 92.00 mark during the Asian session on Friday.
Gold price (XAU/USD) struggles to capitalize on the previous day's move higher and oscillates in a narrow trading band during the Asian session on Friday amid mixed fundamental cues.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported on Friday that China is mulling suspending its 125% tariff on some US imports including medical equipment, ethane and plane leasing.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price extends its gains for a second straight day, trading around $62.80 during Friday's Asian session.
The Indian Rupee (INR) strengthens on Friday. The optimism surrounding US-India trade talks provides some support to the Indian currency. Currently, the 26% reciprocal tariff on India that the US imposed is on a 90-day pause. The suspension will expire on July 8.
USD/CAD recovers its recent losses from the previous session, trading around 1.3870 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) strengthens, supported by optimism surrounding potential US trade deals.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges lower during the Asian session on Friday as hopes for the potential de-escalation of the US-China trade standoff remain supportive of a positive risk tone and temper demand for traditional safe-haven assets.
The NZD/USD pair edges lower to around 0.5985 during the Asian session on Friday, pressured by the firmer Greenback. The lack of progress toward defusing the US-China trade deal exerts some selling pressure on the China-proxy Kiwi.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) edges lower against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, retreating after gains in the previous session.
People's Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng said on Friday that all parties expressed concern about the negative impact of trade frictions. Pan added that economic fragmentation and trade tensions continue to disrupt the industrial supply chain and weaken the momentum of global growth.
On Friday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.2066 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.2098.
The GBP/USD pair attracts some sellers to around 1.3310 during the early Asian session on Friday, pressured by the renewed US Dollar (USD) demand. The UK Retail Sales data for March will be the highlight later on Friday.
China's Finance Ministry said on Friday that the current world economic growth momentum was insufficient, with tariff and trade wars further impacting economic and financial stability, per Reuters.
The EUR/USD pair weakens to near 1.1380 during the early Asian session on Friday. However, the downside for the major pair might be limited as investors remain concerned about the US-China trade tensions. Later on Friday, the final reading of Michigan Consumer Sentiment will be released.
Japan Tokyo CPI ex Food, Energy (YoY) climbed from previous 1.1% to 2% in April
The headline Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April climbed 3.5% YoY as compared to 2.9% in the previous month, the Statistics Bureau of Japan showed on Friday.
Japan Tokyo Consumer Price Index (YoY) climbed from previous 2.9% to 3.5% in April
Japan Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food (YoY) came in at 3.4%, above forecasts (3.2%) in April
United Kingdom GfK Consumer Confidence came in at -23, below expectations (-21) in April
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said late Thursday that he is worried that with the uncertainty, businesses will do layoffs.
Silver finished Thursday's session virtually unchanged, yet it remains near weekly highs of $33.65, with traders poised to push the grey metal higher.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday that the Japanese central bank will continue to raise interest rates if underlying inflation converges toward its 2% inflation target as projected.
The EURJPY pair was seen trading near the 162.00 area on Thursday, holding steady ahead of the Asian session after a mildly choppy European trading day.
The NZDJPY pair was seen trading near the 90.50 area on Thursday, stabilizing after mild intraday gains. The pair is attempting to consolidate above key short-term levels, as investors weigh broad risk sentiment and upcoming Asian market flows.
The Mexican Peso registered modest gains versus the US Dollar on Thursday due to the latter’s broad weakness, even though Mexico’s inflation came in slightly higher than expected. At the time of writing, the USD/MXN trades at 19.57 after hitting a daily high of 19.63.