News/Event
Gold bounced back on Friday, recovering from a drop of more than 1% in the prior session, as investors flocked to the safe-haven metal amid escalating uncertainty surrounding the widening conflict in the Middle East.Gold on COMEX rose 1% to $5,128 per ounce at the time of writing. However, the meta…
The stock market today remained on edge as investors waited for the February jobs report and as the war in Iran continued. Futures tied to the Dow Jones dropped by 200 points, while those linked to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices fell by ~100 points.Stock market falls ahead of the US non-farm pa…
The FX:USDZAR rebounded this week, reaching its highest level since December last year as the South African rand retreated amid the ongoing war in Iran. It was trading at 16.60 on Friday, up 6.45% from its lowest level this year.South African rand plunges amid war risksThe South African rand and ot…
Greece’s economy expanded 0.8% quarter-on-quarter in Q4 2025 from an upwardly revised 0.7% gain in the previous quarter and marking the strongest quarterly growth since Q2 2024.The expansion was driven largely by faster growth in household consumption (0.8% vs 0.4% in Q3) and gross fixed capital fo…
The number of employed persons in the Euro Area rose by 0.2% from the previous quarter to 172.6 million in the final quarter of 2025, confirming the preliminary estimate, to maintain the growth rate from the previous period and beat the initial market expectations of a 0.1% expansion.It was the blo…
Croatia’s industrial production decreased by 0.8% year-on-year in January 2026, reversing a 4.5% growth in the previous month.This was the first decline since July 2025, amid lower output in the mining and quarrying sector (-13.7% vs 0% in December) and in manufacturing (-0.8% vs 6.4%).Within manuf…
The Euro Area economy grew 1.2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, revised down from an initial estimate of 1.3%.The figure marks the slowest annual growth in more than a year, easing from a 1.4% expansion in the previous quarter.All spending categories showed slower growth: household spen…
The Euro Area economy grew by 0.2% in Q4 2025, below earlier estimates of 0.3% and down from 0.3% in Q3, highlighting modest momentum despite easing inflation, lower interest rates, and resilience amid headwinds from US trade tariffs on EU imports.Household consumption rose 0.4%, up from 0.2% in Q3…
Slovenia recorded a trade deficit of EUR 1,149.8 million in January 2026, a sharp reversal from a surplus of EUR 296.6 million in the same month last year, as exports fell much faster than imports.Exports plunged 22.8% year-on-year to EUR 4,188.7 million due to a sharp decline in sales to non-EU co…
The UK 10-year gilt yield surged to 4.55%, its highest level since February 5, and is set for a 32-basis-point weekly gain as investors assessed rising inflation risks tied to the escalating Middle East conflict.Heightened regional tensions have raised concerns over potential disruptions to global…
The British pound fell toward $1.33, its weakest level since December 9, as investors weighed the potential economic impact of the escalating Middle East conflict alongside rising inflation pressures and the possibility of a more hawkish Bank of England stance.Regional tensions escalated after repo…
The Bulgarian economy grew by 3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, slightly revising upward from 2.9% growth in preliminary estimates, albeit marginally easing from a revised 3.1% expansion in the previous quarter.This marked the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2024, des…
Short-dated British government bond yields extended their surge on Friday and investors put the chance of a Bank of England interest rate cut this year at less than 50-50 over fears about higher inflation caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Two-year gilt yields (GB2YT=RR) hit their highest…
Italy’s 10-year BTP yield climbed toward 3.6%, its highest level since late September, and is set for a 30-basis-point weekly gain as investors weighed inflation risks from the escalating Middle East conflict.Rising regional tensions have stoked concerns over potential disruptions to global crude o…
By Suban Abdulla British house prices rose in February at the fastest annual pace since October, mortgage lender Halifax said on Friday, but concerns about rising inflation and fewer interest rate cuts could weigh on the future.Halifax said house prices were 1.3% higher in the 12 months to Febru…
Iceland’s trade deficit narrowed sharply to ISK 9.9 billion in February 2026 from ISK 59.5 billion in the same month a year earlier.Exports rose 2% year-on-year to ISK 78 billion, driven by increased shipments of marine products (13.1%) and agricultural products (3.3%).Meanwhile, imports fell 35.2…
Slovakia’s economy grew by 1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, matching initial estimates and following 0.9% in the previous quarter.This marked the sharpest expansion since Q4 2024, as growth in industry (0.8%) provided the largest support, primarily driven by higher output in the manuf…
The DAX Index made a big down gap this week as the war in Iran pushed European gas prices up sharply. It plunged to a low of €23,637 on Monday, its lowest level since December last year. It has now plunged by over 7.4% from its highest point this year as focus shifted to the upcoming earnings by so…
France’s 10-year OAT yield climbed to 3.49%, its highest level since January 23, and is on track for a 26-basis-point weekly rise, the sharpest increase since March last year, as investors assessed rising inflation risks tied to the escalating Middle East conflict.The intensifying regional tensions…
The CAC 40 rose 0.3% to 8,069 on Friday, rebounding from a near three-month low in the previous session as softer oil prices boosted market sentiment.The US granted India a 30-day waiver to continue purchasing Russian oil, a move aimed at stabilizing supply as the escalating Middle East conflict di…
Moldova’s unemployment rate fell to 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 3.5% in the third quarter.This was the lowest jobless rate since the third quarter of 2022, as the number of unemployed persons decreased by 6.5 thousand to 24.5 thousand.The unemployment rate for men dropped to 2.9% from 3…
Germany’s 10-year Bund yield held around 2.85%, its highest level since February 4, as investors assessed the inflationary risks stemming from the escalating Middle East conflict.The benchmark yield is also on track for a 20-basis-point weekly increase, marking its largest rise since March last yea…
The euro traded around $1.16, close to its weakest level since January 16, as investors weighed the escalating Middle East conflict and rising inflation risks.Regional tensions intensified after reports that US President Donald Trump encouraged Iranian Kurdish forces in Iraq to target Iran, Azerbai…
The global financial landscape is undergoing a violent recalibration as military strikes between the US, Israel, and Iran send shockwaves through international markets.With the Strait of Hormuz facing a de facto blockade and oil prices surging toward the $100 mark, investors are frantically unwindi…
Friday started as a volatile end to the global markets as investors grappled with the economic fallout from the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Asian equities headed for their sharpest weekly decline in years although some have recovered while oil prices surged, reflecting concerns about en…
Gold bounced back on Friday, recovering from a drop of more than 1% in the prior session, as investors flocked to the safe-haven metal amid escalating uncertainty surrounding the widening conflict in the Middle East.Gold on COMEX rose 1% to $5,128 per ounce at the time of writing. However, the meta…
The Swiss National Bank’s foreign exchange reserves fell to CHF 710 billion in February 2026, the lowest since May 2025, from an upwardly revised CHF 712 billion in the prior month.This marked the third successive decrease in foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank, prompted by a decline…
The United Arab Emirates is considering restricting Iran’s access to billions of dollars held in the Gulf state, a move that could disrupt the financial channels Iranian businesses have relied on for years. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Emirati officials have warned Iranian auth…
Industrial production in Georgia grew by 22.2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, accelerating sharply from a 3.9% rise in the third quarter.This marked the strongest growth since the third quarter of 2022, driven by faster expansions across all sectors, namely mining and quarrying (39.3…
The average monthly wages in the Czech Republic rose 5.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 4.5% in the previous quarter and exceeding market expectations of 4.7%.The average gross monthly nominal wage in the national economy reached CZK 52,283, with a 7.4% increase compared with…
Wholesale prices in Austria rose by 1.1% year-on-year in February 2026 from 0.4% in the previous month.This marked the sharpest increase in wholesale prices since September 2025, driven largely by higher costs for watches and jewelry (+16.1%), coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices (+12.5%), waste and scra…
Currency market stability is key to curbing inflation expectations, central bank Governor Mihaly Varga said on Thursday, adding it was unclear how long higher energy prices driven by renewed conflict in the Middle East would persist.Varga also told a business conference that risks from the Iran con…
The US economy likely added 59K payrolls in February 2026, marking a sharp slowdown from the strong 130K increase recorded in January.Part of the slowdown in hiring may be linked to strikes by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), which are exp…
By Jessica CoacciU.S. jobless claims held steady last week as employers preferred to retain staff rather than implement layoffs.The number of people who filed for unemployment benefits was 213,000 in the week through Feb. 28, in-line with the 213,000 reported a week earlier, the Labor Department sa…
By Jessica CoacciU.S. jobless claims held steady last week as employers preferred to retain staff rather than implement layoffs.The number of people who filed for unemployment benefits was 213,000 in the week through Feb. 28, in-line with the 213,000 reported a week earlier, the Labor Department sa…
Industrial production in Hungary declined by 2.5% year-on-year in January 2026, reversing from a 1.8% rise in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates.Production volumes decreased across most manufacturing subsectors.Among the most important sectors, vehicle manufacturing and the prod…
Romania’s GDP grew 0.2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, slightly above the initial estimate of 0.1% and slowing from 1.7% in the previous quarter, second estimates showed.Despite the marginally upward revision, it remained the weakest growth since the first quarter of 2021, driven by de…
Denmark’s manufacturing production rose 3.8% month-on-month in January 2026, following an upwardly revised 1.2% rise in the previous month.This marked the highest reading since September 2025, as output recovered sharply in textiles and leather products (13% vs -1.9%), food, beverages and tobacco…
France’s official reserve assets rose to €421.57 billion at the end of February 2026 from €409.26 billion in January, reaching a new high since records began in 1972.The increase was driven mainly by a rise in gold reserves to €345.87 billion from €334.05 billion in January, while foreign currency…
Sweden’s current account surplus narrowed to SEK 78.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, from SEK 96 billion in the same period a year earlier.This was the smallest quarterly surplus since Q4 2022, dragged down by a fall in the goods account surplus, which dropped to SEK 67.6 billion from SEK 8…
British house prices rose in February at the fastest annual pace since October, data from mortgage lender Halifax showed on Friday, but concerns about a rise in inflation may temper the outlook for interest rates.Halifax said house prices were 1.3% higher in the 12 months to February than a year ea…
Norway’s manufacturing production fell 0.3% month-over-month in January 2026, after an upwardly revised 0.2% drop in the previous month.This was the second consecutive month of decline, weighed down by lower output in fabricated metal products (-1.0% vs -1.0% in December), computer and electrical e…
The Halifax House Price Index showed UK house prices rose 1.3% year-on-year in February 2026, more than the expected 0.9% gain, from a revised 1.1% increase in January, marking the strongest annual growth in four months.The average UK home reached a new high of £301,151.On a monthly basis, prices r…
British house prices rose 0.3% in February, leaving them 1.3% higher than a year earlier, figures from mortgage lender Halifax showed on Friday.Economists polled by Reuters had mostly predicted a monthly house price increase of 0.3% and an annual rise of 0.9%.
European equity markets were set for a positive open on Friday, recouping losses from the previous session as oil prices pulled back after the US government signaled it is considering intervening in the market to curb the recent price surge.The US has also granted India a 30-day waiver to continue…
Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said in an interview with the Financial Times (FT) published on Friday that all Gulf energy producers to shut down exports within weeks amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, which involves the United States (US), Israel, and Iran.
Solana (SOL) price edges lower below $90 at press time on Friday, following a 2% decline the previous day, and risks a bearish flip within a broader consolidation range. Data shows cumulative flow in Solana Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) holds strong, reflecting committed institutional demand.
The annual inflation rate in Estonia slowed to 3.1% in February 2026 from 3.7% in the previous month.This marked the lowest reading since September 2024, mainly driven by declines in costs for clothing and footwear (-5.7% vs -4.9% in January) and insurance and financial services (-13.3% vs -14.5…
Greece Gross Domestic Product s.a (YoY) up to 2.4% in 4Q from previous 2%
Eurozone Gross Domestic Product s.a. (YoY) registered at 1.2%, below expectations (1.3%) in 4Q
In an interview with the regional Catalan TV3 television on Friday, European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Jose Luis Escriva commented on the monetary policy outlook in the face of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Greece Unemployment Rate (QoQ) rose from previous 8.2% to 8.3% in 4Q
Eurozone Employment Change (YoY) meets expectations (0.7%) in 4Q
Eurozone Employment Change (QoQ) meets forecasts (0.2%) in 4Q
Eurozone Gross Domestic Product s.a. (QoQ) came in at 0.2% below forecasts (0.3%) in 4Q
Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur examines whether the Euro is truly weak or strong, noting that EUR/USD undervaluation on purchasing power parity contrasts with a still-elevated trade-weighted Euro.
Iron ore futures climbed toward CNY 770 per ton, reaching a one-month high as China renewed its commitment to support the steel sector by curbing excess capacity.Economic planners at the National People’s Congress signaled plans for orderly reductions in steel output capacity, a move that could lif…
The Indonesian rupiah dipped for a second session to around IDR 16,940 per dollar on Friday, pressured by a firm U.S. dollar as safe-haven demand stayed elevated amid escalating Middle East tensions.For the week, the currency is set to fall around 0.9%, weighed by Fitch Ratings’ downgrade of Indone…
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Silver prices (XAG/USD) rose on Friday, according to FXStreet data. Silver trades at $84.20 per troy ounce, up 2.65% from the $82.02 it cost on Thursday.
Deutsche Bank economists project a slowdown in February Nonfarm Payrolls to 30k from January’s 130k, with the Unemployment Rate steady at 4.3%.
ING’s Chris Turner highlights that higher energy prices are negative for EUR/USD, but recent European Central Bank repricing has narrowed EUR/USD swap differentials to some of the tightest levels since 2024.
The NZX 50 slid 98 points or 0.7% to end at 13,519 on Friday, reversing gains in the prior session as most sectors fell, notably financials, healthcare, and non-energy minerals.Sentiment weakened amid growing worries that the U.S.-Israel war on Iran could drag on, now in its seventh day.Markets fel…
Deutsche Bank highlights that markets now assign a clear probability to an ECB rate hike by December 2026 as Oil prices surge.
Switzerland Foreign Currency Reserves down to 710B in February from previous 712B
Austria Wholesale Prices n.s.a (YoY) increased to 1.1% in February from previous 0.4%
Austria Wholesale Prices n.s.a (MoM) remains unchanged at 0.7% in February
Copper futures climbed back above $5.8 per pound on Friday as the broader metals complex rebounded, but were still poised to finish the week lower as investors rushed for the dollar amid the escalating Middle East conflict and rising inflation concerns.The US-Israeli offensive against Iran has now…
People’s Bank of China (PBoC) Governor Pan Gongsheng said during European trading hours on Friday that monetary policy adjustments will be based on economic operations.
Here is what you need to know on Friday, March 6:
The New Zealand dollar edged up to $0.590 but remained on track for a weekly decline amid fears of a wider and prolonged war in the Middle East. Rising geopolitical tensions have driven investors away from risk-sensitive assets, including the kiwi.The resulting spike in energy prices has put furthe…
USD/JPY extends its gains for the second successive session, trading around 157.60 during the European hours on Friday. On the daily chart, technical analysis indicates a persistent bullish bias as the pair remains within the ascending channel pattern.
Danske Research Team highlights that the key release is the US February jobs report, where they expect Nonfarm Payrolls to slow to 70k and unemployment to hold at 4.3%. Weekly jobless claims remain low and layoffs are easing, while productivity has cooled and unit labour costs have risen.
European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker and Dutch central bank chief Olaf Sleijpen said in an interview with Reuters that the monetary policy is in a good place and the central bank can handle a slight inflation overshoot.
MUFG’s Senior Currency Analyst Michael Wan notes that Brent Oil has eased to around US$85/bbl as the US administration considers multiple policy tools to address higher Oil and gasoline prices during the Iran conflict.
Sweden Current Account (QoQ): 78.1B (4Q) vs previous 93.2B
United Kingdom Halifax House Prices (MoM) meets forecasts (0.3%) in February
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note held around 4.14% on Friday after rising for four consecutive sessions, supported by concerns over resurgent inflation as the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices higher.Markets have scaled back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts, with traders now…
The offshore yuan rose to around 6.9 per dollar on Friday, recouping some of the previous session’s losses as market sentiment improved on China’s efforts to expand the currency’s role in international markets.Demand for yuan financing has been supported by Beijing’s low interest-rate environment…
The AUD/JPY cross attracts some buyers to around 110.90 during the early European session on Friday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) softens against the Australian Dollar (AUD) amid uncertainty surrounding the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) interest rate path.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursed in Vietnam reached USD 3.21 billion in January–February 2026, up 8.8% year-on-year, marking the highest two-month FDI implementation in five years.Total registered FDI fell 12.6% to USD 6.03 billion.Newly registered capital rose 61.5% to USD 3.54 billion ac…
International arrivals to Vietnam rose 18.5% year-on-year to 2.23 million in February 2026, following an 18.5% increase in the previous month.New visa policies, innovative promotion and marketing, broader product offerings, and enhanced service quality helped attract international visitors.Arrivals…
Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Friday that compiling extra budget would of course be an option as Prime Minister had said before. Katayama added that the government ready to take steps in timely fashion to combat economic impact from Iran conflict.
Silver rose toward $84 per ounce on Friday as the broader precious metals market rebounded, but remained on track to lose more than 10% for the week as investors sought the dollar amid the escalating Middle East conflict and mounting inflation concerns.The US-Israeli offensive against Iran has now…
The Australian dollar traded around $0.703 on Friday, remaining volatile and on track for its first weekly decline since mid-January, as global risk sentiment worsened amid escalating Middle East tensions.The US-Israeli conflict with Iran entered its seventh day, driving oil prices higher on supply…
The Japanese yen traded around 157.5 per dollar on Friday, on track for its third consecutive weekly decline, pressured by the dollar’s strength as investors sought the reserve currency amid the escalating Middle East conflict.The US-Israeli offensive against Iran has now entered its seventh day, w…
Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) trade cautiously at press time on Friday, close to key support levels after a roughly 2% pullback the previous day. Bitcoin holds above $71,000, Ethereum at $2,000, and XRP continues to consolidate in a sideways range.
USD/CHF inches lower after registering 0.25% gains in the previous session, trading around 0.7810 during the Asian hours on Friday.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) trades lower against its major currency peers, with the USD/JPY pair rising to near 157.75, in the late Asian trade on Friday.
The dollar index steadied around 99 on Friday and was poised to gain more than 1% this week, supported by safe-haven demand as the escalating Middle East conflict and rising oil prices unsettled financial markets.The US-Israeli offensive against Iran has now entered its seventh day, while Tehran la…
Asian equities trade mixed on Friday after a turbulent session for global markets as the conflict in the Middle East showed few signs of easing.
The United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for February at 13:30 GMT.
Gold hovered around $5,080 per ounce on Friday, holding recent losses and heading for its first weekly decline in five weeks, as a stronger US dollar and higher Treasury yields offset the geopolitical risk premium.While the ongoing Middle East conflict boosted demand for safe-haven assets, it also…
Gold prices rose in India on Friday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka climbed 16.2% year-on-year to a new record high of 279,328 in February 2026, accelerating from a 9.7% rise in the previous month.Daily data showed that February 12 marked the highest single-day arrivals of the month, with 12,731 visitors, reflecti…
Lombard (BARD), Humanity Protocol (H), and OKB (OKB) rally over the last 24 hours, securing the top-gainer spots in the early Asian session.
Gold price (XAU/USD) recovers its recent losses from the previous session on Friday. The yellow metal advances as the broader precious metals market rebounds on safe-haven demand.
Indonesia Foreign Reserves declined to $151.9 in February from previous $154.6
WTI crude futures fell nearly 2% to around $79.5 per barrel on Friday, paring gains from the previous session after the Trump administration signaled it is considering several options to address the surge in oil and gasoline prices amid the war in Iran.Potential measures include releasing crude fro…
By Nivedita Balu and Promit Mukherjee European Union Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said on Thursday he believed the U.S. would respect the terms of the trade deal signed with the EU last year after receiving assurances from his American counterparts."I believe that…
The AUD/USD pair trades 0.4% higher to near 0.7040 during the Asian trading session on Friday. The Aussie pair demonstrates strength as the Australian Dollar (AUD) outperforms across the board on expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) could deliver another interest rate hike soon.
Equities in New Zealand fell 98 points, or 0.7%, to 13,521 in the morning session on Friday, erasing gains from the prior session following losses on Wall Street Thursday, as the Middle East conflict entered its seventh day, lifting oil prices and fueling inflation worries alongside uncertainty ove…
The NZD/USD pair gathers strength to near 0.5910 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The potential upside might be limited amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The US employment report for February will be the highlight later on Friday.
US spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded $169 million in net inflows on Wednesday, marking the largest daily intake in two months, according to SoSoValue data. The rise in inflows signals renewed institutional interest in Ethereum amid broader market volatility.
EUR/USD gains ground after registering modest losses in the previous session, trading around 1.1620 during the Asian hours on Friday. The technical analysis of the daily chart suggests an ongoing bearish bias as the pair remains within the descending channel pattern.
USD/CAD struggles after registering modest gains in the previous session, trading around 1.3660 during the Asian hours on Friday.
Silver price (XAG/USD) holds positive ground near $82.20 during the early Asian session on Friday. The ongoing US-Israeli campaign against Iran provides safe-haven support, boosting the white metal. Traders await the release of the key US employment report for February for fresh impetus.
Canada and the European Union agreed on Thursday to expand trade ties and ease trade rules under their existing pact as countries across the world strive to increase trade and diversify away from the United States.Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and European Union Commissioner for Trade and…
USD/JPY edges lower after posting modest gains in the previous session, trading around 157.40 during the Asian hours on Friday.
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said on Fridya that Federated structure of central bank has worked well, adding that Fed independence is critically important to controlling inflation.
By Lewis KrauskopfInvestors will seek signs in the coming week of how sprawling the war in the Middle East will become and how much it will disrupt energy supplies, as they chew over fresh inflation data.A U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran that entered its sixth day on Thursday was consuming marke…
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $78.10 during the early Asian trading hours on Friday. The WTI gains momentum following an 8.5% single-day gain, the largest since 2020.
By Chuck Mikolajczak U.S. Treasury yields climbed for a fourth straight day on Thursday as the expanding war in Iran put upward pressure on oil prices, stoking concerns about rising inflation and dampening expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. U.S. crude NYMEX:CL1! surged 8.91% t…
Japan JP Foreign Reserves: $1B (February) vs previous $1394.8B
US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said that the US President Donald Trump administration is weighing a range of options for addressing the spike in oil and gasoline prices amid the war in Iran, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
US President Donald Trump said that Iranian officials reached out him in an attempt to reach an agreement to end the war, but he insisted it was too late and that the US is pushing to completely destroy Iran.
Gold price (XAU/USD) tumbles to near $5,085 during the early Asian session on Friday. The precious metal loses ground amid a stronger US Dollar (USD). The US employment report for February will take center stage later on Friday.
South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (YoY) below forecasts (2.1%) in February: Actual (2%)
South Korea Current Account Balance: 13.26B (January) vs previous 18.7B
South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (MoM) registered at 0.3%, below expectations (0.4%) in February
GBP/USD edged lower by 0.2% on Thursday, settling close to 1.3350 in a strained trading session that kept the pair pinned near three-month lows.
NZD/USD fell over 0.7% on Thursday, settling close to 0.5900 and touching its lowest level since late January. The pair has now given back the bulk of its February gains, with a series of lower highs since peaking near 0.6090 in early February pointing to fading bullish momentum.
AUD/USD fell about 1% on Thursday, wrapping the day up near the 0.7010 level after testing below the key 0.7000 handle intraday. The pair has now pulled back sharply from Tuesday's bounce, with two consecutive bearish sessions erasing most of the week's early gains.
The EUR/USD edged lower on Thursday, down some 0.21% as market sentiment remains risk averse due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This and solid US economic data pushed the pair lower towards the 1.1600 figure ahead of Friday’s session
Brazil posted a USD 4.21 billion trade surplus in February 2026, rebounding from a USD 0.467 billion deficit a year earlier but slightly missing forecasts of USD 4.23 billion.Exports rose 15.6% year-on-year to USD 26.31 billion, driven by strong growth in mining (55.5%) and agriculture (6.1%), led…
USD/JPY advanced on Thursday during the North American session, up by nearly 0.30% as the Greenback is boosted by risk appetite deterioration, solid US jobs data and hawkish comments by the Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin.
The Italian FTSE MIB fell 1.6% to close at 44,608 on Thursday, as a prolonged war in the Middle East could seriously impact Europe and Asia economically.Olli Rehn of the ECB Governing Council cautioned against over-optimism on a quick resolution to the Iran conflict, citing risks to both inflation…
By Lucia Mutikani The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits was unchanged last week and layoffs dropped sharply in February, consistent with stable labor market conditions.While other data from the Labor Department on Thursday showed worker productivity slowed in…
By Gina HeebMortgage rates held near the lowest level in more than three years.The average rate on the standard 30-year fixed mortgage edged slightly higher to 6%, according to a survey of lenders by mortgage-finance firm Freddie Mac. That was compared with 5.98% a week earlier, the lowest level si…
The Mexican Peso depreciates sharply as hostilities intensify in the Middle East, triggering a flight to safety, which underpinned the US Dollar. Additionally, solid jobs data in the US decreased the chances that the Federal Reserve might cut rates twice this year.
The US Dollar (USD) is being supported by crude oil prices, which rose to its highest level since July 2024, amid headlines of potential interruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on vessels in the region.
WTI surged over 6% on Thursday, blowing through $80 per barrel for the first time since June 2024 and extending one of the sharpest rallies in recent years.
ING’s Chief Economist for Greater China, Lynn Song, notes that China has lowered its 2026 GDP growth target to 4.5–5.0% after three years of “around 5%”, signalling tolerance for slightly slower expansion while keeping long-term ambitions intact.
By Lucia Mutikani The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits was unchanged last week while layoffs dropped sharply in February, consistent with stable labor market conditions.While other data from the Labor Department on Thursday showed worker productivity slowed i…
By Chuck Mikolajczak U.S. Treasury yields rose for a fourth straight day on Thursday, as the widening war in Iran continued to put upward pressure on oil prices and stoked concern about rising inflation and its impact on Federal Reserve policy. U.S. crude NYMEX:CL1! surged 5.5% to $78.77 a barr…
By Pawel Florkiewicz and Karol Badohal The Middle East war poses the biggest risk for inflation in Poland but if the situation calms down fairly quickly the Polish Monetary Policy Council could cut interest rates further, central bank governor Adam Glapinski said on Thursday. The Nation…
By Suban Abdulla British government bond yields climbed sharply on Thursday and investors reduced further their bets on an interest rate cut by the Bank of England this month due to the surge in energy prices caused by conflict in the Middle East.With analysts saying Britain appeared at risk fro…
Treasury yields keep rising as the conflict in the Middle East fuels inflation fears while U.S. indicators show employers still reluctant to fire workers. Weekly jobless claims are steady at 213,000. The January import price index increases a less than expected 0.2%.Tomorrow, February payrolls are…
Yields on U.K. government bonds rise further, along with their U.S. and eurozone peers, as global inflation expectations climb amid higher energy prices. If oil prices settle above $90 a barrel, it could reignite inflation and prevent the U.S. Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates, Federated…
1000 ET - Yields on U.K. government bonds rise further, along with their U.S. and eurozone peers, as global inflation expectations climb amid higher energy prices. If oil prices settle above $90 a barrel, it could reignite inflation and prevent the U.S. Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates…
By Jonathan Spicer The head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development told Reuters on Thursday that Turkey must "stay on course" in its inflation fight, and she applauded steps taken by the central bank this week to address market fallout from the war in the Middle East. Odile Ren…
USD/CHF rose about 0.44% on Thursday, pushing back above 0.7830 in a session that extended the recovery from last week's lows near the 0.7700 area.
DBS Group Research economist Radhika Rao discusses Fitch Ratings’ decision to cut Indonesia’s sovereign rating outlook to negative while affirming the BBB rating, following a similar move by Moody’s.
If the situation in the Middle East calms down in a few weeks, the Polish Monetary Policy Council (MPC) could cut rates further, central bank governor Adam Glapinski said on Thursday, after the bank on Wednesday cut its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%. He added that the Middle East w…
The New Zealand Dollar plummets during the North American session as high US Treasury yields underpin the Greenback, which is registering a new two-day high as the Middle East conflict escalates.
Gold erased early gains to trade slightly lower at around $5,115 per ounce on Thursday, as a stronger US dollar and reduced expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve offset safe-haven demand linked to the escalating Middle East conflict.Tensions intensified after Tehran was hit by…
Gold price erased the previous day's gains on Thursday, hitting a two-day low as precious metals are pressured by high US Treasury yields and a strong US Dollar, underpinned by solid US jobs data. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades at $5,069, down more than 1.35%.
The dollar index rose to 99.1 on Thursday, its highest level since mid-January, as the escalating conflict with Iran revived safe-haven demand.Early relief faded as the was is in its sixth day.Both Iran and the US signaled that attacks could intensify in the coming days, pushing oil and natural gas…
The Middle East war is the main risk for the inflation in Poland, central bank governor Adam Glapinski said on Thursday adding that it was hard to say what consequences of the war for the economy would be. On Wednesday the bank cut its main interest rate (PLINTR=ECI) by 25 basis points to 3.75% due…
TD Securities analysts note that changes in trading conditions will not dramatically alter Canada's growth outlook, pointing to manufacturing's small GDP share and pre-existing investment weakness.
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note rose for a fourth consecutive session to 4.14% on Thursday, the highest level in about a month, as inflation concerns intensified amid the escalating conflict with Iran, with both Tehran and Washington vowing to step up attacks.The global bond selloff conti…
Unit labor costs in the US nonfarm business sector rose by 2.8% in Q4 2025, more than market expectations of 2% and after a 1.8% fall in Q3, preliminary estimates showed.It reflects a 5.7% increase in hourly compensation and a 2.8% increase in productivity.In the manufacturing sector, unit labor co…
Initial jobless claims in the US were unchanged from the previous week at 213,000 on the last week of February, slightly under market expectations of 215,000 to remain firmly below averages from the last two years.In turn, continuing jobless claims, which serve s a proxy for outstanding unemploymen…
US import prices rose 0.2% from the previous month in January 2026, following a similar advance in December, as increases in non-fuel goods offset a decline in energy prices.Excluding fuels, import prices rose 0.5%, while prices excluding petroleum increased 0.5%.Gains were seen across several cate…
By Ed FranklU.S. import prices rose again in January, driven by nonfuel imports, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Thursday.Overall import prices rose 0.2% in the first month of 2026, matching the upwardly revised 0.2% increase in December last year, the data showed.That result was a…
0857 ET - Treasury yields keep rising as the conflict in the Middle East fuels inflation fears while U.S. indicators show employers still reluctant to fire workers. Weekly jobless claims are steady at 213,000. The January import price index increases a less than expected 0.2%.Tomorrow, February pay…
Labor productivity in the US nonfarm business sector rose 2.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025, slowing from a sharp 5.2% increase in the previous quarter but exceeding market expectations of a 1.9% gain, according to preliminary estimates.Output expanded by 2.6%, down from a 5.4% rise in the third q…
By Reshma Kapadia, Sabrina Escobar, and Joe LightA judge in the Court of International Trade on Wednesday ordered Customs and Border Protection to pay refunds for tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in a case brought by Atmus Filtration.The ruling could speed refun…
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits was unchanged last week while layoffs dropped sharply in February, consistent with stable labor market conditions.Initial claims for state unemployment benefits were flat at a seasonally adjusted 213,000 for the week ended Fe…
By Ed FranklU.S. import prices rose again in January, driven by nonfuel imports, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Thursday.Overall import prices rose 0.2% in the first month of 2026, matching the upwardly revised 0.2% increase in December last year, the data showed.That result was a…
March 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Labor Department report of initial state joblessbenefit claims, seasonally adjusted.Insured Unemployment Week Ended Initial Claims 4-Week Avg. Continued Claims rate (pct) 02/28/26 213,000 21…
Silver (XAG/USD) trades lower on Thursday, falling toward $82.20 at the time of writing, down 1.18% on the day. The precious metal is under pressure as the US Dollar (USD) rebounds following the release of stronger-than-expected US economic data.
Futures tracking the S&P/TSX Composite Index were lower on Thursday as investors remained cautious amid escalating Middle East tensions, now in their sixth day.Oil prices surged on fears of supply disruption, compounded by reports that the Chinese government instructed its largest refiners to suspe…
March 5 (Reuters) - For the U.S. Labor Department report of initial state jobless benefit claims, see:https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf((Washington newsroom))