News/Event
The NZX 50 climbed 80 points, or 0.6%, to 13,334 in Thursday morning trade, gaining for the fourth straight session and marking its highest level since March 6.The broader index followed a rally on Wall Street overnight, as investors remained optimistic that a two-week ceasefire between Iran and th…
Slovakia will end a temporary ban on exports of diesel fuel from Friday but keep in place other fuel measures due to the conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday.Slovakia has taken measures to cope with surging global oil prices since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Ira…
Global markets remained volatile as a fragile US-Iran ceasefire showed early signs of strain, oil prices plunged, but uncertainty lingered, Meta Platforms surged on AI-driven optimism, and bitcoin edged higher in a cautious rebound.US-Iran ceasefire tested earlyA fragile truce between the United St…
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury erased its 7bps drop to hover flat on Wednesday after Iran stated the US violated their ceasefire agreement, jeoperdizing the pullback in oil prices that calmed inflation fears.Still, the US refrained from striking Iran as threatened and yield maintained their d…
United Kingdom RICS Housing Price Balance below forecasts (-18%) in March: Actual (-23%)
The era of “one-size-fits-all” tech dominance is fracturing; in early 2026, the once-monolithic “Magnificent Seven” have split into a lopsided race.While Meta and Alphabet continue to scale new heights, powered by high-margin AI ad integration and lean operational efficiencies, their peers are stum…
Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s March meeting showed policymakers still expect to lower interest rates this year, even as uncertainty surrounding the Iran war and tariffs clouds the economic outlook.The record of the March 17–18 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting highlighted a delicate…
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note eased to 4.28% on Wednesday, trimming a sharper retreat from the morning but holding the pullback from eight-month highs of 4.45% two weeks prior, as temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US limited concerns of energy-fueled inflation.The agreement suspe…
AUD/USD gave back a portion of Wednesday's sharp rally, settling around 0.7050 after surging over 1% earlier in the session.
Several Fed officials favoured a two-sided framing of future rate decisions, highlighting that additional increases could be warranted if inflation persists above target levels, minutes from the last FOMC meeting in March showed.The vast majority of participants judged that upside risks to inflatio…
The era of “one-size-fits-all” tech dominance is fracturing; in early 2026, the once-monolithic “Magnificent Seven” have split into a lopsided race.While Meta and Alphabet continue to scale new heights, powered by high-margin AI ad integration and lean operational efficiencies, their peers are stum…
1410 ET - When the Fed met during the third week of the Iran war, a group of officials was concerned the conflict was raising the risk that elevated inflation could be prolonged. The officials discussed how the war had pushed up energy prices and how a drawn-out war could mean more inflation showin…
The Australian Dollar extended its gains versus the Japanese Yen, driven by an improvement in risk appetite amid the two-week pause in the Middle East conflict between the US and Iran.
Foreign investors withdrew a staggering $70.3 billion from emerging market assets in March, marking the largest monthly outflow since the market turmoil of March 2020, according to data released by the Institute of International Finance on Wednesday.The data showed that investors pulled funds from…
By Megan LeonhardtThe cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran may have spurred a market relief rally among investors on Wednesday, but consumer demand is unlikely to bounce back as quickly.The onset of the Iran War in late February sent oil prices soaring and boosted prices at the pumps nationwide. Th…
Oil slumped, and risk assets surged late on Tuesday after news broke of a ceasefire between the US/Israeli coalition and Iran. The announcement came less than two hours before President Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, or risk suffering an intense bombardment of its power p…
A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran faced an early test after Tehran halted oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns about global energy supply and market stability.The disruption came just hours after both sides agreed to reopen the critical shippi…
Iran is reportedly planning to mandate crypto payments as transit fees for fully laden Oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz during the proposed two-week ceasefire with the US, according to a Wednesday report by the Financial Times (FT).
The NZD/USD rallied sharply on Wednesday, boosted by a double whammy. The de-escalation of the Middle East conflict, and hawkish remarks by the RBNZ Governor, Anna Breman, post the bank’s monetary policy meeting.
MUFG’s Senior Currency Analyst Lloyd Chan argues Singapore’s energy system and fiscal strength materially limit near‑term tail risks from Middle East tensions.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) holds firm near 99.10, supported by safe-haven demand late in the American session with expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will remain cautious on easing.
BNP Paribas analysts assess that in the United States (USD), demand remains the main driver of inflation, though its contribution has eased from post‑Covid peaks.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) continued to grind lower during the front half of the US trading session on Wednesday, falling roughly 1% from the prior session's close near 100.00 to tag a low around 98.50 as the US-Iran ceasefire announcement triggered a broad wave of risk-on selling in the US Dollar.
Traders have begun factoring in the possibility of an interest rate cut by the end of the year following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.According to data from CME Group’s FedWatch tool, the probability of a rate reduction rose to approximately 43% on Wednesday morning.The…
Gold (XAU/USD) advances on Wednesday, yet trades off a three-week high of $4,857 hit earlier in the day, as falling Oil prices weighed on the US Dollar, which weakened to a four-week low in the US Dollar Index (DXY). At the time of writing, the XAU/USD pair trades at $4,735, up more than 0.70%.
Emerging and developing economies in Europe and Central Asia will experience slower growth in 2026 due to the effects of higher energy prices brought on by the ongoing conflict in Iran, said a World Bank report released on Wednesday.This surge has increased operating costs for businesses and raised…
Wells Fargo economists now expect the Federal Reserve (Fed) to delay easing in response to higher Oil prices and stickier inflation.
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note fell about 5bps to 4.25% on Wednesday, reaching its lowest level in roughly three weeks.The decline followed news of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, which triggered a sharp drop in oil prices, easing concerns about an inflationary spiral and b…
The Canadian 10-year government bond yield tumbled toward 3.4% as the threat of a catastrophic global energy shock receded following a conditional ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.This significant decline in expected borrowing costs accompanied a plunge in WTI crude prices aft…
By Jamie ChisholmChair Jerome Powell and the Fed may feel a lesser need to raise interest rates as oil prices fall from their recent peaks.The two-week cease-fire agreed between the U.S. and Iran has left investors less worried that major central banks will raise borrowing costs this year.Oil price…
US stocks surged on Wednesday after a surprise two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran eased geopolitical tensions and sent oil prices sharply lower, boosting risk appetite across global markets.The announcement, made just hours before US President Donald Trump’s deadline fo…
Scotiabank strategists Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret highlight that the Japanese Yen (JPY) has gained over 0.7% versus the US Dollar (USD) but still lags other G10 currencies as risk sentiment improves on the ceasefire.
United States 10-Year Note Auction climbed from previous 4.217% to 4.282%
Investors are recalibrating their strategies in response to renewed geopolitical uncertainty, crafting a fresh “Trump trade” playbook as markets react to shifting dynamics around US-Iran tensions, oil prices, and global monetary policy.With inflation and interest rate trajectories increasingly diff…
Switzerland’s 10-year government bond yield eased to just below 0.39%, from an over eight-month high of 0.45% hit on April 7, amid easing geopolitical concerns.The US and Iran have agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, during which shipping traffic will be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz…
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures surged around 1,200 points on Wednesday, up close to 2.6%, after a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough averted what had been shaping up as a catastrophic escalation of the US-Iran war.
Even with the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz would take several weeks to normalise. Additionally, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated on Tuesday that fuel prices may continue to increase for months, even after the Strai…
Economic growth for six Western Balkans countries is projected to increase to 3.1% on average in 2026 and 2027 on stronger exports and public investment after a slowdown last year, the World Bank said on Wednesday.Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are forecast to colle…
ING economists Peter Virovacz and Zoltán Homolya note that Hungarian inflation in March 2026 surprised on the downside versus expectations but remained above February’s decade low.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil trades sharply lower on Wednesday, falling more than 10% after a temporary ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran reduced the geopolitical risk premium embedded in prices.
UK large-cap and mid-cap shares jumped on Wednesday after a breakthrough agreement between the United States and Iran on a temporary ceasefire lifted investor sentiment globally.The development triggered a broad-based rally in equities while sharply reducing oil prices.The benchmark FTSE 100 rose 3…
Dogecoin (DOGE) edges lower at the time of writing on Wednesday, extending losses from its daily high of $0.0956.
The USD/JPY pair fell near the 158.30 region on Wednesday, even as the United States (US), Iran and Israel had agreed on a two-week ceasefire.
The annual inflation rate in Hungary rose to 1.8% in March 2026 from a more than nine-year low of 1.4% in the previous month.Main upward pressures came from higher costs of alcoholic beverages and tobacco (5.5% vs 5.8% in February), fuel and power (4.3% vs 4.2%), services (4.1% vs 4.2%), and clothi…
The S&P Global Germany Construction PMI rose to 48.0 in March 2026 from 43.7 in February, signaling a slower contraction in total activity.Housing activity fell at its shallowest rate so far this year, while civil engineering expanded at an accelerated pace.Commercial construction remained the weak…
US stocks ended mixed on Tuesday as investors navigated heightened geopolitical uncertainty tied to President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with late-session optimism helping broader markets recover from earlier losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 85.42 p…
Eurozone retail sales edged down 0.2% month-on-month in February 2026, following stagnation in January and aligning with market forecasts.Food, drinks, and tobacco sales fell 0.5%, reversing two consecutive months of growth, while non-food product sales remained flat after two prior months of decli…
–– Williams: FOMC Is Now ‘Really Well-Positioned’ To ‘Wait and See’— Goolsbee: Fed in ‘Very Uncomfortable Situation; Facing Danger of ‘Stagflation’--Oil prices collapse in wake of two-week Iran ceasefire and reopening of Strait of Hormuz(MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Phillip Jefferson s…
Producer prices in the Eurozone declined 0.7% month-over-month in February 2026, the biggest drop since April 2025, following a 0.8% rise in January, and matching forecasts.Energy prices went down 2.4%, following a 1.3% increase and non-durable goods decreased 0.2%, the same as in the previous mont…
The pound rose on Friday after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.The ceasefire sparked optimism across financial markets, particularly as oil prices declined sharply, easing concerns around inflationary pressures.Sterling rose 1% on the day to trade at $1.342, marking its hi…
The CAC 40 climbed 4.3% to 8,247 on Wednesday, rebounding from losses in the previous session and reaching its highest level in over a month, primarily driven by a wave of optimism following a ceasefire breakthrough in the Middle East conflict.The US and Iran had agreed to a two-week ceasefire, ave…
The S&P Global Italy Construction PMI fell to 46.8 in March 2026 from 50.4 in February, signaling a renewed contraction and the sharpest decline since August 2024.Activity dropped across residential, commercial, and civil engineering segments, pointing to a broad-based slowdown.The decline was driv…
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand left its official cash rate unchanged at 2.25% at its April 2026 meeting, in line with expectations, keeping borrowing costs steady amid global uncertainty.The central bank noted that recent events in the Middle East have materially altered the outlook, with higher o…
The yield on the UK’s 10-year gilt fell by around 20 basis points to 4.65% after oil prices plunged following a two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, struck just hours before the deadline set by President Donald Trump.Under the deal, the US and Israel agreed to halt their military c…
The S&P Global UK Construction PMI rose to 45.6 in March of 2026 from 44.5 in the previous month, stretching the streak of over one year in monthly contractions for the sector, but above the median market consensus of 43.9.The survey indicated that operating margins remained under pressure in the p…
The dollar index fell 0.5% to around 99 on Wednesday, hitting a four-week low after President Donald Trump delayed his threat to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure by two weeks in what he called a “double-sided ceasefire,” contingent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Trump also said the US…
The annual inflation rate in Luxembourg rose to 2.4% in March 2026, up from 1.3% in the previous month, marking the highest level since December 2025.Costs rebounded in housing and utilities (1.7% vs -1.2% in February), while price growth accelerated in transportation (4.2% vs 0.2%), recreation, sp…
Australia’s 10-year government bond yield dropped to below 4.9%, retreating from multi-year highs to hit a four-week low, as inflation concerns eased after US President Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran.Less than two hours before a deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face intensified…
The Dutch trade balance was plus 72.9 billion euros ($85.12 billion) in 2025, up 1.4% compared to 2024, Statistics Netherlands CBS said on Wednesday.Imports for 2025 totalled 581.9 billion euros, up from 573.8 billion euros the year prior, while exports stood at 654.8 billion euros, up from 646.8 b…
Germany’s factory orders rose 0.9% mom in February 2026, rebounding from an 11.1% slump in the prior month but missing market expectations of a 2% increase.The recovery was driven mainly by the automotive sector, where orders grew (3.8%).Strong gains were also seen in textiles (45.2%) and metal pro…
British house prices slid by 0.5% month-on-month during March, mortgage lender Halifax said on Wednesday. A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to a 0.1% increase.House prices were up 0.8% compared with March 2025, Halifax said, against expectations for a 1.5% annual increase.
European markets were poised to open higher on Wednesday after the United States and Iran agreed to a conditional ceasefire, easing fears of an immediate escalation in the Middle East and sending oil prices sharply lower.Futures indicators pointed to broad gains across the region, reflecting a glob…
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note fell to around 4.25% on Wednesday, hitting an almost three-week low after President Donald Trump delayed his threat to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure by two weeks in what he called a “double-sided ceasefire,” contingent on Iran reopening the Strait…
French customs published the following trade balance data on Wednesday for the month of February. The current account data is from the Bank of France.The data is seasonally adjusted and in billions of euros.
Dow futures surged in early trading on Wednesday after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, easing fears of a broader regional conflict and triggering a cross-asset relief rally.Oil tumbled, Treasury yields eased and volatility gauges retreated as investors rotated back into risk a…
Industrial production in Hungary fell by 1.5% year-on-year in February 2026, easing from a 2.5% decline in the previous month.Production volumes declined across the vast majority of manufacturing subsectors, with particularly notable decreases in vehicles and food, beverages, and tobacco products.I…
Retail sales in Romania declined by 6.2% year-on-year in February 2026, following a downwardly revised 6.0% drop in the previous month.This marked the seventh consecutive month of contraction and the steepest decline since April 2020.Sales growth for food, beverages, and tobacco slowed sharply (-0…
The Dutch trade balance was plus 72.9 billion euros ($85.12 billion) in 2025, up 1.4% from a year earlier, carried by specialized machinery and medicinal and pharmaceutical products, Statistics Netherlands CBS said on Wednesday.Imports for 2025 totalled 581.9 billion euros, up from 573.8 billion eu…
New Zealand stocks rose 20 points, or 0.2%, to 13,089 in morning deals on Wednesday, gaining for the third straight session ahead of the RBNZ monetary policy decision later today.The broader index remained at its highest level since March 18, supported by expectations that the central bank will hol…
Switzerland’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 3.1% in March 2026 from 3.2% in each of the previous two months, which had marked the highest level since April 2021.The latest reading came in slightly below market expectations of 3.2%.The number of unemployed persons fell by 4…
France’s trade deficit widened to €5.8 billion in February 2026 from an upwardly revised €2.0 billion in February and above the expected €2.4 billion.Exports fell 0.9% month-on-month to €51.0 billion, weighed down by lower shipments of agricultural products (-2.8%), mechanical and electrical equipm…
Retail sales in Hungary rose by 3.8% year-on-year in February 2026 from 3.5% in the previous two months.This marked the highest reading since April 2025, driven by higher sales for automotive fuel (6.4% vs 5.7% in January) and non-food products (5% vs 4.7%), particularly in textiles, clothing, and…
Australian equities jumped 235 points, or 2.7%, to 8,964 on Wednesday morning deals, continuing the bullish momentum from the prior session while holding at a four-month high, as nearly all sectors posted solid gains, including consumer durables, financials, healthcare, and logistics.A strong surge…
By Jamie ChisholmU.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The Fed may feel less of a need to raise interest rates as oil prices fall from peaks.The two-week cease-fire agreed between the U.S. and Iran has left investors less worried that major central banks will raise borrowing costs this year.Oil…
Major global investment banks now expect China to keep official interest rates steady this year, scaling back earlier rate-cut calls, as the impact from the Middle East conflict appears limited, even as Beijing maintains a loose policy stance.The receding rate cut expectations also come as China ho…
Jet fuel supplies could take several months to recover to pre-crisis levels even if Iran lifts its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the head of the International Air Transport Association warned.Refineries across the Middle East — a critical hub for global jet fuel exports — are still struggling to…
The Indian rupee was poised to strengthen on Wednesday after a two-week ceasefire agreed between Iran and the US triggered a sharp fall in oil prices and lifted risk sentiment across Asian markets.The truce prompted the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and offered oil-importing India a significant…
Retail sales in Slovakia declined 2.5% year-on-year in February 2026, easing from a 3.7% fall in the previous month, marking the fourth consecutive month of contraction.The decline moderated in food, beverages, and tobacco (-3.9% vs -4.2% in January), automotive fuel (-1.8% vs -4.9%), other goods…
Oil prices tumbled below $100 a barrel on Wednesday after Iran agreed to a provisional two-week ceasefire and moved to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.The development triggered a sharp relief rally across global markets after days of panic over a possible long-lasting supply shock.Brent crude, which ha…
France’s 10-year OAT yield fell 25 basis points to 3.55% as oil and European gas prices dropped following the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.The accord, which pauses the US-Israel military offensive in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, has raised hopes for a short-term easing of Middle…
Italy’s 10-year BTP yield plunged by 30 basis points to 3.68% after oil and European gas prices fell sharply in the wake of a US-Iran ceasefire agreement.The deal, which suspends the US-Israel military campaign in return for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, has sparked cautious optimism for a t…
France posted a current account deficit of EUR 1.8 billion in February 2026, reversing from an eighteen-month high and upwardly revised EUR 2.3 billion surplus in the previous month.This marked the largest gap since July 2025, largely driven by a decline in the services account surplus, which fell…
Germany’s 10-year Bund yield dropped 15 basis points to 2.93% as oil and European gas prices tumbled following a US-Iran ceasefire agreement.The deal, which halts the US-Israel military campaign in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, has fueled hopes of a temporary de-escalation in th…
The HCOB Construction PMI in France fell further to 38.4 in March 2026 from 43.9 in February, pointing to the steepest contraction in the construction sector in 18 months.All three of the broad construction activity types, including home building, commercial projects, and civil engineering, experie…
Mortgage applications in the US eased by 0.8% from the previous week on the period ending April 3rd, extending the cumulative 28.5% plunge from the three previous weeks, according to data compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association.The recent pullback was extended despite the respite for benchmark…
The Swiss franc strengthened to around 0.789 per USD, the highest in over two weeks, as hopes of easing Middle East tensions following a US-Iran two-week ceasefire reduced demand for the greenback as a safe haven.Tehran also agreed to allow the safe transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz d…
British house prices slid unexpectedly last month as economic uncertainty stemming from the Iran war hurt buyer demand, mortgage lender Halifax said on Wednesday. House prices fell by 0.5% month-on-month during March, Halifax said, following a 0.3% increase in February.A Reuters poll of economis…
The Halifax House Price Index showed UK house prices rose 0.8% year-on-year in March 2026, below the expected 1.5% and down from a revised 1.2% in February, marking the softest annual growth in three months.The average UK home was £299,677.On a monthly basis, prices fell 0.5%, defying expectations…
European equity markets were set to open sharply higher on Wednesday after the US, Iran and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire to allow negotiations for a potential deal to end the war.President Donald Trump delayed planned strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure in what he called a “double-s…
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note retreated to 4.3% on Tuesday, a near three-week low as investors sought the safety of government bonds amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.This decline followed a volatile morning where yields nearly reached 4.37% before President Trump warned of devas…
Cash crude grades eased on Tuesday after touching multiyear highs last week as the spread between WTI and Brent narrowed to its most in nearly three weeks.Mars eased to a premium of $6 to West Texas Intermediate crude at Cushing, its lowest in nearly two weeks, while WTI Midland weakened to a $4 pr…
South Korea’s 10-year government bond yield fell to around 3.65% in early April, hitting its lowest in five weeks, after the US, Iran, and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire to allow negotiations toward ending the war.President Donald Trump delayed planned strikes on Iranian civilian infrastruct…
US Treasury yields fell on Wednesday as a two-week freeze in hostilities in the Middle East eased concerns about a fresh inflation shock and drew investors back into government bonds. The rally gathered pace as oil prices retreated sharply, reducing fears that higher energy costs would complicate t…
The S&P Global Eurozone Construction PMI fell to 44.6 in March 2026, down from 46.0 in February, marking the sharpest contraction in activity since October 2025 and extending the sector’s decline for nearly four years.France led the downturn with its steepest drop in 18 months, followed by Italy an…
USD/CAD trades with a downside bias on Wednesday, as the US Dollar (USD) comes under broad selling pressure following a temporary ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. At the time of writing, the pair is trading around 1.3847, extending losses for the third straight day.
The Pound Sterling rallies on Wednesday, advancing for the third straight day this week, up more than 1.10% due to broad US Dollar weakness, sparked by an improvement in risk appetite following a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Commerzbank’s Thu Lan Nguyen notes that Brent prices dropped by USD 15 on news of a two‑week U.S.–Iran ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but still trade near USD 95, well above pre‑war levels.
Iran's Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday that oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz have been stopped after Israel breached the ceasefire, per Reuters.
BNP Paribas analysts argue that weaker demand in the Eurozone compared to 2022 is helping to contain inflation, even as supply constraints remain above historical averages.
Wells Fargo economists highlight that the Iran conflict and higher Oil prices are reviving consumer inflation and breaking the recent disinflation trend.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) analysts review how Canada has weathered one year of U.S. tariff shocks. They note that Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and unemployment held up, but sectoral and regional damage was significant.
TD Securities strategists argue that higher energy-linked inflation and delayed Fed cuts keep the opportunity cost of holding Gold elevated in the near term. They also flag the lack of Middle East capital as a downside catalyst.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against a basket of six major currencies, comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, sliding to one-month lows after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire deal.
OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong stress that markets are being driven almost entirely by Iran headlines, with Oil and yields reacting to ceasefire developments.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) will publish its Minutes from the March 18 meeting on Wednesday. The release should be less about the decision itself and more about the officials’ “no rush to cut” narrative.
Commerzbank’s Thu Lan Nguyen notes Copper has turned into a top performer after being one of the weakest metals, pressured by rising LME stocks and mixed supply news.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on Wednesday that Iran will manage the Strait of Hormuz proactively and control it intelligently, while warning of a stronger response to any renewed attacks from the United States (US) or Israel, per Reuters.
Gold (XAU/USD) climbs toward three-week highs on Wednesday after the United States and Iran reached a temporary two-week ceasefire agreement, offering relief to markets following days of escalating tensions.
Ripple (XRP) is edging up above $1.38 at the time of writing on Wednesday, buoyed by improving market sentiment after the United States (US) suspended attacks on Iran amid a two-week ceasefire.
ING’s commodities team of Ewa Manthey and Warren Patterson report that Oil prices have dropped sharply, with Brent and WTI falling well below $100 as a US–Iran two‑week ceasefire eases supply disruption fears.
Brown Brothers Harriman’s (BBH) Elias Haddad notes that the US-Iran ceasefire has pushed financial markets into relief mode, with Brent, equities and bonds reacting positively and the Dollar falling sharply.
Mexico Consumer Confidence dipped from previous 44.5 to 44.1 in March
Mexico Consumer Confidence s.a: 44.1 (March) vs previous 44.4
Cryptocurrency prices are broadly holding steady on Wednesday after United States (US) President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, "I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks".
MUFG’s Head of Research Derek Halpenny underlines that United Kingdom (UK) PMI Services and Composite data show a larger downturn than in Europe, with a record jump in input prices driven by energy concerns.
The NZD/USD pair is up 1.6% to near 0.5830 in the European trading session on Wednesday.
BNY's Head of Markets Macro Strategy Bob Savage notes Eurozone producer prices fell on energy weakness while ex‑energy pressures stayed positive, and retail sales showed modest annual growth despite monthly softness.
United States (US) President Donald Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday that the US will work closely with Iran through a "very productive regime change."
Commerzbank’s Carsten Fritsch reports that Gold jumped up to 3% to USD 4,855 per ounce after the 14‑day Middle East ceasefire, behaving unlike a classic safe haven. The move is linked to lower Oil prices, reduced inflation risks and softer rate expectations, which have pushed bond yields down.
TD Securities analysts review the latest Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) decision, noting the cash rate was held at 2.25% while inflation forecasts were revised sharply higher for Q1 and Q2.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) crypto tokens, such as Near Protocol (NEAR) and Render (RNDR), are extending gains on Wednesday amid the launch of Antropic Glasswing initiative, while the broader cryptocurrency market recovery linked to the US-Iran ceasefire adds tailwind.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) is trading higher against the US Dollar (USD) for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, boosted by investors’ optimism about the ceasefire in Iran.
United States MBA Mortgage Applications up to -0.8% in April 3 from previous -10.4%
Bitcoin (BTC) is approaching the upper boundary of the horizontal channel that has been limiting the price since early February, trading near $71,800 on Wednesday, and a breakout of this zone would suggest an upside move.
By Adria CalatayudShell warned that its first-quarter natural-gas production would be lower than anticipated, as the energy industry counts the cost of the damage caused by the conflict in the Middle East.The U.K. energy giant said Wednesday that it expected first-quarter production in its integrat…
(06:00 GMT) *Shell Sees 1Q Intergrated Gas Production 880,000- 920,000 Barrels of Oil Equivalent a Day (06:00 GMT) *Shell Had Guided 1Q Intergrated Gas Production at 920,000-980,000 BOE/D (06:01 GMT) *Shell: Intergrated Gas Production Outlook Reflects Impact of Middle East Conflict (06:02 GMT) *She…
The US Dollar (USD) accelerated its reversal against the Swiss Franc (CHF) on Wednesday, as investors pared back US Dollar long positions following the announcement of a ceasefire in Iran.
Commerzbank notes that the Dollar is selling off as risk sentiment improves, with the Euro rising close to 1.17 against the Dollar following the ceasefire news.
DBS Group Research’s Eugene Leow notes that Gold surged over 2% to above USD4800 after a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran reduced immediate escalation risks.
Germany 10-y Bond Auction increased to 2.92% from previous 2.89%
The Euro (EUR) trades lower against the British Pound (GBP) for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, with bears testing support at 0.8700 at the time of writing. The Pound fares better than the common currency amid the positive market sentiment triggered by the ceasefire in Iran.
Silver prices (XAG/USD) rose on Wednesday, according to FXStreet data. Silver trades at $76.91 per troy ounce, up 5.38% from the $72.98 it cost on Tuesday.
The EUR/USD pair trades 0.75% higher to near 1.1700 during the European trading session on Wednesday. The major currency pair strengthens as the US Dollar (USD) underperforms amid an upbeat market mood.
Brown Brothers Harriman’s (BBH) Elias Haddad highlights that NZD/USD has surged over 2% on improved risk sentiment and a hawkish hold from the RBNZ.
EUR/JPY edges lower after two days of gains, trading around 185.00 during the European hours on Wednesday. The technical analysis of the daily chart suggests the currency cross is moving upwards within the ascending channel pattern, indicating bullish bias.