Q1 trimmed mean CPI fell into the RBA’s 2-3% target range for the first time since end-2021. The growth/stability trade-off likely favours more RBA cuts amid growth headwinds posed by US tariffs.
The Eurozone economy expanded by 0.4% in the three months to March of 2025 after growing by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024, the preliminary estimate released by Eurostat showed Wednesday.
Yesterday saw the next round of poor sentiment indicators from the US. According to the Conference Board, US consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Eurozone Gross Domestic Product s.a. (QoQ) above expectations (0.2%) in 1Q: Actual (0.4%)
Eurozone Gross Domestic Product s.a. (QoQ) came in at 1.2%, above forecasts (0.2%) in 1Q
Italy Consumer Price Index (MoM) meets forecasts (0.2%) in April
Italy Consumer Price Index (EU Norm) (MoM): 0.5% (April) vs previous 1.6%
Italy Consumer Price Index (YoY) meets expectations (2%) in April
Italy Consumer Price Index (EU Norm) (YoY) below forecasts (2.3%) in April: Actual (2.1%)
Greece Retail Sales (YoY): 4.6% (February) vs 1.9%
Greece Unemployment Rate (MoM): 9% (March) vs 8.6%
Greece Producer Price Index (YoY) climbed from previous 0.6% to 2.1% in March
Eurozone Gross Domestic Product s.a. (YoY) above forecasts (1%) in 1Q: Actual (1.2%)
The USD/CAD pair extends its sideways consolidative price move through the first half of the European session on Wednesday and remains confined in a familiar range held over the past two weeks.
Speaking at a symposium on economic development on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that “China needs to adapt to changing situations.”
The oil market continued to decline for a third straight session this morning, ING's commodity experts Ewa Manthey and Warren Patterson note.
The US Dollar (USD) continues to be pulled by opposing forces: US President Donald Trump’s scaling back of some protectionism measures versus data evidence of a US slowdown. Ultimately, the tiebreak for FX impact seems to be equities performance.
EUR/JPY halts its two-day losing streak, trading around 162.40 during the European session on Wednesday. The currency cross holds ground following the release of key economic data from Germany.
Germany Brandenburg CPI (YoY) rose from previous 2.3% to 2.4% in April
Germany Brandenburg CPI (MoM) climbed from previous 0.4% to 0.5% in April
Spain Current Account Balance: €2.31B (February) vs €1.2B
Germany Baden-Wuerttemberg CPI (MoM) climbed from previous 0.2% to 0.5% in April
Germany Brandenburg CPI (YoY) down to 2.2% in April from previous 2.3%
Germany Baden-Wuerttemberg CPI (YoY) increased to 2.4% in April from previous 2.2%
Germany Saxony CPI (YoY) dipped from previous 2.5% to 2.4% in April
Germany Saxony CPI (MoM) dipped from previous 0.6% to 0.5% in April
The German economy expanded by 0.2% over the quarter in the first quarter of 2025, following a 0.2% contraction in the final quarter of 2024, according to the preliminary data published by Destatis on Wednesday. Markets expected a 0.2% growth in the reported period.
Germany Hesse CPI (MoM) climbed from previous 0.4% to 0.5% in April
Italy Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) came in at 0.3%, above expectations (0.2%) in 1Q
Italy Gross Domestic Product (YoY): 0.6% (1Q)
Germany North Rhine-Westphalia CPI (MoM) climbed from previous 0.3% to 0.4% in April
Germany North Rhine-Westphalia CPI (YoY) dipped from previous 1.9% to 1.8% in April
Germany Gross Domestic Product w.d.a (YoY) remains unchanged at -0.4% in 1Q
Germany Hesse CPI (YoY) down to 2.3% in April from previous 2.4%
Germany Bavaria CPI (YoY) declined to 2.1% in April from previous 2.3%
Germany Bavaria CPI (MoM) rose from previous 0.3% to 0.4% in April
Germany Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) in line with forecasts (0.2%) in 1Q
Germany Gross Domestic Product (YoY) meets forecasts (-0.2%) in 1Q
Switzerland ZEW Survey – Expectations down to -51.6 in April from previous -10.7
The Pound Sterling (GBP) corrects to near 1.3400 against the US Dollar (USD) in Wednesday’s European session from its fresh three-year high of 1.3445 posted on Tuesday.
Germany Unemployment Change below expectations (20K) in March: Actual (4K)
Germany Unemployment Rate s.a. meets expectations (6.3%) in March
The NZD/USD pair extends losses for the second successive session, trading around 0.5920 during early European hours on Wednesday.
Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, April 30:
Netherlands, The Gross Domestic Product n.s.a (YoY) rose from previous 1.9% to 2% in 1Q
Indian Rupee (INR) crosses trade with a negative bias at the start of Wednesday, according to FXStreet data. The Euro (EUR) to the Indian Rupee changes hands at 96.71, with the EUR/INR pair declining from its previous close at 96.95.
Austria Gross Domestic Product (QoQ): 0.2% (1Q) vs -0.4%
Austria Producer Price Index (MoM) unchanged at 0% in March
Austria Producer Price Index (YoY) increased to 0.8% in March from previous -0.1%
Turkey Trade Balance up to -7.2B in March from previous -7.77B
The EUR/GBP cross trades in positive territory near 0.8500 during the early European session on Wednesday. The Euro (EUR) remains strong after the German economic data. Traders will shift their attention to the advanced estimate of Q1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from Germany later on Wednesday.
France Consumer Price Index (EU norm) (MoM) registered at 0.6% above expectations (0.3%) in April
France Consumer Price Index (EU norm) (YoY) above forecasts (0.7%) in April: Actual (0.8%)
France Producer Prices (MoM) climbed from previous -0.8% to -0.6% in March
Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade mixed at the beginning of Wednesday, according to FXStreet data. Palladium (XPD) changes hands at $938.30 a troy ounce, with the XPD/USD pair easing from its previous close at $939.50.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price falls on Wednesday, early in the European session. WTI trades at $59.37 per barrel, down from Tuesday’s close at $59.91.
Retail Sales in Germany declined 0.2% month-over-month (MoM) in March, following the 0.8% growth reported in February, according to official data released by Destatis on Wednesday.
Germany Import Price Index (YoY) down to 2.1% in March from previous 3.6%
Germany Retail Sales (YoY) down to 2.2% in March from previous 4.9%
United Kingdom Nationwide Housing Prices s.a (MoM) came in at -0.6% below forecasts (-0.1%) in April
United Kingdom Nationwide Housing Prices n.s.a (YoY): 3.4% (April) vs previous 3.9%
South Africa Private Sector Credit: 3.45% (March) vs previous 3.68%
Germany Retail Sales (MoM) above forecasts (-0.4%) in March: Actual (-0.2%)
Germany Import Price Index (MoM) came in at -1% below forecasts (-0.7%) in March
The United States (US) Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is set to publish its preliminary estimate of first-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on Wednesday, with analysts expecting the data to show annualized growth of just 0.4%, a sharp slowdown from the 2.4% pace recorded in the final quarter o
The EUR/USD pair recovers a few pips from the vicinity of the mix-1.1300s, or the Asian session low, though it lacks any follow-through amid a modest US Dollar (USD) uptick. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.1375 area and remain confined in a familiar range held over the past week or so.
GBP/USD extends its decline for a second straight session, hovering near 1.3390 during Wednesday’s Asian trading. The pair is under pressure as the US Dollar strengthens on renewed optimism surrounding US-China trade developments.
The USD/CHF pair posts modest losses around 0.6410 during the early European session on Wednesday. The uncertainty surrounding trade policy continues to boost the safe-haven flows, supporting the Swiss Franc (CHF). The Swiss KOF Leading Indicator for April is due later on Wednesday.
FX option expiries for Apr 30 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.
Japan Leading Economic Index meets expectations (107.9) in February
Japan Coincident Index increased to 117.3 in February from previous 116.9
Japan Housing Starts (YoY) came in at 39.1%, above forecasts (1%) in March
Japan Annualized Housing Starts rose from previous 0.805M to 1.08M in March
Japan Construction Orders (YoY) climbed from previous -3.3% to 3.5% in March
Gold prices fell in India on Wednesday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
AUD/JPY edges higher after registering gains in the previous two sessions, trading around 91.30 during the Asian hours on Wednesday.
Silver (XAG/USD) struggles to capitalize on a modest Asian session uptick and slides back below the $33.00 mark, hitting a fresh daily low in the last hour.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price continues its decline for a third consecutive session, trading near $59.50 per barrel during Asian hours on Wednesday.
Gold price (XAU/USD) trades with a negative bias for the second consecutive day, though it lacks bearish conviction and holds above the $3,300 mark during the Asian session on Wednesday.
The Indian Rupee (INR) weakens on Wednesday, pressured by rising geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. Many tourist sites in Kashmir have been closed since Tuesday, as traders react to unverified reports of military activity.
USD/CAD is holding gains for a second consecutive session, trading near 1.3840 during Wednesday’s Asian session. The pair remains supported as the US Dollar (USD) benefits from renewed optimism surrounding US-China trade developments.
The NZD/USD pair struggles to gain any meaningful traction during the Asian session on Wednesday and languishes near the lower end of a nearly two-week-old trading range. Spot prices hold steady around the 0.5930 region and move little following the release of Chinese PMIs.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Wednesday that “the market expects more interest rate cuts after inflation figures.”
The Japanese Yen (JPY) struggles to gain any meaningful traction on Wednesday and oscillates in a narrow trading range against its American counterpart during the Asian session amid mixed cues. US President Donald Trump signed an order to ease the impact of new tariffs on the auto industry.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) is gaining ground on Wednesday following a more than 0.50% decline against the US Dollar (USD) in the previous session. The AUD/USD pair appreciates following the release of key economic data from Australia and China.
China's Caixin Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 50.4 in April from 51.2 in March, according to the latest data released on Wednesday.
China Caixin Manufacturing PMI registered at 50.4 above expectations (49.9) in April
China’s official Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) contracted to 49 in April, compared to March’s 50.5. The reading came in below the market consensus of 49.9 in the reported month.
China NBS Non-Manufacturing PMI below forecasts (50.7) in April: Actual (50.4)
Australia Private Sector Credit (YoY) remains at 6.5% in March
Australia Private Sector Credit (MoM) meets forecasts (0.5%) in March
Australia Consumer Price Index (YoY) above forecasts (2.2%) in 1Q: Actual (2.4%)
China NBS Manufacturing PMI registered at 49, below expectations (49.9) in April
Australia RBA Trimmed Mean CPI (QoQ) meets forecasts (0.7%) in 1Q
Australia Consumer Price Index (QoQ) registered at 0.9% above expectations (0.8%) in 1Q
Australia RBA Trimmed Mean CPI (YoY) in line with forecasts (2.9%) in 1Q
Japanese Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa said on Wednesday that they are “assessing impact of recent changes to US auto tariffs.”
On Wednesday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.2014 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.2029 and 7.2670 Reuters estimate.
New Zealand ANZ Business Confidence declined to 49.3 in April from previous 57.5
The GBP/USD pair trades with mild gains near 1.3405 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The weaker-than-expected US economic data drags the Greenback lower.
The Gold price (XAU/USD) extends the decline to near $3,315 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The precious metal edges lower amid easing trade tensions and better risk sentiment in global markets.
Japan Retail Trade s.a (MoM): -1.2% (March) vs previous 0.5%
Japan Large Retailer Sales increased to 3% in March from previous 2%
Japan Retail Trade (YoY) below forecasts (3.5%) in March: Actual (3.1%)
Japan Industrial Production (YoY) declined to -0.3% in March from previous 0.1%
Japan Industrial Production (MoM) registered at -1.1%, below expectations (-0.4%) in March
The EUR/USD pair gains ground to near 1.1390 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The US Dollar (USD) edges lower against the Euro (EUR) due to softer-than-expected US economic data.
South Korea Industrial Output (YoY) dipped from previous 7% to 5.3% in March
South Korea Service Sector Output down to -0.3% in March from previous 0.5%
South Korea Industrial Output Growth rose from previous 1% to 2.9% in March
The Mexican Peso (MXN) appreciated against the US Dollar (USD) after touching a daily low of 19.65, as risk appetite improved following the release of softer-than-expected data. At the time of writing, USD/MXN trades at 19.56, down 0.12%.
The USD/JPY pair is trading around the 142.00 handle during the North American session on Tuesday. The pair saw some upward movement as the US Dollar (USD) steadied following the release of softer-than-expected US JOLTS Job Openings data and a sharp drop in Consumer Confidence.
In the lead-up to Tuesday's Asian trading session, EUR/JPY has seen a minor decline, trading near the 162.00 mark. Despite a sell signal from one momentum indicator, the broader technical landscape suggests underlying bullish strength, supported by several key moving averages.
Australia will release multiple inflation figures on Wednesday and financial markets anticipate price pressures easing further at the beginning of 2025, paving the way for additional Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate cuts.
The AUD/NZD has experienced some downward pressure, hovering near the 1.07 zone on Tuesday. Despite mixed signals from some momentum indicators, the longer-term technical picture appears to favor the bears, with several moving averages reinforcing this sentiment.