Japan CFTC JPY NC Net Positions: ¥179.2K vs ¥177.8K
United States CFTC Gold NC Net Positions: $163.3K vs previous $175.4K
United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions rose from previous £20.5K to £24K
Eurozone CFTC EUR NC Net Positions climbed from previous €65K to €75.8K
Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions increased to $-49.9K from previous $-54.6K
United States CFTC S&P 500 NC Net Positions: $-78.7K vs previous $-75.9K
United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions climbed from previous 171K to 177.2K
Gold (XAU/USD) price edged down over 0.35% on Friday, poised to end the week with losses of over 2.50%. An improvement in risk appetite due to easing trade tensions alongside a strong labor market report in the United States (US) prompted investors to book profits ahead of the weekend.
The AUD/USD pair sees gains on Friday, strengthening to near 0.6430 as the US Dollar softens.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against a basket of currencies, is retreating on Friday after a brief move above the 100.00 level.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) rallied over 600 points, or over 1.65%, on Friday following a solid US jobs report that brushed aside fears that the largest economy in the world is tied into a recession.
United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count below forecasts (485): Actual (479)
The EUR/CAD pair hovered near the 1.5600 zone on Friday after the European session, showing little change on the day but maintaining a steady bullish bias overall. Price action remains confined to the middle of the daily range, reflecting ongoing consolidation.
European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Luis de Guindos said in an interview with Germany’s Die Presse that there are no signs of weakening in the European currency so far.
The EUR/USD pair extended higher on Friday, pushing into the 1.1400 zone after the European session, as buyers retained control in the broader trend. Despite the advance, underlying momentum remains uncertain, with mixed signals from short-term indicators.
The USD/CAD is trading with losses around the 1.3800 level on Friday, as the pair continues to retreat from the prior session’s highs. The move comes as the US Dollar weakens broadly across the board after a failed attempt to reclaim the 100.00 mark on the US Dollar Index (DXY).
The Australian Dollar surged to a new year-to-date (YTD) high of 0.6469, gaining over 1.20% following a strong jobs report in the United States (US) that suggested the economy remains solid.
The Pound Sterling advanced for the first time in the last four days and bounced off weekly lows against the Greenback, although an upbeat jobs report in the United States (US) decreased fears of a recession in the largest economy.
The USD/CHF pair trades lower around 0.8230 during the North American session on Friday. The Swiss Franc pair weakens as the US Dollar extends its correction after the release of the United States (US) Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for April.
United States Factory Orders (MoM) below expectations (4.5%) in March: Actual (4.3%)
Singapore Purchasing Managers Index declined to 49.6 in April from previous 50.6
Brazil S&P Global Manufacturing PMI: 50.3 (April) vs previous 51.8
United States Average Hourly Earnings (YoY) came in at 3.8%, below expectations (3.9%) in April
United States Average Hourly Earnings (MoM) registered at 0.2%, below expectations (0.3%) in April
United States Average Weekly Hours came in at 34.3, above forecasts (34.2) in April
United States U6 Underemployment Rate down to 7.8% in April from previous 7.9%
United States Nonfarm Payrolls above expectations (130K) in April: Actual (177K)
United States Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.6% (April) vs 62.5%
United States U6 Underemployment Rate increased to 10% in April from previous 7.9%
United States Unemployment Rate meets forecasts (4.2%) in April
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is seeing some rejection and heads back to 99.75 at the time of writing on Friday after a false break above the 100-marker.
The AUD/USD pair jumps to near 0.6430 on Friday. The Aussie pair strengthens as the US Dollar (USD) corrects sharply, even as hopes of a de-escalation in the trade war between the United States (US) and China have improved.
India Bank Loan Growth fell from previous 11% to 10.3% in April 14
India FX Reserves, USD: $688.13B (April 21) vs $686.15B
The USD/JPY pair faces selling pressure after a three-day recovery move around 146.00, earlier in the day, and corrects to near 144.50 during European trading hours on Friday.
Portugal Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) down to -0.5% in 1Q from previous 1.5%
Portugal Gross Domestic Product (YoY) down to 1.6% in 1Q from previous 2.8%
EUR/USD holds initial gains to near 1.3300 in Friday’s European session. The major currency remains firm near the day’s high after the release of the hotter-than-expected preliminary Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) data for April.
Silver prices (XAG/USD) rose on Friday, according to FXStreet data.
Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Friday, “we'll continue to ask the US to reconsider tariffs,” per the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Italy Trade Balance non-EU climbed from previous €4.707B to €5.958B in March
The Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) increased 2.2% year-over-year (YoY) in April, at the same pace as seen in March, the official data released by Eurostat showed Friday. The market consensus was for a 2.1% reading in the reported period.
Eurozone Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) remains at 1% in April
Eurozone Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY) above expectations (2.5%) in April: Actual (2.7%)
Eurozone Unemployment Rate came in at 6.2%, above expectations (6.1%) in March
Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) remains unchanged at 0.6% in April
Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY) above expectations (2.1%) in April: Actual (2.2%)
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Crude Oil prices struggles to capitalize on its modest intraday move up and drops to a fresh daily low, close to mid-$58.00s during the first half of the European session on Friday.
Gold (XAU/USD) trades around $3,250 on Friday, recovering slightly from two-week lows after three straight days of losses. The losing streak that took place this week was the sum of a whole package of headlines that all had one theme in common: easing on tariffs.
Silver price (XAG/USD) moves higher to near $32.60 during European trading hours on Friday. The white metal gains as the US Dollar (USD) corrects ahead of the United States (US) Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for April, which will be published at 12:30 GMT.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) bounces back to near 1.3320 against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday after a three-day correction.
Austria Unemployment fell from previous 316.3K to 311.8K in April
Austria Unemployment Rate declined to 7.3% in April from previous 7.4%
Greece S&P Global Manufacturing PMI fell from previous 55 to 53.2 in April
Italy Unemployment meets forecasts (6%) in March
Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI registered at 49 above expectations (48.7) in April
Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI above expectations (48) in April: Actual (48.4)
France HCOB Manufacturing PMI above expectations (48.2) in April: Actual (48.7)
Italy HCOB Manufacturing PMI above forecasts (47) in April: Actual (49.3)
NZD/USD retraces its recent losses from the previous session, trading around 0.5940 during the European hours on Friday. The upside of the pair could be restrained as signs of easing US trade tensions support the US Dollar (USD).
Here is what you need to know on Friday, May 2:
Switzerland SVME - Purchasing Managers' Index came in at 45.8, below expectations (48.6) in April
The USD/CAD pair retraces its gains registered in the previous session, trading around 1.3810 during the early European hours on Friday.
Spain HCOB Manufacturing PMI came in at 48.1 below forecasts (50) in April
The Nikkei Asian Review carried a report on Friday, citing that Japan negotiators firmly opposed the US proposal.
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 95.05, with the EUR/INR pair declining from its previous close at 95.83.
The GBP/JPY cross drifts higher to near 193.25 during the early European session on Friday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakens against the Pound Sterling (GBP) as traders scale back their bets on further interest-rate hikes by the Bank of Japan (BoJ).
France Budget Balance fell from previous €-40.3B to €-47.03B in March
Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade with a positive tone at the beginning of Friday, according to FXStreet data.
Sweden Purchasing Managers Index Manufacturing (MoM) above expectations (53.1) in April: Actual (54.2)
AUD/JPY is on track for its third consecutive day of gains, hovering around the 93.20 level during the Asian session on Friday.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price advances on Friday, early in the European session. WTI trades at $59.21 per barrel, up from Thursday’s close at $58.71.Brent Oil Exchange Rate (Brent crude) is also up, advancing from the $61.79 price posted on Thursday, and trading at $62.30.
Crude prices find support as bullish momentum strengthens following Trump’s firm warning of secondary sanctions against countries importing Iranian oil.
The EUR/JPY cross builds on the previous day's blowout rally following the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) policy decision and touches a fresh year-to-date top, around the 164.60-164.65 region during the Asian session on Friday.
FX option expiries for May 2 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.
Netherlands, The Nevi Manufacturing PMI dipped from previous 49.6 to 49.2 in April
India HSBC Manufacturing PMI above expectations (58.1) in April: Actual (58.2)
The USD/CHF pair trades on a flat note around 0.8290 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. Traders prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the release of the highly anticipated US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report, which is due later on Friday.
The United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is due to publish the high-impact Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for April on Friday at 12:30 GMT.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against a basket of six major currencies, is losing ground after registering gains in the previous three successive sessions, trading near 100.10 at the time of writing.
The EUR/USD pair attracts some buyers during the Asian session on Friday and looks to build on the intraday move up beyond the 1.1300 round-figure mark.
Gold prices rose in India on Friday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts some dip-buyers during the Asian session on Friday and looks to build on the overnight bounce from the $3,200 neighborhood, or over a two-week low.
Indonesia Core Inflation (YoY) climbed from previous 2.48% to 2.5% in April
Indonesia Inflation (MoM) dipped from previous 1.65% to 1.17% in April
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude Oil price extended gains for a second consecutive session, trading near $59.40 per barrel during Asian trading hours on Friday.
NZD/USD is recovering its losses from the previous session, trading around 0.5930 during the Asian hours on Friday.
The Indian Rupee (INR) extends the rally on Friday. Foreign portfolio inflows into Indian equities and increased hedging-related US Dollar (USD) sales from local exporters boost the Indian currency.
USD/CAD is slipping during Friday’s Asian session, trading near 1.3830, after posting gains in the prior session.
Silver (XAG/USD) builds on the previous day's goodish bounce from the $31.65 area, or a nearly three-week low, and gains some follow-through traction during the Asian session on Friday.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) continues to be undermined by the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) dovish pause the previous day and drops to over a three-week low against its American counterpart during the Asian session on Friday.
Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Shigeru Ishiba said on Friday that there is “no change at all to our stance of requesting US to cancel tariffs.”
The Australian Dollar (AUD) is rebounding modestly against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, retracing some of the previous session’s losses. However, the AUD/USD pair remains vulnerable as falling metal prices weigh on sentiment.
The GBP/USD pair drifts lower to near 1.3275 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The positive developments surrounding US-China trade talks provide some support to the US Dollar (USD).
Australia’s Retail Sales, a measure of the country’s consumer spending, rose 0.3% MoM in March, compared to an increase of 0.2% in February, the official data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed on Friday.
Australia Retail Sales s.a. (MoM) registered at 0.3%, below expectations (0.4%) in March
Australia Producer Price Index (YoY) unchanged at 3.7% in 1Q
Australia Producer Price Index (QoQ) came in at 0.9%, above forecasts (0.8%) in 1Q
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Ukraine and Russia's positions are still a little far apart, adding that it's going to take a breakthrough soon in Ukraine to make this possible. However, US President Donald Trump has to decide how much time to dedicate to this.
China said on Friday that it is assessing the possibility of trade talks with the US, per Bloomberg.
South Korea S&P Global Manufacturing PMI: 47.5 (April) vs previous 49.1
Japan's Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa said on Friday that he has no comment on specific negotiations with the United States. Akazawa said that the Japanese officials want to hold the next meeting after mid-May.
The Gold price (XAU/USD) edges lower to a two-week low near $3,235 during the early Asian session on Friday. The easing of trade tensions between the US and its trading partners has dented the safe-haven demand, weighing on the precious metal.
Japan Monetary Base (YoY): -4.8% (April) vs previous -3.1%
Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks dipped from previous ¥705.6B to ¥278.3B in April 25
Japan Unemployment Rate above forecasts (2.4%) in March: Actual (2.5%)
Japan Jobs / Applicants Ratio registered at 1.26 above expectations (1.25) in March
The EUR/USD pair softens to around 1.1290 during the early Asian session on Friday. The US Dollar (USD) edges higher against the Euro (EUR) amid optimism about a de-escalation in the global trade conflict. All eyes will be on the US April Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report, which is due later on Friday.
South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (MoM) meets forecasts (0.1%) in April
South Korea Consumer Price Index Growth (YoY) meets forecasts (2.1%) in April
US Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday that the war in Ukraine is not going to end "any time soon.”
Japan’s Finance Minister Shunichi Kato said on Friday that Japan's huge US Treasury holdings are among tools available for Tokyo in trade negotiations with the United States, per Reuters.
The Mexican Peso posted slight losses against the US Dollar on Thursday after economic data in the United States (US) suggested slowing manufacturing and a cooling labor market. The USD/MXN trades at 19.58 after hitting a daily low of 19.57.
The AUD/NZD pair edged slightly higher on Thursday, trading near the 1.0800 area as the market transitions into the Asian session. While the move shows mild intraday strength, the broader technical setup remains tilted to the downside.
The USD/JPY is trading with notable strength, surging to the upper end of its recent range as the Japanese Yen continues to underperform following the Bank of Japan’s latest policy meeting.