The USD/JPY snapped seven straight days of losses and climbed over 0.20% on Thursday late during the North American session. The Yen’s recent depreciation despite falling US Treasury yields and amid the lack of a catalyst could be attributed to traders booking profits ahead of the weekend.
Bank of Canada (BoC) Governor Tiff Macklem and Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne gave dueling talking points on Thursday, reviewing their G7 experiences this week.
US Treasury yields retreated on Thursday after the 30-year US bond yields reached their highest level in 19 months amid concerns regarding the increase of the US fiscal deficit, as Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” passes the US House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) bounced off a fresh bottom on Thursday, clawing its way out of the basement after a sharp tumble during the midweek trading window.
The US Dollar (USD) managed to reverse part of its recent multi-day pullback on Thursday as investors assessed the stronger-than-expected US business activity readings and the US fiscal front, particularly after President Trump’s sweeping tax bill cleared the House of Representatives.
The US Dollar index (DXY), which tracks the US Dollar (USD) against a basket of six major currencies, is trading cautiously around the 100.00 mark on Thursday after recovering from a two-week low and bouncing off key support at the 99.50 psychological level earlier in the day.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) came under renewed pressure on Thursday as the US Dollar (USD) found its footing, with risk appetite fading and broader markets tilting defensively.
EUR/USD tumbled below 1.1300 on Thursday as economic data from the United States (US) fared better than expected compared to Eurozone Flash Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) figures for May. At the time of writing, EUR/USD trades at 1.1271, down by 0.55%.
The Group of 7 (G7) finance leaders wrapped up its most recent summit on Thursday, with EU Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis characterizing the talks as “positive and successful,” particularly in advancing support for Ukraine and addressing global economic imbalances.
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is gaining traction against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, supported by a hotter-than-expected mid-May inflation reading.
The British Pound (GBP) is navigating choppy price action against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, holding above the 1.3400 psychological mark to trade near 1.3410 during the American session, as traders digest the latest business activity data from both sides of the Atlantic.
Gold price dropped some 0.48% on Thursday and failed to hold onto the $3,300 figure after reaching a two-week high of $3,345 earlier.
United States 4-Week Bill Auction: 4.22%
Silver (XAG/USD) reverses sharply lower on Thursday after briefly testing $33.70, its highest level in seven weeks, showing signs of near-term fatigue after a strong upside breakout on Wednesday to trade around $32.95 during the American session.
United States Kansas Fed Manufacturing Activity dipped from previous -5 to -10 in May
The US Dollar (USD) continues to face pressure from broad-based macro concerns, including high fiscal deficits, prolonged elevated interest rates, and rising geopolitical tensions.
The NZD/USD pair falls to near the round level of 0.5900 during North American trading hours on Thursday. The Kiwi pair slumps after the release of the stronger-than-projected United States (US) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for May.
United States EIA Natural Gas Storage Change above forecasts (115B) in May 16: Actual (120B)
United States Existing Home Sales (MoM) registered at 4M, below expectations (4.1M) in April
United States Existing Home Sales Change (MoM) climbed from previous -5.9% to -0.5% in April
Joachim Nagel, President of the Bundesbank and member of the ECB’s Governing Council (GC), argued that the bank’s current interest rate level is not considered as restrictive.
United States S&P Global Services PMI above expectations (50.8) in May: Actual (52.3)
United States S&P Global Manufacturing PMI came in at 52.3, above expectations (50.1) in May
United States S&P Global Composite PMI increased to 52.1 in May from previous 50.6
The US Dollar (USD) exhibits volatile action during North American trading on Thursday, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) showing wild moves near 99.50 after the United States (US) House of Representatives approved President Donald Trump’s tax bill narrowly and passed it to the Senate.
The EUR/GBP cross edges lower on Thursday, retreating after a three-day rally to trade near 0.8420 at the start of the American session as investors digest a mixed batch of economic data from both sides.
Russia Central Bank Reserves $ dipped from previous $687.3B to $667.5B
US citizens filing new applications for unemployment insurance receded a tad to 227K for the week ending May 17, as reported by the US Department of Labor (DOL) on Thursday. This print came in below initial estimates and the previous week's unrevised tally of 229K.
Canada Employment Insurance Beneficiaries Change (MoM): 0.3% (March) vs previous 2.5%
Canada Industrial Product Price (MoM) came in at -0.8% below forecasts (-0.5%) in April
United States Continuing Jobless Claims above forecasts (1.89M) in May 9: Actual (1.903M)
United States Initial Jobless Claims came in at 227K, below expectations (230K) in May 16
United States Initial Jobless Claims 4-week average rose from previous 230.5K to 231.5K in May 16
United States Chicago Fed National Activity Index fell from previous -0.03 to -0.25 in April
Canada Raw Material Price Index below expectations (-2.2%) in April: Actual (-3%)
The British Pound Sterling (GBP) has been gaining steadily against the US Dollar (USD) since January, reflecting diverging economic conditions between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Mexico Gross Domestic Product (YoY) meets forecasts (0.8%) in 1Q
Mexico Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) meets expectations (0.2%) in 1Q
Mexico 1st half-month Core Inflation meets forecasts (0.16%) in May
Mexico 1st half-month Inflation above forecasts (-0.1%) in May: Actual (0.09%)
In an interview with Fox Business on Thursday, Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller reiterated that he continues to believe that tariffs will cause a one-time increase in prices and added that the Fed's standard playbook is to look through one-time price impacts, per Reuters.
The accounts of the European Central Bank's (ECB) April policy meeting showed on Thursday that policymakers had increased confidence that inflation would return to target in line with the March baseline projections.
Japanese Yen (JPY) is entering Thursday’s NA session with a modest gain against the US Dollar (USD), a lone performer in an environment of mild (albeit broad-based) USD strength, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
Pound Sterling (GBP) is down 0.2% against the US Dollar (USD) and a mid-performer among the G10, trading relatively well despite a generally disappointing preliminary PMI release, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is down marginally, reflecting the minor lift in the US Dollar (USD) generally more than anything else.
The US Dollar (USD) is consolidating. Global market sentiment remains soft, following yesterday’s hefty US equity market losses. Asian and European stocks are down and US equity futures are narrowly mixed, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
Euro (EUR) is entering Thursday’s NA session with a 0.3% decline against the US Dollar (USD) and underperforming most of the G10 currencies with the exception of SEK and NZD, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
This US administration does not formulate any doctrine or strategy in important policy areas that could serve as guidelines for current policy measures.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) inches lower against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, erasing earlier gains. The AUD/USD pair is holding within a narrow range, down 0.50% at the time of writing, to trade around 0.6420 in the European trading hours.
The USD/JPY pair recoups its initial losses and flattens around 143.50 during European trading hours on Thursday. The pair rebounds as the US Dollar (USD) attracts bids on Thursday after a three-day losing streak.
AUD/USD remains under pressure as weak May PMI data supports expectations for RBA rate cuts. The pair struggles to hold above its 200-DMA, with markets now pricing in 75bps of easing over the next year, BBH FX analysts report.
USD/JPY had a brief uptick after the US and Japan confirmed existing currency policy and did not discuss foreign exchange levels. USD/JPY subsequently edged lower while Japanese government bond yields are breaking higher at the long-end of the curve, BBH FX analysts report.
Gold price (XAU/USD) gives up its intraday gains and falls back to near $3,300 during European trading hours on Thursday after revisiting the two-week high around $3,345 earlier in the day.
United States (US) President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill will now move to the Senate floor.
EUR/GBP ended the day higher following UK inflation data for April surprising significantly to the topside, relative to both consensus and BoE estimate, Danske Bank's FX analysts report.
European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Robert Holzmann said on Thursday, “the Euro's importance as a global currency is set to increase.”
Improving upward momentum indicates EUR/USD could maintain its upward bias; it is premature to expect a retest of the 1.1573 high, UOB Group's FX analyst Quek Ser Leang reports.
In times of increasing 'geostrategic uncertainty', the US Dollar has recently been tending to weaken rather than strengthen. The more this price behavior of the US currency becomes apparent, the more it could intensify, Commerzbank's Head of FX and Commodity Research Ulrich Leuchtmann notes.
EUR/USD edged higher above 1.13 as the USD continues to soften in an otherwise relatively quiet week for G10 FX, Danske Bank's FX analysts report.
Silver prices (XAG/USD) broadly unchanged on Thursday, according to FXStreet data.
Yesterday, we suggested that the G7 finance ministers’ meeting in Canada could produce USD-supportive headlines, particularly if there were signs of easing trade tensions.
Inflation rose sharply in the United Kingdom in April – more than analysts had expected. This was reported yesterday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The surprisingly high increase was broad-based.
GBP/USD is depreciating after the mixed S&P Global/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data was released on Thursday. The pair has maintained its position near 1.3468, the highest since February 2022, reached on Wednesday, and is trading around 1.3410 during the European hours.
Spain 3-y Bond Auction rose from previous 2.086% to 2.251%
April’s rise in UK services inflation was mostly down to a temporary spike in air fares and package holidays caused by the timing of Easter—an effect that should unwind soon, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes.
Government maintained its goal of returning to a surplus by FY29; but deficit path has widened materially. Growth forecasts were downgraded across the forecast horizon. Near-term issuance trimmed, but total borrowing over the forecast horizon revised up by NZD 4bn.
EUR/USD faces selling pressure and falls to near 1.1310 during European trading hours on Thursday. The major currency pair drops as the Euro (EUR) underperforms after the release of the surprisingly weak preliminary Eurozone HCOB Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for May.
European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Boris Vujčić said on Thursday that the “Eurozone growth positive but low.”
European currencies continue to gain ground, supported by a rotation out of US assets, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes.
The EUR/JPY pair trades 0.5% lower near 162.00 during European trading hours on Thursday. Investors brace for more weakness in the pair as preliminary Eurozone HCOB Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data has surprisingly declined in May.
Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said on Thursday, “Australian exporters are upbeat about resilience of China demand.”
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dipped to 45.1 in May from 45.4 in April. The data missed the market forecast of 46 in the reported period.
AUD/JPY hits a fresh two-week low, with trading around 92.30 during the European hours on Thursday.
United Kingdom S&P Global Manufacturing PMI below forecasts (46) in May: Actual (45.1)
United Kingdom S&P Global Composite PMI came in at 49.4, above forecasts (49.3) in May
United Kingdom S&P Global Services PMI above forecasts (50) in May: Actual (50.2)
The headline German IFO Business Climate Index rose to 87.5 in May from 86.9 in April. The data came in slightly above the market forecast of 87.4.
Germany IFO – Expectations above forecasts (88) in May: Actual (88.9)
The Eurozone manufacturing sector remained in contraction, while services sector also followed suit in May, according to data from the HCOB's latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) Survey, published on Thursday.
Germany IFO – Business Climate above expectations (87.4) in May: Actual (87.5)
Eurozone HCOB Services PMI below forecasts (50.3) in May: Actual (48.9)
Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI below forecasts (49.3) in May: Actual (48.4)
S&P Global will release the preliminary May Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the United States at 13:45 GMT on Thursday.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the US Dollar (USD) against a basket of six major currencies, holds gains after registering losses in the previous three successive sessions.
The German manufacturing sector activity picked up and the services sector deepened its contraction in May, the preliminary business activity report published by the HCOB survey showed on Thursday.
Germany HCOB Services PMI below expectations (49.5) in May: Actual (47.2)
Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI registered at 48.8, below expectations (48.9) in May
Germany HCOB Composite PMI came in at 48.6 below forecasts (50.4) in May
Here is what you need to know on Thursday, May 22:
France HCOB Composite PMI meets forecasts (48) in May
France HCOB Services PMI below forecasts (47.5) in May: Actual (47.4)
France HCOB Manufacturing PMI above forecasts (48.9) in May: Actual (49.5)
The USD/CHF pair extends the decline to around 0.8250 during the early European session on Thursday. The Greenback weakens against the Swiss Franc (CHF) due to US fiscal concerns. Traders will take more cues from the advanced US S&P Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for May.
France Business Climate in Manufacturing registered at 97, below expectations (99) in May
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price advances on Thursday, early in the European session. WTI trades at $61.60 per barrel, up from Wednesday’s close at $61.23.
United Kingdom Public Sector Net Borrowing registered at £20.155B above expectations (£17.9B) in April
Bank of Japan (BoJ) board member Asahi Noguchi said on Thursday that the “recent rise in long-term rates likely won't have an impact on our new bond taper plan to be decided in June.”
FX option expiries for May 22 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.
The EUR/JPY cross attracts some sellers to around 162.35 during the early European session on Thursday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakens against the Euro (EUR) amid the growing speculation that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will hike interest rates again this year.
EUR/GBP posts little losses after registering gains in the previous three consecutive days. The currency cross trades lower at around 0.8440 during Thursday’s Asian hours.
The USD/CAD pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the 1.3815-1.3810 region, or a two-week low, and trades with a negative bias for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday.
The NZD/USD pair extends the previous day's late pullback from the 0.5965-0.5670 area, or a one-week high, and attracts some follow-through selling during the Asian session on Thursday.
Silver price (XAG/USD) rises to near $32.60 per troy ounce during the Asian trading hours on Thursday, gaining ground for the third successive session. Precious metals, including Silver, attract buyers amid rising safe-haven demand over growing fiscal concerns in the United States (US).
Gold prices rose in India on Thursday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
Gold price (XAU/USD) prolongs the uptrend for the fourth consecutive day and climbs to a nearly two-week high, around the $3,344-3,345 area during the Asian session on Thursday.
Atsushi Mimura, Japan’s Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs and top foreign exchange official, said early Thursday “ the US did not discuss FX levels at finance ministers' meeting.”
EUR/USD is hovering around 1.1340, close to two-week highs during the Asian trading hours. The Euro (EUR) continues its winning streak for the fourth consecutive session ahead of the HCOB Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the Eurozone, scheduled to be released later in the day.
The Indian Rupee (INR) gathers strength on Thursday. The strength in Asian peers, a weaker US Dollar (USD) and lower crude oil prices provide some support to the Indian currency. Furthermore, a multi-phase trade deal between the US and India might contribute to the INR’s upside.
GBP/USD trades higher for the fourth successive day with trading around 1.3430 during the Asian hours on Thursday.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) regained positive traction following an early Asian session slide in reaction to Japan's upbeat Machinery Orders data, which countered recession fears and boosted hopes for an economic recovery.
Citing three people familiar with the conversation, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported late Tuesday that “On a call Monday, President Trump told European leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t ready to end the war because he thinks he is winning.”
New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis presents the nation’s Budget on Thursday, with the key highlights noted below.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $61.10 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The WTI price edges lower on the report that a fresh round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran would take place later this week.
Bank of Japan (BoJ) board member Asahi Noguchi said on Thursday that the Japanese economy is growing steadily. Noguchi further stated that the central bank is likely to keep adjusting the policy rate, while carefully assessing whether underlying inflation would be stabilising around 2%.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) gains ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, extending its gains for the second successive day. The AUD/USD pair maintains its position following the release of the preliminary S&P Global Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data.
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Thursday at 7.1903 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.1937 and 7.2009 Reuters estimate.
The USD/CAD pair extends its downside to around 1.3855 during the early Asian session on Thursday, pressured by a weaker US Dollar (USD).
Japan Jibun Bank Manufacturing PMI climbed from previous 48.7 to 49 in May
Japan Jibun Bank Services PMI: 50.8 (May) vs previous 52.4
Singapore Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) came in at -0.6%, above forecasts (-1%) in 1Q
Singapore Gross Domestic Product (YoY) came in at 3.9%, above forecasts (3.6%) in 1Q
Japan Machinery Orders (MoM) registered at 13% above expectations (-1.6%) in March
Japan Machinery Orders (YoY) registered at 8.4% above expectations (-2.2%) in March
Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks: ¥714.9B (May 16) vs ¥439B
US Secretary Scott Bessent and Japan’s Finance Minister Shunichi Kato discussed important issues pertaining to the US-Japan economic relationship, including global security and the ongoing bilateral trade discussions between the US and Japan.
The NZD/USD pair softens to near 0.5930 during the early Asian session on Thursday. However, the downside for the pair might be limited amid rising concerns over the US President Donald Trump administration's tax cut and spending bill and worries over the performance of the US economy.
EUR/USD caught a bid on Wednesday, breaking through the 1.1300 technical barrier and climbing for a third straight session after market sentiment turned away from the US Dollar following a pummeling of US Treasury markets.
The preliminary reading of Australia's Judo Bank Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) came in at 51.7 in May versus 51.7 prior, the latest data published by Judo Bank and S&P Global showed on Thursday.
Australia S&P Global Services PMI down to 50.5 in May from previous 51
Australia S&P Global Composite PMI down to 50.6 in May from previous 51
Silver price extended its rally to three days on Wednesday, edging up 0.21% as the Greenback continued to weaken across the board. Moody’s downgrade to US sovereign debt and the vote of the US fiscal budget, keeps investors seeking safety in the precious metal.
US Treasury yields soared on Wednesday as a weaker-than-expected 20-year US bond auction ahead of the vote on the US budget in the US Congress. At the time of writing, the US 10-year T-note benchmark note surges 11 basis points at 4.601%.