Posted at 18 September 2025 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
•New Zealand GDP (QoQ) (Q2)-0.9%, -0.3%f orecast,0.9% previous
•New Zealand (YoY) (Q2) -0.6% , 0.0% forecast, 0-0.6% previous
•New Zealand GDP Annual Average (Q2) -1.1% ,-1.1% previous
•New Zealand GDP Expenditure (QoQ) (Q2) -0.9%, 1.2% previous
• Australia Reserve Assets Total (Aug) 105.9B, 104.3B previous
• Australia Employment Change (Aug) -5.4K,21.2Kforecast,26.5K previous
• Australia Full Employment Change (Aug) -40.9K, 63.6K previous
• Australia Participation Rate (Aug) 66.8%, 67.0%forecast,67.0% previous
• Australia Unemployment Rate (Aug) 4.2%, 4.2% forecast,4.2% previous
Looking Ahead Economic Data(GMT)
• 11:00 UK BoE MPC vote cut (Sep) 1 forecast,5 previous
• 11:00 UK BoE MPC vote hike (Sep) 0 forecast, 0 previous
• 11:00 UK BoE MPC vote unchanged (Sep) 8 forecast, 4 previous
• 11:00 UK BoE Interest Rate Decision (Sep) 4.00% forecast 4.00% previous
Looking Ahead Events and Other Releases(GMT)
• 11:00 UK BoE MPC Meeting Minutes
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro initially dipped but recovered ground on Thursday as traders assessed the implications of the Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to future rate cuts. The Fed lowered rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, as expected, and signaled a gradual easing of borrowing costs for the remainder of the year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the move as a risk-management response to a softening labor market, noting that the central bank sees no need to rush further easing. The Fed’s dot plot projects a median of 50 basis points in additional cuts across the remaining two meetings this year, followed by only one more reduction in 2026..Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1881(Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1920(23.6%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1785(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1718(SMA 20).
GBP/USD: The pound steadied against greenback on Thursday as marketdigested Federal Reserve's rate cut decision. The U.S. Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to the 4.00%-4.25% range as expected on Wednesday, and indicated it will steadily reduce borrowing costs for the rest of this year. Traders are pricing in an 87.7% chance of another 25-bp cut at the Fed's next meeting in October, compared with a 74.3% probability a day earlier, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. The Bank of England will announce its own policy decision later on Thursday, and is widely anticipated to keep rates at 4%. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3701(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3726(Sep 17th highBB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3593(Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3563(38.2%fib).
AUD/USD: Australian dollar slipped lower against dollar on Thursday as market digested a softer-than-expected Australian jobs data.Data showed ,Australia’s employment fell in August as full-time jobs dropped, though the jobless rate stayed unchanged. Australian Bureau of Statistics data on Thursday showed employment fell by 5,400 in August, against forecasts for a 21,500 gain, as full-time jobs slumped 40,900 after July’s revised 26,500 rise.The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%, in line with expectations and still low historically, while the participation rate slipped to 66.8%.The mixed data left the policy outlook largely unchanged, with investors still betting the RBA will hold rates this month and pricing about a 75% chance of a cut in November. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.6657(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.6712(23.6%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.6612(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 0.6576(SMA 20).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar advanced on Thursday as the greenback rebounded slightly after the Federal Reserve’s latest policy announcement. The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, signaling a gradual easing of borrowing costs through the rest of the year.Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the rate cut as a risk-management move in response to a softening labor market, noting the central bank is taking a "meeting-by-meeting" approach to future rate decisions. Market participants interpreted the FOMC statement as cautiously dovish, prompting short-term dollar strength. Market focus now shifts to the BoJ rate decision on Friday, where rates are widely expected to remain at 0.5%.The BOJ exited its massive, decade-long stimulus last year and raised short-term rates to 0.5% in January on the view Japan was on the cusp of durably achieving its 2% inflation target. Immediate resistance can be seen at 147.42(SMA 20) an upside break can trigger rise towards 148.85(38.2%fib) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 147.10(61.8%fib) a break below could take the pair towards 146.15(Lower BB).
Equities Recap
Asian equity markets were choppy on Thursday as the Federal Reserve delivered its first rate cut of the year but signaled a cautious approach to further easing, leaving investors uncertain about the pace of future moves.
China A50 was down 1.44% , Hang Seng was down 1.38 Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 1.21%
Commodities Recap
Gold prices fell further on Thursday as the dollar strengthened following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s expected 25-basis-point rate cut and cautious guidance on future policy easing.
Spot gold dipped 0.6% to $3,637.41 per ounce, as of 0636 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,707.40 on Wednesday.U.S. gold futures for December delivery slipped 1.2% to $3,671.30.
Oil prices fell for a second straight session on Thursday as the Federal Reserve delivered an expected rate cut, with traders weighing U.S. economic concerns and abundant supply.
Brent crude futures fell 26 cents, or 0.38%, to $67.69 a barrel by 0656 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 28 cents, or 0.44%, to $63.77.