Posted at 18 February 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
•Australia Wage Price Index (QoQ) (Q4): 0.8%, 0.8% forecast, 0.8% previous.
•Australia Wage Price Index (YoY) (Q4): 3.4%, 3.3% forecast, 3.3% previous.
•New Zealand RBNZ Interest Rate Decision: 2.25%, 2.25% forecast, 2.25% previous.
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
•07:00 United Kingdom CPI (YoY) (Jan): 3.0% forecast, 3.4% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom PPI Input (MoM) (Jan): 0.4% forecast, -0.2% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom CPI (MoM) (Jan): -0.5%, 0.4% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom CPIH (YoY): 3.6% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom Core PPI Output (YoY) (Jan): 3.2% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom Core PPI Output (MoM) (Jan): -0.1% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom PPI Output (YoY) (Jan): 3.4% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom PPI Input (YoY) (Jan): 0.8% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom RPI (MoM) (Jan): -0.4% forecast, 0.7% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom Core RPI (MoM) (Jan): 0.7% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom RPI (YoY) (Jan): 3.8% forecast, 4.2% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom CPI, n.s.a (Jan): 140.10 previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom Core RPI (YoY) (Jan): 4.1% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom Core CPI (MoM) (Jan): -0.7% forecast, 0.3% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom Core CPI (YoY) (Jan): 3.0% forecast, 3.2% previous.
•07:00 United Kingdom PPI Output (MoM) (Jan): 0.2% forecast, 0.0% previous.
•07:45 France CPI (MoM) (Jan): -0.3% forecast, 0.1% previous.
•07:45 France HICP (MoM) (Jan): -0.4% forecast, 0.1% previous.
•07:45 France CPI NSA (MoM) (Jan): -0.3% previous.
•07:45 France CPI NSA (YoY) (Jan): 0.3% previous.
•07:45 France Inflation (YoY) (Jan): 0.7% previous.
•07:45 France HICP (YoY) (Jan): 0.4% forecast, 0.7% previous.
France CPI (YoY) (Jan): 0.3% forecast, 0.8% previous.
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
•No Events Ahead
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro edged lower on Wednesday as lingering geopolitical uncertainty kept investors cautious, while attention shifted to the upcoming release of the Federal Reserve meeting minutes for clues on the timing of potential rate cuts.Iran reported progress in nuclear negotiations with the United States in Geneva, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia remained ongoing. Although signs of diplomatic engagement helped temper some risk sentiment, geopolitical tensions continued to create an underlying sense of caution in financial markets.In addition to the Fed minutes, the U.S. Commerce Department is set to release December durable goods orders, providing a snapshot of business investment trends. Later in the week, the advance estimate of fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) will be published, offering a broader assessment of U.S. economic momentum. Together, these releases are expected to play a key role in shaping near-term currency market direction. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1872(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1974(Jan 30th high).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1783(SMA 20), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1724(50%fib).
GBP/USD: The pound edged lower on Wednesday as investors awaited United Kingdom inflation data for fresh direction. CPI is expected to rise 3% YoY in January, down from 3.4% in December — a 12-month low but still above the Bank of England’s 2% target. The decline would support Governor Andrew Bailey’s view that inflation will fall sharply. Core inflation is also forecast to ease to 3% from 3.2%, reinforcing expectations that slowing inflation and weak growth will allow further rate cuts after the BoE reduced rates from 4.75% to 3.75% in 2025. The United Kingdom inflation data will add to recent indicators showing the economy grew 0.1% in Q4 2025. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3663(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3733(Feb 4th high).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3583 (SMA 20), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3512(50%fib).
AUD/USD: The Australian dollar edged lower on Wednesday release of Australia’s latest wage inflation data. Australian wages rose moderately in Q4, with private sector growth improving slightly, while annual wage growth remained unchanged for over a year. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the wage price index rose 0.8% in the December quarter, matching the previous quarter and forecasts.Annual wage growth edged up to 3.4% from 3.3% and has stayed within a 3.2%–3.6% range for six straight quarters.Looking ahead, markets are awaiting several key U.S. economic releases, including durable goods orders, industrial production data, and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7126(23.6%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7202(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7068(Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 0.6700(Psychological level)
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar gained some ground on Wednesday as stronger dollar offset upbeat Japanese trade data. Japanese exports jumped 16.8% year-on-year in January, up for a fifth straight month, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.Imports decreased 2.5% in January from a year earlier, versus a 3% increase expected by economists.The trade balance stood at a deficit of 1.15 trillion yen ($7.50 billion), compared with the forecast of a deficit of 2.14 trillion yen.The data supported expectations that the Bank of Japan will continue normalizing monetary policy.. Immediate resistance can be seen at 154.03(50%fib) an upside break can trigger rise towards 154.96(SMA 20) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 151.78 (61.8%fib) a break below could take the pair towards 151.12 (Lower BB).
Equities Recap
Asian stocks rose Wednesday despite ongoing AI-related concerns, while oil prices fluctuated after Iran reported progress in nuclear talks with the United States.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up by 1.00% , S&P/ASX 200 was up at 0.54%
Commodities Recap
Oil prices steadied in Asian trade on Wednesday after a nearly 2% drop in the previous session, as investors weighed progress in U.S.–Iran talks while remaining cautious about a final deal that could ease supply concerns.
Brent futures rose 23 cents or 0.34% to $67.65 a barrel by 0412 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 19 cents or 0.3% at $62.52.Both are around two-week lows.
Gold prices rose in thin trading on Wednesday, rebounding from a one-week low, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes for signals on the rate outlook.
Spot gold rose 1.1% to $4,931.61 per ounce by 0627 GMT, after declining more than 2% on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures for April delivery gained 0.9% to $4,950.20.