Posted at 21 April 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• UK Average Earnings Index +Bonus (Feb): 3.8%, 3.6% forecast, 4.1% previous
• UK Employment Change 3M/3M (MoM) (Feb): 25K, 84K previous
• UK Average Earnings Index +Bonus (Feb): 3.8%, 3.6% forecast, 4.1% previous
• UK Unemployment Rate (Feb): 4.9%, 5.2% forecast, 5.2% previous
• UK Claimant Count Change (Mar): 26.8K, 21.4K forecast, 17.1K previous
•EU ZEW Economic Sentiment (Apr): -20.4, -12.7 forecast, -8.5 previous
•German ZEW Current Conditions (Apr): -73.7, -70.0 forecast, -62.9 previous
•German ZEW Economic Sentiment (Apr): -17.2, -6.7 forecast, -0.5 previous
•EU ZEW Economic Sentiment (Apr): -20.4, -12.7 forecast, -8.5 previous
•German ZEW Current Conditions (Apr): -73.7, -70.0 forecast, -62.9 previous
•German ZEW Economic Sentiment (Apr): -17.2, -6.7 forecast, -0.5 previous
•US ADP Employment Change Weekly: 54.75K, 39.30K previous
•US Retail Sales (MoM) (Mar): 1.7%, 1.4% forecast, 0.7% previous
•US Core Retail Sales (MoM) (Mar): 1.9%, 1.4% forecast, 0.7% previous
•US Retail Control (MoM) (Mar): 0.7%, 0.2% forecast, 0.6% previous
• US Retail Sales Ex Gas/Autos (MoM) (Mar): 0.6%, 0.6% previous
•US Retail Sales (YoY) (Mar): 3.97%, 3.96% previous
•US Redbook (YoY): 6.7%, 7.0% previous
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
•14:00 US Pending Home Sales (MoM) (Mar) 0.0% forecast,1.8% previous
•14:00 US Retail Inventories Ex Auto (Feb) 0.3% forecast,0.4% previous
•14:00 US Business Inventories (MoM) (Feb) 0.3% forecast,-0.1% previous
•14:00 US Pending Home Sales Index (Mar) 72.1 previous
•20:30 GlobalDairyTrade Price Index -3.4% previous
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
•No Events Ahead
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro edged lower on Tuesday as confidence returned about peace talks taking place between Iran and the United States in Pakistan ahead of the end of a two-week ceasefire.Investors will also be watching a Senate confirmation hearing later for Kevin Warsh, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, which Trump has repeatedly criticised for failing to cut rates sooner and more aggressively. No Iranian delegation has yet departed for Pakistan, Iranian state TV reported on Tuesday, denying international news reports announcing the travel of Iranian representatives to Islamabad and scheduled times for talks with the U.S. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1823(50%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1900(Psychological level).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1728(61.8%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1658(April 14th low).
GBP/USD: The pound dipped on Tuesday as investors monitored Middle East developments that could spark a fresh rush to the safe-haven dollar. Hopes for a Middle East peace deal eased inflation fears and tempered expectations of a rapid policy tightening by central banks, including the BoE. Currencies tend to strengthen when central banks raise rates and weaken when they cut them. Traders are now almost fully pricing one BoE rate hike this year, while indicating two rate increases for the European Central Bank. British data showed the jobless rate fell unexpectedly, although that drop reflected rising numbers of students not looking for work rather than rising employment, while average weekly earnings fell.. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3591(Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3655(38.2%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3532(50%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3499(April 14th low).
AUD/USD: Australian dollar softened on Tuesday as traders remained cautious, weighing unconfirmed reports of potential Middle East peace talks.Attention is turning to the approaching ceasefire deadline, with U.S. Vice President Vance heading to Pakistan in a move seen as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. President. Donald Trump said negotiations are happening "relatively quickly" and will yield better terms than previous agreements. Now in its eighth week, the war has triggered an unprecedented energy shock, with oil prices surging as the Strait of Hormuz handling about 20% of global oil remains effectively closed. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7170(Daily high), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7229(23.6%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7125(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 0.7034(50%fib).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar edged higher on Tuesday as yen remained under pressure on growing uncertainty over the Bank of Japan’s policy outlook. The Bank of Japan is likely to hold off raising interest rates next week, five sources familiar with its thinking said, as fading prospects of a near-term end to the Middle East war keep the country's economic and price outlook uncertain. Japan will take necessary steps while closely monitoring oil prices and the global economy, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said, amid concerns over Middle East tensions impacting energy markets. Meanwhile, markets remain focused on US-Iran peace negotiations, with both sides expected to send delegations to Islamabad for a second round of talks before the current ceasefire expires. Immediate resistance can be seen at 159.23(SMA 20) an upside break can trigger rise towards 160.00(Psychological level) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 158.73(38.2%fib) a break below could take the pair towards 158.07(Lower BB).
Equities Recap
European shares were subdued on Tuesday as uncertainty over oil supplies kept risk appetite in check, even as prospects of U.S.-Iran peace talks offered some support ahead of the ceasefire deadline.
At GMT (13:40) UK's benchmark FTSE 100 was last trading down at 0.41 percent, Germany's Dax was down by 1.33 percent, France’s CAC was down by 0.88 percent.
Commodities Recap
Oil prices fell over $1 on Tuesday, reversing prior gains, as expectations of U.S.-Iran peace talks raised hopes of increased supply from the Middle East..
Brent crude futures declined $1.04, or 1.1%, at $94.44 a barrel at 0600 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May fell $1.66, or 1.9%, to $87.95.
Gold prices fell as the dollar firmed, while investors remained cautious as they look to tentative U.S.-Iran talks and a Senate confirmation hearing for Federal Reserve Chairman nominee Kevin Warsh later on Tuesday.
Spot gold was down 0.9% to $4,777.77 per ounce at 1253 GMT. U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell 0.7% to $4,797.90.