Posted at 23 April 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• France HCOB Manufacturing PMI (Apr): 52.8, 49.5 forecast, 50.0 previous.
•France HCOB Manufacturing PMI (Apr): 52.8, 49.5 forecast, 50.0 previous.
•France HCOB Services PMI (Apr): 46.5, 48.5 forecast, 48.8 previous.
•France HCOB Composite PMI (Apr): 47.6, 48.6 forecast, 48.8 previous.
•Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI (Apr): 51.2, 51.4 forecast, 52.2 previous.
•Germany HCOB Services PMI (Apr): 46.9, 50.4 forecast, 50.9 previous.
•Germany HCOB Composite PMI (Apr): 48.3, 51.1 forecast, 51.9 previous.
•Eurozone HCOB Services PMI (Apr): 47.4, 49.8 forecast, 50.2 previous.
•Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI (Apr): 52.2, 50.9 forecast, 51.6 previous.
•Eurozone HCOB Composite PMI (Apr): 48.6, 50.2 forecast, 50.7 previous.
•UK S&P Global Services PMI (Apr): 52.0, 50.0 forecast, 50.5 previous.
•UK S&P Global Composite PMI (Apr): 52.0, 49.8 forecast, 50.3 previous.
•UK S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (Apr): 53.6, 50.3 forecast, 51.0 previous.
•U.S. Initial Jobless Claims: 214K, 211K forecast, 208K previous.
•Canada RMPI (MoM) (Mar): 12.0%, 9.3% forecast, 0.9% previous.
•U.S. Continuing Jobless Claims: 1,821K, 1,820K forecast, 1,809K previous.
•Canada RMPI (YoY) (Mar): 23.6% , 9.1% previous.
•Canada IPPI (YoY) (Mar): 7.8% , 5.6% previous.
•Canada IPPI (MoM) (Mar): 2.4%, 1.6% forecast, 0.6% previous.
•U.S. Chicago Fed National Activity Index (Mar): -0.20, 0.03 previous.
•U.S. Jobless Claims 4-Week Avg.: 210.75K , 210.00K previous.
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
• 15:00 US KC Fed Manufacturing Index (Apr) 11 previous.
• 15:00 US KC Fed Composite Index (Apr) 11 previous.
•16:30 US 4-Week Bill Auction 3.595% previous.
•16:30 US 8-Week Bill Auction 3.615% previous.
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
• No Events ahead
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro edged lower on Thursday as renewed worries about the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz drove euro lower. Concerns had returned after Iran on Wednesday seized two ships trying to exit the Strait, leaving investors wondering if the fragile ceasefire with the U.S. that has allowed markets to rebound in recent weeks will be able to hold. German data showed that its private sector shrank for the first time in almost a year and business activity in the euro zone as a whole suffered a surprise contraction.In France, activity dropped at its fastest pace in 14 months and factory orders expanded for the first time in almost four years - a clear sign, analysts said, that firms are rushing to try to avoid shortages and price increases. 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 1.1707(Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1658(April 14th low).
GBP/USD: The pound eased against the dollar on Thursday as investors remained nervous over a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, but also on the back of more evidence of the pain coming for the UK economy from rising energy costs. A survey of UK business activity showed companies reported a record jump in costs in April, while a separate survey of confidence in the manufacturing sector showed deep pessimism and the steepest rise in costs since records began for that report in 1975.Money markets also shifted to show traders now see a 75% chance of a rate hike from the Bank of England by June, compared with a 50/50 chance at the start of the week. Sterling which has returned to where it was in late February, was a touch lower on the day at $1.349. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3518(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3598(23.6%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3449(50%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3407(SMA 20).
AUD/USD: Australian dollar eased slightly on Thursday as lack of progress in peace talks weighed on investor sentiment.Iran on Wednesday captured two container ships seeking to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, tightening its grip on the crucial waterway, as investors watch if the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East will hold.The two sides now remain divided on a ceasefire, blockade, nuclear issues and control of the strait, leaving the strategic waterway still effectively shut and triggering an energy shock in a blow to economies across the world.On the data front, Australia’s manufacturing sector returned to expansion territory, with the latest survey from S&P Global on Thursday showing the manufacturing PMI rising to 51.0. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7156 (Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7183(23.6%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7073(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 0.6990(50%fib).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar edged higher on Thursday as a stand-off between Iran and the U.S. in the Middle East war and a lack of progress on peace talks sent oil prices back above $100 a barrel and dented investor optimism. Tehran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, escalating tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely with no sign of peace talks restarting. The two sides remain divided on a ceasefire, their blockades, nuclear issues and control of the strait, leaving the strategic waterway still effectively shut and triggering an energy shock in a blow to economies across the world.The Japanese yen was a touch weaker at 159.73,near the 160 level that many in the market view as the line in the sand for official intervention. The Bank of Japan is expected to keep interest rates unchanged next week, but has hinted that a June hike is possible. Immediate resistance can be seen at 159.43(Daily high) 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 declined on Thursday as renewed shipping concerns in the strategic Strait of Hormuz weighed on investor sentiment, while investors also assessed a fresh batch of corporate earnings reports.
At GMT (12:20) UK's benchmark FTSE 100 was last trading down at 0.19 percent, Germany's Dax was down by 0.16 percent, France’s CAC was up by 0.83 percent.
Commodities Recap
Gold prices fell on Thursday, weighed down by a stronger dollar and higher oil prices that fueled inflation concerns, as investors assessed the outlook of the U.S.-Iran conflict amid stalled talks.
Spot gold was down 0.9% at $4,696.71 per ounce, as of 1135 GMT. U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell 0.8% to $4,714.0.
Oil surged back past $100 a barrel on Thursday as fresh worries about the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz rattled markets, sending global stocks and bonds lower and the dollar higher.