Posted at 29 April 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• Australia CPI (YoY) (Q1): 4.1%, 4.2% forecast, 3.6% previous
• Australia Trimmed Mean CPI (QoQ) (Q1): 0.8%, 0.9% forecast, 0.9% previous
• Australia CPI (QoQ) (Q1): 1.4%, 1.4% forecast, 0.6% previous
• Australia Trimmed Mean CPI (YoY) (Q1): 3.5%, 3.5% forecast, 3.4% previous
• Australia Weighted Mean CPI (YoY) (Q1): 3.5%, 3.2% previous
• Australia Weighted Mean CPI (QoQ) (Q1): 0.8%, 0.9% previous
• Australia CPI Index Number (Q1): 101.70, 100.32 previous
• Australia Weighted Mean CPI (YoY) (Mar): 4.60%, 4.80% forecast, 3.70% previous
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
• 09:00 Eurozone Loans to Non Financial Corporations (Mar): 2.9% previous
• 09:00 Eurozone M3 Money Supply (YoY) (Mar): 3.1% forecast, 3.0% previous
• 09:00 Eurozone M3 Money Supply (Mar): 17,369.5B previous
• 09:00 Eurozone Private Sector Loans (YoY) (Mar): 3.1% forecast, 3.0% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.8% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.5% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (MoM) (Apr): 0.9% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (MoM) (Apr): 1.2% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.7% previous
• 09:00 Germany North Rhine-Westphalia CPI (MoM) (Apr): 1.2% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (MoM) (Apr): 1.1% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.9% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.8% previous
• 09:00 Germany CPI (MoM) (Apr): 1.1% previous
• 10:00 Eurozone Consumer Inflation Expectation (Apr): 43.4 previous
• 10:00 Eurozone Business Climate (Apr): -0.27 previous
• 10:00 Eurozone Selling Price Expectations (Apr): 19.7 previous
• 10:00 Eurozone Business and Consumer Survey (Apr): 95.2forecas, 96.6 previous
• 10:00 Eurozone Industrial Sentiment (Apr): -7.2 forecast, -7.0 previous
• 10:00 Eurozone Services Sentiment (Apr): 3.5 forecast, 4.9 previous
• 10:00 Eurozone Consumer Confidence (Apr): -20.6 forecast, -16.3 previous
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
• 07:30 Japan BoJ Press Conference
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro dipped against the dollar on Wednesday as dollar firmed as investors awaited a closely watched Federal Reserve ?rate decision in what was likely to be Chair Jerome Powell's swan song, with war in the Middle East raging and hopes for an imminent resolution dimming.The Fed's policy outcome due later in the day takes centre stage, with the central bank widely expected to stand pat ?on rates, though the focus will be on its assessment of the war's impact on the economy and on ?Chair Powell's future. On the geopolitics front, efforts ?to end the Iran war were at an impasse with Donald Trump unhappy with the latest proposal from Tehran, as the U.S. President wants nuclear issues dealt with from ?the outset. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1755(April 27th high), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1800(Psychological level).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1678(SMA20), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1682(61.8%fib).
GBP/USD: Sterling slipped against the dollar as investors awaited Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for clues on the economic impact of the Iran war. Fed funds futures are pricing a 100% probability of a hold, with no policy changes expected until well into 2027. But with ?the FOMC looking more divided than ever, questions remain about how Warsh will navigate the central bank's relationship ?with the White House as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to loudly demand quick and ?aggressive rate cuts.Debate on Powell's legacy will likely centre on his defence of the Fed's independence in the ?face of relentless pressure from Trump - who appointed him in the first place. It's also not yet clear ?whether Powell will stick around as a Fed governor after his term as chair officially ends on May 15. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3605(50%fib ), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3680(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3477(61.8%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3449(SMA 20).
AUD/USD: The Australian dollar eased on Wednesday after data showed Australia’s inflation rose a little less than expected in the first quarter. Australia’s CPI rose 1.4% in Q1, the fastest since late 2023, while annual inflation climbed to 4.1% from 3.6%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Core inflation (trimmed mean) rose 0.8% in Q1, slightly below the 0.9% forecast, with the annual rate edging up to 3.5% from 3.4%, remaining above the RBA’s 2–3% target.Markets are now pricing a 75% probability of a May 5 RBA rate hike, with further tightening likely to push AUD/USD above the 0.7250–0.7285 resistance zone.Geopolitics remains a key driver, as the Iran stalemate persists, with reports suggesting a prolonged blockade could keep global tensions elevated.Attention also turns to the Federal Reserve, where no rate change is expected at Wednesday’s FOMC meeting, marking Jerome Powell’s final meeting as Fed Chair. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7222(23.6%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7280(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7115(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 0.7094(SMA20).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar edged higher on Wednesday as stronger dollar offset Bank of Japan hawkish hold .The BOJ kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.75%, but a rare 6–3 split - the widest since Ueda took office - fueled expectations of a possible rate hike as early as June. Three dissenting board members—Junko Nakagawa, Hajime Takata, and Naoki Tamura backed a rate hike to 1.0%, warning that escalating inflation risks linked to war-driven energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz warrant tighter policy. BOJ Gov Kazuo Ueda reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to a gradual tightening path, indicating that interest rates could continue to rise in line with evolving economic, inflation, and financial conditions.Meanwhile, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama reiterated that authorities stand ready to intervene in currency markets at any time to support the yen.Traders remained on alert for a potential intervention from Japanese authorities to shore up the currency, with the 160 level often seen as a potential trigger for such a move. Immediate resistance can be seen at 160.09(Higher BB) an upside break can trigger rise towards 160.41(23.6%fib) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 159.13(38.2%fib) a break below could take the pair towards 158.85(38.2%fib).
Equities Recap
Markets opened on a cautious and uneven footing across Asia on Wednesday, as investor sentiment was weighed down by persistent concerns over the Iran conflict and growing doubts about the sustainability of the AI-driven rally.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down by 1.02% , Hang Seng was up at 1.34%, China A50 was up at 0.41%
Commodities Recap
Oil prices eased on Wednesday from a multi-day rally as investors digested the ramifications of the United Arab Emirates' surprise decision to quit OPEC, though supply disruptions from the stalemated Iran war support the market.
Brent crude futures for June dipped 1 cent to $111.25 a barrel by 0413 GMT, having climbed for the previous ?seven sessions. The June contract expires on Thursday and the more active July contract down 28 ?cents at $104.12.
Gold was largely steady on Wednesday, as investors awaited U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments to gauge the impact of the Iran war on the economy as peace talks stall.
Spot gold was up 0.2% at $4,602.82 per ounce, as of 0439 GMT, after falling to ?its lowest level since April 2 in the previous session.U.S. gold futures for ?June delivery rose 0.2% to $4,616.40.