Posted at 08 May 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• Japan Overall wage income of employees (Mar) 2.7% , 3.2% forecast, 3.4% previous
• Japan Overtime Pay (YoY) (Mar) 1.90%, 3.40% previous
• Japan au Jibun Bank Services PMI (Apr) 51.0, 51.2 forecast,53.4 previous
• Japan Manufacturing & Services PMI (Apr) 52.20, 52.40 forecast, 53.00 previous
• UK Halifax House Price Index (MoM) (Apr )-0.1%, 0.0% forecast, -0.5% previous
• UK Halifax Halifax House Price Index (YoY) (Apr) 0.4%, 0.6% forecast, 0.8% previous
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
• 09:00 Greek HICP (YoY) (Apr) 3.4% previous
• 09:00 Greek CPI (YoY) (Apr)3.9%
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
•No Data Ahead
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
• No Events ahead
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro firmed on Friday after renewed hostilities ?broke out between the U.S. and Iran but U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was still in effect. The two sides have occasionally exchanged fire since the ceasefire took effect on April 7, with Iran hitting targets in Gulf countries including the UAE. Oil prices only modestly higher, investors remained cautiously optimistic about a swift resolution to the conflict, as a fragile ceasefire broadly held and reports indicated that U.S.-Iran talks were continuing.Markets are also bracing for the U.S. non-farm payrolls report later on Friday, and it may ?take an outlier number, particularly a sufficiently weak one, to really move the dial on dollar volatility, he added.The euro was up 0.16% at $1.1743 , poised to end the week a touch firmer.. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1812(50%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1828(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1736(SMA 20), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1705(61.8%fib).
GBP/USD: Sterling climbed against the dollar on Friday after local ?election results in Britain so far confirmed expectations of significant losses for the ruling Labour Party, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would not resign. Starmer’s Labour haemorrhaged support in areas reporting results overnight, with results still ?rolling in on Friday.Markets also remained focused on developments in the ?Middle East.The pound was up 0.25% ?at $1.3583 , and was up 0.08% against the euro, which traded ?at 86.45 pence. The U.S. dollar index edged down on Friday after renewed hostilities broke out between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. President Donald ?Trump told reporters ?the ceasefire ?was still in effect. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3658(Higher BB ), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3701(38.2%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3571(50%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3532(SMA 20).
AUD/USD: Australian dollar steadied near four-year high on Friday as dollar weakened as hostilities broke out between the U.S. and Iran .The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire and traded barbs again on Thursday, piling fresh pressure on a fragile month-long ceasefire as Iran reviews Washington's proposal to end the war .Oil prices rose sharply in early trading, with U.S. crude futures gaining as much as 3%, reflecting stronger buying momentum and heightened market sensitivity to supply and geopolitical developments. Rising oil prices have complicated Australia's inflation fight, with the Reserve Bank of Australia raising cash rates to 4.35% this week, among the highest in developed economies. Markets ?now await the monthly U.S. employment report due later in the day to assess how the Federal Reserve will move forward with monetary policy this year. Nonfarm payrolls likely increased ?by 62,000 last month after rebounding by 178,000 in March, a Reuters survey of economists predicted. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7280(23.6%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7297(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7229(Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 0.711(38.2%fib).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar remained range bound after renewed verbal intervention signals from Japanese officials. Traders remained focussed on the Japanese yen after recent interventions and verbal warnings from Tokyo kept sharp selling at bay. Market speculation suggests Tokyo may have spent around $35 billion in efforts to support the yen, although authorities have not officially confirmed any intervention.Japan faces no constraints on how often it can intervene in currency markets and is in daily contact with U.S. authorities, its top currency diplomat said on Thursday, reinforcing Tokyo's resolve to defend the embattled yen. The yen was largely steady at 156.73 and is set to end the week on a steady footing. Immediate resistance can be seen at 157.58(50%fib) an upside break can trigger rise towards 158.00(Psychological level) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 155.16(Daily low) a break below could take the pair towards 153.18(61.8%fib).
Equities Recap
Asian equities eased back from record highs as investors booked profits and reassessed risk appetite, while rising tensions in West Asia pushed crude oil prices higher on renewed concerns over potential disruptions to energy supply routes.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down by 0.16 % , Hang Seng was down at 0.87%, China A50 was down at 0.90%
Commodities Recap
Oil prices rose on Friday after renewed fighting broke out between the United States and Iran, threatening a shaky ceasefire and dashing hopes for progress to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for oil and liquefied natural gas.
Brent crude futures were up 67 cents, or 0.67%, at $100.73 a barrel by 0650 GMT. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) U.S. crude futures rose by 45 cents, or 0.47%, to $95.26 a barrel. The benchmarks were up more than 3% at the market open.
Gold rose on Friday and was headed for a weekly gain on easing fears of inflation and higher interest rates, as investors remained optimistic about a U.S.-Iran peace deal despite renewed hostilities.
Spot gold was up 0.85% at $4,709.06 per ounce, ?as of 0739 GMT. Bullion has gained 2% so far this week.?U.S. gold futures for June delivery rose 0.1% to $4,716.50.