Posted at 18 May 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• Chinese Unemployment Rate (Apr): 5.2%, 5.3% forecast, 5.4% previous.
• Chinese Industrial Production YTD (YoY) (Apr): 5.6%, 6.1% previous.
• Chinese Industrial Production (YoY) (Apr): 4.1%, 6.0% forecast, 5.7% previous.
• Chinese Fixed Asset Investment (YoY) (Apr): -1.6%, 1.7% forecast, 1.7% previous.
• Chinese Retail Sales (YoY) (Apr): 0.2%, 2.0% forecast, 1.7% previous.
• Chinese Retail Sales YTD (YoY) (Apr): 1.91%, 2.43% previous.
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
• 10:00 China FDI (Apr) -7.30% previous.
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
•No Events Ahead
Currency Summaries
EUR/USD : The euro edged higher against on Monday after a drone attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates intensified tensions in the Middle East.Oil ?prices climbed on Monday, with Brent crude futures rising more than 1% to over $110 a barrel, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran appear to have stalled. U.S. President ?Donald Trump on Sunday threatened consequences ?for ?Iran if its leaders ?do ?not act ?quickly. Investors are also watching as the Group of Seven finance ministers and central bankers meet in Paris on Monday and Tuesday to discuss how to bring a lasting end to the war ?in Iran. U.S. President ?Donald Trump on Sunday threatened consequences ?for ?Iran if its leaders ?do ?not act ?quickly. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1666(50%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1727(SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1547(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1501(April 67th low).
GBP/USD: Sterling slipped on Monday as investors assessed concerns over the UK’s political and fiscal outlook.Investors are closely watching this week’s key UK data releases, including March unemployment figures, April inflation, May PMI surveys and April retail sales, for clues on the Bank of England’s policy outlook.UK politics also remained in focus after former minister Wes Streeting said he would stand in any leadership contest to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, adding to political uncertainty.Reports that Starmer is preparing to approve a $24 billion increase in defence spending raised concerns about future fiscal pressures and borrowing needs.. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3414(Daily high), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3475(38.2%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3321(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3154(23.6%fib).
AUD/USD: Australian dollar slipped lower on Monday as weaker-than-expected Chinese economic data sharply dampened sentiment toward the China-proxy Australian dollar.China’s April industrial output rose 4.1% y/y, well below the 5.9% market forecast, while retail sales increased just 0.2% against expectations of 2.0%, highlighting slowing momentum in the world’s second-largest economy.Geopolitical tensions intensified after a drone attack on a UAE nuclear power plant pushed energy prices higher, with Brent crude rising 1.9% and WTI gaining 2.2%, adding to global inflation concerns and supporting the U.S. dollar.Attention now turns to comments from RBA Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter on Tuesday ahead of the release of the RBA May monetary policy meeting minutes.Investors will also closely watch Australia’s April employment report on Thursday, where Reuters polls forecast a 20K rise in jobs and an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7191(SMA 20), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7270(23.6%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7121(Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 0.7112(Lower BB).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar firmed on Monday as greenback gained on expectations the Fed may raise interest rates later this year to curb inflation.Surging energy prices from the Middle East conflict added to U.S. inflation pressures as U.S.-Iran talks showed little progress toward peace or reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Officials in Tokyo intervened a couple of times in late April and into early May, which saw the yen strengthen by around 3.5% in the days that followed, but the currency has given up roughly 7% of that rally already.Japan's government is likely to issue fresh debt as part of funding for a planned extra budget to cushion the economic blow from the Middle East war, a government source with direct knowledge of the deliberations told Reuters on Monday.Immediate resistance can be seen at 159.06(38.2%fib) an upside break can trigger rise towards 159.00(Psychological level) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 158.23(SMA 20) a break below could take the pair towards 157.78(50%fib ).
Equities Recap
Asian stocks dipped on Monday, extending declines in global equities as the ongoing deadlock in the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices higher and weighed on investor sentiment..
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down by 1.08% , Hang Seng was down at 1.29%, China A50 was down at 0.89%
Commodities Recap
Gold prices steadied on Monday, as investors bought the metal after it slipped to a more than 1-1/2-month low following inflation fears that triggered a rout in the global bond market.
Spot gold was steady at $4,539.48 per ounce, as of ?0724 GMT, after hitting its lowest level since March 30 earlier in ?the session.
Oil prices extended gains on Monday as efforts to end the Iran war appeared to have stalled following an attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.
Brent crude ?futures climbed $1.65, or 1.51%, to $110.91 a barrel by 0703 GMT, but were off the $112 they had touched ?earlier for their highest since May 5.