Posted at 19 May 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
•UK Employment Change 3M/3M (MoM) (Mar): 148K, 107K forecast, 25K previous.
•UK Unemployment Rate (Mar): 5.0%, 4.9% forecast, 4.9% previous.
•UK Average Earnings Index +Bonus (Mar): 4.1%, 3.8% forecast, 3.9% previous.
•UK Claimant Count Change (Apr): 26.5K, 23.1K forecast, 4.9K previous.
•UK Average Earnings ex Bonus (Mar): 3.4%, 3.4% forecast, 3.6% previous.
•EU Trade Balance (Mar) 7.8B, 5.4B forecast, 11.1B previous.
•German 5-Year Bobl Auction 2.850%, 2.740% previous.
•Canada Core CPI (MoM) (Apr): 0.2%, 0.2% previous.
•Canada Core CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.1%, 2.5% previous.
•Canada CPI (MoM) (Apr): 0.4%, 0.7% forecast, 0.9% previous.
•Canada Building Permits (MoM) (Mar): 10.3%, 2.1% forecast, -7.8% previous.
•Canada New Housing Price Index (MoM) (Apr): -0.4%, 0.0% forecast, -0.2% previous.
•Canada Common CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.5%, 2.6% forecast, 2.6% previous.
•Canada CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.8%, 3.1% forecast, 2.4% previous.
•Canada Median CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.1%, 2.3% forecast, 2.3% previous.
•Canada Trimmed CPI (YoY) (Apr): 2.0%, 2.2% forecast, 2.2% previous.
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
• 16:00 GlobalDairyTrade Price Index 1.5% previous.
• 16:00 NZ Milk Auctions 4,127.0 previous.
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
•No Events Ahead
Currency Summaries
EUR/USD : The euro slipped lower against on Tuesday as investors ?focused on a possible hawkish shift by the Federal Reserve to curb energy-driven inflation, while uncertainty over a potential peace deal in the Middle East also weighed on sentiment.U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday there was now a "very good chance" of reaching a deal limiting Iran's nuclear programme. However, the terms of Tehran's latest peace proposal, as described in the Iranian reports, appeared little changed ?from Iran's previous offer, which Trump rejected last week as "garbage. Fed funds futures traders are pricing ?in roughly 50% odds that the U.S. central bank could hike rates by December although many analysts said a rate increase is unlikely unless inflation is seen in core consumer prices and inflation expectations break higher.The euro fell 0.38% to $1.1611. . Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1661(Daily high), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1705(SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1603(23.6%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1584(Lower BB).
GBP/USD: Sterling slipped lower on Tuesday after softer UK labour market data reinforced concerns about the strength of the British economy.The unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to 5.0% in March, above expectations for a 4.9% reading, signalling growing pressure in the labour market as businesses continue to scale back hiring activity.Data also showed employers advertised fewer job openings in April, suggesting companies remain cautious amid slowing economic momentum and elevated borrowing costs.The pound had rallied on Monday, briefly climbing to 1.3449, after comments from Andy Burnham triggered a wave of GBP short-covering.Burnham reassured markets by pledging adherence to the UK’s fiscal rules should he become prime minister, easing fears of aggressive government spending and supporting confidence in UK assets.Investor attention is now shifting to the UK inflation report due Wednesday at 0700 GMT. 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 eased on Tuesday as investors digested minutes of the RBA's May meeting.RBA minutes showed policymakers debated holding rates steady or hiking 25 bps to 4.35% at the May meeting.Eight of the nine RBA board members saw a stronger case for a rate hike, citing rising inflation risks from the prolonged Middle East conflict and concerns that a 4.1% cash rate may not be restrictive enough.Members agreed to closely watch incoming data and evolving risks, while noting monetary policy could not change the near-term inflation path and economic growth was likely to remain below potential for some time.Markets are pricing in around a 75% chance of another rate hike in August, with interest rates expected to peak near 4.60% and some risk of rising as high as 4.85. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7175(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7196(SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7098(Lower BB), a break below could take the pair towards 0.7084(50%fib).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar firmed on Tuesday as greenback as stronger dollar offset stronger-than-expected Japan's Q1 GDP data. Japan’s economy expanded faster than expected in Q1, supported by strong exports and steady consumer spending, data showed. Japan’s real GDP grew at an annualised 2.1% in the first quarter, data showed on Tuesday, beating the median forecast of 1.7% and improving from a revised 0.8% expansion in the October–December quarter. The world’s fourth-largest economy expanded for a second straight quarter, supported by strong exports, with net external demand contributing 0.3 percentage point to growth, data showed. The data will be closely watched by the Bank of Japan as it evaluates whether the economy can withstand the energy shock and consider raising interest rates as soon as next month. Immediate resistance can be seen at 159.08(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
European shares advanced on Tuesday after investors welcomed news that the U.S. had paused an attack on Iran following Tehran's latest peace proposal, with the chances of a deal seeming close.
At GMT (13:40) UK's benchmark FTSE 100 was last trading up at 0.15 percent, Germany's Dax was up by 0.83 percent, France’s CAC was up by 0.08 percent.
Commodities Recap
Gold prices fell more than 2% on Tuesday as a stronger U.S. dollar and lingering inflation concerns reinforced expectations for higher interest rates, pushing Treasury yields higher and reducing demand for the non-yielding metal..
Spot gold fell 2% to $4,474.40 per ounce by 9:41 a.m. ET (1341 GMT). ?Prices fell to their lowest level since March 30 earlier ?in the session.
Oil prices fell on Tuesday, with Brent crude down 1%, after President Donald Trump paused a planned attack on Iran to allow Middle East peace negotiations.
Brent futures for July were down $1.27, or 1.13%, at $110.83 a barrel by 1319 GMT. The U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude contract for June delivery .