Posted at 22 May 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• Japan National Core CPI (YoY) (Apr): 1.4%, 1.7% forecast, 1.8% previous.
• Japan National CPI (MoM) (Apr): 0.1%, 0.4% previous.
•Japan CPI, n.s.a (MoM) (Apr): 0.3%, 0.4% previous.
•Japan National CPI (YoY) (Apr): 1.4%, 1.5% forecast, 1.4% previous.
•Germany GDP (QoQ) (Q1): 0.3%, 0.3% forecast, 0.2% previous.
•Germany GDP (YoY) (Q1): 0.4%, 0.3% forecast, 0.4% previous.
•Germany GfK Consumer Climate (Jun): -29.8, -33.7 forecast, -33.1 previous.
•UK Retail Sales (YoY) (Apr): 0.0%, 1.3% forecast, 1.4% previous.
•UK Core Retail Sales (YoY) (Apr): 1.1%, 1.5% forecast, 1.5% previous.
•UK Core Retail Sales (MoM) (Apr): -0.4%, -0.3% forecast, 0.1% previous.
•UK Retail Sales (MoM) (Apr): -1.3%, -0.6% forecast, 0.6% previous.
•UK Public Sector Net Cash Requirement (Apr): 9.547B, 29.023B previous.
•UK Public Sector Net Borrowing (Apr): 24.30B, 20.70B forecast, 11.50B previous.
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
• 08:00 German Business Expectations (May) 83.5 forecast, 83.3 previous.
• 08:00 German Current Assessment (May) 85.1 forecast, 85.4 previous.
• 08:00 German Ifo Business Climate Index (May) 84.2 forecast, 84.4 previous.
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
• 09:30 ECB President Lagarde Speaks
•11:00 Eurogroup Meetings
Currency Summaries
EUR/USD : The euro slipped lower on Friday as mixed signals surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran peace deal fueled volatility across financial markets, although investors remained hopeful about possible progress. Washington and Tehran continued to disagree over Iran’s uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz, despite U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noting there had been “some good signs” in negotiations. The dollar was a touch higher and stood at 99.23 against a basket of currencies , not ?far from a peak of 99.515 hit in the previous session, its highest since April 7.The euro , which was headed for a second weekly ?loss, was down 0.1% on the day at $1.1607. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1635(May 21st high), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1693(SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1577(23.6%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1561(Lower BB).
GBP/USD: Sterling eased on Friday as a softer-than-expected UK retail sales data. British retail sales fell by the most in nearly a year in April, according ?to official figures published on Friday that added to signs of waning consumer spending against the backdrop of the Iran war and rising energy costs.Retail sales volumes tumbled by 1.3% on the month in April, the biggest monthly decline ?since May 2025, when they dropped by 1.4%, the Office ?for National Statistics said. They rose 0.6% in March. Separate ONS data showed bigger-than-expected government borrowing last month, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing finance minister Rachel Reeves. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3440(50%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3509(SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3328(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3301(Lower BB).
AUD/USD: Australian dollar traded slightly lower on Friday in subdued conditions as investors remained cautious amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.Market participants continue to seek clearer signals on the trajectory U.S.-Iran peace talks, with reports of diplomatic progress offset by persistent disagreements over key issues. In Australia, interest rate expectations remain firmly anchored, with futures pricing implying an 88.7% probability that the Reserve Bank of Australia will keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at its June meeting. Looking ahead, domestic data will be closely watched. The April monthly CPI update due Wednesday will provide fresh insight into inflation persistence, while Q1 capital expenditure data on Thursday will help gauge business investment momentum both key inputs for assessing the RBA’s policy stance. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7155(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7187(SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7083(Lower BB), a break below could take the pair towards 0.7066(50%fib).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar gained modestly on Friday as softer inflation in Japan reduced the urgency for the BOJ to tighten monetary policy. Japan’s annual core inflation slowed to a four-year low in April, driven by government subsidies on fuel and education costs, data showed on Friday. However, analysts expect escalating Middle East tensions and rising energy prices to push inflation higher in the coming months. Japan’s core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food prices, rose 1.4% in April from a year earlier, slowing sharply from March's 1.8% increase and missing the median market forecast of a 1.7% gain. The data will be among the key factors scrutinised by the Bank of Japan at next month's policy meeting, where the board is widely expected to raise its short-term policy rate to 1% from 0.75%.Junko Koeda said on Thursday she was closely monitoring the speed and extent of the pass-through from wholesale prices to consumer inflation when assessing the pace and timing of future interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Immediate resistance can be seen at 159.133(May 21st high) an upside break can trigger rise towards 160.00(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 rose on Friday while the U.S. dollar sat near six- week ?highs and oil prices were whipsawed as investors held on to hopes of a breakthrough in U.S.-Iran peace talks although both sides remained at odds over key issues.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down by 2.74% , Hang Seng was up at 0.82%, China A50 was up at 0.68%
Commodities Recap
Gold edged lower on Friday, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar and as elevated oil prices have raised expectations for interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Spot gold was down 0.3% at $4,527.60 per ounce, as of 0411 GMT. The ?metal has shed about 0.2% so far in the week.
Oil prices climbed on Friday but were on track for a weekly loss as investors doubted the prospects of a breakthrough in U.S.-Iran peace talks.
Brent crude futures rose $1.66, or 1.6%, to $104.24 a barrel by 0405 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were up $1.11, or 1.2%, at $97.46.