Posted at 23 May 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
•Canada Core Retail Sales (MoM) (Mar): 1.4%, 0.9% forecast, 0.6% previous.
•Canada RMPI (MoM) (Apr): 2.6%, 2.7% forecast, 11.9% previous.
•Canada Retail Sales (MoM) (Mar): 0.9%, 0.6% forecast, 0.7% previous.
•Canada RMPI (YoY) (Apr): 31.6%, 23.4% previous.
•Canada IPPI (MoM) (Apr): 2.0%, 1.2% forecast, 2.8% previous.
•Canada IPPI (YoY) (Apr): 11.4%, 8.4% previous.
•Canada Retail Sales (MoM) (Apr): 0.6%, 0.9% previous.
•US Michigan 1-Year Inflation Expectations (May): 4.8%, 4.5% forecast, 4.7% previous.
•US Michigan Consumer Expectations (May): 44.1, 48.5 forecast, 48.1 previous.
•US Michigan Consumer Sentiment (May): 44.8, 48.2 forecast, 48.2 previous.
•US Michigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations (May): 3.9%, 3.4% forecast, 3.4% previous.
•US Michigan Current Conditions (May): 45.8, 47.8 forecast, 47.8 previous.
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
•No Data Ahead
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
• No Events Ahead
Currency Summaries
EUR/USD : The euro slipped lower on Friday as uncertainty over a potential resolution to the prolonged U.S.-Iran standoff kept investors cautious. Washington and Tehran stuck to opposing stances over the latter's uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz, although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been "some good signs" in talks.Analysts ?expect an agreement to include the opening of the strait ?as the region's dependence on oil imports weighs on markets and drives inflation. Official ?data showed German consumer sentiment recovered heading into June, while a separate reading confirmed ?that the economy grew ?by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026. The European Central Bank warned European Union finance ministers on Friday that proposals to issue more euro stable coins could reduce bank lending and make controlling interest rates harder .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 initially dipped but recovered ground on Friday as investors assessed weak UK economic data and ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations.British retail sales fell by the most in nearly a year in April, according to official figures published on Friday, adding to signs of waning consumer spending against the backdrop of the Middle East war and rising energy costs.Earlier this week, separate data also showed that inflation in April was softer than expected, while the unemployment rate ticked up.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that some progress had been made toward a deal with Iran, though significant work remained, while Iran said major differences between the two sides still persisted.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).
USD/CAD: The Canadian dollar weakened on Friday as stronger dollar offset upbeat Canadian retail sales data.The dollar firmed as investors weighed prospects for a Middle East peace deal and the possibility of further Federal Reserve rate hikes amid rising inflation.Canada's retail sales rose 0.9% in March, boosted by higher gasoline prices, while sales volumes fell 0.7%. Preliminary data showed sales likely increased another 0.6% in April.On Tuesday, data showed consumer prices increased less than expected in April, cooling expectations for Bank of Canada interest rate hikes this year.The price of oil , one of Canada's major exports, was trading 0.8% lower at $95.54 a barrel. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3786(50%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3805(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3737(Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3714(61.8%fib)
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar firmed against yen on Friday as traders weighed the prospects of a near-term deal to end the Middle East war and assessed whether the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates if inflation continued to accelerate.The United States has seen some progress towards a deal with Iran but more work is required, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday, while Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said the two sides' differences were deep and significant. Traders are increasingly concerned that ongoing energy disruptions will filter through to core consumer prices, ?potentially forcing a tighter monetary policy response. The Bank of Japan is expected to raise borrowing ?costs only gradually, while other central banks including the European Central Bank are likely to move far more quickly, putting the yen at a disadvantage with yield-seeking investors. Immediate resistance can be seen at 159.2-0(Daily 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
European shares ended Friday at their highest level in over a month, led by technology stocks, as hopes for a potential deal to end the Middle East conflict boosted risk sentiment.
UK's benchmark FTSE 100 closed up by 0.22 percent, Germany's Dax ended down by 1.15 percent, France’s CAC finished the day up by 0.37 percent.
U.S. stocks rose on Friday, with the Dow Jones hitting a record close, as investors welcomed signs of progress in Middle East peace talks and strong corporate earnings.
Dow Jones closed up by 0.58 percent, S&P 500 closed up by 0.37 percent, Nasdaq settled up by 0.19 percent.
Commodities Recap
Gold fell on Friday and was set for a second straight weekly loss, pressured by rising oil prices that kept inflation concerns alive and boosted expectations of further U.S. rate hikes.
Spot gold was down 0.6% at $4,515.83 per ounce, ?by 1:00 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT), after falling 1% earlier in the session. It was ?down 0.4% for the week. U.S. gold futures for June delivery settled 0.4% ?lower at $4,523.20.
Oil prices rose on Friday as investors worried that the U.S. and Iran may fail to reach a peace agreement that would restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures settled at $103.54 a barrel, up 96 cents, or 0.94%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures finished at $96.60 a barrel, up 25 cents or 0.26%. Both had risen over 3% earlier in the session.