Posted at 24 July 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• Australia Manufacturing & Services PMI (Jul) 52.60, 50.40 previous
• Australia Judo Bank Manufacturing PMI (Jul) 51.70, 51.50 previous
• Australia Judo Bank Services PMI (Jul) 53.00, 50.50 previous
•Japan National Core CPI (YoY) (Jun) 1.60%, 1.40% previous
•Japan National CPI (MoM) (Jun) 0.30%, 0.40% previous
•Japan CPI, n.s.a (MoM) (Jun) 0.00%, 0.50% previous
•Japan National CPI (YoY) (Jun) 1.70%, 1.50% previous
•Japan Foreign Bonds Buying -714.40B, 1,090.00B previous
•Japan Foreign Investments in Japanese Stocks -79.60B, 742.60B previous
•Japan au Jibun Bank Services PMI (Jul) 51.90, 52.20 previous
•Japan Manufacturing & Services PMI (Jul) 53.10, 52.80 previous
•Japan au Jibun Bank Manufacturing PMI (Jul) 54.70, 54.80 previous
•UK Retail Sales (YoY) (Jun) 4.20%, 3.50% previous
•UK Core Retail Sales (YoY) (Jun) 5.40%, 4.90% previous
•UK Core Retail Sales (MoM) (Jun) 1.10%, 1.20% previous
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
• 09:00 Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI (Jul) 51.50, 51.40 previous
• 09:00 Eurozone HCOB Services PMI (Jul) 49.80, 49.40 previous
• 09:00 Eurozone HCOB Composite PMI (Jul) 50.30, 50.00 previous
• 09:30 UK S&P Global Services PMI (Jul) 49.40, 48.80 previous
• 09:30 UK S&P Global Composite PMI (Jul) 49.70, 49.30 previous
• 09:30 UK S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (Jul) 52.00, 52.50 previous
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
• No Events Ahead
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro edged higher on Friday as further escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran kept investors cautious. Investors are focused on next week's Fed meeting, where policymakers are widely expected to ?keep rates unchanged. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to "hold Iran responsible" for any further attacks.The Iran-aligned Houthis had declared on Monday that they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, which had been diverting its oil via pipeline to get around Iran's closure of the Strait ?of Hormuz. Traders are pricing in about an 81% chance ?of a ?hike in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The European Central Bank held rates as expected on Thursday but kept the door open for another increase in September.Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1497(Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1526(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1437(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1324(23.6%fib).
GBP/USD :The pound was little changed on Friday after data showed British retail sales ?rose in June.British retail sales ?rose unexpectedly in June as shoppers increased their spending on air conditioning and clothing, official data showed on Friday, adding to signs of a pickup in the economy spurred by warm weather and the soccer World Cup.Sales volumes in June rose 1.0%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, well above economists' forecasts for a 0.3% fall in a Reuters poll.Burnham took office this week and has made easing the cost of living for households his top priority. His government has announced a cut in tax on electricity bills and a lower cap for bus fares.British inflation slowed in June, as motor fuel and food prices fell during ?a brief ceasefire in the Gulf conflict, while the downturn in the jobs market has shown signs of stabilising. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3454(Daily high), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3485(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3343(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards1.3296(SMA 20).
AUD/USD: The Australian dollar edged higher on Friday but gains were limited as risk sentiment deteriorated as escalating U.S.-Iran hostilities kept investors cautious.President Donald Trump on Thursday vowed "major military punishment" against Iran and its Houthi allies after the Yemen-based militant group attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a sharp escalation in regional tension. Trump warned that any further assaults on international shipping or U.S. allies would trigger a forceful military response, raising concerns that the conflict could broaden further.Traders will now turn their attention to Australia's second-quarter CPI report due on Wednesday, which is expected to play a crucial role in shaping RBA policy expectations.Markets imply a 40% chance the RBA will lift the 4.35% cash rate in August, up from just 10% a few weeks ago, with a move by November almost fully priced. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7026 (Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7000(Psychological level).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.6960(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 0.6917(July 17th low).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar hovered near fresh four-decade low as repeated warnings of possible intervention failing to curb the currency’s weakness amid broad US dollar strength.Markets largely ignored Japan's Finance Minister's warning of potential currency market intervention, as well as reports suggesting Bank of Japan policymakers are willing to accelerate the pace of rate hikes.Expectations for a Bank of Japan rate hike in October strengthened after a Bloomberg report said BOJ officials are open to raising interest rates faster than economists currently expect.Broader market fundamentals continue to support the U.S. dollar, with escalating Middle East tensions boosting demand for the greenback as a safe-haven asset. Immediate resistance can be seen at 162.73(23.6%fib) an upside break can trigger rise towards 163.00(Psychological level) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 160.81(38.2%fib) a break below could take the pair towards 159.58(50%fib).
Equities Recap
Asian equities fell on Friday as a sharp rise in oil prices, driven by escalating Gulf tensions, reignited inflation concerns across global markets.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down by 2.76% , KOSPI was down at 5.72%, China A50 was down at 1.04%
Commodities Recap
Gold prices edged lower on Friday after dropping 2% in the previous session, pressured by rising inflation worries as Brent crude climbed back above $100 a barrel.
Spot gold eased 0.2% to $4,037.29 per ?ounce by 0702 GMT, with prices down more than $130 from a two-week high ?hit on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures for August delivery were 0.3% lower ?at $4,039.80. Bullion was still on track for a small weekly gain of 0.5%.
Oil prices fell on Friday but remained on track for strong weekly gains as concerns over Red Sea supply disruptions and escalating U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran continued to support prices.
Brent futures fell $1.12, or 1.11%, to $99.55 a barrel at 0648 GMT, having settled up 7% above $100 in the previous session for the first time since May, after Iran-aligned Houthis said ?they struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.