Posted at 18 August 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• UK Claimant Count Change (Jul) -11.0K, 16.5K forecast, -6.4K previous
•UK Employment Change 3M/3M (MoM) (Jun) 83K, 147K previous
•UK Unemployment Rate (Jun) 4.9%, 4.8% forecast, 4.9% previous
•UK Average Earnings Index +Bonus (Jun) 4.1%, 4.0% forecast, 4.4% previous
•UK Average Earnings ex Bonus (Jun) 3.5%, 3.4% forecast, 3.4% previous
•Spanish Trade Balance (Jun) -7.69B, -8.24B previous
•UK Labour Productivity (Q1) 0.5%, -0.5% forecast, -0.7% previous
•German ZEW Current Conditions (Aug) -61.1, -68.8 forecast, -77.6 previous
•German ZEW Economic Sentiment (Aug) 34.2, 30.1 forecast, 26.3 previous
•Canada Housing Starts (Jul) 229.1K, 249.0K forecast, 240.8K previous
•US Export Price Index (MoM) (Jul) -1.3%, 0.2% forecast, -0.7% previous
•US Housing Starts (MoM) (Jul) -12.4%, 19.7% previous
•US Housing Starts (Jul) 1.239M, 1.340M forecast, 1.415M previous
•US Import Price Index (MoM) (Jul) -0.4%, 0.1% forecast, -0.3% previous
•US Building Permits (Jul) 1.443M, 1.370M forecast, 1.374M previous
•US Building Permits (MoM) (Jul) 5.0%, -2.6% previous
•US Import Price Index (YoY) (Jul) 5.9%, 7.1% previous
•US Export Price Index (YoY) (Jul) 8.2%, 10.2% previous
•US Redbook (YoY) 7.6%, 8.3% previous
•US Industrial Production (YoY) (Jul) 1.08%, 1.29% previous
•US Industrial Production (MoM) (Jul) 0.2%, 0.3% forecast, 0.3% previous
•US Manufacturing Production (MoM) (Jul) 0.2%, 0.2% forecast, 0.3% previous
•US Capacity Utilization Rate (Jul) 76.3%, 76.3% forecast, 76.2% previous
•US Pending Home Sales (MoM) (Jul) -2.3%, 0.1% forecast, -4.8% previous
•US Pending Home Sales Index (Jul) 71.2, 72.9 previous
•US Atlanta Fed GDPNow (Q3) 4.0%, 4.3% forecast, 4.3% previous
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
•No Data ahead
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro eased against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday as investors scaled back expectations of near-term monetary tightening, while escalating Middle East tensions kept risk sentiment fragile. Recent U.S. data, including unexpected job losses, weaker retail sales and subdued inflation, have pointed to a softer economy and reduced expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike. Markets now see around a 35% probability of a Fed rate increase at the September meeting, down from 52.2% a week earlier, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Investors have also reduced expectations for further tightening by the end of the year, Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1633(Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1655(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1525(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1497(SMA 20).
GBP/USD: The pound eased on Tuesday after UK labour market data pointed to a further slowdown in employment conditions, with private-sector wage growth weakening and job vacancies falling to their lowest level outside the pandemic since 2014. Private-sector regular earnings rose 2.8% year-on-year in the three months to June, marking the weakest growth since late 2020 and matching the Bank of England’s forecast.The unemployment rate remained at 4.9%, above economists’ expectations for a decline to 4.8%, while job vacancies fell to 707,000 in the three months to July from 711,000 previously. The softer labour-market figures reduced expectations for further near-term BoE rate hikes and weighed slightly on sterling.Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3602(Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3648(23.6%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3503(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards1.3427(SMA 20).
AUD/USD: The Australian dollar weakened against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on risk sentiment and raised concerns over further disruptions to global energy supplies. Iran’s increasingly aggressive stance amid stalled peace negotiations has heightened uncertainty, while Brent crude climbed above $91 a barrel as fears over supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz intensified.Market attention is also turning to comments from RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser, who is scheduled to speak in Brisbane on Wednesday, followed by Australia’s July employment report on Thursday. Economists expect employment to increase by 15,000, while the unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 4.4%. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7126(Higher BB%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7204(May 29th high).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7080 (Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 07034(50%fib).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar strengthened on Tuesday as the standoff in the Middle East heightened inflation concerns, while rising expectations of a near-term Bank of Japan rate hike supported the yen. The BOJ is widely expected to raise interest rates at its September meeting, with recent hawkish comments from policymakers and media reports suggesting the central bank could adopt a more aggressive tightening path. Japan’s government bond yields have also surged as markets increasingly price in further rate increases, with the 10-year yield reaching its highest level since 1996.Immediate resistance can be seen at 160.20 (SMA 20), an upside break can trigger rise towards 160.67(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 159.16(50%fib) a break below could take the pair towards 158.63 (Aug 14th low).
Equities Recap
European shares edged lower on Tuesday as rising crude oil prices weighed on sentiment amid fading hopes for a lasting U.S.-Iran peace deal, while higher euro zone bond yields added pressure as investors remained concerned about persistent inflation.
UK's benchmark FTSE 100 was up by 0.31 percent, Germany's Dax was down by 0.69 percent, France’s CAC was down by 060 percent.
Commodities Recap
Gold prices fell on Tuesday as Treasury yields surged to multi-decade highs, increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. Rising oil prices amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions also fueled inflation concerns, adding further pressure on gold.
Spot gold had eased 0.5% to $4,393.11 per ounce by 9:51 a.m. EDT (1351 GMT), while U.S. ?gold futures for December delivery dropped 0.6% to $4,448.
Oil prices edged higher for a third straight session on Tuesday as hopes faded for a deal to end the Middle East conflict. Iran signaled a more offensive stance, while the U.S. ruled out extending a ceasefire, raising concerns over prolonged disruptions to energy supplies.
Brent crude futures were up 20 cents, or 0.22%, to $91.07 a barrel at 1203 GMT. U.S. ?West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 49 cents, or 0.58%, at $84.99 a barrel.