Posted at 07 October 2026 / Categories Market Roundups
Market Roundup
• Australia Building Approvals (MoM) (Aug) -6.1%, -6.1% forecast, -1.9% previous
• Australia Building Approvals (YoY) (Aug) 10.3%, 10.3% forecast, 10.9% previous
• Australia Private House Approvals (Aug) 3.7%, 3.7% forecast, -1.9% previous
• Japan Leading Index (MoM) (Aug) 0.4%, 1.5% previous
• Japan Coincident Indicator (MoM) (Aug) -1.9%, 1.7% previous
• Japan Leading Index (Aug) 118.0, 118.1 forecast, 117.7 previous
• UK Halifax House Price Index (MoM) (Sep) 0.0%, 0.0% forecast, -0.3% previous
• UK Halifax House Price Index (YoY) (Sep) 0.0%, -0.4% previous
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
•07:00 France Reserve Assets Total (Sep) 380.694B previous
•07:00 France Trade Balance (Aug) -6.5B, -6.7B previous
•07:00 France Exports (Aug) 54.7B previous
•07:00 France Imports (Aug) 61.3B previous
•07:00 France Current Account (Aug) -4.70B previous
•Switzerland Foreign Reserves (USD) (Sep) 770.073B previous
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
•No Data Ahead
Currency Forecast
EUR/USD : The euro slipped on Wednesday as French bonds rallied after far-right presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen unveiled plans for deeper spending cuts. The yen also weakened despite dovish Bank of Japan board member Ayano Sato saying she would support further interest-rate increases.Global bond yields have risen in recent weeks amid expectations of higher central bank rates and growing concerns over government finances. French debt remains under pressure as politicians struggle to rein in the budget deficit ahead of the divisive 2027 presidential election, while Spain’s snap election has added to pressure on the euro.The euro had rallied sharply on Tuesday after Le Pen raised her proposed spending cuts to €140 billion ($158 billion), from the €125 billion in savings initially outlined if she wins power in 2027. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1294(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1393(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1188(23.6%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1111(Lower BB).
GBP/USD: The pound edged lower on Wednesday as US dollar recouped some losses as eyes turned to the release of Federal Reserve minutes and speeches by its policymakers for signals on a potential rate hike.The greenback also benefited from safe-haven demand after Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis attacked Aden International Airport. To end a war that's roiled energy markets and stoked inflation for eight months.The dollar index =USD, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.16% to 102.07, recovering from a 0.27% slide on Tuesday. Markets are now pricing in a 90% chance of a Bank of England rate hike at its November meeting. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3297(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3339(SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3165(23.6%fib), a break below could take the pair towards1.3111 (Lower BB).
AUD/USD: The Australian dollar slipped lower from three-day high on Wednesday as investors awaited central bank updates for indications on the direction of monetary policy.Later on Wednesday, the US central bank will release minutes from its September 15-16 meeting, when policymakers raised interest rates to tackle inflation.Meanwhile, RBA’s October 13 meeting minutes will be the next major focus and are expected to sound hawkish, reflecting the board’s unanimous decision to lift interest rates.Markets will look for clues on whether policymakers considered the hike enough, their view of the risks and the prospect of another rate move in the months ahead.September employment data next week could provide fresh clues on the outlook, following the unexpected jump in the unemployment rate to 4.6% in August, a five-year high.Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.6991(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7063(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.6937 (Oct 5th low), a break below could take the pair towards 0.6900(23.6% fib)
USD /JPY : The U.S. dollar edged higher against the yen on Wednesday as dollar firmed ahead of . BOJ Policy Board member Sato has adopted a more hawkish stance, saying he now supports rate hikes. Sato previously dissented at the latest BOJ meeting in favour of keeping rates unchanged, alongside fellow newcomer Asada.BOJ policymaker Ayano Sato supports raising interest rates in several stages, Kyodo reported Wednesday, suggesting even dovish board members recognise the need to address inflation risks.Sato, appointed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, was one of two dissenters against the BOJ’s September rate increase after joining the nine-member board in June.After spending ?years treading cautiously in policy normalisation, the BOJ picked up pace in raising rates by hiking in June and September as the Iran war-induced energy shock added to price pressures ?from rising import costs via a weak yen. Immediate resistance can be seen at 158.00(Psychological level), an upside break can trigger rise towards 158.48(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 156.46(SMA 20) a break below could take the pair towards 156.13(61.8%fib).
Equities Recap
Asian markets edged lower on Wednesday as investor confidence softened, while oil prices climbed on storm risks in the Gulf of Mexico and rising Saudi-Houthi tensions.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down by 0.59% , Hang Seng was down at 0.50%, South Korea’s KOSPI was down at 1.80%
Commodities Recap
Gold prices ?slipped on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened, while investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve's September meeting for clues on whether policymakers remain inclined to raise rates further.
Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,138.34 per ounce by 0451 GMT. US gold futures dropped 0.5% to $4,164.70.
Oil prices ?climbed on Wednesday as the market weighed supply constraints from a storm heading for US oil-producing regions and attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia against increased supplies of Middle East crude.
Brent futures rose $1.05, or 1.04%, to $101.63 a barrel by 0400 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 80 cents, or 0.89%, to $90.24 a barrel.