Commerzbank economists Dr. Henry Hao and Volkmar Baur say China’s industrial profits surged early in 2026, led by AI-related electronics, but this strength predates the recent energy shock.
United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions climbed from previous £-65.5K to £-58.4K
Japan CFTC JPY NC Net Positions: ¥-62.8K vs ¥-67.8K
United States CFTC Gold NC Net Positions climbed from previous $159.9K to $168.3K
United States CFTC S&P 500 NC Net Positions climbed from previous $-113.1K to $-80.9K
United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions rose from previous 218.7K to 233.6K
Eurozone CFTC EUR NC Net Positions declined to €9.3K from previous €21.1K
Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions rose from previous $69.1K to $70.9K
DBS Group Research expects Indonesia’s March CPI inflation to stay firm at 4% year-on-year, slightly below February’s 4.8%, but with a faster monthly pace. Analysts highlight the impact of higher energy prices and festive demand, as well as base effects.
Societe Generale’s Kunal Kundu analyses how the Iran conflict exposes India’s macro vulnerabilities through imported energy dependence and trade route risks. Kundu highlights broad spillovers from higher Oil and gas prices into the consumption basket and external balances.
Gold (XAU/USD) price rallies over 3% on Friday as dip buyers emerge, amid the conflict entering its fifth week of hostilities, with no signs of de-escalation, and as inflation pressures rise. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades at $4,510 after bouncing off daily lows of $4,375.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) edges lower against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, with AUD/USD extending losses for a fourth straight day as the Greenback remains broadly supported amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
