United States Michigan Consumer Expectations Index: 46.1 (April) vs previous 51.7
United States Michigan Consumer Expectations Index: 46.1 (April) vs previous 51.7
US: Energy shock complicates Fed path – Commerzbank
Commerzbank’s Bernd Weidensteiner notes that U.S. inflation jumped to 3.3% in March, driven mainly by higher gasoline prices linked to the war in Iran, while core inflation remains moderate.
BoK: Data driven path to possible July hike – ING
ING’s Senior Economist Min Joo Kang notes that the Bank of Korea kept its policy rate at 2.5% and stressed a data-dependent stance as inflation pressures rise and GDP growth projections weaken.
Gold holds firm as uncertainty lingers around US-Iran negotiations
Gold (XAU/USD) holds steady on Friday but lacks strong upside momentum as markets continue to monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East, while traders digest the latest US inflation data.
Fed: Patience maintained with two cuts still projected – TD Securities
Oscar Munoz and the TD Securities US macro team judge that, although core CPI surprised on the soft side and tariff pass-through moderated, it is too early for markets to extrapolate a dovish signal.
US UoM Consumer Sentiment falls to 47.6 in April, its lowest level on record
American consumer confidence deflated in early April, as households grew more pessimistic about current conditions and the broader economic outlook, according to preliminary data from the University of Michigan released on Friday.
EUR/USD extends gains as ceasefire optimism weighs on USD despite firm CPI
The Euro (EUR) edges higher against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, with EUR/USD extending gains for a fifth straight day, as improving risk sentiment following the US-Iran ceasefire announcement offsets the impact of firm US inflation data and keeps the Greenback under pressure.
Oil: Fragile ceasefire keeps supply risks elevated – Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo’s international economics team notes that a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East leaves Oil market risks elevated and conviction on the outlook low.
JPY: Neutral rate debate supports gradual gains – Commerzbank
Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur expects the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to deliver two further rate hikes in 2026, taking policy closer to a rising neutral rate and supporting a modest Japanese Yen appreciation versus Dollar (USD) and Euro (EUR) in the second half of the year.
Canada: Wage strength tempers BoC cut hopes – TD Securities
TD Securities strategists Robert Both and Emma Lawrence note that Canadian labour markets showed a modest rebound in March, with 14k jobs added and the unemployment rate steady at 6.7%.
Iran demands a ceasefire in Lebanon before peace talks
Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said in a post on X on Friday that two previously agreed measures, a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets, must be implemented before negotiations begin.
Russia Consumer Price Index (MoM) above expectations (0.5%) in March: Actual (0.6%)
Russia Consumer Price Index (MoM) above expectations (0.5%) in March: Actual (0.6%)