The USD/JPY pair trades on a flat note near 159.60 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. Trading volumes are likely to be thin due to the Good Friday holiday. All eyes will be on the US March Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report, which will be published later on Friday.
AUD/USD gains ground after registering modest losses in the previous day, trading around 0.6910 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) softens, even amid stronger safe-haven demand due to escalating Middle East tensions.
China's Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) eased to 52.1 in March from 56.7 in February, the latest data published by RatingDog showed on Friday. This figure came in weaker than the expectations of 53.7.
China RatingDog Services PMI came in at 52.1 below forecasts (53.7) in March
The EUR/USD pair posts modest gains around 1.1540 during the early Asian session on Friday. Trading volumes are likely to be thin due to the Good Friday holiday. The US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report for March will take center stage later on Friday.
Japan Jibun Bank Services PMI came in at 53.4, above expectations (52.8) in March
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said on Thursday that he is concerned about the timing of rising oil prices, stating that they could hinder efforts to reduce inflation.
US President Donald Trump touted the destruction of a bridge in Tehran, Iran. He warned that there was “much more to follow” and urged Tehran to “make a deal before it is too late."
The GBP/JPY consolidates at around 211.00 as risk appetite turned sour due to increasing tensions in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump revealed that the US forces' mission would extend between two and three weeks.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could slap up to 100% on certain imported medicines from companies that don't reach deals with his administration in the coming months, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.
Gold price (XAU/USD) remains on the defensive near $4,675 during the early Asian session on Friday. The precious metal falls as US President Donald Trump's comments about the war with Iran spiked oil prices. Trading activity remains muted due to Good Friday.
UOB’s Global Economics & Markets Research, led by Enrico Tanuwidjaja and Vincentius Ming Shen, notes that Indonesia’s trade surplus widened slightly in February 2026 to USD1.27bn, extending 70 months of gains.
