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.
DBS Group Research sees South Korea’s March exports remaining in double-digit growth, supported by strong AI and data centre demand, higher memory prices and supply shortages, leading to a wider trade surplus despite rising import costs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) tumbled on Friday, shedding roughly 510 points or 1.1% to fall below 45,500 and officially enter correction territory.
NZD/USD falls for the fourth consecutive day and trades around 0.5750 on Friday, down 0.17% at the time of writing, pressured by renewed risk aversion and the resilience of the US Dollar (USD).
ING’s Deepali Bhargava warns that higher Oil prices and supply disruptions are worsening growth, inflation and external balances in the Philippines.
United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count down to 409 from previous 414
Standard Chartered’s Dan Pan and Erwin He note that Banxico’s surprise 25 bps cut and guidance for another easing step have increased downside risks for the Mexican Peso (MXN). They highlight crowded MXN long positioning and a narrower carry advantage versus other EM high-yielders.
The British Pound (GBP) holds firm during the North American session on Friday, clings above the 1.3300 figure, yet seems poised to finish the week with 0.20% losses against the US Dollar (USD).
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Oil rises sharply and trades around $96.00 at the time of writing on Friday, up 3.55% on the day.
Gold (XAU/USD) edges higher on Friday, rebounding after falling nearly 2.75% the previous day, as evolving geopolitical headlines around the US-Israel war with Iran continue to drive volatility across global markets. At the time of writing, XAU/USD is trading around $4,527, up over 3.00% on the day.
