Key Takeaways Dollar index firms slightly: The DXY ticked up 0.1% to 98.70, with the euro down 0.1% at $1.1698 and the pound 0.1% lower at $1.3502. Fed expected to hold: Rates likely to stay at 3.5%-3.75%, with the WSJ reporting potential hawkish tweaks to forward guidance — possibly removing …

Key Takeaways Steady but stuck: Bitcoin held near $77,000, last trading 0.5% higher at $76,614, as investors await the Fed verdict. Technical ceiling: IG analysts identify the $78,000-$79,500 zone as a stubborn resistance barrier, with profit-taking repeatedly capping advances. Range-bound pattern: Sharp rallies followed by consolidation phases reflect a market …

Key Takeaways Bullion under pressure: Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $4,593.04 per ounce, while gold futures eased 0.1% to $4,606.31 — both near one-month lows. Dollar steals the show: Safe-haven buyers have flocked to the greenback rather than gold amid the Iran war uncertainty. Mixed metals picture: Spot silver rose …

Key Takeaways Strategic shift: Trump has directed aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran, opting for sustained economic pressure over renewed military strikes or rushed diplomacy. Calculated bet: The administration views a long blockade as less risky than either resuming large-scale bombing or pursuing a rapid diplomatic exit, …

Key Takeaways Mixed open across Europe: The Stoxx 600 rose 0.2%, Germany’s DAX gained 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.1%, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1%. Adidas dazzles: Shares jumped over 7% after better-than-expected first-quarter operating profit despite a “very volatile and heavily discounted” retail environment. UBS surges: …

Key Takeaways Sharp acceleration: Australian CPI surged to 4.6% in March, up dramatically from 3.7% in the prior quarter, though slightly below the 4.8% forecast. Monthly record: CPI jumped 1.1% month-on-month — the largest monthly increase since the series began in 2017, driven primarily by soaring transportation costs. Fuel the …

Key Takeaways Prices steady near highs: Brent crude rose 0.2% to $111.51 per barrel, while WTI eased 0.3% to $99.63 — both still hovering near their strongest levels since late March after Tuesday’s 3%+ surge. Extended blockade ahead: A WSJ report says Trump has instructed aides to prepare for a …

Key Takeaways Mixed futures: S&P 500 futures fell 0.6%, Nasdaq 100 futures slid 1.2%, while Dow futures rose 0.3% as markets digested fresh headwinds. Trump rebuffs Iran offer: The president is reportedly displeased with Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while postponing nuclear talks — a deal-breaker given …

Key Takeaways Renewed pullback: Bitcoin slid 1.1% to $76,919.8 after another failed breakout attempt, having briefly jumped above $79,000 on Monday before encountering profit-taking. Oil pressure intensifies: Brent crude near $110 per barrel — driven by the Hormuz standoff — is fueling inflation fears and sapping risk appetite. Trump skeptical …

Key Takeaways Shares tumble: Barclays stock dropped more than 3% after first-quarter results came in just shy of expectations. Profit narrowly misses: Pre-tax profit of £2.81 billion fell fractionally below the £2.83 billion consensus. Buyback shock: The £500 million share repurchase came in well under the £614 million the market …