Economic Report

Key Takeaways Modest gains for sterling and euro: GBP/USD rose 0.04% to 1.3606, while EUR/USD added 0.11% to 1.1744 in thin trading. Yen intervention echoes 2024: Japan’s suspected move recalls last year’s $30 billion-plus operations, which briefly dragged USD/JPY to 152 before the pair surpassed its prior high just two …

Key Takeaways Headline CPI ticks up: Tokyo headline inflation rose to 1.5% in April from 1.4% in March. Core falls below target: Tokyo core CPI dropped to 1.5% from 1.7%, missing the 1.8% forecast and slipping further below the BOJ’s 2% target — a four-year low. Underlying gauge softens: Inflation …

Key Takeaways Prices slip: Spot gold fell 0.5% to $4,600.06/oz, while gold futures dropped 0.4% to $4,611.54/oz — both close to one-month lows. Quiet trading: Volumes were muted due to market holidays across most of Asia. Two months of losses: Spot gold lost roughly 1% in April, extending March’s near …

Key Takeaways Yen reverses gains: USD/JPY rose 0.4% on Friday after plunging more than 2% in the prior session on reported Tokyo intervention. Tokyo defends 160 line: The Japanese government stepped in after USD/JPY breached the historically sensitive 160 yen level. Tokyo CPI disappoints: Softer-than-expected April inflation added pressure on …

Key Takeaways Prices stay elevated: Brent crude futures for July rose 0.4% to $110.87/barrel; WTI for June held flat at $105.20. Four-year high: The expiring June Brent contract hit over $126 per barrel on Thursday — the highest since the 2022 Russia-Ukraine crisis. Trump weighs strikes: The president is considering …

Japan stunned global currency markets after authorities stepped into the foreign exchange market for the first time in nearly two years, unleashing what traders quickly dubbed a fresh “Yentervention” campaign to halt the yen’s relentless slide against the US dollar.Yen Panic Triggers Japan’s Dramatic “Yentervention” ComebackThe move sparked widespread panic …

Volkswagen managed to steady its financial performance in the first quarter, leaning heavily on aggressive cost reductions to offset weakening global demand and a sharp downturn in China. While revenues slipped and margins narrowed, the underlying picture shows a company relying more on efficiency than growth to stay resilient.Revenue fell …

In a highly complex economic and political environment, Jerome Powell has chosen to remain on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve despite the end of his term as Chair. The decision reflects a clear understanding of the sensitivity surrounding the current phase of the US economy, as Kevin …

Global oil markets erupted into fresh turmoil after reports emerged that Washington is reviewing new military options tied to the escalating Iran conflict, sending crude prices soaring to their highest levels since 2022 and reigniting fears of a global inflation shock.Brent crude briefly surged above $126 a barrel before retreating …

Gold Gold posted a modest rebound on Thursday, recovering after recent losses as the US Dollar US Dollar weakened. The metal climbed back above the $4,600 level, finding short-term support after dipping to a one-month low in the previous session.Currency Pressure Ignites DemandThe move higher was largely driven by the …