Author: FX

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. At the time of writing, the pair is trading around 0.6866, slipping to fresh two-month lows.The US Dollar continues to draw support from its status as the world’s primary reserve currency, with investors turning to the Greenback to meet funding needs and seek safety during periods of heightened market stress.At the same time, rising Oil prices are indirectly boosting demand for the USD, as…

The mood in markets continues to deteriorate into the weekend. I don’t know if that’s pricing in the chance of a weekend escalation or it’s a realization the war could go on for another month (or longer) and that could cripple energy markets. Tech had been vulnerable to AI narratives unwinding all year and it’s worsening now.I worry that we’re still a long way from pricing in a global recession, energy shock and rate hikes. The market has shown patience with the war but Marco Rubio today indicated another two to four weeks. At the outset, Trump said 4-5 weeks…

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. CPI is projected around 2.3% year-on-year, above target, prompting government measures including fuel caps, reserve releases, energy-saving campaigns and a KRW 25 trillion supplementary budget.Robust exports but inflation stays above target”South Korea: March trade and CPI data will be the key focus this week, marking the first set of economic releases following the outbreak of the Iran conflict.””Export growth is expected to remain robust…

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. The S&P 500 lost around 1%, bringing its decline from its record high to over 8%, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.3% after entering correction territory a day earlier. Friday’s slide capped a fifth consecutive weekly decline for the broad market, the longest losing streak since 2022, as Strait of Hormuz disruptions and fading confidence in a diplomatic resolution with Iran kept risk appetite firmly in check.Strait of Hormuz disruptions rattle energy marketsOil prices surged on…

I don’t know how much anyone believes any of this. On the dawn of this war, Trump was saying they were planning for negotiations and Marco Rubio was going to the Middle East. That this news was also leaked suggests that it was deliberately leaked.There has been a kneejerk lower in oil on this but that’s from the highs of the day. Just before the headlines, WTI was up $4.31 to $98.77 so this could just be an effort to cool pump prices for the weekend.The report says:The Trump administration is signaling to allies that it has no immediate plans…

High risk warning: Foreign exchange trading carries a high level of risk that may not be suitable for all investors. Leverage creates additional risk and loss exposure. Before you decide to trade foreign exchange, carefully consider your investment objectives, experience level, and risk tolerance. You could lose some or all your initial investment; do not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. Educate yourself on the risks associated with foreign exchange trading and seek advice from an independent financial or tax advisor if you have any questions. Advisory warning: investingLive is not an investment advisor, investingLive provides references and…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks after G7 meeting of foreign ministers: We had a really good meeting at G7we expect the Iran operation to conclude at the appropriate time, we are talking weeks not months.Iran may decide to set up a tolling system on the Strait of Hormuz.There are no meetings scheduled as of now on Russia – Ukraine.Weapons destined for Ukraine are not being diverted but that could happen.Rubio told G7 leaders that the war with Iran will continue for another 4 weeks. There is nothing Russia is doing for Iran’s that impedes our operations.Zelenskyy was told…

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). Risk aversion due to an energy shock caused by the Middle East conflict and the haven appeal of the Greenback keep GBP/USD on its way to monthly losses of more than 1%.Sterling eyes weekly loss as Oil, war worries sour sentiment anewOn Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced a delay in attacks on Iran’s energy facilities for 10 days, until April 6. Initially, the markets cheered the…

Headlines:Markets:WTI crude oil up 3% to $97, Brent crude oil up 3% to $111S&P 500 futures down 0.5% after being up 0.7% in Asia tradingMajor indices in Europe down over 1% across the board, poised to erase early week gainsUSD steady, GBP lags on the day10-year Treasury yields up 4 bps to 4.46%Gold up 0.8% to $4,415Bitcoin down 3.3% to $66,667US president Trump’s call to further delay strikes against Iran by another ten days is failing to provide much relief for markets as de-risking into the weekend takes priority.By prolonging the status quo, it doesn’t really offer much respite for…

The Euro (EUR) is trading lower against the US Dollar (USD) for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, changing hands at 1.1520 at the time of writing, down from weekly highs of 1.1640 on Monday. The pressure of higher Oil prices in the Eurozone economy, coupled with waning hopes of a swift end to the Iran war, is acting as a headwind for any significant Euro recovery.US President Donald Trump provided some hope on Thursday, extending the deadlines to attack Iran’s energy sites into April. Market enthusiasm, however, was short-lived, as the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon would…