VT Markets https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Renewed Middle East attacks and rising Federal Reserve hike expectations push the dollar higher, pressuring EUR/USD Standard Chartered expects strong exports to boost April industry, despite softer services; oil raises PPI, energy CPI WTI oil jumps over 3% as Iran hits UAE, stoking Hormuz disruption fears and retaliatory expectations Dutch manufacturing expands as firms stockpile amid Middle East disruptions, lifting Nevi PMI to 2022-highs TD Securities expects Canada’s March trade gap to shrink to CAD 1.5bn, boosted by exports, WTI, autos US equities sank as Persian Gulf tensions revived, pushing the Dow down 1,000 points from highs VT Markets – Reliable Forex & CFD Broker | VT Markets BNP Paribas expects eurozone growth to ease by 2026, while inflation rises into 2027, aiding ECB tightening GBP/USD declines as Hormuz tensions bolster the US dollar, with Iran warning the US Navy away Katayama stated Japan stands ready, under a US bilateral accord, to counter speculative foreign-exchange movements decisively Gold starts the week near one-month lows; Middle East tensions and hawkish US outlook bolster the dollar EUR/GBP ticks up amid heightened Middle East volatility, as UK political uncertainty weighs slightly on sterling Mercan says Turkey’s April CPI hit 32.4%, exceeding expectations and the central bank’s 16% target amid energy shocks Amid Hormuz tensions and Iran threats, the US Dollar strengthens, pushing GBP/USD down to 1.3531 Ahead of the RBA policy decision, AUD/USD hovers around 0.7190, with Middle East tensions capping gains Following suspected Japanese intervention, USD/JPY hovers near 157.00, recovering from an Asian-session dip to 155.71 Societe Generale’s Kunal Kundu says India’s March IIP rose 4.1%, easing, as core sectors fell, power softened TD Securities economists expect the Federal Reserve to hold rates until September, tracking Iran conflict, inflation Commerzbank’s Nguyen says suspected intervention lifted yen, yet markets doubt BoJ inflation resolve and durability of gains BNY’s Bob Savage says oil prices fluctuate as US Hormuz escorts ease fears, yet attacks resurge Societe Generale warns Starmer faces mounting local election risk; poor results may prompt delayed leadership challenge in September USD/CAD climbs to 1.3617, gaining 0.22%, as Strait of Hormuz tensions bolster the US dollar BNP Paribas economists see UK inflation sustaining BoE tightening, while growth halves by 2026 as quarterly gains fade US factory orders rose 1.5% month-on-month in March, exceeding forecasts of a 0.5% increase Silver begins the week lower near $73.50, falling 2.41% as dollar strength and yields rise TD Securities expect US labour metrics to normalise, forecasting 80k payrolls, 4.3% joblessness and modest wages Commerzbank’s Pfister sees EUR/CHF climbing soon as euro strengthens and SNB hike expectations diminish, via rhetoric Bessent told Fox News the US controls and is reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports BNY’s Bob Savage notes RBNZ’s Prasanna Gai rejects automatic rate rises after Strait of Hormuz shocks BNP Paribas forecasts above-trend 2026 US growth, 2.4% GDP, 3.3% inflation, Fed rates steady at 3.5%-3.75% Brazil’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI climbed to 52.6 in April, up from 49 previously TD Securities’ Both and Lawrence predict the Bank of Canada holds 2.25% until 2026, rising to 2.75% in 2027 Societe Generale says April confidence slumped, dimming eurozone outlook, with low indices, tightening credit, and demand subdued In April, South Africa’s total new vehicle sales fell to 47,979 from the prior 58,060 figure Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur says traders expect another RBA hike as inflation stays elevated, rhetoric hawkish An Iranian official said Iran warned a US warship in Hormuz; damage status remained uncertain, Reuters reported Heightened US-Iran tensions dampen sentiment as Sterling retraces gains, pushing GBP/USD below 1.3550 from 1.3650 highs Bob Savage says the ECB leans towards a June rate cut, unlike the BoE awaiting confirmation During the European session, XAU/USD slides below $4,550, with sellers targeting prior lows near $4,500 BNY’s Bob Savage says ECB signals June rate cut, while BoE waits for clearer evidence, shifting stance During the European session, gold dips below $4,550, with bears targeting last Thursday’s $4,500 low Reports of Iran striking a US warship drove crude oil higher amid escalating Middle East tensions in Europe Reuters cited Fars saying two missiles struck a US warship near Jask after it ignored Iranian warnings Geopolitical unrest lifts the US Dollar, sending DXY back above 98, yet within recent lower ranges Commerzbank says oil boosts CAD briefly, but weak economy and USMCA talks limit USD/CAD falls till Q4 EUR/JPY hovers near 184.00, dipping 0.04%, reflecting Eurozone resilience versus intervention-backed Yen demand HSBC Asset Management says US equities hit highs, keep valuation premium, with 2026 profit growth forecast 15% Societe Generale expects Bank Rate to stay at 3.75% until 2026, after 8–1 MPC vote, unless US-Iran conflict drives hikes UOB strategists expect the ECB to maintain policy, delivering one 25-basis-point rate rise in June Risk-averse mood strengthens the US Dollar, pushing AUD/USD below 0.7227, near 0.7200 in Europe