Natural Gas and Oil Forecast: WTI Battles Descending Channel – Is $100 the Next Stop?.Oil prices surge as the Strait of Hormuz remains in limbo. WTI tests $94.50 while Brent eyes $107.30 amid heightened geopolitical risk.

UK PMI Composite rises to 52.0 and Manufacturing Surges to 47-Month High.UK business activity picked up in April, with the Flash PMI Composite rising from 50.3 to 52.0, a two-month high. Services activity rose from 50.5 to 52.0.

USD: Returns support limit downside – OCBC.USD: Returns support limit downside – OCBC

Eurozone PMI Composite Falls to 48.6, Signals -0.1% GDP Contraction in Q2.Eurozone business activity slipped back into contraction in April, with the Flash Composite PMI dropping from 50.7 to 48.6, a 17-month low. The downturn was driven primarily by a sharp deterioration in the services sector, where activity fell from 50.2 to 47.4, the weakest level in over five years.

Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI above expectations (50.8) in April: Actual (52.2).Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI above expectations (50.8) in April: Actual (52.2)

Eurozone HCOB Composite PMI registered at 48.6, below expectations (50.2) in April.Eurozone HCOB Composite PMI registered at 48.6, below expectations (50.2) in April

Eurozone HCOB Services PMI below expectations (49.8) in April: Actual (47.4).Eurozone HCOB Services PMI below expectations (49.8) in April: Actual (47.4)

Germany HCOB Services PMI came in at 46.9 below forecasts (50.3) in April.Germany HCOB Services PMI came in at 46.9 below forecasts (50.3) in April

Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI below expectations (51.3) in April: Actual (51.2).Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI below expectations (51.3) in April: Actual (51.2)

GBP/JPY turns positive to near 215.40 ahead of flash UK PMI data.GBP/JPY turns positive to near 215.40 ahead of flash UK PMI data

Japanese Yen remains depressed amid Hormuz standoff; USD/JPY eyes 160.00 on firmer USD.Japanese Yen remains depressed amid Hormuz standoff; USD/JPY eyes 160.00 on firmer USD

JPY: Energy shock weighs on outlook – MUFG.JPY: Energy shock weighs on outlook – MUFG

Dollar Regains Ground Amid Uncertainty Over US–Iran Talks.The US dollar is recovering after its previous decline, supported by ongoing uncertainty surrounding the geopolitical backdrop. Conflicting signals regarding negotiations between the US and Iran — including reports of a possible ceasefire extension alongside preparations for increased military presence in the region — are creating mixed expectations among market participants and driving flows back into safe-haven assets.

Eurozone: Conflict risks darken outlook – Commerzbank.Eurozone: Conflict risks darken outlook – Commerzbank

Oil Prices Grinded Back Above Triple Digit Numbers.Oil prices grinded back above triple digit numbers yesterday with so far little progress seen in peace talks and traffic in the Hormuz Strait down to nearly zero as Iran is forcing its blockade through actual vessel seizures. Fox News contradicted the indefinite extension to the ceasefire, citing a White House official that it would only last for an additional three to five days.

A Big Batch of PMIs.In the euro area, the April flash PMI report is released, a key input ahead of the ECB meeting. We expect the manufacturing PMI to show a steep decline from 51.6 to 49.6, driven by higher energy prices.

Rupee breaks 94 as oil surge deepens sentiment hit from RBI FX curb relaxation.The Indian rupee weakened significantly against the US dollar on Thursday due to rising oil prices. The currency touched its lowest point in over three weeks.

UK public finances show 12.6 billion-pound deficit in March.Britain's public ​finances showed ‌a deficit of ​12.6 ​billion pounds ($17.00 billion) ⁠in March, ​official ​figures showed on Thursday.

Chart alert: WTI crude oil at risk of mean reversion decline below $102.25 after 5% spike.WTI crude oil surged 5% on a false alarm attack in Tehran before quickly retracing gains, underscoring fragile sentiment amid US–Iran tensions. Despite geopolitical risks, declining implied volatility and easing backwardation suggest limited upside.

Swiss central bank posts Q1 loss of 498 million Swiss francs.The Swiss National Bank made a loss of 498 ​million Swiss francs ($634.15 million) for the ‌first quarter, the central bank said on Thursday, as gains in gold prices were ​cancelled out by declines in the ​value of its foreign currency holdings.

WTI rises to near $93.00 as supply concerns rise on Hormuz blockade.WTI rises to near $93.00 as supply concerns rise on Hormuz blockade

Oil Price Forecast: Strait of Hormuz Risks Fuel the Next Upside Move.Oil prices remain supported by supply risks around the Strait of Hormuz, strong U.S. exports, falling fuel inventories, and bullish technical setups in both Brent and WTI.

Indonesian Rupiah plummets to 17,324 or fresh record low vs USD on Mideast tensions.Indonesian Rupiah plummets to 17,324 or fresh record low vs USD on Mideast tensions

India HSBC Services PMI climbed from previous 57.5 to 57.9 in April.India HSBC Services PMI climbed from previous 57.5 to 57.9 in April

Swiss liftmaker Schindler's sales dip on forex impact.Swiss lift and ‌escalator maker Schindler reported a 5.1% drop in its first-quarter sales on ​Wednesday, citing significant foreign ​exchange headwinds.

AUD/JPY Price Forecast: Softens below 114.00, but uptrend holds above 100-day EMA.AUD/JPY Price Forecast: Softens below 114.00, but uptrend holds above 100-day EMA

EUR/JPY falls to near 186.50 as risk aversion increases on Middle East uncertainty.EUR/JPY falls to near 186.50 as risk aversion increases on Middle East uncertainty

US Dollar Index holds gains above 98.50 as Middle East uncertainty prevails.US Dollar Index holds gains above 98.50 as Middle East uncertainty prevails

Fake Trigger, Real Rally: Brent Oil Breaks $106, $110 Now Key.Oil spiked on fake news—but didn't fall when the story unraveled. That reaction says more about the market than the headline itself, pointing to strengthening underlying demand and persistent supply risks.

Bank of Japan seen dropping hawkish signs even as it keeps rates steady.The Bank of Japan is expected to keep interest rates steady next week but signal its readiness to hike them as ​soon as June, as a war-driven energy shock puts policymakers on guard against mounting inflation risks.