United States EIA Natural Gas Storage Change above forecasts (96B) in April 17: Actual (103B).United States EIA Natural Gas Storage Change above forecasts (96B) in April 17: Actual (103B)

Pound weakens as inflation concerns grow in UK economy.The British pound edged lower against the US dollar on Thursday, as investors moved towards safe-haven assets amid concerns over a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East. Sterling slipped slightly to $1.349, marking a 0.17% decline for the week.

USD/JPY maintains a clear range ahead of Japanese CPI – FX Analysis.USD/JPY Technical Analysis: The USD/JPY pair stalls after experiencing massive geopolitical swings, consolidating as market participants weigh energy-driven inflation against a hesitant Bank of Japan. As traders await tonight's CPI data and a pivotal weekend of diplomatic negotiations, a clear directional breakout for the Yen hinges on a resolution to the Middle East conflict.

Natural Gas News: Bearish Market Ahead of EIA Inventory Report Today.Natural gas futures fall ahead of EIA report as bearish inventory build and weak weather demand pressure the market, while charts show key levels traders must watch.

Crude Oil Price Analysis – Crude Oil Continues to Move on Headlines, or Lack of.Traders really have no idea what to do in this market at the moment, as the latest headlines are erratic.

US PMI Signals Sub-1% GDP Growth as Inflation Pressures Intensify.US business activity picked up in April, with the Flash Composite PMI rising from 50.3 to 52.0, a three-month high. The improvement suggests the economy regained some momentum after near-stagnation in March, though the overall pace remains modest.

Natural Gas Price Analysis – Natural Gas Continues to Look Soft.The natural gas markets are down again on Thursday, as traders price in the lack of demand coming from the United States at the moment, with storage tanks full.

GBP/JPY Price Forecast: Yen gains on intervention fears, but uptrend remains intact.GBP/JPY Price Forecast: Yen gains on intervention fears, but uptrend remains intact

Global PMIs Diverge as Iran War Shock Spreads: Europe Contracts, UK Front-Loads, Australia Trapped, Japan Absorbs Costs.Global PMI data for April paints a clear picture: the Iran war shock is now feeding through the world economy, but not in a uniform way. Rising energy costs and supply disruptions are hitting all major regions, yet the transmission differs sharply depending on economic structure, demand conditions, and policy constraints.

Russia Central Bank Reserves $ climbed from previous $774.8B to $779.5B.Russia Central Bank Reserves $ climbed from previous $774.8B to $779.5B

USD: Fed politics skew downside risks – TD Securities.USD: Fed politics skew downside risks – TD Securities

US Initial Unemployment Claims Edge Higher to 214k.US initial jobless claims ticked up by 6k to 214k in the week ending April 18, above expectation ion of 210k. Four-week average also edged higher to 210.75k.

Copper: Mixed signals across complex – ING.Copper: Mixed signals across complex – ING

Canada Employment Insurance Beneficiaries Change (MoM) rose from previous -1.9% to -1.6% in February.Canada Employment Insurance Beneficiaries Change (MoM) rose from previous -1.9% to -1.6% in February

United States Initial Jobless Claims above forecasts (212K) in April 17: Actual (214K).United States Initial Jobless Claims above forecasts (212K) in April 17: Actual (214K)

United States Initial Jobless Claims 4-week average increased to 210.75K in April 17 from previous 209.75K.United States Initial Jobless Claims 4-week average increased to 210.75K in April 17 from previous 209.75K

EUR/USD, USD/JPY and AUD/USD Forecasts – US Dollar Strong Early on Thursday.As much noise as we have in the interest rate markets, it isn't a surprise that with rising rates, we have a rising dollar as well.

USD: Energy shock view anchors DXY range – BBH.USD: Energy shock view anchors DXY range – BBH

Japan's Katayama: We have a free hand in conducting interventions.Japan's Katayama: We have a free hand in conducting interventions

UK: Retail sales and PMIs point to risks – TD Securities.UK: Retail sales and PMIs point to risks – TD Securities

USD/JPY Price Forecast: Scope for further upside towards 160.50 improves amid triangle breakout.USD/JPY Price Forecast: Scope for further upside towards 160.50 improves amid triangle breakout

Morning Bid: Tech checked as oil boils.What matters in U.S. and global markets today

Crude Oil –23.04.2026.  Crude Oil held above the support of 76.00 while managing to pass above the resistance at 92.35. As we see over the chart, the market is facing a trading zone between support 87.00-85.00 and resistance 99.00 as the advance could continue if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

USD/JPY –23.04.2026.  The pair managed again to hit another correction while still facing the support zone of 157.25-65, which could hold prices inside this trading zone toward resistances 160.20 or 161.95. Above 161.95 the market could enter a new uptrend wave with first target toward 163.80.

UK manufacturers report plunge in confidence, see jump in costs.British manufacturers have turned their most pessimistic since the start of the ​COVID-19 pandemic due to the Iran ‌war and a measure of the expectations for inflation has surged, according to a survey published ​on Thursday.

Brent: Conflict risk supports prices – Deutsche Bank.Brent: Conflict risk supports prices – Deutsche Bank

RBA: Further tightening risk as price pressures spike – TD Securities.RBA: Further tightening risk as price pressures spike – TD Securities

ECB: Inflation signals allow patience – BNY.ECB: Inflation signals allow patience – BNY

WTI Price Forecast: Returns above 20-day EMA as Hormuz remains closed.WTI Price Forecast: Returns above 20-day EMA as Hormuz remains closed

Rising cost pressures starting to bug the euro area economy.The PMI data from the euro area today shows a significant contrast. While the industry sector held up in April, albeit with a caveat, the services sector struggled due to softer demand conditions amid the fallout from the Middle East conflict.