Austria HICP (YoY) meets forecasts (3.1%) in March.Austria HICP (YoY) meets forecasts (3.1%) in March

Austria HICP (MoM) meets forecasts (1.1%) in March.Austria HICP (MoM) meets forecasts (1.1%) in March

GBP/JPY hovers around 215.50 following UK GDP data.GBP/JPY hovers around 215.50 following UK GDP data

UK GDP: Strong start faces energy squeeze – Deutsche Bank.UK GDP: Strong start faces energy squeeze – Deutsche Bank

Oil: Ceasefire hopes keep prices steady – Danske Bank.Oil: Ceasefire hopes keep prices steady – Danske Bank

Switzerland Producer and Import Prices (MoM) meets forecasts (0.2%) in March.Switzerland Producer and Import Prices (MoM) meets forecasts (0.2%) in March

Switzerland Producer and Import Prices (YoY) remains at -2.7% in March.Switzerland Producer and Import Prices (YoY) remains at -2.7% in March

Iran Headline Roulette Still Grabs Most Market Attention.More ECB members spoke on the sidelines of the IMF/Worldbank annual spring event in Washington. In general, it stands out how the overall tone of comments softened as oil prices moved from crisis levels (>$100/b) to more bearable levels ($90-$100 area).

Ceasefire Prospects Keep Oil Steady.In the UK, February GDP is expected to increase 0.1% m/m, an increase from January's 0.0% m/m growth. The print is especially interesting in the light of Tuesday's IMF projections that UK GDP is forecasted to grow 0.8% y/y in 2026, a downward revision from 1.3% y/y and the hardest hit of the G7 countries on a per capita basis.

Pound Sterling gains against its peers as UK GDP data beats estimates.Pound Sterling gains against its peers as UK GDP data beats estimates

UK GDP Beats Expectations at 0.5% mom with Broad-Based February Growth.UK economic activity strengthened in February, with GDP rising 0.5% mom, well above expectations of 0.1% mom. The expansion was broad-based, with both services and production increasing by 0.5%, while construction posted a stronger 1.0% gain, pointing to a solid rebound in output.

Volatility expectations, hedging costs ease as Mideast hopes bolster RBI's rupee steps.Positive developments in U.S.-Iran peace talks and the Reserve Bank of India's recent measures are easing pressure on the Indian rupee. Hedging costs and volatility expectations have significantly dropped, indicating reduced market anxiety.

United Kingdom Manufacturing Production (MoM) below forecasts (0.3%) in February: Actual (-0.1%).United Kingdom Manufacturing Production (MoM) below forecasts (0.3%) in February: Actual (-0.1%)

WTI declines below $88.50 on US-Iran ceasefire optimism.WTI declines below $88.50 on US-Iran ceasefire optimism

ECB must be patient, even if adverse scenario may be materialising: policymaker.The euro zone economy may be moving towards the European Central Bank's adverse scenario but policymakers need to remain patient and not rush any ​interest rate change to tame inflation, ECB policymaker Alexander Demarco said.

USD/JPY Price Forecast: Bounces off one-week low, defends trading range support near 158.25.USD/JPY Price Forecast: Bounces off one-week low, defends trading range support near 158.25

Markets continue to keep the faith awaiting more positive US-Iran developments.It's wild to see how markets are running with this much optimism when we haven't seen any actual progress yet on the Middle East conflict. The fact of the matter remains that the Strait of Hormuz is in de facto closure and set to enter its eighth straight week under such circumstances.

Oil Price Forecast: Can Supply Disruptions and Geopolitics Keep Prices Elevated?.Crude oil remains range-bound as supply disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and mixed macro signals maintain a risk premium while ongoing US–Iran negotiations keep the market volatile and without a clear direction.

EUR/JPY Price Forecast: Weakens to near 187.50, while staying bullish above 100-day EMA.EUR/JPY Price Forecast: Weakens to near 187.50, while staying bullish above 100-day EMA

Netherlands, The Unemployment Rate s.a (3M): 4% (March) vs previous 4.1%.Netherlands, The Unemployment Rate s.a (3M): 4% (March) vs previous 4.1%

BOJ to hike rates by June as war-fuelled inflation risks mount: Reuters poll.The Bank of Japan will raise its benchmark rate to 1.00% by end-June, with nearly two-thirds of economists in a Reuters poll predicting the move, and a hike this month or in June seen as ​equally likely amid uncertainty over the fallout from the Iran war.

US Dollar Index slips below 98.00 on Middle East de-escalation hopes.US Dollar Index slips below 98.00 on Middle East de-escalation hopes

investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Oil remained in a subdued range.A more constructive tone crept into markets through the session, with geopolitical headlines offering cautious optimism even as underlying risks remain elevated.

China's NBS: Impact of Middle East conflicts on China is relatively small.China's NBS: Impact of Middle East conflicts on China is relatively small

WTI Crude Oil at Make-or-Break Zone, Bears Ready to Strike?.Looking at the 4-hour chart of XTI/USD, the price settled below $95, the 100 simple moving average (red, 4-hour), and the 200 simple moving average (green, 4-hour). However, the bulls are active near the key support at $88.

Rupee supported by Iran truce hopes, hedging keeps it on a leash.The Indian rupee is set to open little changed on Thursday and stay within a narrow range, with Iran ceasefire ​optimism countered by persistent dollar hedging from importers and firms with ‌overseas borrowings.

China's 5% GDP Growth Tops Forecasts as Supply Holds Firm, Demand Lags.China's economy delivered a stronger-than-expected start to the year, with GDP expanding 5.0% yoy in Q1, accelerating from 4.5% in the previous quarter and beating expectations of 4.8%. Officials described the performance as a “solid start,” pointing to improving macro indicators and emerging growth drivers.

Australia's 17.9k Job Growth Driven by Full-Time Gains, Unemployment Rate Steady at 4.3%..Australia's labor market showed steady conditions in March, with employment rising by 17.9k, in line with expectations, while the unemployment rate held at 4.3%. The data suggests underlying resilience, even as participation edged slightly lower from 66.9% to 66.8%.

ECB's Schnabel Signals No Rush to Hike, Warns Against Premature Tightening.ECB Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel signaled that the central bank is in no rush to adjust policy, emphasizing that the current stance allows time to assess the impact of the latest energy shock. Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, she said the ECB is in a “relatively favorable” position after having brought inflation back to target before the Middle East conflict, adding that “we do not need to rush into action.

Fed's Beige Book: Modest Growth Persists as Energy Shock Lifts Costs, Squeezes Margins.The Federal Reserve's latest Beige Book points to an economy that is holding up, but increasingly under strain from rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty. Activity expanded at a “slight to modest pace” across most districts, while others reported little change or mild contraction.