Japan flash PMI slips to five-month low in May as selling prices hit record high.Japan's flash composite PMI eased to 51.1 in May from 52.2 in April, a five-month low, as services activity stalled for the first time in over a year and selling prices rose at the sharpest pace in nearly 19 years of data, per S&P Global.

Australian Dollar softens to near 0.7150 on weak PMIs, US Iran tensions.Australian Dollar softens to near 0.7150 on weak PMIs, US Iran tensions

Japan Machinery Orders (YoY) came in at 5.9%, above expectations (4.5%) in March.Japan Machinery Orders (YoY) came in at 5.9%, above expectations (4.5%) in March

Japan Machinery Orders (MoM) came in at -9.4%, below expectations (-8.1%) in March.Japan Machinery Orders (MoM) came in at -9.4%, below expectations (-8.1%) in March

South Korea to extend fuel tax break until end-July.South Korea to extend fuel tax break until end-July, Yonhap says Info via Reuters. Yonhap citing the finance ministry.

USD/JPY Outlook: Hormuz hopes hit crude as traders eye Koeda, Warsh.USD/JPY remains heavily tied to oil prices and relative central bank expectations, leaving developments in the Gulf, a speech from BOJ board member Koeda, and upcoming US economic data set to remain in the driving seat for the pair in the near term.

Australia S&P Global Manufacturing PMI: 50.2 (May) vs previous 51.3.Australia S&P Global Manufacturing PMI: 50.2 (May) vs previous 51.3

Australia flash PMI slumps to 47.8 in May as new orders fall at fastest pace since 2021.Australia's flash composite PMI fell to 47.8 in May from 50.4 in April, signalling the second contraction in three months, as new orders dropped at the fastest pace since September 2021, per S&P Global.

Australia's S&P Global Manufacturing PMI declines to 50.3 in May.Australia's S&P Global Manufacturing PMI declines to 50.3 in May

Australia S&P Global Services PMI: 47.7 (May) vs previous 50.7.Australia S&P Global Services PMI: 47.7 (May) vs previous 50.7

Pound Sterling shrugs off its own disinflation.Pound Sterling shrugs off its own disinflation

New Zealand Imports declined to $6.7B in April from previous $7.25B.New Zealand Imports declined to $6.7B in April from previous $7.25B

Australian Dollar Outlook: AUD/USD and AUD/JPY Catch a Bid Ahead of Jobs Report.The Australian dollar is attempting to stabilise ahead of today's labour force report, with traders weighing resilient domestic data, hawkish RBA minutes and shifting risk sentiment. While AUD/USD remains vulnerable to further downside if the US dollar strengthens, both AUD/USD and AUD/JPY have caught a bid into the jobs report as markets continue to price a high probability of another RBA rate hike in June.

New Zealand Dollar rises as improving market sentiment pressures the US Dollar.New Zealand Dollar rises as improving market sentiment pressures the US Dollar

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Key Support Test After Bearish Outside Day.Natural gas formed a bearish outside day after a Fibonacci retracement high, shifting focus to key support confluence zones and testing the strength of recent breakout structure.

South Korea Producer Price Index Growth (MoM) rose from previous 1.6% to 2.5% in April.South Korea Producer Price Index Growth (MoM) rose from previous 1.6% to 2.5% in April

South Korea Producer Price Index Growth (YoY): 6.9% (April) vs 4.1%.South Korea Producer Price Index Growth (YoY): 6.9% (April) vs 4.1%

Treasury Yields Favour US Dollar Strength: MUFG.The US Dollar strengthened sharply at the start of the week, with the Euro to Dollar (EUR/USD) exchange rate retreating towards 1.1650 as rising US Treasury yields continued to support the US currency. MUFG notes that FX markets are increasingly being driven by higher US yields and renewed inflation concerns rather than traditional risk.

Dollar Surge, Bond Rout and Oil Shock: The Five Themes Driving Global FX Markets.Global currency markets are undergoing another abrupt repricing phase as surging bond yields, elevated oil prices and renewed inflation fears combine to support the US Dollar while pressuring risk-sensitive and yield-sensitive currencies. Latest — Exchange Rates:Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR): 1.15578 (+0.15%)Pound to Dollar (GBP/USD): 1.34376.

Economic and event calendar in Asia 21 May 2026 - Australian jobs data, and plenty more.It's a packed agenda ahead. The data most likely to move marekts is the Australian jobs report.

investingLive Americas FX news wrap 20 May:USD moves lower helped by yields & oil falling..The major US stock indices closed sharply higher today as investors embraced a more optimistic tone surrounding the geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. The market narrative appears to be centered on two potential outcomes: either diplomatic progress that reduces the risk of a broader conflict, or, if military action continues, expectations that it remains limited and short-lived.

Fed proposes to establish limited payment accounts.The U.S. Federal Reserve proposed ​Wednesday adopting a new, more ‌limited form of a payment account that would allow firms ​like fintechs the ability ​to move money across the ⁠Fed's payment rails without ​enjoying all the backstops available ​to traditional banks.

Natural Gas, WTI Oil, Brent Oil Forecasts – Oil Dives 5.5% As Traders Bet On Iran Deal.According to recent reports, President Trump said that U.S. was in the final stages of talks with Iran.

Argentina Trade Balance (MoM) below expectations ($1760M) in April: Actual ($2M).Argentina Trade Balance (MoM) below expectations ($1760M) in April: Actual ($2M)

Pound to CAD Dollar News, Forecast: UK PMIs and Canadian Retail Sales in Focus.The Pound to Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate traded sideways on Wednesday as softer UK inflation data and weaker oil prices offset one another. At the time of writing, GBP/CAD was trading around CA$1.8427, little changed on the session.

One-year forward rupee rate breaches 100 per US dollar mark.The Indian rupee has crossed the Rs 100 per US dollar mark in its one-year forward rate. This comes as the spot market saw the rupee hit another historic low.

WTI snaps four-day rally as traders assess US-Iran talks and Hormuz flows.WTI snaps four-day rally as traders assess US-Iran talks and Hormuz flows

US sells $16 billion of 20 year bonds at a high yield of 5.122%.The dealer takedown was less than the 6-month average of 11.1%. The Bid to cover was a little lower than the average at 2.62x but the international demand saved the day with 67.67% vs 6-month average at 63.5%.

United States 20-Year Bond Auction rose from previous 4.883% to 5.122%.United States 20-Year Bond Auction rose from previous 4.883% to 5.122%

U.S. Dollar Retreats Amid Sell-Off In The Oil Markets: Analysis For EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, USD/JPY.The American currency is losing ground as demand for safe-haven assets declines.