United Overseas Bank’s (UOB) economists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann highlight a still-positive short-term outlook for GBP/USD after recent gains above 1.3450. They see scope for the Pound (GBP) to advance toward 1.3520, but stress that a daily close above 1.3480 is required.

Asian equities rise following a rally on Wall Street overnight as the United States (US)–Iran ceasefire triggered a sharp drop in oil prices, easing concerns over renewed inflation and further rate hikes by the central banks.

Austria Industrial Production (YoY) increased to 1.1% in February from previous 0.3%

Philip Wee at DBS Group Research highlights that despite Brent crude trading in a USD 100–120 range in Q1 2026, the US Dollar Index (DXY) has stayed within its established 96–101 band.

The USD/JPY pair attracts some buyers to near 159.30 during the early European trading hours on Friday. A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran provides some support to the US Dollar (USD) against the Japanese Yen (JPY). 

MUFG’s Senior Currency Analyst Lloyd Chan argues that Asia FX gains on ceasefire hopes are running ahead of fundamentals, as Oil retains a structural floor and US yields stay elevated.

Danske Research Team reports that global equities extended gains, led by US markets, with cyclical sectors outperforming while defensive and low-volatility names lag.

Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur argues that FX markets will increasingly shift focus from Gulf tensions to the impact of higher Oil prices on United States (US) inflation and the US Dollar (USD).

Sweden Industrial Production Value (YoY) increased to 7% in February from previous 1.9%

Sweden Industrial Production Value (MoM) rose from previous -5.7% to 5.1% in February

Sweden New Orders Manufacturing (YoY) climbed from previous -3.9% to 1% in February

Netherlands, The Manufacturing Output (MoM) dipped from previous 0.4% to -1.3% in February

Indonesia Consumer Confidence down to 122.9 in March from previous 125.2

Bank of Japan (BoJ) Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said on Friday, “don't think Japan’s economy is in stagflation.”

China Consumer Price Index (MoM) below forecasts (-0.2%) in March: Actual (-0.7%)

China Producer Price Index (YoY) above forecasts (0.4%) in March: Actual (0.5%)

China Consumer Price Index (YoY) came in at 1%, below expectations (1.2%) in March

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he has issued an instruction to start direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible”, the Washington Post reported on Friday. However, Netanyahu insisted that Israel’s attacks across the country targeting Hezbollah would continue.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that the government is weighing a plan to release approximately 20 days' worth of additional oil reserves starting from early May onwards, Reuters reported on Friday.

Japan Producer Price Index (YoY) registered at 2.6% above expectations (2.4%) in March

Japan Producer Price Index (MoM) below expectations (0.9%) in March: Actual (0.8%)

Japan Bank Lending (YoY) came in at 4.8%, above expectations (4.4%) in March

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of doing a "very poor job" of handling oil through the Strait of Hormuz and is saying it was "not the agreement we have,” BBC reported late Thursday. Trump further stated that Iran "better not be" charging ships to pass through the key waterway.

The National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS) will publish its data for March at 01.30 GMT. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to show a rise of 1.2% YoY in March, compared to 1.3% in February.

Colombia Consumer Price Index (MoM) registered at 0.78% above expectations (0.69%) in March

Colombia Consumer Price Index (YoY) came in at 5.56%, above expectations (5.47%) in March

New Zealand Business NZ PMI dipped from previous 55 to 53.2 in March

DBS Group Research economist Radhika Rao highlights sharp swings in Indonesian assets, with the Rupiah, bonds and equities rebounding after recent losses.

BNY Strategist Geoff Yu highlights that CNY initially behaved like a secondary safe haven during the conflict, with strong performance and managed volatility, while flows showed an inverse relationship with CGB holdings.

DBS Group Research economist Ma Tieying assesses Taiwan’s 2Q 2026 macro outlook, noting that the economy entered 2026 with strong growth and low inflation, supported by AI-related exports and easing US tariff pressures.