Commerzbank’s Dr. Henry Hao sees upside risks to China’s Q1 2026 GDP versus the bank’s 4.6% forecast, supported by resilient exports and front‑loaded public investment. Industrial production is projected to grow 5.5% year‑on‑year, while retail sales slow to 2.5%.

United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions: £-56.4K vs previous £-52.7K

United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions down to 202.2K from previous 213.5K

United States CFTC Gold NC Net Positions: $156.3K vs previous $163.2K

Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions dipped from previous $81.5K to $70.8K

Eurozone CFTC EUR NC Net Positions: €-7.5K vs previous €0.5K

United States CFTC S&P 500 NC Net Positions declined to $-45.7K from previous $-42.5K

Japan CFTC JPY NC Net Positions dipped from previous ¥-72.9K to ¥-93.7K

ING’s Chief Economist for Greater China, Lynn Song, highlights that Taiwan’s March trade data far exceeded expectations, with exports and imports surging and the trade surplus more than doubling year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026.

Gold (XAU/USD) price remains steady on Friday, poised to finish the week with gains of almost 2% as the US Dollar tumbles amid optimism about Iran-US talks in Pakistan throughout the weekend. Also, a mildly high US inflation report trimmed the Federal Reserve's (Fed) dovish bets for 2026.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) fell toward the 98.60 price region as markets digest the latest US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which confirmed that inflation remains stubbornly elevated, largely driven by energy prices amid war in the Middle East.

DBS Group Research expects the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to slightly increase the slope of the Singapore Dollar (SGD) Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) policy band at its 14 April meeting, reversing last year’s easing.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) trades under pressure against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, with USD/JPY trimming most of its losses from earlier in the week as ongoing Oil supply disruptions linked to Middle East tensions keep a lid on the Yen’s recovery despite a softer Greenback.

United States Monthly Budget Statement registered at $-164B, below expectations ($-156.75B) in March

United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count up to 411 from previous 409

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped around 300 points on Friday, or roughly 0.6%, retreating from the 48,000 handle after two sessions of ceasefire-fueled gains.

The GBP/USD climbed on Friday as risk appetite improved amid the start of US-Iran talks in Pakistan. Meanwhile, US inflation rose as expected in March, but traders seem confident it's a one-time jump as they remain optimistic about Middle East peace negotiations. The pair trades at 1.3461, up 0.20%.

USD/CAD reverses earlier losses on Friday, as uncertainty surrounding upcoming US-Iran negotiations keeps markets cautious and overshadows US inflation and Canadian employment data, keeping price action volatile.

Chainlink (LINK) gains momentum, trading at $9.13 at the time of writing on Friday. The oracle token’s bullish outlook mirrors the broader crypto market's positive sentiment, driven by the fragile yet holding ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran.

The AUD/USD pair steadies on Friday, posting a slight decline after a four-day strike of gains, trading with a cautious tone amid fresh data releases in the US and geopolitical risks.

Russia Consumer Price Index (MoM) above expectations (0.5%) in March: Actual (0.6%)

Iran's ‌parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Friday that two previously agreed measures, a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets, must be implemented before negotiations begin, according to Reuters.

TD Securities strategists Robert Both and Emma Lawrence note that Canadian labour markets showed a modest rebound in March, with 14k jobs added and the unemployment rate steady at 6.7%.

Hyperliquid (HYPE) edges up above $41.00 at the time of writing on Friday, buoyed by improving sentiment around the native Decentralized Exchange (DEX) token.

Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur expects the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to deliver two further rate hikes in 2026, taking policy closer to a rising neutral rate and supporting a modest Japanese Yen appreciation versus Dollar (USD) and Euro (EUR) in the second half of the year.

Wells Fargo’s international economics team notes that a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East leaves Oil market risks elevated and conviction on the outlook low.

American consumer confidence deflated in early April, as households grew more pessimistic about current conditions and the broader economic outlook, according to preliminary data from the University of Michigan.