GBP/USD retreats on Friday, trading around 1.3380 at the time of writing, down 0.39% on the day, after Thursday’s strong rally following the Bank of England (BoE) decision.

Russia Interest Rate Decision in line with expectations (15%)

Eurozone Trade Balance s.a. climbed from previous €11.6B to €12.1B in January

Eurozone Trade Balance n.s.a. registered at €-1.9B, below expectations (€12.8B) in January

According to MUFG’s Derek Halpenny, the ECB’s communication and achievement of its price stability goal leave it in a relatively better position than the BoE, but he is sceptical that higher front-end Euro yields will sustain Euro strength.

ING’s Francesco Pesole highlights that the ECB’s cautious tone masks a hawkish shift, with officials reportedly considering an April rate hike if inflation overshoots. Markets now price earlier tightening and higher odds of back-to-back moves.

EUR/USD stays in a consolidation phase above 1.1550 after posting impressive gains on Thursday. Comments from policymakers could impact the pair's action in the near term.

Here is what you need to know on Friday, March 20:

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) outperforms its major currency peers, but trades flat against the US Dollar (USD) at around 1.3740 during the European trading session on Friday.

Germany Producer Price Index (MoM) below expectations (0.3%) in February: Actual (-0.5%)

Germany Producer Price Index (YoY) below forecasts (-2.7%) in February: Actual (-3.3%)

The AUD/USD pair trades with mild gains around 0.7090 during the early European session on Friday. The Australian Dollar (AUD) edges higher against the Greenback, following the hawkish stance from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

The USD/CHF pair edges higher to near 0.7890 during the early European trading session on Friday. The Swiss Franc pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) bounces back after a sharp sell-off the previous day.

The EUR/GBP cross loses traction to near 0.8620 during the early European session on Friday. The Pound Sterling (GBP) edges higher against the Euro (EUR) after monetary policy decisions from both the Bank of England (BoE) and the European Central Bank (ECB).

The Indian Rupee (INR) extends its downfall against the US Dollar (USD) in the opening trade on Friday after a holiday the previous day.

The GBP/USD pair trades 0.2% lower to near 1.3400 during the late Asian trading session on Friday. The Cable faces selling pressure as the US Dollar Index (DXY) rebounds after an over-a-percent decline the previous day.

The AUD/JPY cross attracts some buyers to near 112.20 during the early European session on Friday. The Australian Dollar strengthens against the Japanese Yen (JPY) on a hawkish tone from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

The USD/JPY pair is up 0.4% to near 158.33 during the Asian trading session on Friday. The pair recovers after a sharp sell-off on Thursday, as the Japanese Yen (JPY) underperforms despite the Bank of Japan (BoJ) retaining its hawkish stance on the monetary policy outlook.

The EUR/USD pair retraces from the weekly high of 1.1616 posted on Thursday, trades 0.2% lower at around 1.1560 during the Asian trading session on Friday. The major currency pair corrects as the US Dollar (USD) attempts recovery after a sharp sell-off.

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) trades marginally higher against its major currency peers in the Asian trading session on Friday.

The NZD/USD pair gathers strength to around 0.5880 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) edges higher against the US Dollar (USD) on a narrower-than-expected New Zealand trade deficit.

GBP/USD rallied nearly 1.3% on Thursday, climbing back above the 1.3400 handle to close around 1.3430 in a session defined by broad US Dollar weakness and a hawkish Bank of England (BoE) surprise.

USD/JPY dropped 1.25% on Thursday, sliding back below the 158.00 handle to settle near 157.80 in a session dominated by broad Yen strength.

GBP/JPY posted minimal gains of 0.02%, seesawing between gains and losses amid a trading session that saw monetary policy decisions from the Bank of Japan and the Bank of England, with both institutions holding rates unchanged. At the time of writing, the cross trades at 212.00, virtually unchanged.

EUR/USD reverses course and rises by more than 1.16% after the European Central Bank (ECB) held rates unchanged, while a leaked source revealed that policymakers are ready to discuss rate hikes as soon as April.

The NZD/USD pair surges to the 0.5870 level, up 1.30% on Thursday amid broad weakness of the US Dollar (USD) despite the Federal Reserve (Fed) holding decision the previous day and weak economic data in New Zealand .

AUD/USD advances some 0.47% on Thursday as the US Dollar weakens, despite traders delaying Fed rate cuts until 2027, while US Crude Oil prices are edging lower by 4.21%, a headwind for the buck. The pair hovers around 0.7050 at the time of writing.

Silver (XAG/USD) rebounds from daily lows on Thursday as a pullback in the US Dollar (USD) and Treasury yields provides support, though the metal remains on the back foot as markets reassess global rate expectations following a wave of central bank decisions.

NZD/USD trades around 0.5840 on Thursday, up 0.73% on the day, rebounding after the previous day’s decline. The pair largely shrugs off disappointing GDP data from New Zealand, instead benefiting from a weaker US Dollar (USD).

BNY’s Geoff Yu remains broadly constructive on South Africa and the Rand, citing structural improvements under the Government of National Unity and earlier terms-of-trade support from the 2026 commodity rally.