Japan Jibun Bank Services PMI fell from previous 53.4 to 51.2 in April

Japan Jibun Bank Manufacturing PMI came in at 54.9, above expectations (51.8) in April

Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks down to ¥2B in April 17 from previous ¥3B

Australia S&P Global Manufacturing PMI increased to 51 in April from previous 49.8

The preliminary reading of Australia's S&P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) jumped to 51.0 in April versus 49.8 prior, the latest data published by S&P Global showed on Thursday.

Australia S&P Global Composite PMI increased to 50.1 in April from previous 46.6

Australia S&P Global Services PMI up to 50.3 in April from previous 46.3

South Korea Gross Domestic Product Growth (QoQ) came in at 1.7%, above expectations (1%) in 1Q

South Korea Gross Domestic Product Growth (YoY) came in at 3.6%, above expectations (2.7%) in 1Q

OCBC’s Christopher Wong observes that USD/KRW’s earlier decline has stalled, with bearish momentum fading and RSI recovering from oversold territory.

South Korea Consumer Sentiment Index: 99.2 (April) vs previous 107

Societe Generale analysts Kunal Kundu and Galvin Chia note that Bank Indonesia (BI) kept its policy rate at 4.75% and retained its 2.5% ±1% inflation target, emphasizing a stability-first approach.

OCBC’s Christopher Wong notes that USD/SGD has rebounded on stalled US–Iran ceasefire talks, with fading bearish momentum and rising RSI.

ING’s Deepali Bhargava notes that Bank Indonesia (BI) kept its policy rate at 4.75%, focusing on Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) stability rather than tightening.

Standard Chartered economists Hunter Chan and Shuang Ding argue that China has weathered the recent Middle East Oil shock relatively well due to its diversified energy mix and long-standing focus on non-fossil energy.

United States 20-Year Bond Auction rose from previous 4.817% to 4.883%

Russia Industrial Output above expectations (0.9%) in March: Actual (2.3%)

Societe Generale’s Anatoli Annenkov expects the European Central Bank (ECB) to keep rates unchanged next week as focus shifts toward Euro Area growth and medium-term core inflation.

Rabobank strategists argue that the Iran war delivers a stagflationary shock to the Eurozone, lifting inflation and depressing Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

TD Securities notes UK headline CPI matched expectations at 3.3% year-on-year in March, reflecting early post-conflict price effects, especially from motor fuels.

The latest Reuters surveys of economists suggest a notable shift in expectations regarding the trajectory of US monetary policy, with the timing of potential easing likely to come later than previously anticipated.

Eurozone Consumer Confidence declined to -20.6 in April from previous -16.3

Citing United States (US) President Donald Trump and Pakistani sources on Wednesday, the New York Post reported that the second round of talks between the US and Iran could take place as soon as this Friday.

Commerzbank’s Dr. Vincent Stamer compares its Euro area inflation projections with European Central Bank (ECB) staff forecasts and concludes they are broadly aligned under the mild Iran War scenario.

Nomura economists argue that the latest energy price surge will be a larger drag on Euro area growth than a persistent inflation shock. They stress weaker labour markets in Northern Europe, limited fiscal space, more spare capacity and slowing wage growth.

Canada New Housing Price Index (YoY) dipped from previous -2.1% to -2.3% in March

Canada New Housing Price Index (MoM) came in at -0.2% below forecasts (0.2%) in March

ING’s James Smith notes that UK inflation rose to 3.3% in March on higher fuel costs and is likely to move towards 3.5–4% later in 2026, helped by July’s increase in household energy bills.

Commerzbank economists Bernd Weidensteiner and Christoph Balz assess the implications of Kevin Warsh’s potential appointment as Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair for US monetary policy.

European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member and head of Lithuania's central bank, Gediminas Simkus, said during European trading hours on Wednesday that an interest rate hike this year cannot be ruled out.