The Canadian labor market data for March is scheduled to be published today at 12:30 GMT.

According to a report from Bloomberg, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during European trading hours on Friday that Kyiv is close to reaching a peace deal with Russia.

DBS Group Research projects India’s March Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to edge up to 3.45% year-on-year from 3.2%, reflecting higher cooking gas, energy and input costs, while retail fuel and food stay benign. Precious metals’ correction tempers price pressures.

Commerzbank economist Bernd Weidensteiner notes that the Federal Reserve sees itself in a good position despite Iran‑related inflation risks, with officials expecting only a small core inflation impact.

Deutsche Bank economists expect a sharp acceleration in US CPI for March as higher gasoline prices feed through. They project headline CPI at 0.95% month‑on‑month, the strongest since June 2022, lifting the annual rate back to 3.4%.

Nordea’s Jan von Gerich and Tuuli Koivu updated their ECB outlook before the ceasefire news and now expect four 25bp hikes starting in June.

Rabobank’s RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets team notes that Brent crude has firmed as markets weigh a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran and severe disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

UBS economist Paul Donovan discusses how US March consumer price inflation highlights US consumers’ war-related burden and affordability concerns.

United Overseas Bank’s (UOB) economists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note AUD/USD broke above the prior range, reaching near 0.7100. Despite labeling the recent surge as overdone, they still see room for a push toward 0.7135, with 0.7000 now the key strong support.

Italy Industrial Output s.a. (MoM) below forecasts (0.5%) in February: Actual (0.1%)

Italy Industrial Output w.d.a (YoY) in line with forecasts (0.5%) in February

According to a report from the Guardian, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, said that forces are continuing their combat operations in southern Lebanon and are “not in a ceasefire” with Hezbollah.

BNY’s Head of Markets Macro Strategy Bob Savage argues that Q1 US equities will be driven more by forward guidance than reported earnings, with consensus S&P 500 earnings growth around 13% and wide dispersion in forecasts.

Danske Research Team highlights that Brent crude is trading around USD 96 per barrel after sharp intraday swings tied to Middle East headlines.

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%)