USD/JPY steadies after registering minor gains in the previous day, trading around 162.40 during the Asian hours on Friday. The currency pair is maintaining a bullish near-term bias as it holds above both the nine-period and 50-period Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs).

The Indian Rupee (INR) opens marginally higher against the US Dollar (USD) while entering the weekend. The USD/INR pair ticks down to near 96.30 as the Indian currency rises, following Reserve Bank of India’s intervention.

The EUR/USD pair ticks lower for the second straight day on Friday as energy-driven inflation fears revive US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike bets and support the US Dollar (USD) amid escalating US-Iran tensions.

Here is what you need to know on Friday, July 17:

The AUD/JPY cross trades in negative territory around 113.35 during the early European trading hours on Friday. Fears of possible intervention from Japanese officials provide some support to the Japanese Yen (JPY) against the Australian Dollar (AUD). 

The USD/CAD pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the vicinity of the 1.4000 psychological mark, or a one-month low, and attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Friday.

USD/CHF holds ground after registering modest gains in the previous day, trading around 0.8090 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair could rise as the US Dollar (USD) receives support from escalating developments surrounding conflicts in the Middle East.

EUR/JPY extends its losses for the second consecutive day, trading around 185.70 during the Asian hours on Friday. The currency cross is holding above both the nine-period and 50-period Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), which reinforces a constructive near-term bias.

The USD/JPY pair posts modest gains near 162.40 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The US Dollar (USD) strengthens against the Japanese Yen (JPY) as the United States (US) launches a new wave of strikes against Iran for a sixth night in a row.

The AUD/USD pair remains on the back foot for the second straight day and slides to the 0.7980 region during the Asian session on Friday.

The GBP/USD pair trades on a softer note around 1.3470 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East trigger risk-off market sentiment and weigh on the Cable. The preliminary reading of the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for July is due later on Friday.

Silver price (XAG/USD) remains subdued for the third successive day, trading around $55.50 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Thursday. Silver is on track to drop over 7% this week as escalating Middle East tensions drive oil prices up.

On Friday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 6.7934 compared to the previous day's fix of 6.7909 and 6.7734 Reuters estimate.

NZD/USD inches higher after posting minor losses in the previous day, trading around 0.5840 during the Asian hours on Friday. The currency pair remains stronger as the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) holds its ground following the release of the country's latest food price data.

Dollar-Yen has spent the week doing almost nothing at the most dramatic level in four decades.

The Australian Dollar is going nowhere with great precision, with AUD/USD flat on the session and pinned to the 0.7000 handle for a fourth consecutive day.

Sterling is enduring its heaviest session of the month, with GBP/USD fading around half of one percent to just below 1.3500 after the week's advance stalled short of 1.3550 for a second consecutive day.

The GBP/JPY retreats some 0.34% on Thursday after the pair reached a new 18-year high of 219.62 on Wednesday. Nevertheless, at the time of writing, the cross-pair retreated to 218.80, down 0.34%, as the Yen recovers some ground.

The USD/CHF reversed course, rising by over 0.40% as the Greenback staged a recovery amid overall risk aversion, heightened tensions in the Middle East, and strong US economic data. The pair trades at 0.8088 after bouncing off daily lows of 0.8045.

The Mexican Peso depreciated by about 0.30% on Thursday as market participants turned risk-averse amid an escalation of the Middle East conflict, which has driven energy prices higher.

EUR/USD trades lower near the 1.1440 area on Thursday, retreating around 0.2% as the US Dollar (USD) gains support from stronger-than-expected United States (US) labor market data.

Silver (XAG/USD) extends its decline on Thursday as the US Dollar (USD) rebounds and US Treasury yields stabilize following a two-day drop driven by softer-than-expected US inflation data. At the time of writing, XAG/USD trades around $55.75, down 3.50% on the day.

Scotiabank strategists Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret note GBP/USD is slightly weaker as it gives back part of yesterday’s strong advance, helped by expectations of a centrist, market-friendly Burnham government.

EUR/JPY trades around 185.80 at the time of writing on Thursday, little changed on the day after reaching a one-month high earlier this week.

NZD/USD fluctuates between minor gains and losses on Thursday as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) hawkish stance supports the Kiwi, while a stronger US Dollar (USD) caps the upside. At the time of writing, the pair trades around 0.5842 after climbing to a one-month high earlier this week.

The Pound Sterling trims some of its Wednesday gains versus the US Dollar, dives by over 0.28% after solid US data and amid risk aversion, and augments the safe-haven appeal of the Greenback. At the time of writing, the GBP/USD trades at 1.3502, after peaking near 1.3545.

The Swiss Franc (CHF) weakens against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday as the Greenback regains its footing following a two-day decline. At the time of writing, USD/CHF trades around 0.8080, up nearly 0.35% on the day, rebounding from an intraday low of 0.8044.

AUD/USD trades slightly higher near the 0.7010 area on Thursday, extending its recent recovery as the US Dollar (USD) struggles to gain sustained momentum following mixed United States (US) economic data.

Scotiabank strategists Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret report USD/CAD is flat after the Bank of Canada (BoC) left policy unchanged and maintained a cautious tone on growth and inflation.

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) has entered a consolidation phase against the US Dollar (USD) following a volatile week.