European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member and Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) Peter Kazimir highlights the need for a slight interest rate increase during European trading hours on Friday. Kazimir warned that the Iran war could still significantly slow global growth.

Nordea’s Chief Analyst Jan von Gerich expects the European Central Bank (ECB) to leave policy rates unchanged at the April meeting while keeping all options open for June. He anticipates a hawkish communication tone that underpins market expectations for a June hike.

China FDI - Foreign Direct Investment (YTD) (YoY) declined to -7.3% in March from previous -5.7%

Iran’s deputy president Esmaeil Saqab Esfahani has warned the United States (US) of “an eye for an eye” over oil strikes, according to the Mehr news agency, The Guardian reported. Esfahani threatened to attack the oil facilities of the countries from whose soil Iranian oil wells will be targeted.

United Overseas Bank (UOB) strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann expect AUD/USD to remain in a consolidation phase after a brief dip to 0.7111 and close around 0.7130.

Swiss National Bank (SNB) Chairman Martin Schlegel said at the SNB's General Meeting during the European trading hours on Friday that the central bank has unrestricted room to maneuver on policy rate and made forex interventions.

German IFO Institute's Business Climate Index deteriorates at a faster-than-expected pace to 84.4 in April. The sentiment data was expected to arrive at 85.5, down from 86.3 in March revised lower from 86.4.

BNY’s Bob Savage notes that Q1 S&P 500 earnings are strong but upside versus expectations is modest, with uneven Q2 and full‑year guidance. Sector leadership is concentrated in semiconductors, AI-linked names and parts of energy, while defense lags.

Commerzbank’s Tatha Ghose expects the Russian central bank to deliver another 50bp rate cut, though a pause is possible as inflation picks up and global price risks worsen.

United Overseas Bank (UOB) strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann highlight that GBP/USD dropped sharply to 1.3448 before recovering, with momentum still only modestly negative. They see scope for a dip toward 1.3440, though a move to 1.3400 looks unlikely on current intraday momentum.

Chris Turner at ING argues that a regime of higher Oil prices, inflation and tighter global policy would favour EUR/CHF upside. Switzerland’s low fossil-fuel exposure means the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is likely to lag in tightening.

France Consumer Confidence registered at 84, below expectations (88) in April

Danske Research Team says global equities ended slightly lower on generally sour risk sentiment, with the tech sector underperforming due to a sharp drop in software names. Value stocks reversed prior losses and outperformed cyclicals.

United Overseas Bank (UOB) strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note EUR/USD has slipped to a two-week low near 1.1680 as Euro area activity weakens, but short-term downside momentum is slowing. They expect range trading between 1.1665 and 1.1715 intraday.

Retail Sales, a key measure of consumer spending, in the United Kingdom (UK) rebounded 0.7% month-over-month (MoM) in March after declining by a revised 0.6% in February, the latest data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed on Friday.

United Kingdom Retail Sales ex-Fuel (MoM) meets forecasts (0.2%) in March

United Kingdom Retail Sales (MoM) came in at 0.7%, above forecasts (0.2%) in March

United Kingdom Retail Sales ex-Fuel (YoY) below expectations (2%) in March: Actual (1.7%)

United Kingdom Retail Sales (YoY) came in at 1.7%, above forecasts (1.3%) in March

Sweden Producer Price Index (MoM) climbed from previous 0.2% to 0.6% in March

Sweden Producer Price Index (YoY): 2% (March) vs -1.7%

Asian equity markets mostly declined on Friday as higher oil prices pressured sentiment amid stalled US–Iran peace talks and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Danny Danon, said in a CNN News interview on Friday that the Lebanon ceasefire extension "not 100%".

Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama warned that officials are in close contact around the clock with their US counterparts over speculative moves that are keeping the Japanese Yen (JPY) weak. Katayama confirmed that there are no plans to alter Japan's currency swap lines with the US.

EUR/USD steadies after three days of losses, trading around 1.1690 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair remains flat as the US Dollar (USD) maintains its position as safe-haven demand increases amid persistent uncertainty surrounding the United States (US)–Iran conflict.

Japan Corporate Service Price Index (YoY) rose from previous 2.7% to 3.1% in March

Japan National CPI ex Food, Energy (YoY) fell from previous 2.5% to 2.4% in March

Japan National CPI ex Fresh Food (YoY) in line with forecasts (1.8%) in March

Japan National Consumer Price Index (YoY): 1.5% (March) vs 1.3%

United Kingdom GfK Consumer Confidence came in at -25 below forecasts (-24) in April