The preliminary United States (US) S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for April is due for release today at 13:45 GMT.

Japan’s Finance Minister (FM) Satsuki Katayama said during the European trading session on Thursday that the government has “free hand” in conducting stealth interventions against one-way speculative moves against the Japanese Yen (JPY).

TD Securities analysts expect United Kingdom (UK) Retail Sales to rise 0.1% month-on-month in March, slightly above market consensus, viewing February’s weakness as payback for January’s strength rather than softer demand.

Deutsche Bank analysts note Brent Oil remains on an upward trajectory, trading above $103 per barrel and heading for a fourth consecutive daily gain as the Iran conflict persists.

United Overseas Bank (UOB) strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann see EUR/USD biased lower in the near term after breaking below 1.1720, but doubts a move to major support at 1.1665 today. For the coming weeks, they expect range trading between 1.1665 and 1.1795.

TD Securities strategists Prashant Newnaha and Alex Loo note that Australian activity has stabilised in April, with services rebounding into expansion while manufacturing remains in contraction. However, they stress that input and output prices across both sectors have surged to multi‑year highs.

BNY’s Geoff Yu argues that recent European inflation data do not yet justify pre-emptive tightening by the European Central Bank (ECB) or Bank of England (BoE).

EUR/CAD extends its losing streak for the seventh consecutive day, trading around 1.5980 during the European hours on Thursday. The currency cross remains in the negative territory following the release of Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data from Germany and the Eurozone.

United Kingdom S&P Global Services PMI came in at 52, above expectations (50) in April

United Kingdom S&P Global Manufacturing PMI came in at 53.6, above forecasts (49.9) in April

United Kingdom S&P Global Composite PMI registered at 52 above expectations (49.8) in April

Commerzbank’s Antje Praefcke expects EUR/USD to remain in sideways trading as multiple uncertainties limit conviction in either direction for the Dollar. She highlights the Middle East war, the unclear path for the next Fed Chair and policy, and possible delays to Warsh’s confirmation.

United Overseas Bank (UOB) Strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann expect AUD/USD to stay confined intraday between 0.7130 and 0.7180 after a quieter-than-expected session. Over 1–3 weeks, they continue to frame price action as part of a 0.7060–0.7210 range.

Antje Praefcke at Commerzbank warns that Eurozone PMIs (Purchasing Managers' Index) may slip to or below 50 in April as the Middle East war weighs on orders and production.

France Business Climate in Manufacturing registered at 100 above expectations (99) in April

United Overseas Bank (UOB) Strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann describe GBP/USD momentum indicators as mostly flat, expecting intraday consolidation between 1.3475 and 1.3530.

Danske Research Team highlights that Euro area April flash PMIs (Purchasing Managers' Index) are a key input ahead of the next European Central Bank (ECB) meeting, with Manufacturing PMI expected to drop below 50 while Services PMI holds at 50.2.

United Kingdom Public Sector Net Borrowing registered at £12.605B above expectations (£10.4B) in March

The preliminary German and Eurozone flash HCOB Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for April is due for release today at 07:30 and 08:00 GMT, respectively.

India HSBC Services PMI climbed from previous 57.5 to 57.9 in April

India HSBC Manufacturing PMI increased to 55.9 in April from previous 53.9

India HSBC Composite PMI increased to 58.3 in April from previous 57

Singapore Consumer Price Index (YoY) up to 1.8 in March from previous 1.2

Asian equities mostly declined as stalled US–Iran talks dampened risk appetite. The Wall Street Journal reported Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, escorting two into Iranian waters on Wednesday.

Lebanon will push for a one-month extension of the current ceasefire with Israel during a second round of direct talks in Washington on Thursday, the Guardian reported on Thursday.

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.