Trade deficit surge and 2026 outlook – RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) analysts note Canada’s trade deficit widened sharply in February to CAD 5.7 billion, far above expectations, as both exports and imports jumped. They highlight one-off Gold imports, stronger equipment and consumer goods demand, and surging motor vehicle exports. RBC expects March’s nominal deficit to narrow and sees 2026 trade as […]
Payroll gains have been pretty weak
Lorie Logan, President of the Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of Dallas, said that the Fed should not let balance sheets distract them from their main mission. Logan also claimed that central bank balance sheet growth isn’t bad if it meets the public’s need during a speech at her bank on Thursday. Fed should not let […]
Yield spreads and policy risk cap upside – MUFG
MUFG’s Lee Hardman argues the US Dollar’s response to the Middle East-driven energy shock has lost momentum. He cites lingering optimism about a relatively quick end to the conflict, a higher US policy risk premium, and yield spreads moving against the Dollar as key factors. Fed officials signal rates may stay on hold while markets […]
Australian Dollar underperforms as revived Mideast risks drag risker assets
The Australian Dollar (AUD) trades lower against its major currency peers, is down 0.75% to near 0.6875 against the US Dollar (USD) during the European trading session on Thursday. The antipodean faces intense selling pressure as fears that the war in the Middle East will last long have revived the risk-off impulse, following United States […]
Euro stands tall above 0.8700 in risk-off markets
EUR/GBP’s reversal from one-month highs at 0.8740 found buyers right above 0.08700 on Wednesday, and the pair has trimmed losses on Thursday, returning to the 0.8720 area at the time of writing. The Euro (EUR) seems to be faring better than the British Pound (GBP) amid the risk-averse market mood, and keeps the bullish bias […]
Bulls eye breakout through $100 on Trump’s Iran threat
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil prices caught aggressive bids on Thursday and rallied closer to the 100.00 psychological mark during the Asian session following US President Donald Trump’s Iran war update. Addressing the nation, Trump said that Iran will be hit extremely hard over the next two to three weeks and will be brought […]
Pound Sterling weakens as Trump’s comments lift USD
The GBP/USD pair meets fresh supply during the Asian session on Thursday. It retreats further from the weekly high, which was around the 1.3345 area touched the previous day. Spot prices decline to the mid-1.3200s after US President Donald Trump’s comments. These comments stall a two-day recovery move from a four-month low set on Tuesday. […]
MAS tightening path supports currency – Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered’s Edward Lee and Jonathan Koh expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore to steepen the SGD NEER slope by 50bps in April, partially reversing pre-emptive easing from H1-2025 while keeping the band unchanged. They highlight higher Oil prices, increased inflation forecasts, and Singapore’s safe-haven status, and prefer to fade dips in SGD NEER around […]
BNM growth upgrade and stable OPR support MYR – Commerzbank
Commerzbank notes Bank Negara Malaysia raised its 2026 growth forecast to 4.0–5.0% on resilient domestic demand, with consumption and investment underpinned by wages, labour market strength and government support. BNM expects moderate inflation and assumes Brent at USD70–90, keeping the OPR at 2.75% for 2026. Stronger growth outlook with steady policy “In its 2025 Annual […]
Fuel duty cuts strain budget outlook – DBS
DBS Group Research’s Radhika Rao highlights India’s fiscal response to elevated global energy prices and Rupee weakness. The government has cut central excise duty on petrol and diesel to support state-owned oil marketing companies and delay pump price hikes, but this implies significant revenue loss. Persistently high energy costs and subsidies pose upside risks to […]
