Forex News
- XAU/USD falls 0.7% to $5,032, set for weekly losses exceeding 2%.
- DXY climbs to 100.43 while US 10-year yield rises near 4.29%.
- US Q4 GDP revised down to 0.7% as Core PCE holds steady at 3.1% YoY.
Gold price loses some 0.70% on Friday. It seems poised to end the week with losses of more than 2% as the Greenback remains the choice for safety amid the Middle East conflict, which has increased investors' angst over a reacceleration of inflation. Also, a softer-than-expected reading of US growth data increased the chances of a rate cut in 226.
Bullion slips below $5,050 as rising yields, Middle East tensions boost demand for the US Dollar
The XAU/USD trades at $5032 after reaching a daily high of $5,128. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the American currency against other peers, is up 0.70% at 100.43 a headwind for Bullion prices.
Growth data from the US revealed an ongoing economic slowdown in the second half of 2025. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Q4 2025, on its second estimate, dipped from 1.4% to 0.7% YoY, according to the US Commerce Department.
At the same time, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, remained steady at 3.1% YoY in January, unchanged from the previous print, while the headline figure dipped modestly from 2.9% to 2.8% YoY.
Given the backdrop, a stagflationary scenario looms. Standard & Poor's rating agency warned that Iran's war could cause lasting supply shocks, leading to lower US GDP growth and higher inflation.
Fed expected to hold rates
US Treasury yields are also soaring, weighing on the precious metals segment. The US 10-year T-note yield rises nearly 2.5 basis points to 4.286%.
Money markets traders had priced in a less dovish Fed; they're expecting 20 basis points of easing, according to data from the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT).
Speculation of US price increases is fueled by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, after WTI prices reached a year-high of $113.00. The price of gasoline at the pump had risen by more than 20%, reaching a high of $3.60 per gallon since the commencement of the conflict two weeks ago.
President Donald Trump said the US will take strong action against Iran next week, after a 30-day waiver for buying sanctioned Russian oil.
Next week US economic docket
Traders are expected to pay close attention to geopolitical events over the weekend, and then shift their focus to the Federal Reserve's meeting on March 17-18. In addition, they will monitor Industrial Production, housing statistics, the Producer Price Index (PPI), and employment data.
XAU/USD Technical outlook: Gold to challenge $5,000 as key support level
Gold's technical picture has turned bearish in the near term, with XAU/USD poised to drop below $5,000, which could sponsor a test of the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $4,925.
Momentum has shifted bearish, as indicated by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which has fallen below its 50-neutral level.
With that said, the most likely scenario is downwards. Beneath the 50-day SMA lies the February 17 swing low of $4,841, ahead of the February 6 daily low of $4,655. Conversely, the first area of interest for XAU/USD on the upside would be the $5,050 area, followed by $5,100. Up next lies the next key resistance level, being the March month high at $5,238.
Gold FAQs
Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong highlight that USD/KRW has pushed toward 1,495, reflecting KRW’s high-beta nature during geopolitical stress and energy price spikes. With bullish momentum intact and RSI rising, risks are skewed to the upside, with resistance at 1,500 and 1,510 and support at 1,470, though policymakers’ reassurances and any conflict resolution could slow depreciation and eventually trigger a turnaround.
Upside skew while policymakers vigilant
"The KRW was among the worst performers, with USDKRW pushing toward 1495 at one point overnight, underscoring the KRW’s high-beta characteristics during periods of geopolitical stress and energy price spikes."
"Bullish momentum on daily chart intact while RSI shows signs of rising."
"Risks skewed to the upside. Resistance at 1500, 1510 levels."
"Support at 1470 levels. That said policymakers have been quick to reassure markets this time and more forceful steps can help to slow the pace of depreciation."
"For a turnaround to play out would require the conflict to end and resumption of shipping routes, oil flows."
(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)
The US Dollar (USD) is ending the week on a firmer stance as the US/Israeli war against Iran closes in on two weeks. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has spiked Oil prices, boosting inflation risks and prompting investors to hide in safe-haven currencies like the Greenback. The escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to dominate market sentiment after Iran targeted oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz this week, disrupting supply in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) crossed the 100.00 mark and is now trading near 100.30 after four days of gains. On another note, the Federal Reserve (Fed) left its policy rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% in January and appears to be in a wait-and-see stance ahead of the next interest rate decision on Wednesday.
US Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.72% | 0.80% | 0.16% | 0.65% | 1.12% | 1.12% | 0.61% | |
| EUR | -0.72% | 0.07% | -0.55% | -0.07% | 0.39% | 0.40% | -0.11% | |
| GBP | -0.80% | -0.07% | -0.61% | -0.14% | 0.32% | 0.32% | -0.18% | |
| JPY | -0.16% | 0.55% | 0.61% | 0.49% | 0.93% | 0.92% | 0.43% | |
| CAD | -0.65% | 0.07% | 0.14% | -0.49% | 0.45% | 0.44% | -0.04% | |
| AUD | -1.12% | -0.39% | -0.32% | -0.93% | -0.45% | 0.00% | -0.49% | |
| NZD | -1.12% | -0.40% | -0.32% | -0.92% | -0.44% | -0.01% | -0.50% | |
| CHF | -0.61% | 0.11% | 0.18% | -0.43% | 0.04% | 0.49% | 0.50% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
EUR/USD is trading near the 1.1430 price region, slipping to levels last seen in August 2025. Additionally, the ongoing surge in Oil prices poses a challenge for the Eurozone economy, which remains heavily dependent on imported fuel.
GBP/USD is trading close to the 1.3240 price region, lowering itself to levels last reached in December of 2025 even after a disappointing US employment report, as global energy developments remain an important factor for the UK.
USD/JPY is trading near the 159.60 with little gains throughout the day as periods of heightened global uncertainty tend to benefit the Japanese Yen (JPY). Should the conflict escalate or threaten global energy supplies, the pair could succumb to the pressure and drop from its near two-year high.
AUD/USD is trading at 0.7000, slipping from the 0.7100 level after rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding energy could weigh on risk-sensitive currencies such as the Australian Dollar.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is trading at $97 per barrel after government reserve releases failed to keep hold down prices. WTI reached $119 per barrel on Monday, a level it hadn’t seen since 2022.
Gold is trading at $5,044, little changed throughout the day.
Anticipating economic perspectives: Voices on the horizon
Tuesday, March 17
- ECB’s Nagel speech
- Wednesday, March 18
- BoC Press Conference
- FOMC Press Conference
Thursday, March 19
- BoJ Press Conference
- SNB Press Conference
- ECB Monetary Policy Statement
- ECB Press Conference
Friday, March 20
- ECB’s Nagel speech
- Saturday, March 21
- ECB’s Cipollone speech
- Fed’s Chair Jerome Powell speech
Central banks' meetings and upcoming data releases to shape
Monday, March 16
- CNY Industrial Production (YoY) (Feb)
- CNY Retail Sales (YoY) (Feb)
- CAD BoC Consumer Price Index Core (YoY) (Feb)
- CAD Consumer Price Index (YoY) (Feb)
- USD NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (Mar)
- USD Industrial Production (MoM) (Feb)
Tuesday, March 17
- AUD RBA Interest Rate Decision
- EUR Consumer Price Index ((YoY) (Feb)
- GER ZEW Survey – Economic Sentiment (Mar)
- EUR ZEW Survey – Economic Sentiment (Mar)
- USD ADP Employment Change 4-week average
- USD Pending Home Sales (MoM) (Feb)
- JPY Merchandise Trade Balance Total (Feb)
Wednesday, March 18
- EUR Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) (Feb)
- EUR Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY) (Feb)
- EUR Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) (Feb)
- USD Producer Price Index (Feb)
- CAD BoC Interest Rate Decision
- US Factory Orders (MoM) (Jan)
- US Fed Interest Rate Decision
- US FOMC Economic Projections
- NZD Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) (Q4)
- NZD Gross Domestic Product (YoY) (Q4)
Thursday, March 19
- AUD Employment Change s.a. (Feb)
- JPY BoJ Interest Rate Decision
- UK Employment Change (3M) (Jan)
- UK ILO Unemployment Rate (3M) (Jan)
- UK BoE Interest Rate Decision
- CHF SNB Interest Rate Decision
- CHF SNB Monetary Policy Assessment
- EUR ECB Main Refinancing Operations Rate
- EUR ECB Rate On Deposit Facility
- USD Initial Jobless Claims
- USD Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey (Mar)
- USD New Home Sales Change (MoM) (Jan)
- NZD Westpac Consumer Survey (Q1)
- NZD Trade Balance NZD (YoY) (Feb)
Friday, March 20
- CNY PBoC Interest Rate Decision
- EUR Producer Price Index (MoM) (Feb)
- EUR Producer Price Index (YoY) (Feb)
- CAD Retail Sales (MoM) (Jan)
- USD Fed Monetary Policy Report
WTI Oil FAQs
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
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