Forex News
- EUR/USD edges lower to near 1.1530 while investors remain uncertain over Iran’s final decision to the US proposal.
- Iran calls on US President Trump to surrender or his allies will return to the Paleolithic Age.
- The US FOMC minutes of the March policy meeting will be released on Wednesday.
The EUR/USD pair ticks marginally lower around 1.1530 during the Asian trading session on Tuesday, but is broadly sideways, wobbling inside Monday’s trading range. The major currency pair consolidates while investors await Iran’s final decision on the ceasefire proposal by the United States (US), which has a deadline of Tuesday, 08:00 PM ET.
As of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades slightly higher to near 100.10.
Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s deadline, an advisor to Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has stated that Trump has about 20 hours to either surrender to Iran or his allies will return to the Paleolithic Age, emphasizing that Tehran will not back down. He called Trump’s threats “delusional” and added that they won’t make up for the “disgrace and humiliation” of the US in the region.
On the domestic front, investors await the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes of the March policy meeting, which will be released on Wednesday. In the meeting, the Fed left interest rates unchanged in the range of 3.50%-3.75%.
EUR/USD technical analysis
EUR/USD edges down to near 1.1530 in the opening trade on Tuesday. Price sits marginally below the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 1.1560, keeping the short-term tone mildly bearish as the pair struggles to reclaim that dynamic cap.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers in the mid-40s, showing negative but not extreme momentum, consistent with a market leaning lower inside a broader consolidation. A downward-sloping resistance trend line from around 1.1660 continues to limit rebounds, while the recent sequence of lower closes under that line confirms sellers retain the near-term advantage.
Initial resistance is now located at the 20-day EMA around 1.1560, with a break above exposing the descending trend-line barrier near 1.1600 and then the March 10 high at 1.1666. On the downside, the rising support trend line coming from the 1.1410 region underpins the market around 1.1470, with a daily close below that level opening the way toward 1.1410 as the next support. As long as the pair trades below 1.1600, rallies are likely to meet selling interest, keeping focus on whether the 1.1470–1.1410 support band can contain the current bearish pressure.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
US Dollar FAQs
The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away.
The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.
- GBP/USD depreciates as the US Dollar strengthens on increased risk aversion linked to geopolitical tensions.
- President Trump said Iran’s ceasefire proposal was “not good enough” ahead of his Hormuz Strait deadline.
- BoE policymakers shifted to holding policy rates amid rising energy costs from the Middle East conflict.
GBP/USD pares its recent gains from the previous day, trading around 1.3220 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The pair depreciates as the US Dollar (USD) gains ground amid increased risk aversion, which could be attributed to the Middle East peace truce uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the latest proposal for a US ceasefire with Iran is “not good enough" ahead of his deadline for Iran to either reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump said, adding, “They’re negotiating now, and they’ve made a very significant step. We’ll see what happens.”
Traders keep a close watch on US President Donald Trump's deadline concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned that he could target Iranian power plants and bridges unless his demands are met by 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed on Monday that the US Services PMI eased to 54.0 in March from 56.1 in February. The figure came in below expectations of 55.0, signaling a slight loss of momentum in the sector.
The Bank of England (BoE) policymakers, including Sarah Breeden and Swati Dhingra, shifted from supporting cuts to holding rates amid rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict, while warning CPI inflation could rise to 3%–3.5% in the coming quarters.
Pound Sterling FAQs
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).
The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.
Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
- US Dollar Index strengthens to around 100.10 in Tuesday’s Asian session.
- Trump escalated threats to attack key Iranian infrastructure if his terms aren’t met before a Tuesday deadline.
- US service sector cooled in March, with the ISM Services PMI declining to 54.0.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, currently trades near 100.10 during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The DXY gains ground as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East boost the safe-haven demand. The US Durable Goods Orders and ADP Employment reports will be published later on Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the latest proposal for a US ceasefire with Iran is “not good enough.” He threatened to target Iran's power plants and bridges if the strategic waterway is not reopened, setting a precise deadline of Tuesday, 8 p.m. Eastern Time (00:00 GMT Wednesday).
The spokesperson for Iran’s top joint military command said that Trump’s threats will not make up for the “disgrace and humiliation” of the US in the region. Heightened uncertainty in the Middle East continues to boost the US Dollar against its rivals in the near term.
Surging oil prices due to the Iran war have complicated the US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate path. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack stated that a rate hike could be appropriate if inflation remains stubbornly high.
Data released by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on Monday showed that the Services PMI declined to 54.0 in March, versus 56.1 prior. This figure came in worse than the expectations at 55.0, signaling some loss of momentum in the sector.
US Dollar FAQs
The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away.
The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.
- NZD/USD softens to near 0.5700 in Tuesday’s Asian session.
- Trump insisted on Hormuz opening as he escalated Iran threats.
- The RBNZ rate decision will be in the spotlight later on Wednesday, with no change in rate expected.
The NZD/USD pair attracts some sellers to around 0.5700 during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The US Dollar (USD) strengthens against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) as heightened uncertainty in the Middle East boosts demand for a safe-haven currency.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would be part of any deal to end the Middle East war and escalated threats to attack key Iranian infrastructures if his terms aren’t met before a Tuesday deadline at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (00:00 GMT Wednesday), per Bloomberg.
Iran has also retaliated by saying that it will respond to Trump's threats by ramping up its own attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf. Rising tensions in the Middle East could provide some support to the Greenback and act as a headwind for the pair in the near term.
However, the downbeat US economic data might cap the upside for the USD. The US Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) declined to 54.0 in March from 56.1 in February, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed on Monday. This reading came in below the market consensus of 55.0.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its April meeting on Wednesday and restate its willingness to look through the initial inflationary impact of surging fuel prices that threaten a stuttering recovery. Governor Anna Breman will hold a press conference after the policy meeting. Markets and analysts anticipate a potential rate hike to 2.50% by the end of 2026.
RBNZ FAQs
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is the country’s central bank. Its economic objectives are achieving and maintaining price stability – achieved when inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), falls within the band of between 1% and 3% – and supporting maximum sustainable employment.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decides the appropriate level of the Official Cash Rate (OCR) according to its objectives. When inflation is above target, the bank will attempt to tame it by raising its key OCR, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money and thus cooling the economy. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD.
Employment is important for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) because a tight labor market can fuel inflation. The RBNZ’s goal of “maximum sustainable employment” is defined as the highest use of labor resources that can be sustained over time without creating an acceleration in inflation. “When employment is at its maximum sustainable level, there will be low and stable inflation. However, if employment is above the maximum sustainable level for too long, it will eventually cause prices to rise more and more quickly, requiring the MPC to raise interest rates to keep inflation under control,” the bank says.
In extreme situations, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) can enact a monetary policy tool called Quantitative Easing. QE is the process by which the RBNZ prints local currency and uses it to buy assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions with the aim to increase the domestic money supply and spur economic activity. QE usually results in a weaker New Zealand Dollar (NZD). QE is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the objectives of the central bank. The RBNZ used it during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- USD/CAD advances as the US Dollar strengthens on safe-haven demand linked to uncertainty surrounding the Middle East peace truce outlook.
- President Trump said Iran’s ceasefire proposal was “not good enough” ahead of his Hormuz Strait deadline.
- WTI gains support as traders stay cautious ahead of Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
USD/CAD edges higher after registering modest losses in the previous day, trading around 1.3930 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) gains ground amid increased risk aversion, which could be attributed to the Middle East peace truce uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the latest proposal for a US ceasefire with Iran is “not good enough" ahead of his deadline for Iran to either reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump said, adding, “They’re negotiating now, and they’ve made a very significant step. We’ll see what happens.”
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported on Monday that the US Services PMI eased to 54.0 in March from 56.1 in February. The figure came in below expectations of 55.0, signaling a slight loss of momentum in the sector.
However, the upside of the USD/CAD pair could be limited as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) may receive support from the surge in oil prices. It is worth noting that Canada is the largest crude oil exporter to the United States (US).
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price appreciates after little losses in the previous day, trading around $104.30 per barrel at the time of writing. However, crude oil prices gain support as traders remain cautious ahead of President Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face major strikes on civilian infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iran warned it would retaliate against any US strikes on civilian infrastructure by intensifying attacks on Gulf energy assets, risking deeper global energy shortages.
Canadian Dollar FAQs
The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive.
The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD.
While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar.
Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.
An advisor to Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump has about 20 hours to either surrender to Iran, or his allies will return to the Paleolithic Age. The advisor emphasized that Iran will not back down.
The spokesperson for Iran’s top joint military command called Trump’s threats “delusional.” He added that the threats will not make up for the “disgrace and humiliation” of the US in the region.
Market reaction
At the time of press, the WTI price is up 0.43% on the day at $104.25.
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.
- USD/JPY attracts some follow-through buyers on Tuesday, though it lacks bullish conviction.
- Japan’s soft Household Spending further tempered BoJ rate hike bets and undermined the JPY.
- Intervention fears help limit JPY losses and might cap the pair amid subdued USD demand.
The USD/JPY pair touches a one-week high during the Asian session on Tuesday, though it lacks follow-through and remains below the 160.00 psychological mark amid mixed fundamental cues.
Data released by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs showed that Household Spending fell 1.8% from a year earlier in February, deepening from a 1.0% decline in the previous month and marking the third consecutive month of decrease. On a monthly basis, personal spending increased for the first time in three months, by 1.5%, reversing a part of the 2.5% fall in January but missing consensus estimates. This, in turn, undermines the Japanese Yen (JPY) and acts as a tailwind for the USD/JPY pair.
Meanwhile, the ongoing war in Iran has been fueling concerns that Japan's economy will come under substantial strain in the foreseeable future against the backdrop of its dependence on oil imports from the Middle East. This further tempers bets for an immediate rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and turns out to be another factor weighing on the JPY. However, speculations that authorities would step in to stem further weakness in the domestic currency help limit deeper losses for the JPY.
On the geopolitical front, Iran rejected a potential ceasefire proposal to end its conflict with the US, while US President Donald Trump threatened stronger action if the country fails to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz. This, along with expectations that elevated energy prices would rekindle inflationary pressures and force the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to adopt a more hawkish stance, benefits the US Dollar's (USD) global reserve currency status and further offers some support to the USD/JPY pair.
Traders now look forward to the release of US Durable Goods Orders for some impetus later during the North American session. The focus, however, will remain glued to developments surrounding the US-Iran war amid fading de-escalation hopes and ahead of Trump's deadline. Meanwhile, the aforementioned fundamental backdrop suggests that the path of least resistance for the USD/JPY pair remains to the upside and backs the case for an extension of the move up from mid-February lows.
Economic Indicator
Overall Household Spending (YoY)
The Overall Household Spending released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is an indicator that measures the total expenditure by households. The level of spending can be used as an indicator of consumer optimism. It is also considered as a measure of economic growth. A high reading is positive (or Bullish) for the JPY, while a low reading is negative (or bearish).
Read more.Last release: Mon Apr 06, 2026 23:30
Frequency: Monthly
Actual: -1.7%
Consensus: -0.7%
Previous: -1%
Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan
Forex Market News
Our dedicated focus on forex news and insights empowers you to capitalise on investment opportunities in the dynamic FX market. The forex landscape is ever-evolving, characterised by continuous exchange rate fluctuations shaped by vast influential factors. From economic data releases to geopolitical developments, these events can sway market sentiment and drive substantial movements in currency valuations.
At Rakuten Securities Hong Kong, we prioritise delivering timely and accurate forex news updates sourced from reputable platforms like FXStreet. This ensures you stay informed about crucial market developments, enabling informed decision-making and proactive strategy adjustments. Whether you’re monitoring forex forecasts, analysing trading perspectives, or seeking to capitalise on emerging trends, our comprehensive approach equips you with the insights needed to navigate the FX market effectively.
Stay ahead with our comprehensive forex news coverage, designed to keep you informed and prepared to seize profitable opportunities in the dynamic world of forex trading.
