Forex News
- Gold maintains its near-term bullish trend with support at $4,600 holding bears.
- Markets remain calm, awaiting the US Nonfarm Payrolls data.
- Trading volumes are at unusually low levels with most markets closed on Good Friday.
Gold’s (XAU/USD) reversal from weekly highs at the $4,800 area remains contained above previous highs, in the area of $4,600, with the precious metal changing hands at $4,665 at the time of writing. This leaves the upside channel from March 23 lows still in play, as investors bid their time ahead of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) release, due later on Friday.
The US Dollar’s strength witnessed on Thursday has lost steam, with trading volumes at low levels as most markets are closed for the Good Friday bank holiday. The highlight of the day is the US NFP report, which is expected to show a 60K increase in employment in March, with the jobless rate remaining unchanged at 4.4%.
Technical Analysis: XAU/USD's ascending cchannel remains intact
steadies
XAU/USD keeps trading within the near-term bullish channel with technical indicators showing mixed signals. The 4-hour Relative Strength Index steadies above the 50 line, suggesting cooling upside momentum, yet with buyers still in control. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), on the other hand, has slipped below its recent peak.
Downside attempts remain limited above the confluence of the mentioned channel base, now at $4,600, and late March highs, around $4,580. A confirmation below here is needed to negate the bullish view and add pressure towards the March 26 low, near $4,350, and the March 23 low, near $4,100.
Immediate resistance is seen at the mentioned weekly high of $4,800, further up, the previous support turned resistance, right above the $5,00 level emerges as the next bullish target.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
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 | -0.03% | -0.10% | 0.00% | -0.00% | -0.06% | 0.18% | -0.08% | |
| EUR | 0.03% | -0.03% | 0.04% | 0.03% | 0.08% | 0.20% | -0.05% | |
| GBP | 0.10% | 0.03% | 0.08% | 0.06% | 0.13% | 0.24% | -0.03% | |
| JPY | 0.00% | -0.04% | -0.08% | -0.00% | 0.05% | 0.16% | -0.11% | |
| CAD | 0.00% | -0.03% | -0.06% | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.18% | -0.09% | |
| AUD | 0.06% | -0.08% | -0.13% | -0.05% | -0.06% | 0.10% | -0.16% | |
| NZD | -0.18% | -0.20% | -0.24% | -0.16% | -0.18% | -0.10% | -0.26% | |
| CHF | 0.08% | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.16% | 0.26% |
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).
Silver prices (XAG/USD) broadly unchanged on Friday, according to FXStreet data. Silver trades at $73.05 per troy ounce, broadly unchanged 0.00% from the $73.05 it cost on Thursday.
Silver prices have increased by 2.76% since the beginning of the year.
Unit measure | Silver Price Today in USD |
|---|---|
Troy Ounce | 73.05 |
1 Gram | 2.35 |
The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, stood at 64.04 on Friday, broadly unchanged from 64.04 on Thursday.
Silver FAQs
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
(An automation tool was used in creating this post.)
- WTI holds gains over 10% as supply fears increased after recent Trump threats on Iran.
- Trump warned of intensified military action against Iran over the coming weeks, offering no clarity on reopening Hormuz.
- Iran’s Gharibabadi said Tehran is finalizing the draft and will soon begin talks with Oman.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price steadies around $103.80 per barrel during the early European hours on Friday. WTI price gained over 10% as supply concerns intensified following renewed Iran threats from US President Donald Trump.
President Trump warned of intensified military action on Iran over the next two to three weeks and issuing strong threats against Iran. But he offered no clarity on steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that recent US strikes on civilian infrastructure would not force a retreat, describing them instead as evidence of an opponent in disarray and moral decline.
Reports indicate that Iran and Oman are preparing a protocol to oversee transit through the Strait of Hormuz, though optimism quickly faded. In an interview with Sputnik, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran is finalizing the draft and will soon begin talks with Oman to establish a joint framework.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) is hosting virtual discussions with around 40 countries to explore ways to reopen the Hormuz. The US is not participating, after President Trump said it is not America’s responsibility to reopen the route, urging European nations to “go get your own oil.”
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.
- EUR/GBP flatlines around 0.8720 on Friday after bouncing from 0.8700 support.
- The pair has rallied nearly 1% over the last three weeks, despite the risk-off sentiment.
- The Euro is likely to require an additional impulse to breach resistance at 0.8740.
EUR/GBP’s reversal from one-month highs at 0.8740 found support above 0.8700 earlier this week, before stalling halfway through the last few days’ range around 0.8720. Technical indicators show waning bullish momentum, while thinned market volumes suggest that further consolidation is the most likely outcome on Friday.
The Euro (EUR) remains on track for a nearly 0.5% weekly gain and is nearly 1% up over the last three weeks. The risk-averse sentiment stemming from the war in Iran has been weighing both currencies against the safe-haven US Dollar (USD). Still, the positive manufacturing activity and the moderate uptick in inflation seen in the Eurozone earlier this week have provided some support to the Euro (EUR), while UK manufacturing PMI failed to convince investors.
Technical Analysis
EUR/GBP's near-term bias remains mildly bullish, although technical indicators point to a weakening momentum. The 4-hour Relative Strength Index at 58 stays above its midline, but the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator slips marginally below the zero line, and the MACD line has crossed below the Signal line, which is a bearish sign.
Bears will have to breach Wednesday's and Tuesday's lows, at 0.8705 and 0.8676, respectively, to undermine the near-term bullish structure and expose the 0.8630-08635 area, which provided support to the pair on March 23, 24, and 26.
On the upside, bulls are likely to require additional impulse to break resistance at the 0.8740 area (March 3 and April 1 highs), and shift the focus to the key area between 0.8790 and 0.8800, which capped bulls several times in December and early March
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Euro Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.02% | -0.11% | 0.00% | 0.01% | -0.12% | 0.13% | -0.08% | |
| EUR | 0.02% | -0.06% | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.13% | -0.06% | |
| GBP | 0.11% | 0.06% | 0.11% | 0.08% | 0.11% | 0.20% | -0.00% | |
| JPY | 0.00% | -0.02% | -0.11% | 0.00% | -0.01% | 0.10% | -0.11% | |
| CAD | -0.01% | -0.03% | -0.08% | -0.00% | -0.01% | 0.12% | -0.09% | |
| AUD | 0.12% | -0.01% | -0.11% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.12% | -0.09% | |
| NZD | -0.13% | -0.13% | -0.20% | -0.10% | -0.12% | -0.12% | -0.21% | |
| CHF | 0.08% | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.21% |
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 Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).
- EUR/JPY edges higher to near 184.15 in Friday’s early European session.
- The positive outlook of the cross remains intact above the 100-day EMA, with bullish RSI momentum.
- The initial support level is located at 183.50; the first upside barrier emerges at 184.80.
The EUR/JPY cross gathers strength around 184.15 during the early European session on Friday. Trading volumes are likely to be thin due to the Good Friday holiday. Meanwhile, hawkish remarks from European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers provide some support to the Euro (EUR) against the Japanese Yen (JPY). ECB Governing Council member Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Thursday that the central bank’s next interest rate move will very likely be an increase, although it is still too early to say when it will start hiking.
On the other hand, escalations in the Middle East could boost a safe-haven demand, supporting the JPY. US President Donald Trump pressures Iran to make a deal after a military strike destroys a bridge near Tehran. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Washington’s recent strikes on civilian infrastructure will not force the country to back down, adding that such actions “convey the defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray.”
Technical Analysis:
In the daily chart, the near-term bias of EUR/JPY is mildly bullish as price holds above the rising 100-day exponential moving average near 182.10 and consolidates just under the upper Bollinger Band, indicating sustained upside pressure after the recent advance. The Bollinger middle band around 183.50 now tracks below spot and acts as dynamic trend support, while the latest RSI reading just above 54 confirms positive, but not overextended, momentum consistent with a grinding uptrend rather than a climax move.
Immediate support emerges at the 183.50 Bollinger middle band, followed by the 182.50–182.10 area where recent lows converge with the 100-day EMA. A break below this zone would weaken the bullish structure and expose deeper retracement toward 181.50. On the topside, initial resistance stands at the recent upper Bollinger Band region around 184.80, with a daily close above this threshold opening the door toward the 186.00 area where prior band highs cluster and upside risk would intensify.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Japanese Yen FAQs
The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors.
One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen.
Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential.
The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.
- The Japanese Yen faces challenges as uncertainty persists over the Bank of Japan’s policy outlook.
- BoJ’s Koji Nakamura told parliament that higher oil prices pose risks to economic growth and could impact outlook.
- The US Dollar holds ground on safe-haven demand following recent Iran threats from President Trump.
USD/JPY remains in the positive territory for the third successive day after registering over 0.5% gains on Thursday, currently trading around 159.60 during the Asian hours on Friday. However, the pair moves little due to thin trading activity amid the Good Friday holiday.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) remains under pressure against the US Dollar (USD) as uncertainty builds around the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) policy outlook. While the Japanese central bank has hinted at a potential rate hike this month, markets remain uncertain about whether it will offer clear forward guidance ahead of its April 28 policy meeting.
According to Reuters, a senior BoJ official indicated on Friday that the central bank will continue raising interest rates if its economic projections remain on track, reinforcing a tightening bias even as recent surveys highlight growing strain on firms from rising fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions.
Meanwhile, BoJ Executive Director Koji Nakamura told parliament that although higher oil prices pose risks to economic growth, they could also lift underlying inflation by boosting long-term inflation expectations.
The USD/JPY pair holds ground as the US Dollar (USD) receives support from rising safe-haven demand following the recent Iran threats from US President Donald Trump. Trump offered no clarity on steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, warning of intensified military action over the next two to three weeks and issuing strong threats against Iran.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that recent US strikes on civilian infrastructure would not force a retreat, describing them instead as evidence of an opponent in disarray and moral decline.
Bank of Japan FAQs
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the Japanese central bank, which sets monetary policy in the country. Its mandate is to issue banknotes and carry out currency and monetary control to ensure price stability, which means an inflation target of around 2%.
The Bank of Japan embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy in 2013 in order to stimulate the economy and fuel inflation amid a low-inflationary environment. The bank’s policy is based on Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE), or printing notes to buy assets such as government or corporate bonds to provide liquidity. In 2016, the bank doubled down on its strategy and further loosened policy by first introducing negative interest rates and then directly controlling the yield of its 10-year government bonds. In March 2024, the BoJ lifted interest rates, effectively retreating from the ultra-loose monetary policy stance.
The Bank’s massive stimulus caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process exacerbated in 2022 and 2023 due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. This trend partly reversed in 2024, when the BoJ decided to abandon its ultra-loose policy stance.
A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. The prospect of rising salaries in the country – a key element fuelling inflation – also contributed to the move.
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