AUD/USD holds firm as US Dollar retreats despite firm PPI

The Australian Dollar (AUD) trades flat against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday as the Greenback reverses earlier gains despite stronger-than-expected US Producer Price Index (PPI) data. At the time of writing, AUD/USD is trading around 0.7112 and is on track for an eighth consecutive week of gains. The headline PPI rose 0.5% MoM, beating the 0.3% forecast, while…

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USDCHF Technicals: USDCHF moves lower to a new low for the week

The USDCHF is moving lower in North American trading, pressured by a softer US dollar backdrop as risk sentiment deteriorates. US equities opened sharply lower, with the S&P 500 down 0.78% and the NASDAQ falling 1.08%. At the same time, US yields are declining despite higher-than-expected PPI data, signaling markets are looking past inflation strength for now. The 10-year…

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GBP/USD slips as US PPI lifts US Dollar, Middle East risks rise

The Pound Sterling (GBP) drops some 0.10% on Friday as the Greenback is underpinned by a hot inflation report in the US, which prompted investors to price in a less dovish Federal Reserve (Fed). Also heightened risks in the Middle East weighed on the GBP/USD pair, which trades at 1.3469 at the time of writing. Sterling eases as firm…

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Tech sector under pressure: Energy and healthcare offer a safe haven

Sector Overview The stock market today showcases a complex tapestry of trends and fluctuations. The technology sector is under significant pressure, with major players like Microsoft (MSFT) down by 2.63% and Nvidia (NVDA) witnessing a 2.24% decline. Notably, Broadcom (AVGO) is also down by 3.11%, pointing towards a widespread downturn within the tech space. On a brighter note, energy…

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Weak growth impulse and fiscal risks – Societe Generale

Societe Generale’s Kunal Kundu reviews India’s FY27 Union Budget, highlighting policy continuity and fiscal consolidation in a context of geopolitical strains and currency weakness. The note flags modest allocations to employment schemes, questions execution of six focus areas, and warns that without stronger revenues, capital expenditure may again be cut to meet the 4.3% of GDP deficit target. Fiscal…

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US December construction spending +0.3% vs +0.3% expected

Prior was +0.5% Private construction +0.5% Residential construction +1.5% Non-residential construction -0.7% Public construction -0.5% m/m Public construction +3.6% y/y Given the jumps in shares of CAT and DE, there better be some construction spending in the pipeline. The annualized rate in the report is $2,168.8 billion, which is down 0.4% from last December. Private construction was 2.9% below…

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DXY slips as hot PPI stokes stagflation fears

DXY fell about 0.2% on Friday, grinding back into 97.60 after a hotter-than-expected Producer Price Index (PPI) report amplified concerns that inflation is proving stickier than the Federal Reserve (Fed) would like, weighing on growth expectations and dragging the Greenback lower.

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Data to confirm strong upswing – DBS

DBS Group Research expects Taiwan’s upcoming January export orders and industrial production to show strong double-digit growth, helped by last year’s low base and robust global AI-driven demand, alongside semiconductor and ICT inventory restocking. February CPI is forecast above 1.5% on holiday-related food and services prices. The statistics agency’s upgraded 2026 GDP and CPI forecasts broadly match DBS projections….

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US, Israel, Iran War Enters Day 2 After Trump Declares Khamenei Dead

As the Israel-Iran war moves into its second day, the story is escalating fast, and markets are already treating it as a week-level event rather than a one-night shock. Reuters reported that Iranian state media confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following US and Israeli strikes. (Reuters) In parallel, U.S. President Donald J. Trump posted…

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