Market Roundup
•US Initial Jobless Claims 199K, 219K forecast, 215K previous
•US Continuing Jobless Claims 1,866K, 1,913K previous
•US Jobless Claims 4-Week Avg. 218.75K, 217.00K previous
•US Crude Oil Inventories -1.934M,0.500M forecast, 0.405M previous
•US Cushing Crude Oil Inventories 0.543M , 0.707M previous
Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT)
•No Data Ahead
Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)
• No Events Ahead
Currency Summaries
EUR/USD : The euro dipped on Wednesday after stronger-than-expected U.S. labour market data boosted the greenback. The Labor Department said weekly initial jobless claims fell by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000, the lowest level in a month and below economists’ estimates of 220,000.Adding to the broader backdrop for the dollar this year, concerns have swirled over the Federal Reserve’s independence under the Trump administration, which has pushed for an aggressive reduction in interest rates. Trump has said he plans to announce his pick for the next Fed chair sometime in January, replacing Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May and who has faced repeated criticism from the president. However, some of the new voting members next year have recently expressed doubts about the case for continued rate cuts. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1793(23.6%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1828(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1731(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1680(50%fib).
GBP/USD: The British pound slippped lower against the dollar on Wednesday but was still on track for its biggest annual gain in eight years. Sterling has enjoyed a strong 2025 amid a broadly dismal performance by the U.S. dollar, even as the second half of the year was clouded by domestic political uncertainty, concerns over Britain’s public finances, and stagnant economic growth.The main focus for currency traders was the Autumn Budget, but November’s fiscal event passed without significant disruption, easing some of the pressure that had built on the pound in the latter part of the year. Looking ahead, sterling’s performance in 2026 is likely to hinge on the Bank of England’s monetary policy decisions. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3499(23.6%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3529(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3402 (38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3338(50%fib).
USD/CAD: The Canadian dollar weakened on Wednesday as the greenback firmed following stronger-than-expected U.S. labour market data. The Labor Department reported that weekly initial jobless claims fell by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000, the lowest level in a month and well below economists’ estimates of 220,000.Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s December 9–10 meeting showed the central bank agreed to cut interest rates only after a deeply nuanced debate over the risks facing the U.S. economy. The Fed’s policy trajectory is expected to set the tone for global markets in 2026, after recent economic data and expectations of a more dovish Fed chair led investors to price in further rate cuts.Trading volumes remained thin in the holiday-shortened week, with markets closed on Thursday for New Year’s Day. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3732 (38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3780 (SMA 20).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3658(23.6%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.3612 (Lower BB).
USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar firmed against the yen on Wednesday as the greenback advanced following stronger-than-expected U.S. labour market data. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits for the week ended December 27 fell unexpectedly by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000, the lowest level since late November, Labor Department data showed.Looking ahead to 2026, attention will shift to diverging policy expectations between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan, as well as Japan’s fiscal policy stance, including the scope and timing of any additional stimulus. Japanese markets are closed for the rest of the week, and with most global markets shut on Thursday for the New Year’s Day holiday, trading volumes are likely to remain thin and price moves muted. Immediate resistance can be seen at 157.43(Higher BB) an upside break can trigger rise towards 157.68(23.6%fib) .On the downside, immediate support is seen at 155.92 (SMA 20) a break below could take the pair towards 155.44 (38.2%fib).
Equities Recap
European shares edged lower on the final trading day of 2025 but still posted their strongest annual performance since 2021, supported by falling interest rates, Germany’s fiscal stimulus, and a rotation out of high-priced U.S. technology stocks.
UK's benchmark FTSE 100 closed down by 0.09 percent, Germany's Dax ended up by 0.57 percent, France’s CAC finished the day down by 0.23 percent.
Wall Street slipped slightly in the final session of 2025, yet remained poised for annual gains after a turbulent year shaped by tariff risks and AI stock euphoria.
Dow Jones closed down by 0.63 % percent, S&P 500 closed down by 0.74 % percent, Nasdaq settled down by 0.76% percent.
Commodities Recap
Spot gold inched down 0.6% to $4,318.67 per ounce by 01:34 p.m. ET (18:34 GMT), after dropping to its lowest level since December 16 earlier in the session.
U.S. gold futures for February delivery settled 1% lower at $4,341.1.
Oil prices dropped on Wednesday, closing the year with nearly a 20% loss amid rising oversupply concerns, driven by wars, higher tariffs, increased OPEC+ output, and sanctions on Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Brent crude futures fell roughly 19% in 2025, marking the largest annual drop since 2020 and the third consecutive year of losses the longest streak on record.
Brent futures settled at $60.85 a barrel, down 48 cents, or 0.8%. U.S. WTI crude fell by 53 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $57.42 a barrel.
