Asia Roundup: Pound holds firm after UK inflation data, Asian stocks tumble, Gold steady, Oil extends climb-August 19th,2026

Market Roundup

 • Japan Core Machinery Orders (YoY) (Jun) 16.9%, 10.8% forecasts, -1.9% previous

• Japan Core Machinery Orders (MoM) (Jun) 9.7%, 7.2% forecasts, -12.4% previous

• Australia Wage Price Index (QoQ) (Q2) 0.8%, 0.8% forecasts, 0.8% previous

• Australia Wage Price Index (YoY) (Q2) 3.2%, 3.2% forecasts, 3.2% previous

• UK CPI (YoY) (Jul) 2.9%, 2.9% forecasts, 2.6% previous

• UK PPI Input (MoM) (Jul) -1.7%, 0.0% forecasts, -1.9% previous

• UK CPI (MoM) (Jul) 0.3%, 0.3% forecasts, 0.1% previous

• UK Core PPI Output (MoM) (Jul) 0.6%, 0.5% previous

• UK Core PPI Output (YoY) (Jul) 2.8%, 2.6% previous

• UK PPI Output (YoY) (Jul) 3.1%, 3.2% forecasts, 3.5% previous

• UK PPI Input (YoY) (Jul) 4.9%, 6.6% forecasts, 7.4% previous

• UK RPI (MoM) (Jul) 0.6%, 0.8% forecasts, 0.3% previous

• UK Core RPI (MoM) (Jul) 0.6%, 0.3% previous

• UK RPI (YoY) (Jul) 3.2%, 3.3% forecasts, 3.0% previous

• UK CPI, n.s.a (Jul) 142.90, 142.50 previous

• UK Core RPI (YoY) (Jul) 3.1%, 2.9% previous

• UK Core CPI (MoM) (Jul) 0.2%, 0.1% forecasts, 0.3% previous

• UK Core CPI (YoY) (Jul) 2.6%, 2.5% forecasts, 2.6% previous

• UK PPI Output (MoM) (Jul) 0.2%, 0.2% forecasts, -0.1% previous

Looking Ahead Economic Data (GMT) 

•10:00 Eurozone CPI (YoY) (Jul) 2.9% forecasts, 2.8% previous

•10:00 Eurozone Core CPI (YoY) (Jul) 2.5% forecasts, 2.4% previous

•10:00 Eurozone CPI (MoM) (Jul) 2.8% forecasts, -0.1% previous

•10:00 Eurozone HICP ex Energy and Food (MoM) (Jul) 0.0% forecasts, 0.2% previous

•10:00 Eurozone CPI ex Tobacco (MoM) (Jul) -0.1% previous

•10:00 Eurozone Core CPI (MoM) (Jul) 0.0% forecasts, 0.2% previous

•10:00 Eurozone HICP ex Energy & Food (YoY) (Jul) 2.2% forecasts, 2.1% previous

•10:00 Eurozone CPI ex Tobacco (YoY) (Jul) 2.7% previous

•10:00 Eurozone CPI, n.s.a (Jul) 103.22 forecasts, 103.02 previous

Looking Ahead Events And Other Releases (GMT)  

•No  Data ahead

Currency Forecast

EUR/USD : The euro strengthened  against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday  as investors awaiting minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting for clues on the path of interest rates.Market participants now turn to the Federal Reserve's release of minutes from the most recent meeting of its monetary policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee later in the day, looking for clues as to policymakers' views on interest rates.Data released in the past few weeks have pointed to a softer U.S. economy, including unexpected job losses in July and mild inflation readings, leading investors to scale back rate-hike bets.. The euro   inched up 0.1% to $1.1585, remaining close to the two-month high touched earlier this week. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.1633(Higher BB), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.1655(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.1525(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards 1.1497(SMA 20).

GBP/USD: The pound strengthened on Wednesday after UK inflation rose as expected in July, with investors assessing the latest economic data for clues on whether sterling can extend its three-week winning streak.The resilience of the UK economy has supported the pound, although elevated oil prices remain a headwind amid fading hopes of a U.S.-Iran deal to end the conflict.UK annual CPI inflation increased to 2.9% in July from 2.6% in June, matching the Reuters consensus. The reading was slightly above the Bank of England’s 2.8% forecast issued last month. .Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.3562(38.2%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3615(Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3478(38.2%fib), a break below could take the pair towards1.3453(SMA 20).

 AUD/USD: The Australian dollar slipped on Wednesday  as renewed concerns over oil supply continued to weigh on sentiment and the Australian dollar.U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday there ⁠were no talks with Iran and insisted the Strait of Hormuz was open, contradicting Iran's assertion that the waterway remained shut to shipping.Australia’s Q2 Wage Price Index rose 0.8% q/q and 3.2% y/y, matching market expectations, suggesting wage pressures remain steady.RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser’s comments later Wednesday will be closely watched for clues on the central bank’s policy outlook. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.7126(Higher BB%fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.7204(May 29th high).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.7070 (Daily low), a break below could take the pair towards 07034(50%fib).

USD/JPY:  The U.S. dollar slipped  on Tuesday as growing expectations of another Bank of Japan rate hike supported the yen. The BoJ has maintained a negative interest rate policy since 2016, but pressure has been building for a change. Inflation continues to exceed the central bank’s 2% goal, supporting the case for further policy normalization. According to market data, the probability of a BoJ rate hike at its next policy meeting has risen to over 70%, up from roughly 50% a week earlier. Immediate resistance can be seen at 160.20 (SMA 20), an upside break can trigger rise towards 160.67(50%fib).On the downside, immediate support is seen at  158.62(Aug 14th low) a break below could take the pair towards 157.63 (38.2%fib).

Equities Recap

Asian stocks tumbled on Wednesday as a fresh selloff in semiconductor shares weighed on South Korea and Japan, while elevated bond yields and ongoing Middle East tensions raised concerns about inflation and economic growth.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down by 3.12% ,   KOSPI was down at 2.40%, China A50 was down at 2.4026%

Commodities Recap

Gold traded flat on Wednesday after pulling ​back in the previous session, with investors awaiting minutes of the ‌U.S. Federal Reserve's July meeting for fresh clues on its monetary policy outlook.

Spot gold was little changed at $4,337.59 per ounce by 0558 GMT after falling nearly 2% on Tuesday due to higher Treasury yields, while U.S. ​gold futures slipped 0.7% to $4,391.20.

Oil prices rose for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday as markets assessed conflicting statements from Iran and the U.S. over whether the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping.

Brent crude futures climbed 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $91.44 by 0630 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 51 cents, or 0.6%, to $85.45 a barrel.