Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
ECB Expected to Hold Rates as Middle East Tensions Keep September Hike in Focus 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady for 14th Month as Economic Recovery Remains Uneven 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
Chile Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 4.5% as Inflation and Global Risks Persist 
Gold Prices Rise as Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
BOJ Holds Rates at 1% as Inflation Outlook Eases, October Rate Hike Still Possible 
Not many economic dockets and events scheduled for today and all with low to medium volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Japan: Flash Nikkei manufacturing PMI for April came at 52.8
Upcoming:
- France: Flash manufacturing and services PMI reports will be released at 7:00 GMT.
- Germany: Flash manufacturing and services PMI reports will be released at 7:30 GMT.
- Italy: Industrial sales and orders report will be released at 8:00 GMT.
- Eurozone: Flash manufacturing and services PMI reports will be released at 8:00 GMT, along with trade balance report for February.
- United Kingdom: March retail sales report will be released at 8:30 GMT.
- Canada: consumer price inflation reports will be released at 12:30 GMT.
- United States: Flash manufacturing and services PMI reports will be released at 13:45 GMT, followed by existing home sales report at 14:00 GMT. FOMC member Kashkari is scheduled to speak at 13:30 GMT.
