ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Not many economic data and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: HIA new home sales declined by 1.1 percent in March. Trade balance for March came at $3.1 billion. Exports grew by 2 percent and import grew by 5 percent.
- China: Caixin services PMI for April declines to 51.5
Upcoming:
- Switzerland: SECO consumer climate report will be released at 5:45 GMT.
- Spain: unemployment change report for April will be published at 7:00 GMT, followed by services PMI report at 7:15 GMT.
- Italy: Markit services PMI report will be released at 7:45 GMT.
- France: Services PMI report will be released at 7:50 GMT.
- Germany: Services PMI report will be released at 7:55 GMT.
- Eurozone: Services PMI report will be released at 8:00 GMT, followed by retail sales report at 9:00 GMT. ECB President Draghi is scheduled to speak at 16:30 GMT.
- United Kingdom: Consumer lending report, money supply report will be released at 8:30 GMT, along with services PMI report.
- United States: Challenger Jobs report will be published at 11:30 GMT, followed by trade balance report for March at 12:30 GMT, along with weekly jobless claims report and non-farm productivity report. Factory orders numbers will be published at 14:00 GMT. EIA will release natural gas inventory report at 14:30 GMT.
- Canada: Trade balance report for March will be published at 12:30 GMT. BoC governor Poloz is scheduled to speak at 20:25 GMT.
- Auction: Germany will auction 10-year bond today.
