Gold Prices Slip as Strong Dollar and Middle East Tensions Weigh on Market 
Bank of Japan Warns of Regional Economic Risks Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Oil Prices 
Australia Bans Card Payment Surcharges Starting October 2025 
Gold Prices Rise Slightly but Head for Weekly Loss Amid Oil Surge and Inflation Fears 
USDA Plans to Expand Farmer Surveys to Improve Crop Report Accuracy 
U.S. Sanctions Target Chinese Refinery Over Iranian Oil Purchases 
RBI Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Middle East Tensions and Global Uncertainty 
Bank of America Maintains Forecast for Two Fed Rate Cuts in 2026 Despite Inflation Risks 
Indian Cotton Yarn Exports Surge as China Demand Rises Amid Global Supply Disruptions 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Persist 
Not many economic data and events scheduled for today but some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Japan: Labor cash earnings declined by 0.4 percent y/y in March.
- Australia: Retail sales declined by 0.1 percent in March.
Upcoming:
- Switzerland: Unemployment report for April will be released at 5:45 GMT.
- Germany: March Industrial production report will be released at 6:00 GMT, along with trade balance report.
- France: France will release March budget report at 6:45 GMT.
- Italy: Italy will release March retail sales report at 8:00 GMT.
- Australia: Australia will release the budget report at 9:30 GMT.
- Canada: Building permits report for March will be released at 12:30 GMT.
- United States: Redbook index will be updated at 12:55 GMT, followed by the release of JOLTS jobs report and TIPP economic optimism report at 14:00 GMT. FOMC’s Rosengren is scheduled to speak at 17:00 GMT and Kaplan at 20:15 GMT.
- New Zealand: Electronic card retail sales report will be released at 22:45 GMT.
