U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip 
Canada's Economy Grows Modestly in January 2025, Driven by Energy and Construction 
Oil Prices Slide as Iran Tensions Ease and U.S. Crude Stockpiles Swell 
Trump Claims Iran Sought Ceasefire as Middle East War Escalates 
Trump Threatens Escalation Against Iran, Warns of Infrastructure Strikes 
Gold Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Spark Market Optimism 
Oil Prices Surge Over $5 as Trump Vows to Continue Iran Strikes 
South Korea's Exports Hit Record High in March on AI-Driven Chip Demand 
U.S. Stocks Surge on Iran War De-escalation Hopes 
Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets 
Gold Prices Rebound But Head for Worst Month Since 2008 Amid Iran War Uncertainty 
Japan Business Sentiment Rises as Iran War Fuels Inflation Fears, BOJ Rate Hike Looms 
Trump's Iran War Speech Sparks Market Anxiety Over Extended Conflict 
Oil Prices Hold Near Multi-Year Highs Amid Iran Conflict and Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying 
Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected 
South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 4-Year High in March 2025 Driven by Semiconductor Demand 
The United States April retail sales is expected to surge by around 8 pct m/m on an anticipated rise in monthly auto sales and pump prices, rising by around 7 pct on an average. However, retail sales growth has been a matter of concern in the recent past, with control group sales rising 2.8 pct on year.
The retail sector seems to be growing on sales in the internet sector and home building materials. The former continues to rise at an average trend pace of 6-7 pct on year.
"Meanwhile, low mortgage rates – current 15Y fixed rates are 2.70%, essentially their lowest since WWII – have lit a fire under the housing market and sales growth in home building materials has shot up to 12% YoY. Not much is sizzling in the US economy but housing probably counts as an important exception," DBS said in a research piece.
