The price of Gold has shown an upward trend as it approaches the trading session in the United States this evening, even as geopolitical tensions begin to ease and discussions regarding trade between the US and China make progress. Conversely, the Nasdaq index, buoyed by significant surges in major technology stocks such as Nvidia and Tesla, continues its bullish trend despite slight corrections, reflecting market optimism about improving global economic prospects.
Here’s a breakdown from Trading Central:
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US retail sales scheduled for 19:30 WIB; forecast −0.1% vs previous 1.5%
GOLD
Gold prices have strengthened ahead of the United States trading session tonight, breaking through the $3,177 per troy ounce level. Previously, this precious metal faced pressure due to profit-taking by investors, following comments from US President Donald Trump indicating that nuclear negotiations with Iran remain a possibility. During his visit to the Middle East, Trump also mentioned that Syria and Yemen deserve a chance for peace, a statement deemed positive by the market, suggesting a reduction in geopolitical tensions.
This sentiment prompted investors to offload some of their Gold holdings due to a decreasing perception of global risk. Additionally, advancements in trade relations added further pressure on precious metals after China lifted a ban on exporting items with military and civilian applications to 28 US companies. Nevertheless, interest in Gold continues to be maintained as a hedge against uncertainty lingering in global markets.
OIL
Selling pressure on Oil prices continued throughout the European trading session today, with prices dipping to a daily low of $60.45 per barrel. This decline was fueled by market concerns over an increasing potential for global oversupply, amid signs of weak demand and high production from several major oil-producing countries.
Market sentiment has also been weighed down by President Trump’s comments last Thursday, stating that a deal with Iran is very close. ‘I believe we are very near to reaching an agreement with Iran. Iran has accepted our terms; we want them to succeed.’ These remarks sparked speculation that the potential resumption of Iranian oil exports could exacerbate oversupply conditions, thereby pushing Oil prices lower during tonight’s US session.
EURUSD
The EURUSD currency pair remained stable during the European midday session, trading around 1.1206. After recording a daily increase, EURUSD retraced approximately half of its gains from Thursday’s trading session. Nevertheless, this pair still displayed a rise of about 0.2% and remained traded slightly above the psychological level of 1.1200 as this report is drafted.
Selling pressure began to emerge as the US Dollar (USD) slowly recovers from previous declines. The revitalization of the Greenback occurred amidst decreasing trade war tensions between the United States and China, leading to a calmer market sentiment. This situation has lessened interest in the Euro, resulting in a somewhat restricted movement for EURUSD, awaiting the next catalyst from economic data or monetary policy statements that could provide clearer direction.
GBPUSD
The GBPUSD currency pair rebounded from its earlier dip during the European session today, having faced pressure in the previous session. The Pound Sterling gained against most major currencies on Thursday, driven by the release of UK GDP data that surpassed market expectations. However, data on the manufacturing and industrial sectors indicated a deeper monthly decline in March, raising concerns among market participants.
The UK economy recorded a quarterly growth of 0.7% for the three months leading to March 2025, a significant improvement compared to a rise of 0.1% in the last quarter of 2024. This performance exceeded market expectations of a 0.6% growth rate. In light of these mixed data, investors are now looking forward to a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for new insights regarding the direction of US interest rate policy, which may impact GBPUSD movement in the short term.
USDJPY
The USDJPY pair experienced another decline during the European trading session, as the Japanese Yen maintained a strong position against the weakening US Dollar for three consecutive days. The Yen’s strength was supported by market speculation that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) may raise interest rates soon, alongside a shrinking risk sentiment, prompting investors to seek safe-haven assets like the Yen.
Moreover, renewed selling of the US Dollar exerted additional pressure on the USDJPY pair, reinforcing the downward price trend. This condition reflects ongoing global market uncertainties that continue to make the Yen a preferred choice for investors looking to safeguard their investments.
NASDAQ
The Nasdaq experienced a slight correction during the European midday session, yet the bullish trend observed over the past few days remains intact. The index rose by 0.7% on Wednesday, driven by positive sentiment surrounding the temporary suspension of tariff disputes between the US and China.
Major technology stocks such as Nvidia and Tesla surged over 16%, while Meta Platforms climbed by 11.3% this week. The robust performance of the technology sector has positioned the Nasdaq as the best-performing index in the US, despite a small decline in the Dow Jones. This sentiment may still push the Nasdaq higher.
