Market volatility surged at the onset of the European trading session on Tuesday (May 6, 2025), with trade war sentiments driving the momentum. As previously highlighted in the Macro Overview, U.S. President Donald Trump has increased import tariffs on foreign films by 100%. This development has reignited concerns about escalating trade tensions.
GOLD
Gold prices (XAUUSD) managed to hold their gains at the beginning of the European trading session, hovering close to the daily peak of $3,386.88 per troy ounce. This marks an increase of more than $64 or 640 pips compared to Monday’s trading close.
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The rise in demand for safe haven assets amid the risk of escalating trade tensions continues to be a significant factor driving up Gold prices. With no major economic data expected from the U.S. later tonight, this sentiment is likely to influence Gold’s movement in tonight’s trading.
OIL
Oil prices (CLS10) saw an uptick at the beginning of the European session, reaching $58.83 per barrel. This represents an increase of $1.62 compared to the closing price on Monday.
The sharp drop in Oil prices yesterday triggered bargain hunting, which propelled prices upward. However, the market remains overshadowed by negative sentiment as OPEC+ plans to increase production next month.
EURUSD
EURUSD exhibited volatility at the start of the European trading session, fluctuating between 1.12799 and 1.13497. Data released earlier today from the Eurozone indicated that the Producer Price Index (PPI) grew 1.9% year-on-year (YoY) in March, underperforming the Trading Central forecast of 2.4% YoY and down from 3% in the previous month.
The slowing growth in PPI may lead to a reduction in inflation pressure (Consumer Price Index/CPI) in the future, potentially allowing the European Central Bank (ECB) to consider cutting interest rates, which would exert negative sentiment on EURUSD.
GBPUSD
GBPUSD surged at the beginning of the European trading session, reaching a daily high of 1.33641. Compared to Monday’s trading close, GBPUSD has increased by 717 points (71.7 pips).
This rise in GBPUSD reflects the weakening of the U.S. dollar, especially since no significant economic data has been released from the UK. Moreover, market participants are awaiting the Bank of England’s (BoE) monetary policy announcement scheduled for this Thursday.
The U.S. dollar is facing pressure again due to concerns over escalating trade tensions, a sentiment that is likely to influence GBPUSD’s movements in tonight’s trading.
USDJPY
USDJPY reversed direction, falling to 142.902 at the start of the European trading session after climbing to 144.273. This movement reinforces the notion of a weakened U.S. dollar following President Trump’s 100% increase in tariffs on foreign film imports.
The sentiment surrounding this issue is still expected to impact USDJPY’s movement during this evening’s trade.
Nasdaq
Profit-taking activity in the Nasdaq continued at the beginning of the European trading session, dropping to 19,824. In comparison to Monday’s closing, the Nasdaq declined by 217 index points.
Last Friday, the Nasdaq saw a sharp rise, reaching a five-week high. However, following Trump’s tariff increase, profit-taking activities have ensued since the beginning of this week. There is potential for profit-taking to continue in tonight’s trading, especially with market participants awaiting the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy announcement early Thursday morning.
This announcement could trigger even greater movements in the financial markets.
