The AUD/USD pair holds steady above mid-0.7100s during the Asian session on Friday and for now, seems to have stalled the previous day's modest pullback from its highest level since June 2022. Spot prices remain on track to register strong weekly gains amid a supportive fundamental backdrop.

USD/CAD remains subdued for the fifth consecutive day, trading around 1.3700 during the Asian hours on Friday.

On Friday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 6.8622 compared to the previous day's fix of 6.8616 and 6.8206 Reuters estimate.

TradingKey - On April 16, Eastern Time, buoyed by market optimism, the three major U.S. stock indices closed higher across the board. The Nasdaq rose 0.36% and the S&P 500 gained 0.26%, with both hitt

Silver (XAG/USD) is seen consolidating around the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the March downfall and trading just below the $79.00 mark during the Asian session on Friday, up 0.50% for the day.

NZD/USD remains subdued for the second successive day, trading around 0.5890 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair weakens as the US Dollar (USD) edges higher, supported by cautious market sentiment ahead of the upcoming meeting between the United States (US) and Iran scheduled for the weekend.

The Lebanese army said that it recorded multiple ceasefire violations by Israel after the truce went into effect, CNN reported on Friday.

The EUR/USD pair trades in negative territory near 1.1780 during the early Asian session on Friday. The major pair retreats from eight-week highs as traders remain cautious ahead of the next meeting between the United States (US) and Iran, scheduled for the weekend. 

Bitcoin has moved back toward the $76,000 resistance zone, renewing expectations of a short-term recovery after an extended period of bearish pressure.

Finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) on Friday emphasized the urgent need to limit the economic repercussions of an ongoing Middle East conflict, highlighting a commitment to pursuing enduring peace.

UOB economist Ho Woei Chen assesses China’s stronger 1Q26 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data and its implications for policy. Despite real GDP rising 5.0% year-on-year, the team keeps its 2026 growth forecast at 4.7% due to external headwinds and weak domestic demand.

Gold price (XAU/USD) posts modest gains near $4,795 during the early Asian session on Friday. Traders weigh signs of easing geopolitical tensions against persistent inflationary pressures. The next meeting between the United States (US) and Iran may take place over the weekend. 

New Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (YoY): 2.7% (March) vs 1.5%

New Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (MoM) dipped from previous 1.4% to 0.7% in March

OCBC’s strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong observe USD/MYR nearing key support as markets price optimism over US–Iran negotiations and a softer US Dollar (USD).

GBP/USD gave up recent gains on Thursday, falling around 0.25% to settle close to 1.3525 after slipping back below the 1.3550 handle. Price drifted lower through the European and North American sessions in a steady grind rather than an impulsive move, with sellers leaning against intraday rallies.

The USD/JPY reclaims the 159.00 figure after reaching a weekly low of 158.26 amid mixed economic data in the US, strengthening the US Dollar, which rose to a two-day high of 98.29 according to the US Dollar Index (DXY). At the time of writing, the pair trades at 159.17, up 0.11%.

The NZD/USD pair is trading with a muted tone around the 0.5890 area on Thursday, April 16, as the US Dollar (USD) continues to benefit from safe-haven flows driven by escalating geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing disruptions in global energy routes.

Ethereum (ETH) quickly reclaimed $2,300 again on Thursday after a slight dip below the level in the early American session.

Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur says China’s 5.0% growth, despite weak investment and retail sales, underscores reliance on external demand, keeping authorities wary of strong CNY appreciation.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with multiple world leaders this week, detailing the US' agenda of securing trade deals and policies aimed largely at reversing damage done through the first year of the Trump administration, specifically on earth minerals and general trade.

AUD/USD snapped a three-day winning streak on Thursday, finishing nearly flat close to 0.7165 after failing to clear the 0.7200 handle earlier in the session.

Standard Chartered economists Jonathan Koh and Edward Lee now expect Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep its policy rate at 4.25% in April, delaying a previously anticipated 25 bps hike to June.

TD Securities strategists highlight that China’s Q1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 5.0% year-on-year, at the top of the official target range, driven by strong exports and early bond quota usage.

Silver price loses 0.30% on Thursday as the Greenback stages a comeback and as the white metal fails to clear key resistance at $81.00. At the time of writing, XAG/USD trades at $78.73 after hitting a daily high of $80.85.

SanDisk Corporation (SNDK) closed up by 3.08%. The Technology Equipment sector is down by 11.14%. The company outperformed the industry. Top 3 stocks by turnover in the sector: NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) down

Credicorp Ltd (BAP) closed up by 7.53%. The Banking & Investment Services sector is down by 9.80%. The company outperformed the industry. Top 3 stocks by turnover in the sector: Charles Schwab Corp (S