Market Update 14/05/2025

Forex Market

USD: Extended Losses Post-CPI, AUD & NZD Led G10 Gains

The U.S. dollar slipped broadly after April CPI came in softer than expected (0.2% MoM vs 0.3% exp), easing rate hike concerns and fueling risk appetite. EUR, GBP, AUD, and NZD all rallied, while USD/JPY and USD/CAD pulled back.

• AUD/USD traded 0.6362–0.64785, settled at 0.6472
• NZD/USD hit highs of 0.5940
• EUR/USD and GBP/USD reached 1.1188 and 1.3305
• USD/JPY dipped to 147.45, later bounced to 147.60
• USD/CAD reversed from 1.4016 to 1.3936

AUD & NZD: Risk Appetite and CPI Relief Drove Gains

AUD and NZD rallied on USD weakness and improving risk sentiment. AUD/USD broke through resistance near 0.6450, while NZD/USD approached 0.5940 despite softer commodity prices. Focus shifts to AU’s Wage Price Index and U.S. mortgage data tonight.

Key Economic Data Ahead (Sydney Time)

General Market

Wall Street
U.S. equities posted modest gains before fading into the close, as tech strength was offset by defensive weakness. Markets are focused on upcoming Fed commentary and U.S.–China tariff discussions.

• Dow Jones -0.3%
• S&P 500 -0.1%
• Nasdaq flat

Fixed Income & Commodities

• U.S. 10-year yields closed at 4.38%, off intraday lows of 4.36%
• Crude oil rose +1.9% to $63.90/bbl
• Gold surged to $3347/oz, rebounding from $3274

Asia-Pacific Equities

• Nikkei +1.6%
• Hang Seng +0.4%
• Shenzhen -0.2%
• ASX 200 +0.5%, led by IT and financials

European Markets

• DAX +0.6%
• CAC +0.6%
• FTSE +0.3%

Headlines to Watch

• AU Wages in Focus: Q1 Wage Price Index expected to signal domestic labour cost pressure ahead of RBA meetings
• Tariff Talk Moves Markets: Trump’s latest comments on China tariffs stir geopolitical and risk sentiment