Close

Equities Edge Higher as USD Holds Firm Amid Geopolitical Focus

Welcome to our daily market update. If you have any questions or would like anything further explained, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your account manager or email info@cafx.com

 

Forex Market 

USD Holds Firm as AUD Lags Amid Cautious Sentiment
The USD remained broadly firm despite mixed U.S. data, supported by stronger equities and ongoing geopolitical developments, while currency movements stayed relatively contained; major pairs traded within narrow ranges, with the Australian dollar underperforming against the U.S. dollar, the euro and British pound moving modestly within their respective ranges, the Japanese yen weakening as USD/JPY pushed higher, the New Zealand dollar remaining soft, and the Canadian dollar strengthening slightly against the U.S. dollar.
AUD/USD continued to trade defensively, weighed down by USD strength and cautious market sentiment, with demand seen at lower levels and resistance building toward the upper end of its recent range.

General Market

Wall Street

  • Dow Jones +0.2% → 48,579
  • S&P 500 +0.2% → 7,040
  • Nasdaq +0.4% → 24,103
  • VIX -1.9% → 17.82

Asia-Pacific

  • Nikkei +2.4% → 59,518
  • Shanghai Composite +0.7% → 4,056
  • ASX 200 -0.3% → 8,955

Europe

  • FTSE +0.3% → 10,590
  • DAX +0.4% → 24,154
  • CAC -0.1% → 8,263

 

Headlines to Watch

Global / Geopolitics

  • Reports of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, though conflicting developments continue
  • Ongoing uncertainty around potential U.S.–Iran negotiations, expected to take months
  • Energy concerns persist after warnings of limited jet fuel supply in Europe

United States

  • Jobless claims broadly in line with expectations
  • Industrial production unexpectedly declined, signaling softer manufacturing activity
  • Treasury yields remain elevated (10Y at 4.31%)

Asia-Pacific

  • China Q1 GDP surprised to the upside at 5.0% y/y
  • Mixed Chinese data: weaker retail sales but stronger industrial output
  • Australia unemployment steady at 4.3%, but inflation expectations rising

Europe

  • Eurozone CPI slightly above expectations but had limited FX impact
  • EUR remains under pressure amid broader USD strength
Currency Pair Mid-market Rate
AUD/USD 0.7163
AUD/NZD 1.2159
AUD/JPY 114.02
AUD/CNY 4.8853
AUD/EUR 0.6079
AUD/GBP 0.5294
AUD/HKD 5.6050

 

 

 

Disclaimer:

The market update provided by Corporate Alliance FX (CAFX) is for reference only and does not constitute a bid, levy, offer or invitation to offer for the financial product, the basis for any contract or commitment, a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any investment instruments, financial, legal, tax, investment advice, investment advice or other opinions. It will not be legally liable for any consequences or losses caused by the information or content involved.
Corporate Alliance Group Pty Ltd T/A Corporate Alliance FX (CAFX) (ABN 58 167 119 226, AFSL 523351) (i.e. CAFX), CAFX independently holds the Australian Financial Services licence no. 523351 (AFSL), so CAFX is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) and, and although ASIC is a strictly regulatory body, it does not endorse a specific financial product. ASIC’s regulation of CAFX applies to all services under the financial licence held by CAFX, including the issuance of foreign exchange settlement, foreign exchange payments, foreign exchange risk control, hedging, market making and providing financial advice.3

Facebook
LinkedIn

Corporate Alliance Group Pty Ltd (ABN: 58 167 119 226) trading as Corporate Alliance FX (“CAFX”) holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL No: 523351) issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and is registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) as an independent remittance dealer (Registration No – IND100697688-001).

Corporate Alliance Payments Pty Ltd (ABN: 66 650 245 382) trading as CAPAY is an ASIC AR 001295931 of Corporate Alliance Group Pty Ltd (ABN 58 167 119 226), and is registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) as a remittance dealer (Registration No IND100792739-001), and a Remittance Network Provider (RNP) (Registration No. RNP100792739-001).

Corporate Alliance Pty Ltd (ABN: 51 644 169 148) trading as Corporate Alliance Finance (“CAFIN”) is an ASIC AR 001297733 of Corporate Alliance Group Pty Ltd (ABN 58 167 119 226), which holds an Australian Financial Services Licence issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (AFSL No: 523351).

DISCLAIMER:  The information contained on this website and in any accompanying documents or communications is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a solicitation for funds, nor should it be considered a recommendation or advice to trade.  The contents do not consider your personal objectives, financial situation, or individual needs. You should seek independent financial advice before making any investment or trading decisions.

Corporate Alliance Group, along with its associated or related entities, accepts no liability for any loss or damage—whether direct, indirect, consequential, or otherwise—arising from any action taken or not taken based on the information provided on or through this website.

©2025. Corporate Alliance Group. All Rights Reserved.

Security & Regulation
Legal & Compliance
Privacy Policy
Support SLA