Trade Reviews

Professional and technical analysis on products and past trades

Week ahead: inflation pressures keep central banks on edge

Inflation is making the outlook for interest rates increasingly difficult. Stronger US CPI and PPI readings have raised concerns that price pressures will persist, while higher energy costs are complicating the decisions facing the ECB and Bank of England. Australia’s labour market is also weakening, but that may not be enough to ease the pressure on policymakers. The coming week will show whether inflation forces central banks towards further tightening despite mounting concerns about growth.

UK industrial production surges, exceeding analysts’ expectations; GBP/USD jumps

UK industrial production surged by 0.8% in August, beating consensus forecasts and driving GBP/USD to $1.3270.

DXY forecast: Fed rate outlook, Treasury demand and DXY levels

The US dollar is benefiting from an inflation problem that could eventually complicate the administration’s economic ambitions, the immediate question is whether higher expected interest rates can sustain demand for the greenback. For Washington, the stakes extend beyond the exchange rate, as the government needs investors to keep financing its growing borrowing requirements.

Yen strengthens despite Japan’s producer inflation cooling

The Japanese yen appreciated despite cooling producer inflation, as slowing price growth signalled macroeconomic stability.

Gold price scenarios: can buyers reclaim $4,229?

Gold continues to attract strategic demand from central banks and private investors, but a possible easing of US-Iran tensions could change the forces supporting prices. The World Gold Council’s latest survey points to sustain official-sector interest, while record quarterly ETF inflows show that investment demand remains strong.

US dollar index surpasses 102.50, reaching its highest level since April 2025

The US Dollar Index (DXY) has reached a multi-month high above 102.50, driven by persistent US inflation, hawkish Federal Reserve expectations, higher Treasury yields, and widening interest rate differentials against major global central banks.

AUD/USD forecast: RBA rate outlook, bond yields and key price levels

The Australian dollar has a yield advantage over the US dollar, but the gap is too small to guarantee further gains. After four rate increases this year, the Reserve Bank of Australia has pushed its cash rate to 4.60%, and Governor Michele Bullock is waiting to see how the tightening already delivered affects spending and inflation.

Canadian employment declines, missing forecasts; USD/CAD advances

Canada’s labour market contracted unexpectedly by 68,000 jobs in September, driving the unemployment rate up to 6.5%. Rising inflation pressures, United States trade tariffs, and diverging monetary policy stances have pushed USD/CAD higher towards 1.4254.

Week ahead: US CPI will test the bond market’s relief

Bond buyers have stepped back in, but the relief may not last. Strong Treasury auctions pulled yields away from their recent highs, yet the Federal Reserve’s September minutes left the door open to another rate increase before year-end. Next week’s inflation data could decide whether the bond market has found a floor or whether investors will demand higher yields again.

Brent advances amid concerns that the US-Iran conflict could prolong

Brent crude futures rose by 4.07% to $104.28 per barrel following comments from the US President indicating no immediate attacks on Iran, whilst ongoing Middle East tensions continue to fuel energy supply concerns.