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USD/CAD's pullback from 1.3965 extended lower last week but downside is contained above 38.2% retracement of 1.3840 to 1.3965 at 1.3780. Initial bias stays neutral and further rise remains in favor. On the upside, firm break of 1.3965 will resume the rise from 1.3480. However, sustained break of 1.3780 will argue that the rebound from 1.3840 has completed, and bring deeper decline to 61.8% retracement at 1.3665 and below.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 1.4791 are seen as a corrective pattern to the whole up trend from 1.2005 (2021 low). Deeper fall could be seen, as the pattern extends, to 61.8% retracement of 1.2005 to 1.4791 at 1.3069. However, decisive break of 38.2% retracement of 1.4791 to 1.3480 at 1.3981 will argue that the correction has completed with three waves down to 1.3480 already. Further break of 1.4139 will confirm and bring retest of 1.4791 high.

In the long term picture, rising 55 M EMA (now at 1.3590) remains intact. Thus, up trend from 0.9056 (2007 low) could still be in progress. However, considering bearish divergence condition M MACD, sustained trading below 55 M EMA will argue that the up trend has completed with five waves up to 1.4791, and turn medium term outlook bearish for correction to 38.2% retracement of 0.9056 to 1.4791 at 1.2600.

GBP/JPY's strong rally last week suggests that consolidation from 214.98 might have completed at 209.58, and larger up trend is resuming. Initial bias stays on the upside for retesting 214.98 first. Firm break there will confirm and target 61.8% projection of 199.04 to 214.98 from 209.58 at 219.43. On the downside, below 213.47 minor support will delay the bullish case, and turn intraday bias neutral again first.

In the bigger picture, up trend from 123.94 (2020 low) is still in progress. Firm break of 214.98 will target 61.8% projection of 148.93 (2022 low) to 208.09 (2024 high) from 184.35 at 220.90. This will remain the favored case as long as 55 W EMA (now at 204.10) holds, even in case of another deep pullback.

In the long term picture, up trend from 116.83 (2011 low) is in progress. Next target is 251.09 (2007 high). This will remain the favored case as long as 55 M EMA (now at 184.92) holds.

EUR/JPY's strong rally last week and breach of 186.86 high suggests that long term up trend is resuming. Initial bias remains on the upside this week. Next near term target is 161.8% projection of 180.78 to 184.75 from 182.56 at 188.98. On the downside, below 185.88 minor support will turn intraday bias neutral first. But near term outlook will stay bullish as long as 184.75 resistance turned support holds, in case of retreat.

In the bigger picture, up trend from 114.42 (2020 low) in in progress and should be ready to resume. Next target is 78.6% projection of 124.37 (2022 low) to 175.41 (2025 high) from 154.77 at 194.88 next. For now, medium term outlook will stay bullish as long as 175.41 resistance turned support holds, even in case of deeper pullback.

In the long term picture, up trend from 94.11 (2021 low) is in progress. Next target is 138.2% projection of 94.11 to 149.76 (2014 high) from 114.42 (2020 low) at 191.32. This will remain the favored case as long as 154.77 support holds.

EUR/GBP stayed in range trading below 0.8740 last week and outlook is unchanged. Initial bias stays neutral this week first. Further rise is mildly in favor as long as 0.8675 support holds. Break of 0.8740 will resume the rebound from 0.8610 to 0.8788 resistance. However, firm break of 0.8675 will turn bias back to the downside for retesting 0.8610 low instead.

In the bigger picture, strong support was seen again from 38.2% retracement of 0.8821 to 0.8863 at 0.8618. Break of 0.8788 resistance will argue that larger rise from 0.8221 might be ready to resume through 0.8863 (2025 high). Nevertheless, sustained trading below 0.8618 should confirm bearish reversal, and bring deeper fall to 61.8% retracement at 0.8466 at least.

In the long term picture, price action from 0.9499 (2020 high) is seen as part of the long term range pattern from 0.9799 (2008 high). Range trading should continue between 0.8201 and 0.9499, until there is clear signal of imminent breakout.

EUR/AUD's extended pullback last week suggests that rebound from 1.6125 has completed at 1.6842, after rejection by 55 D EMA (now at 1.6720). But as a temporary low as formed at 1.6497, initial bias is turned neutral this week first. On the downside, break of 1.6497 will target a retest on 1.6125 low. Nevertheless, firm break of 1.6708 will should resume the rebound from 1.6125 through 1.6842 to 38.2% retracement of 1.8554 to 1.6125 at 1.7053.

In the bigger picture, fall from 1.8554 (2025 high) is in progress and deeper decline should be seen to 61.8% retracement of 1.4281 to 1.8554 at 1.5913, which is slightly below 1.5963 structural support. Decisive break there will pave the way back to 1.4281 (2022 low). For now, risk will stay on the downside as long as 55 W EMA (now at 1.7184) holds, even in case of strong rebound.

In the longer term picture, fall from 1.8554 is seen as the third leg of the pattern from 1.9799 (2020 high), which is part of the pattern from 2.1127 (2008 high). Sustained trading below 55 M EMA (now at 1.6592) will confirm this bearish case, and pave the way back towards 1.4281.

EUR/CHF stayed in sideway trading below 0.9264 last week and outlook is unchanged. Initial bias remains neutral first, and further rise is expected with 0.9155 support intact. Firm break of 0.9264 will resume the rebound from 0.8979 to 0.9394 resistance next. However, break of 0.9155 will turn bias back to the downside for deeper pullback.

In the bigger picture, considering bullish convergence condition in W MACD, a medium term bottom should be in place at 0.8979. Sustained trading above 55 W EMA (now at 0.9283) will add more credence to this case. Further break of 0.9394 resistance will pave the way to 0.9660 resistance next. However rejection by the 55 W EMA will set up another fall through 0.8979 low at a later stage.

In the long term picture, outlook will stay bearish as long as 0.9407 support turned resistance (2022 low) holds. However, firm break of 0.9407 will argue that the down trend from 1.2004 (2018 high) has completed with five waves down to 0.8979. Stronger rebound should then be seen to 38.2% retracement of 1.2004 to 0.8979 at 1.0135 in the medium term.

• The announcement of a tentative US-Iran ceasefire led to the "unwinding of the fear trade".
• The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both enjoyed a strong recovery, finishing green for seven consecutive trading sessions. History suggests this momentum is set to continue.
• The week ahead is dominated by central bank activity, specifically commentary from the RBNZ, employment data impacting the RBA's decision, and the ECB's balancing act on rate hikes.

The trading week was nothing short of a roller coaster, dominated by a dramatic shift in geopolitical sentiment that sent volatility through the energy and metals complexes. For much of the week, the primary narrative was the "unwinding of the fear trade" following the announcement of a tentative US-Iran ceasefire.

Oil was the biggest casualty of this cooling rhetoric. Brent crude, which had been knocking on the door of triple digits amid threats to the Strait of Hormuz, tumbled as much as 15% mid-week.

Gold, too, felt the pinch. After stalling at the $4,900 resistance level, the yellow metal saw its war premium erode, though it remains supported by a softer US Dollar. Speaking of the Greenback, the DXY is currently hovering near a critical "Golden Cross" support at 98.50.
OAU Share CFDs on MT5

US equities enjoyed a strong recovery after the ceasefire news.The S&P 500 has finished green for 7 consecutive trading sessions, the longest streak since October 2025. The index has rallied +7.6% over this period, recovering nearly the entire war decline.

A similar 7-day stretch has also been recorded by the Nasdaq Composite, the longest since August 2025.

Source: TradingView

Since the 1950s, the market has seen a similar streak with at least a +7.0% gain only 9 other times, per Carson Investment Research.

Following this, the S&P 500 has been higher in 8 of those instances over the next month, with an average return of +4.4%.

Over the following 3 months, the market has been up in 7 instances and has gained +10.2% on average.

History suggests market momentum is set to continue.

This was despite US inflation data rising 0.9% MoM with headline inflation rising to its highest in 2 years. Inflation data had been the key data release this week and came in largely in line with estimates which left markets to focus on the geopolitical narrative as the week came to a close.

Heading into the weekend, markets are rather optimistic as the US-Iran prepare for talks in Pakistan scheduled to start on Saturday. The talks will likely have a massive impact on whether markets kick the new week off on a risk off or risk on tone.

The Week Ahead: Central Banks in the Crosshairs

Here is the summary of what I will be watching for next week in Asia, the US, Eurozone (EU), and UK with a quiet week expected from an economic data perspective.

China & Japan: Asian Resilience?

In China, market participants will be monitoring trade data and liquidity injections from the PBoC. With global growth concerns lingering, any sign of domestic stimulus will be welcomed by equity bulls. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 remains on a knife-edge. We are watching the 50-day Moving Average closely; a sustained break below this level could confirm bearish breakdown conditions, especially if JPY strength persists as a safe-haven play.

Australia & New Zealand: RBA and RBNZ in Focus

The NZD/USD is currently testing major support at 0.5700. The upcoming RBNZ commentary will be pivotal; a dovish tilt here could see the Kiwi break lower. Across the Tasman, Australia’s employment data will provide the RBA with the ammunition needed to decide if they can afford to pause or if the inflationary spillover from energy costs requires one more hike.

Europe & UK: The ECB’s Balancing Act

Despite the ceasefire, European equities have remained cautious. The ECB is still pricing in two rate hikes, fueled by the lag effect of energy prices on core inflation. We’ll be watching the Euro (EUR/USD) to see if it can capitalize on a potentially stalling Dollar or if the Eurozone’s sluggish growth outlook keeps a lid on any rallies.

The US: Geopolitics in focus as data remains light

A very quiet week in the US with the Fed’s Beige Book the highlight of the week. Markets are likely to be more engrossed by developments around the weekend talks with Iran and how that might shape markets and the US dollar in the week ahead.

For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. (click to enlarge)

Chart of the Week - Nasdaq 100

From a technical standpoint, The Nasdaq 100 (US100) is currently exhibiting a strong bullish reversal after finding significant support near the 22,800 handle in late March.

The index has staged an impressive breakout above the descending trendline that has constrained price action since the February peaks, signaling a shift in momentum.

This trendline (channel) breakout sets the index up for a potential move of 2000-odd points to the upside, around the 26500 handle.

Currently, price is wrestling with the 100-day Simple Moving Average (red line) at 25,013, which coincides with a structural resistance level. A daily close above this zone would clear the path for a retest of the 25,320 horizontal barrier.

The RSI (14) is trending upward at 60.9, suggesting there is still room for further gains before reaching overbought territory.

However, traders should watch for potential pullbacks toward the 200-day SMA (yellow line) at 24,568, which now serves as a key dynamic support. A failure to hold above this level would negate the recent breakout.

NASDAQ 100 Daily Chart, April 10, 2025

Source:TradingView.Com (click to enlarge)

• Silver, Gold and the entire metals Market have been trading in confusion around US-Iran conflict and ceasefire news.
• Struggling to find stable ground, Participants wonder if they are still true safe-havens.
• Daily timeframe analysis for XAG/USD, XAU/USD and XCU/USD (Copper).

Metals have been an essential store of value and currency since the dawn of humanity.

Traditionally seen as safe havens, however, their price action has been nothing but confusing, even before the onset of the conflict.

Following the appointment of Kevin Warsh as head of the Federal Reserve, a massive wave of profit-taking triggered an unavoidable crash. They managed to retain a large part of their 2025 appreciation but haven't found stable ground despite the evident appeal of safe havens.

Having stalled their corrections as geopolitical sentiment was starting to heat up (Greenland Crisis, Iran revolts leading to the War), the precious metals still could not muster the appeal to return to their January highs.

Metals performance in 2026 – Source: TradingView, April 10, 2026.

As you can see on the 2026 performance chart, metals reacted almost the opposite of what most Participants would have expected, particularly at the beginning of the War.

This dynamic continued with them only rebounding as rumors of a ceasefire and negotiations began, pointing to a new realization: Around current levels, Metals are now behaving like risk assets.

This reminds us that all asset classes and correlations move a certain way in "normal" Markets, but such historic trends can change brutally when:

• Prices get extreme and/or
• When volatility gets extreme (and Markets break).

Turning back to today, what will happen if the war actually ends? Will they continue going higher?

Why look for quite expensive safe havens if there are no more fundamental reasons to do so?

If they are really risk assets, they should keep bouncing, but buying discounted Stocks and Cryptos makes more sense for a risk-on trade.

Once again, these are million-dollar questions.

Let's dive right into a Daily timeframe analysis of Gold (XAU/USD), Silver (XAG/USD), and Copper (XCU/USD) to see if technicals can tip the scales in favor of one side of the asset equation.

Gold (XAU/USD) Daily Chart and levels

Gold (XAU/USD) Daily Chart, April 10, 2026 – Source: TradingView

Gold recovered strongly since reaching a catastrophic bottom two weeks ago, wicking at its 200-Day Moving Average (which remains a long-term barometer for bull-bear price action).

On the bigger picture however, the trend remains much weaker for the yellow metals, and while not as bearish anymore, struggling to breach $4,900 puts the action into a sideways consolidation until further news.

This gets confirmed with the neutral daily RSI.

Look for a range between $4,400 and $4,800 until breakout or breakdown follows. Nearing resistance, some short-term downside could be expected soon.

Higher Timeframe Levels to watch for Gold (XAU/USD):

Resistance Levels:

• $4,850 to $4,900 Key Resistance
• $5,100 Pivotal Resistance
• $5,400 Wartime Resistance
• Current All-time Highs – $5,500 to $5,600

Support Levels:

• Intraday Momentum Pivot $4,675 (Short-term bearish below)
• December Record $4,548
• Pivotal Support $4,400 – Long-term Bearish below
• $4,175 200-Day MA
• Main Support $3,880 to $4,050
• $3,200 to $3,500 Major Support

Silver (XAG/USD) Daily Chart and levels

Silver (XAG/USD) Daily Chart, April 10, 2026 – Source: TradingView

Silver, more prone to risk, has been tracking better than its yellow peer.

Still, the precious metal is evolving within its Daily Pivot zone ($75 to $79) and will soon face a very essential test ahead: Its 50-Day Moving Average ($79)

• Breaking it to the upside should see continuation back towards $84 at least
  • $90 may quickly follow if momentum gathers pace
• Rejecting it however would point it back towards $64
  • More rangebound conditions could emerge for the long-run if it finds support there.

Higher Timeframe Levels to watch for Silver (XAG/USD):

Resistance Levels:

• 50-Day Moving Average ($79)
• Key Momentum Pivot $75 to $79
• Major Resistance $84.50
• Key psychological resistance $100 to $104
• Current Record $121.67

Support Levels:

• Weak support at trendline ($73.20)
• Minor 2026 Support $70 to $72
• December FOMC Minor Support $64 to $66
• $50 to $55 October Resistance now Major Support

Copper (XCU/USD) Daily Chart and levels

Copper (XCU/USD) Daily Chart, April 10, 2026 – Source: TradingView

Copper is the only metal that has managed to form a significant bounce after retesting its 200-Day MA just last week.

Bulls are still in control but will need to breach the key $5.90 level (top of daily pivot zone).

Failing to break it to the upside could see a retest of the $5.50 Support, into a more rangebound price action ahead.

Higher Timeframe Levels to watch for Copper (XCU/USD):

Resistance Levels:

• $5.90 Major Momentum Pivot
• $6.00 to $6.10 Early Jan 2026 Record
• Current ATH Resistance $6.40 to $6.50
• $6.52 Current Record
• Potential Resistance $6.90 to $7.00

Support Levels:

• Minor Support at March 2025 Highs $5.40 to $5.50
• War lows $5.18
• 200-Day MA $5.24
• Major Monthly Support between $4.90 to $5.00

Keep closely track of the latest war headlines, but don't fall in narrative traps as metals have now been moving on pure price action (and confusion).

Safe Trades!

Canadian Highlights

• The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict continues to dominate the headlines, pushing oil prices closer to recent highs.
• Monthly GDP and trade data shows Canada’s economy started the year on a steadier footing.
• The Bank of Canada maintained its dovish tone in its Summary of Deliberations, but acknowledged the two-sided risks on growth and inflation stemming from the war.

U.S. Highlights

• President Trump’s speech on Wednesday dashed hopes of a swift resolution to the conflict in Iran, sending crude oil prices higher.
• Retail sales rebounded in February after two months of stagnation. Meanwhile, JOLTS data indicated that the labor market remained in a low-hire, low-fire mode during February.
• Unless March payroll figures surprise meaningfully on the downside tomorrow, this week’s data supports the Federal Reserve’s current cautious, wait-and-see stance.

Canada – Barreling Ahead

WTI prices surged another 20% this week to over $110/bbl amid fading hopes for a quick resolution to the U.S.-Iran war. In his speech last night, President Trump’s hawkish remarks did little to ease markets, providing no timeline for a conflict resolution and warning of a possible escalation in coming weeks. Iran also doubled down on comments that it denies seeking a ceasefire, while insisting the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed and under its control. Despite the increase in oil prices, the Canadian dollar weakened by 0.7% to 71.9 cents U.S., as safe-haven flows and strong domestic data south of the border put a bid under the U.S. Dollar. Elsewhere, Canadian yields eased slightly this week as hawkish bets for Bank of Canada rate hikes later this year were pared back slightly.

Canadian data this week gave a clearer picture of economic momentum prior to oil price shock. Industry-level GDP for the month of January showed Canada’s economy started the year on a firmer footing than many feared amid lacklustre Q4-2025 results. The reading was still on the softer side, growing by a modest 0.1% month-on-month (m/m), but it outpaced both Statistics Canada and market expectations for no growth. What’s more, early signs are pointing to an acceleration of 0.2% m/m real GDP growth in February, putting quarterly growth on track achieve trend-like results (Chart 1). Though positive on the margin, these readings may hold slightly less weight coming before the oil price shock impacted the economy.

February’s international merchandise trade data also gave us another look at Q1 growth conditions. It was a sturdy month, as both exports and imports sharply reversed course from last month’s sagging activity (Chart 2). Gains on both sides of the ledger were broad-based as most subsectors booked a gain, though a bounce-back in auto-sector activity did a lot of the heavy lifting. The recent meteoric rise in oil prices will start to show up in the March data, boosting nominal trade momentum into the second quarter, which should help narrow Canada’s trade deficit. Elsewhere in trade, Canadian representatives are slowly re-engaging U.S. counterparts after a quiet few months, with hopes of smooth negotiations ahead of the July 1st CUSMA review.

The ongoing energy price shock and trade risks are still clouding the near-term outlook. In their Summary of Deliberations released this week, Bank of Canada Governing Council members recognized these challenges, but agreed to “look through” the spike in oil-driven inflation spike, opting instead of a more data-driven approach to policy setting. For now, the Bank maintains its dovish stance from the March policy meeting, given Canada’s economy remains sub par, with recent softness in core inflation and growth risks that tilt toward the downside. We expect the BoC to remain on the sidelines at their April 29th meeting, but will plan to monitor this shock carefully – weighing downside risks to growth against the upside inflationary impacts – and is prepared to act if circumstances change.

U.S. – Oil Prices: To the Moon and… (May Be) Back

Financial markets were volatile this week amid uncertainty on the duration of the Middle East conflict. The S&P 500 traded lower initially but rebounded mid-week on signs of de-escalation in the U.S.–Iran conflict. Treasury yields and crude prices also eased on the news, though the reprieve was brief. Like Artemis II, Trump’s speech on Wednesday night sent oil prices to the moon again on Thursday morning. While Trump reaffirmed a 2–3 week timeline for ending U.S. military involvement, he dashed hopes for a peace deal, promising to hit Iran “extremely hard”, and said that re-opening the Strait of Hormuz was not a U.S. goal.

Even if the U.S. reduces its military attacks soon, oil prices could stay high: ramping up production and repairing infrastructure takes time, and supply risks persist if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed or below capacity. Inflationary risks are tilted upward even as our latest report notes the latest oil shock is unlike the one in 2022 in some ways. This shock is more concentrated in oil, with natural gas and agricultural commodity prices contained.

The economic backdrop is also different. Supply chains weren’t strained before the latest price shock, the labor market has cooled, and the economy isn’t firing on all cylinders. Still, with gas prices rising to $4/gallon this week, and signs that the conflict is adding pressure to other commodities, higher inflation is in the cards (Chart 1). This week’s data showed households’ inflation expectations jumped in March.

This is the fourth price shock to hit households in five years, arriving amid a slowing labor market. JOLTS data showed hiring declined in February, while job openings and layoffs were steady but low, suggesting the labor market remains in a low-hire, low-fire mode. Markets expect payrolls to rise by 65k in March, similar to the ADP print, and a partial rebound after an unexpected loss of 92k jobs in February. While not yet signaling a sharp deterioration, a cooling labor market leaves households more exposed to negative shocks.

Consumer spending has stayed relatively resilient, but households are inflation-weary and showed caution even before the latest surge at the pump. Retail sales rose 0.6% m/m in February after two months of stagnation (Chart 2). Adjusted for inflation, sales volumes are up only 1% from a year ago. Larger tax refunds may help mitigate higher gas prices, but slower hiring and equities selloff could still weigh on consumption.

With stagflation fears surfacing, the Fed faces a tough balancing act. So far, it seems content to stay on hold. Earlier this week, Fed Chair Powell said oil shocks are typically short-lived and the Fed can remain patient; however, he noted the Fed would act if inflation expectations shift. NY Fed President Williams said, “the current stance of monetary policy is well positioned to balance risks to our maximum employment and price stability goals.” However, if you chase two rabbits, you likely won’t catch either. Let’s hope the Fed doesn’t find itself in that spot.

United States:

• Existing Homes Sales (Monday), Tax Day (Wednesday), Fed Speak (Thursday & Friday)

G10 Economies:

• Australia Employment (Thursday), U.K. Monthly GDP (Thursday)

Emerging Markets:

• China GDP (Thursday)

U.S. Week Ahead

Existing Home Sales • Monday

Next week kicks off with the latest read on residential activity. The recent spurt in mortgage rates ahead of the critical spring selling season has placed housing in the spotlight. We note that existing sales measure contract closings, which typically take a month or two to complete. And so, March's existing sales report will largely reflect conditions that predate the Iran conflict and the resulting ~40 bps increase in mortgage rates.

But even before geopolitical tensions intensified, buyer demand appeared soft on account of ongoing affordability challenges. Mortgage purchase applications declined 13% in February and rose just 6% in March. Pending home sales, which are signed contracts, did gain modestly in February. Nevertheless, the recent unexpected spike in rates are likely to lead to cancellations and mortgage qualification failures, likely resulting in a slower pace of final sales than what the pending sales number suggests. With that in mind, we expect March resales to have declined to a 3.97 million unit pace, below the current consensus of 4.06 million.

Source: NAR, MBA and Wells Fargo Economics

Tax Day • Thursday

Next Wednesday marks the official end to the 2025 tax season. To date, non-withheld income tax receipts (the amount of money flowing into the Treasury from households) haven't shown any major surprises and are tracking along pretty smoothly compared to previous years (chart).

Individual income tax refunds have tracked a little lighter than we had expected at the start of tax season—around 11% higher than last year, compared to our expectation for 18% growth. Smaller than expected refunds likely means many households had lower annual tax payments, which may result in smaller April-nonwithheld tax receipts to the Treasury. We therefore expect low- to mid-teens growth for April compared to last year. Remember, smaller tax payment flow to the Treasury = smaller rise in the Treasury General Account = more benign funding market conditions for repo, etc.

Fed Speak • Thursday & Friday

There are a number of Fed speakers on the docket next week. Williams (Thurs.) and Waller (Fri.) strike us as the most noteworthy. We consider Williams as a good proxy for the more academically-minded members of the Fed. He doesn't usually shock markets, but his comments will be closely scrutinized for signals on a higher‑for‑longer stance versus the timing of any potential cuts. He has recently stressed that policy is “well positioned,” so any subtle shift in language in the wake of the Iran conflict could be meaningful. Waller, on the other hand, isn’t shy about changing his mind publicly. While he voted with the Committee at the most recent meeting, he dissented in favor of a cut at the one prior. More recently, he has emphasized data dependence and a willingness to hold rates if the data firm, while remaining opposed to hikes.

G10 Week Ahead

Australia Employment • Thursday

Next week’s Australian employment report for March should offer an early read on economic conditions in early 2026, as it is the first labor market release to partially overlap with the onset of the Middle East conflict. That said, it remains too soon for the data to materially affect the RBA’s Cash Rate outlook, given any momentum would largely predate the conflict. In February, the unemployment rate edged up to 4.3% from 4.1%, even as employment rose by 48.9K, driven entirely by gains in part-time jobs that more than offset declines in full-time employment. For March, consensus expects the unemployment rate to hold steady, with job gains slowing to 17.8K.

Absent a significant upside surprise, the RBA’s focus is likely to remain squarely on inflation and the anchoring of inflation expectations. Domestic price pressures are already facing additional upside risks from higher energy costs, which have begun to show up in domestic fuel prices. After reversing course on easing and delivering back-to-back rate hikes that have lifted the Cash Rate to 4.10%, we see the growth and labor market outlook as arguing for greater restraint. While markets have priced in three additional hikes this year, we expect policy to remain on hold, though risks remain skewed toward further tightening should inflation expectations continue to rise.

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P. and Wells Fargo Economics

U.K. Monthly GDP • Thursday

We expect UK's February GDP to rise 0.1% month-over-month, following a flat print in January. Despite the modest improvement, the outlook for Q1-2026 remains subdued after a weaker-than-expected January and a pullback in retail sales volumes in February. Growth is likely to be mixed across sectors, with some gains in industrial production and services largely offset by weakness in construction. February PMIs were broadly unchanged to slightly weaker compared with January, with the notable exception of construction, where activity declined more sharply. And even if growth were to surprise to the upside, the data predate the escalation of the conflict, which is likely to limit the weight policymakers place on the release.

With growth subdued, inflation starting from a lower trend, weak labor market and contained wage pressures, this backdrop strengthens the case for the Bank of England (BoE) to proceed cautiously and keep the Bank Rate on hold at 3.75%. This is especially true given that the policy rate is already near the top of the BoE’s estimated 2.75%–3.75% neutral range.

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P. and Wells Fargo Economics

EM Week Ahead

China GDP • Thursday

A slew of data will be released next week to gauge the health and direction of China's economy. Q1 GDP as well as end of quarter activity data will all be closely monitored to see how Middle East tensions are impacting one of the largest oil-importing nations in the world. We forecast GDP growth that is slightly below consensus for Q1; however, March data may be parsed more closely as oil prices rose most sharply over the course of last month of the quarter.

But even if growth and activity surprise to the upside, repeating the 5% growth that was achieved last year will be challenging for China. As we have noted in the past, China has limited policy tools and less willingness to use policy support to spark activity due to negative tradeoffs. A real estate correction is still underway, which should be apparent when home price data are released, and tariffs and trade tensions with the U.S. also complicate China's ambitions as world supplier. For now, we forecast China's economy to grow 4.5% this year, and risks are tilted to the downside given the rise in energy prices. Perhaps Q1 gets off to a better start than we expect, but the later quarters may exhibit the bigger drag on overall growth.