Breaking: WTI rises to near $105.00 as Trump maintains Iran naval blockade.Breaking: WTI rises to near $105.00 as Trump maintains Iran naval blockade

US President Donald Trump vows to maintain Iran blockade, rejects Iran Hormuz offer .US President Donald Trump vows to maintain Iran blockade, rejects Iran Hormuz offer 

Bank of England set to hold rates as Iran war clouds outlook.The Bank of England looks set to keep interest rates ​on hold on Thursday as it awaits the economic fallout from the Iran war and investors will be on alert for any ‌suggestions that higher borrowing costs are likely to be needed.

South Korea Service Sector Output increased to 1.4% in March from previous 0.5%.South Korea Service Sector Output increased to 1.4% in March from previous 0.5%

South Korea Industrial Output Growth registered at 0.3% above expectations (0.2%) in March.South Korea Industrial Output Growth registered at 0.3% above expectations (0.2%) in March

South Korea Industrial Output (YoY) below forecasts (3.8%) in March: Actual (3.6%).South Korea Industrial Output (YoY) below forecasts (3.8%) in March: Actual (3.6%)

US Dollar, Yields Rally Post-Fed as USD/JPY Tests Resistance.US bond yields surged and the US dollar was the strongest major currency on Wednesday after the Fed held rates and signalled just one 25bp cut ahead. While markets weren't pricing in any cuts beforehand, the shift in Fed funds projections can still be seen as hawkish relative to the Fed's prior outlook.

Brazil Interest Rate Decision meets expectations (14.5%).Brazil Interest Rate Decision meets expectations (14.5%)

investingLive Americas FX news wrap 29 Apr: Fed Holds Rates, Split Tilts Hawkish. USD up.The vote came in at 8–4, with Miran dissenting in favor of a rate cut, while Hammack, Kashkari, and Logan supported holding rates but opposed adding an easing bias to the statement. That group effectively pushed back against signaling near-term rate cuts—giving the decision a hawkish tilt, especially heading into the leadership transition from Jerome Powell to Kevin Warsh.

China manufacturing PMI forecast to slip to 50.1 in April. Mid East war lifts input costs.China's official manufacturing PMI is forecast to ease to 50.1 in April from 50.4 in March, as Iran war-driven energy costs pressure factory margins, a Reuters poll of 27 economists shows.

TRADING DAY Fed dissent, oil ascent.Oil surged toward $120 a barrel on Wednesday on deepening supply fears, while U.S. bond yields jumped and stocks stumbled after the Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates on hold masked the most divided vote since 1992.

Economic and event calendar in Asia 30 April 2026, China PMIs.Official Chinese PMIs are expected to have slipped in April. The private survey manufacturing PMI, from Rating Dog (ps there is no better named data provider than this), on the other hand, is expected to have risen.

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Bearish Structure Pressures Recovery Attempts.Natural gas remains under bearish pressure after a failed breakout and moving average resistance, with key support zones below still in focus despite brief recovery attempts.

The FOMC could not reassure Markets; Powell remains at the Board of Governors – North American Mid-Week Market Update.Mid-Week update for North-American Markets – The FOMC just concluded, and both the US Dollar and Canadian Dollar are bouncing back to some new weekly highs, supported by stable Monetary Policies and stronger Oil prices. Taking a close look at NA index and currency performance combined with a USD/CAD intraday chart to spot what's next for American Markets.

USD Rallies into FOMC, USD/JPY Over 160 – On to ECB, BoE.Rate cuts are in doubt for the US economy as Jerome Powell hosted his final rate decision atop the Fed, and that's helped to contribute to a US Dollar rally with the DXY basket re-engaging with the familiar 98.98 level.

Retest or Rejection? Dollar Tests the Top While Metals Stay Under Pressure.After the early-week shakeout, markets are starting to show a more defined structure.

Fed recap: Holding steady, but the debate is getting louder.Fed recap: Holding steady, but the debate is getting louder

FOMC Recap: Powell to STAY on the Fed Board - What Traders Need to Know.Trump appointee Stephen Miran was dissented in favor of a 25bp rate cut, and Neel Kashkari, Lorie Logan, and Beth Hammack dissented against the inclusion of an easing bias in the statement.

Pound Sterling Price News and Forecast: Falls as Fed holds rates steady, Powell to stay at Fed.Pound Sterling Price News and Forecast: Falls as Fed holds rates steady, Powell to stay at Fed

Trump: It is a good time to cut rates.Minutes after the Fed kept rates unchanged and had 3 dissenters to having an easing bias and with oil trading above $107, and with gas prices moving to $4.23 a gallon, Pres Trump is saying "Now is a good time to lower rates"

Natural Gas, WTI Oil, Brent Oil Forecasts – Oil Soars 7% As Trump Rejects Iran's Proposal.Oil markets tested new highs amid worries about escalation in the Middle East.

USD/JPY surges to near two-year high after Fed's decision to deliver a hawkish hold.USD/JPY surges to near two-year high after Fed's decision to deliver a hawkish hold

DXY firms near session highs as the Fed delivers split hold.DXY firms near session highs as the Fed delivers split hold

Fed Holds Steady as Internal Split Highlights Growing Policy Uncertainty.Federal Reserve left its policy rate unchanged at 3.50–3.75%, in line with expectations, but the decision revealed a widening divide within the Committee. Governor Stephen Miran again dissented in favor of a 25bps cut, while Beth Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie Logan opposed the inclusion of an easing bias in the statement, signaling resistance to any premature shift toward rate cuts.

United States Fed Interest Rate Decision in line with forecasts (3.75%).United States Fed Interest Rate Decision in line with forecasts (3.75%)

BoC: Vigilant stance with steady rates – RBC.BoC: Vigilant stance with steady rates – RBC

USD/JPY climbs to one-month high above 160 as Fed decision nears.USD/JPY climbs to one-month high above 160 as Fed decision nears

Japanese Yen Short-term Outlook: USD/JPY Bulls Eye Yearly High- Fed on Tap.USD/JPY has extended its advance in recent sessions, breaking out of consolidation and pushing back toward a key resistance zone near the yearly highs. The move reflects strengthening near-term momentum, but the broader outlook now hinges on how price reacts at this barrier.

Russia Unemployment Rate unchanged at 2.2% in March.Russia Unemployment Rate unchanged at 2.2% in March

Pound-to-Euro Forecast: GBP Flat Ahead of BoE and ECB Decisions.The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate traded in a narrow range on Wednesday as markets held back ahead of key central bank decisions. At the time of writing, GBP/EUR was holding near €1.1534, little changed on the day.