Dollar Mirrors Market Doubt, Sterling Saved, Yen Sinks.The past week delivered no shortage of surprises, yet markets ended it with remarkably little conviction. Key macro data and central bank decisions challenged prevailing assumptions, but follow-through across major assets proved elusive.

Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions down to $-629K from previous $-84.2K.Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions down to $-629K from previous $-84.2K

United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions climbed from previous 55K to 584K.United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions climbed from previous 55K to 584K

United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions declined to £-755K from previous £-93.2K.United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions declined to £-755K from previous £-93.2K

XRP News Today: XRP Eyes $2.0 Pivot After BoJ Rate Decision.XRP rallied as the BoJ signaled easy policy despite a rate hike, boosting carry trades, ETF demand, and optimism around US crypto legislation.

Yen weakens against peers after BOJ raises interest rates.The Japanese Yen saw a significant drop against major currencies on Friday. This happened after the Bank of Japan increased interest rates to a three-decade high.

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Third Close Below 200-Day – $3.44–$3.48 Next.Natural gas dipped to a new retracement low of $3.60 Friday near the 61.8% Fibonacci $3.61, while marking a third day below the 200-day average and trendline resistance.

Colombian peso leads gains in LatAm currencies ahead of central bank decision.Latin American currencies rose on Friday, led by gains in the Colombian peso as investors awaited the central bank's final meeting of the year, where it is expected to keep interest rates unchanged.

USD/JPY jumps to one-month high as Yen slides after BoJ rate hike.USD/JPY jumps to one-month high as Yen slides after BoJ rate hike

EU Council backs digital euro with both online and offline functionality.The EU Council on Friday backed a negotiating position for a digital euro that includes both online and offline functionality, diverging from earlier European Parliament proposals that focused solely on offline usage.

US Dollar Forecast: DXY Eyes Bullish MA Crossover as Soft CPI Fuels Rebound.The U.S. Dollar Index holds its breakout with rising yields and soft CPI supporting the bid, while a potential bullish MA crossover draws fresh upside interest.

Natural Gas, WTI Oil, Brent Oil Forecasts – Oil Markets Gain Some Ground As Traders Focus On Geopolitics.Oil prices are moving higher as traders wait for news on Ukraine peace plan.

United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count down to 406 from previous 414.United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count down to 406 from previous 414

Natural Gas News: Bears Still in Control as Weather and Storage Cap Upside.Natural gas futures hover near support as mild weather, weak demand, and bearish inventory data limit upside. Traders eye $3.842 as a key pivot today.

Canadian GDP Softens in October But Early Data Points to a November Recover.Canada's gross domestic product report for October on Tuesday will mark Statistics Canada's final major data release of 2025, and we anticipate a 0.2% decline in growth.

Weekly Focus: ECB More Optimistic on Growth Outlook.The last week before Christmas is usually a big central bank week and this year was no exception with central bank meetings in the euro zone, UK, Japan, Norway and Sweden (plus a few others). Most interesting was the ECB meeting.

EURJPY Hits New All-Time High.EURJPY hit new record high following 1.1% advance in post BoJ rate decision trading. Japanese yen weakened across the board after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 0.75% (the highest in three decades) and left the door opened for further tightening.

Natural Gas Prices Fell in Late December.On 4 December, while analysing the XNG/USD chart, we highlighted the rally in natural gas prices towards a three-year high and noted that the price had entered a resistance zone formed by:

JPY: BoJ hike fails to lift the Yen – Scotiabank.JPY: BoJ hike fails to lift the Yen – Scotiabank

GBP rally above 1.34 quickly fades – Scotiabank.GBP rally above 1.34 quickly fades – Scotiabank

Crude Oil Weekly Price Outlook – Crude Oil Attempts to Bounce.Crude oil suffered a difficult week but is attempting a short-term bounce near key support. Oversupply concerns and a persistent downtrend keep rallies suspect, with broader conditions suggesting a bottoming process rather than a sustained recovery.

EUR surrenders post-ECB gains despite hawkish undertone – Scotiabank.EUR surrenders post-ECB gains despite hawkish undertone – Scotiabank

Fed seeks feedback on limited 'payment accounts' for some firms.The U.S. Federal Reserve announced Friday it was seeking feedback on establishing limited "payment accounts" for some financial firms, that would grant access to Fed payments services for clearing and settling payments, but without the broader set of benefits currently provided to banks.

Canada: Retail Sales Fall Again in October, But November Flash Points to Rebound.Retail sales declined for a second consecutive month in October, slipping 0.2% month-on-month (m/m), undershooting Statistics Canada's advanced estimate for a flat reading. After adjusting for inflation, sales volumes fell a steeper 0.6% m/m.

Yen Selling Persists as BoJ Normalization Seen as Slow and Shallow.Yen selling remains the dominant theme heading into the weekend, with the currency staying as the weakest performer. The renewed slide comes despite the BOJ lifting interest rates to their highest level since 1999.

Natural Gas Price Outlook – Natural Gas Continues to Look for a Floor.Natural gas remains volatile but range-bound as traders await momentum amid weather-driven uncertainty. Support near $3.85 holds for now, while warmer temperatures and inventory data pressure prices despite longer-term upside potential.

Crude Oil Price Outlook – Crude Oil Continues to See Floor Hold So Far.Crude oil is attempting a short-term recovery near key support, but persistent oversupply and weak structure keep rallies suspect. Any upside is viewed as temporary unless major resistance levels are reclaimed.

Japan finance minister warns of action against any excessive forex moves.Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Friday that Tokyo would take appropriate action to deal with any excessive volatility in the foreign exchange market.

Fed's Williams: CPI data may have been pushed down a bit.Fed's Williams: CPI data may have been pushed down a bit

Rupee rebounds sharply as RBI steps in, ends week at one-month high.The rupee surged 97 paise to 89.27 per dollar, marking its third straight gain after hitting record lows. Likely RBI intervention, thin year-end trading, strong inflows and risk-on sentiment lifted the currency sharply.