Apple foldable iPhone faces delays as engineering issues hit test production phaseUS doubts Iran deadline extension as tough response seen as negotiating tactic (Axios)New Zealand Commodity prices jump. Middle East conflict drives near-record ANZ index surgeAustralia spending holds firm as inflation jumps and job ads fallYuan seen strengthening to 6.8 as China resilience offsets seasonal weaknessSpaceX targets record IPO with huge retail allocation and June roadshowWSJ: Hopes fade for deal with Iran ahead of Tuesday-night deadlinePBOC sets USD/ CNY reference rate for today at 6.8854 (vs. estimate at 6.8773)Anthropic plans $200m AI venture with private equity to drive adoptionExplosion & fire near Panama Canal entrance sparks scrutiny. Shipping routes stay on edgeJapanese Household Spending February 2026 softens m/m and falls y/yAustralia services PMI falls into contraction as costs surge, demand weakensSaudi defence ministry says it has intercepted and destroyed 7 ballistic missiles. Oil up.Blue Owl slump deepens as redemption pressures expose cracks in private credit.HSBC sees equity buy signal but warns 4.5% yields pose broad market riskICYMI: Fed’s Goolsbee, Hammack warn inflation risks rising as energy shock bitesVia CNN: Israel prepares Iran energy strike plans as Trump decision looms on next stepsinvestingLive Americas FX news wrap 6 Apr:Trump’s ultimatum to Iran sparks market turmoilMorgan Stanley says US stock correction largely done. Rates the final hurdle before higherMajor US stock indices close today with gains to start the new trading weekAt a glance:Oil pushes higher toward USD 115/bbl as Trump deadline looms • Middle East escalation intensifies with strikes across Iran, Saudi, Israel • Missile activity hits key Saudi industrial hub at Jubail • US signals limited appetite for further deadline extensions • Iran response seen as “tough” but still a negotiating tactic • Pentagon briefing cancelled, adding to uncertainty • USD firms modestly; FX ranges relatively containedOil extended its gains, with WTI crude futures pushing above USD 115/bbl as markets moved closer to President Trump’s Tuesday evening deadline on Iran, while geopolitical tensions continued to escalate across the region.Overnight developments pointed to a broadening conflict footprint. Explosions were reported in Bahrain, while sirens sounded in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province. Iranian sources flagged renewed attacks on infrastructure, including an airport in Kashan, while Israel reportedly approved an updated list of Iranian energy and infrastructure targets as contingency planning should diplomacy fail.The most significant development appeared to be strikes on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial hub, a critical centre for petrochemicals and energy production that accounts for roughly 7% of the Kingdom’s GDP. While Saudi authorities said they intercepted seven ballistic missiles targeting the eastern region, debris reportedly fell near energy facilities and damage assessments remain ongoing. Videos suggest it was more than debris, with strikes visible. The strike underscores a notable escalation, given the relative scarcity of successful attacks on core Saudi infrastructure compared with other Gulf states.Elsewhere, regional spillover risks continued to build. Reports indicated US-linked targets were struck in Kuwait and Iraq, including a drone strike on a US base in Baghdad, while Israel activated air raid sirens across multiple southern locations following warnings of further Iranian missile launches.On the policy front, the cancellation of a scheduled Pentagon briefing featuring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine added to the sense of uncertainty around next steps. Meanwhile, Axios reported that US officials are increasingly doubtful about extending the current deadline again, suggesting patience within the administration is fading. However, Axios continued, the US continues to interpret Iran’s “tough” response as a negotiating tactic rather than a rejection, indicating that backchannel discussions remain active. Importantly, Washington retains flexibility, with the potential to delay military action if a credible path to a deal emerges.Away from geopolitics, Japan’s household spending data disappointed on an annual basis, while China’s yuan strengthened to its firmest level in nearly three years. Broader FX moves were relatively contained, with the USD edging higher against major peers. Asia-Pacific equites edged slightly positive (Nikkei down, KOSPI up, China up).Overall, markets remain tightly anchored to geopolitical developments, with oil leading the price action as the deadline approaches.History is on the side of the TACO. Will this time be different? This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com. 🔗 Source 💡 DMK Insight Apple’s foldable iPhone delays could shake up tech stocks and supply chains. Engineering issues in production might not just impact Apple; they could ripple through suppliers and competitors, affecting stock prices across the tech sector. Traders should keep an eye on how this news influences Apple’s stock performance in the coming weeks, especially if it breaks below key support levels. Additionally, the broader market context, including inflation concerns and commodity price surges, could create volatility. If inflation continues to rise alongside job ads falling, consumer spending could take a hit, impacting tech demand. Watch for how these dynamics play out in tech earnings reports next month, as they could provide insights into consumer sentiment and spending trends. On the flip side, if Apple manages to resolve these issues quickly, it could lead to a buying opportunity, especially if the stock rebounds from any dips. Keep an eye on the $150 level for potential support or resistance, as that could dictate short-term trading strategies. 📮 Takeaway Monitor Apple’s stock around the $150 level for potential trading opportunities as foldable iPhone delays unfold.

It’s been the case for a few weeks now. We start the week with some sense of renewed optimism only for it to be dashed through the coming days and then markets choosing to de-risk into the weekend. Will this week be the same? There’s certainly an air of familiarity to it.US president Trump gave Iran a deadline to later today before all hell breaks loose. However, is this all just another empty threat though? We shall see. From overnight and earlier:Trump: Tuesday Iran deadline is ‘final deadline’Trump press conference: The entire country can be taken out in one nightIran rejects ceasefire in reply to US via Pakistan, wants permanent end to warIsrael prepares Iran energy strike plans as Trump decision looms on next stepsAs the deadline draws closer to an end, markets are getting anxious and angsty again now. That especially as Iran remains defiant, at least on official channels, that they won’t be conceding to Trump’s ceasefire proposal.Heading into European trading, oil prices are pushing fresh one-month highs while risk trades are slipping on the day. WTI crude is up over 3% to above $116 now, its highest since the spike on 9 March. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures are down 0.5% as the bounce in the past week might start to come undone.As we look to the day ahead, nothing matters more than what will come next on the US-Iran conflict.But the way I see things going, it will be tough for markets to really feel optimistic in the big picture. If Trump really escalates the geopolitical conflict, it will increase the uncertainty and timeline on the war coming to an end. That is unless somehow he incapacitates Iran to the point where the war is over, by some way or miracle.So unless that happens, it’s a negative for risk and it doesn’t do anything to alleviate the situation around the Strait of Hormuz.And even if whatever military intervention he is planning mainly reaffirms the current status quo, kicking the can down the road is not a solution either. This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com. 🔗 Source 💡 DMK Insight Traders are feeling déjà vu as optimism fades into the weekend—here’s what to watch. The pattern of starting the week with hope only to see it evaporate is becoming a trend. This week, keep an eye on key economic indicators and sentiment shifts that could either reinforce or challenge this cycle. If the market continues to de-risk, it could signal a broader bearish trend, especially if we see significant sell-offs in major assets. Watch for any changes in trading volume or volatility, as these could hint at whether this week will break the cycle or follow suit. On the flip side, if there’s a surprise positive catalyst—like unexpected economic data or a shift in central bank policy—it could provide a jolt to the market. Traders should monitor the upcoming economic releases closely, particularly those related to inflation or employment, as they could sway sentiment dramatically. The real story is whether this week will finally break the cycle of disappointment or simply reinforce it. 📮 Takeaway Watch for economic indicators this week; a shift in sentiment could either break the cycle of de-risking or reinforce it, impacting major asset prices.

The likelihood of adverse inflation scenario is increasingInflation expectations may shift faster due to memory of price surge after the Russia-Ukraine conflictECB must be ready to act if signs of inflation persistence emergeBut it is too early to say if a rate hike is needed on 30 April for nowInflation expectations are well anchored for the time being, second-round impact not yet visibleThe comments lean on the more dovish side as they point towards favouring optionality and flexibility, rather than needing to be proactive about the situation. As things stand, traders are still pricing in ~53% odds of the ECB raising key policy rates at the end of this month.The mood certainly isn’t helped as oil prices continue to ramp higher, with little optimism that the US-Iran conflict will thaw in the coming week(s). This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com. 🔗 Source 💡 DMK Insight Inflation fears are creeping back, and here’s why that matters for traders right now: The recent uptick in inflation expectations, fueled by memories of the price surges post-Russia-Ukraine conflict, could lead to volatility in both the forex and crypto markets. Traders should be on high alert for any signals from the ECB regarding rate hikes, especially with the next meeting on April 30. If the ECB hints at a more aggressive stance, we could see significant movements in the euro and related assets. For instance, a rate hike could strengthen the euro against the dollar, impacting forex pairs like EUR/USD. Conversely, if inflation persists without action, it might lead to a risk-off sentiment, pushing traders towards safe-haven assets. But here’s the flip side: if the ECB remains dovish, it could fuel further bullish sentiment in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Watch for key inflation data releases leading up to the ECB meeting, as they could provide clues on market direction. Keep an eye on the 1.10 level for EUR/USD; a break below could signal bearish sentiment, while a bounce could indicate a bullish reversal. 📮 Takeaway Monitor inflation data closely ahead of the April 30 ECB meeting; a shift in policy could impact EUR/USD significantly, especially around the 1.10 level.

The market mood might be a tad bit more pessimistic today but we’re not quite in a full risk-off wave. US futures are down but major currencies aren’t really doing much while precious metals and the bond market are seeing light changes for the most part. Of note, gold is down just 0.1% as it currently keeps around $4,640 levels on the day.That fits with the range around $4,600 to $4,700 still, since the drop on Thursday last week. As US-Iran tensions remain, it is keeping traders on edge but buyers look to be trying to hold near-term control in the precious metal.They defended the 100-hour moving average (red line) on a few occasions already since last week. But so far today, we are seeing a bit of a crack in the armor. That as price action now drops a little below the key technical level, seen near $4,660 currently. Keep below that and the near-term bias holds more neutral instead.For now, sellers are also looking to try and stay in the game to push their own agenda. And that not only on the near-term chart above, but also on the daily chart seen below:The steep drop in gold at the end of last month saw a defense put up at the 200-day moving average (blue line). That led to a solid bounce back to test the 100-day moving average (red line), in which buyers momentarily claimed a break. But as all hell looks to break loose tomorrow, traders are nervous and we’re seeing gold fall back slightly towards the key level.That is seen around $4,658 now and holding below that will keep buyers in check at least. That as sellers have a key technical level to lean on in trying to make any further moves this week.All eyes are now on the headlines and what comes next on the US-Iran conflict. A lot of questions still remain.Is there going to be a ceasefire of sorts or a further extension to try and keep the peace?If not, will US president Trump really follow through on his threats and blast Iran?If so, how will Iran respond and will Tehran still be able to fight back?More importantly, what happens next to the Strait of Hormuz? Is it going to stay in de facto closure? For how long? This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com. 🔗 Source 💡 DMK Insight Market sentiment is shifting, but it’s not panic time yet. US futures are showing a slight downturn, hinting at a cautious mood among investors. However, major currencies are holding steady, indicating that traders might be waiting for clearer signals before making significant moves. Precious metals like gold are experiencing minor fluctuations, which could suggest that safe-haven assets are still in play but not in high demand. This mixed sentiment could lead to a consolidation phase in the forex market, where traders might want to watch for breakouts or reversals. If you’re trading currencies, keep an eye on key levels—especially if gold starts to show stronger movement. A breakout above recent highs could signal a shift in risk appetite, while a drop could reinforce the current cautious stance. Watch for any economic data releases that could sway sentiment, as they might provide the catalyst needed for a more decisive market direction. 📮 Takeaway Monitor gold’s price action closely; a breakout above recent highs could signal a shift in market sentiment and trading opportunities.

Prior 51.9Well, don’t let the headline estimate fool you. Spain’s services sector increased solidly last month owing to a further rise in new business received by companies. However, new order growth softened to its lowest level in nine months as the latest Middle East developments start to give rise to uncertainty. Of note, new export sales declined again, whilst confidence in the outlook was the lowest since September 2023.Besides that, higher energy prices are also starting to be a factor as overall operating expenses rose at a rate not seen since April 2023. That comes as input price inflation surges and is going to become more and more of a problem in the months ahead.HCOB notes that:“Spain’s service sector expanded at a solid rate in March, with growth picking up on February’s low. However, despite this improvement, when combined with a downturn in manufacturing output in March, Spain’s economy has experienced a weaker growth profile overall in the first quarter of 2026. Expect therefore official data on GDP for early 2026 to show a slower rate of expansion than the 0.8% quarterly gain reported for the fourth quarter of 2025. “How growth will develop in the coming months will be very much dependent on the duration of the war in the Middle East. The conflict has already led to a huge degree of business and consumer uncertainty, with panellists noting that services new business growth has softened, and export business, already under strain before the start of the war, has deteriorated sharply. “Moreover, services firms are seeing big spikes in their energy and fuel bills, leading to the strongest increase in overall input costs for nearly three years. With output charges also rising markedly, firms are understandably worried about the impact that high prices will have on spending in the near-term – and therefore their business performance over the coming months.” This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com. 🔗 Source 💡 DMK Insight Spain’s services sector growth is slowing, and here’s why that matters for traders: While the headline figure shows solid growth, the dip in new order growth to a nine-month low signals potential headwinds. This could impact the broader European economic outlook, which is crucial for traders in forex and equities. If Spain’s services struggle, it might lead to a ripple effect across the Eurozone, affecting currencies like the euro and assets tied to European economic performance. Traders should keep an eye on the EUR/USD pair, especially if it approaches key support levels. The market’s reaction to geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, could also influence risk sentiment, leading to volatility in related assets like commodities and safe-haven currencies. Here’s the thing: while the immediate impact might seem contained, the underlying weakness could signal a broader economic slowdown. If traders see further declines in service sector metrics, it could prompt a reassessment of positions in European equities and currencies. Watch for upcoming economic data releases for more clues on this trend. 📮 Takeaway Monitor the EUR/USD pair closely; a break below key support levels could signal broader economic concerns stemming from Spain’s slowing services sector.