Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Apr 25, 2016)

Data from the US was weaker than expected, as its flash manufacturing PMI fell from 51.5 to 50.8 instead of improving to the estimated 51.9 reading. For today, only the new home sales report is due and a rise from 512K to 521K is eyed.

EUR

The euro resumed its slide to the dollar and pound but was stronger against the Japanese yen. Flash PMI readings from the manufacturing and services sectors of France and Germany came in mixed while the region's overall readings met expectations. The German Ifo business climate index is due today and a rise from 106.7 to 107.1 is expected. 

GBP

The pound managed to hold on to most of its gains to the dollar and advance to the euro, as anti-Brexit remarks appear to be increasing the odds that voters might decide to stay in the EU. There were no reports out of the UK then while the CBI industrial orders expectations report is due today.

CHF 

The franc gave up further ground to the dollar but was in a weak spot against the Japanese yen. There were no reports out from Switzerland then and none are due today so the Swissy might simply act as a counter currency.

JPY

The yen gave up a lot of ground to its peers when traders started speculating about additional BOJ easing this week. There were no reports out of Japan on Friday but yen pairs scored hundreds of pips in gains with market watchers predicting that the recent quakes could mean more stimulus. There are no reports due from Japan today.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls had a mixed performance as they retreated to the dollar but took advantage of yen weakness. Data from Canada came in stronger than expected, as CPI and retail sales figures beat expectations. Australian and New Zealand banks are closed for the holiday today.

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way