EUR/USD holds steady near 1.1700 after German/ EU PMI data
EUR/USD keeps its range near 1.1700 in European trading on Thursday. The German and Eurozone PMI data fail to inspire the Euro, while the US Dollar holds recent gains amid a risk-averse market environment, led by the US-Iran standoff. The US flash business PMIs are next in focus.
GBP/USD trims losses to retake 1.3500 after upbeat UK PMI data
GBP/USD pares losses to retake 1.3500 in the European session on Thursday. The Pound Sterling draws support from upbeat UK preliminary Manufacturing and Services PMI data for April, despite cautious markets and persistent haven demand for the US Dollar. Next of note is the US PMI data.
Gold: Sellers remain in control near $4,700 ahead of US PMIs
Gold sticks to intraday losses in Thursday's European session, albeit it continues to show some resilience below the $4,700 mark. The US Dollar gains positive traction for the third straight day as signs of friction between the US and Iran remain due to the American naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Why does Bitcoin seem not to care about the Middle East War?
The Iran war has messed many assets, with one notable exception: Bitcoin. The price of the main crypto has been surprisingly resilient in the past few weeks and way less volatile than other assets considered risky, such as US equities.
DEEPER DIVE
Why does Bitcoin seem not to care about the Middle East War?
The Iran war has messed many assets, with one notable exception: Bitcoin. The price of the main crypto has been surprisingly resilient in the past few weeks and way less volatile than other assets considered risky, such as US equities.
Kevin Warsh: To please or not to please President Trump Premium
United States President Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair, Kevin Warsh, faced senators, and there was no subtlety. When directly asked if he believes his nomination was directly linked to Trump’s “obsession” with lower rates, the answer was no surprise.
HSBC, OCBC predictions for Gold: Buy the dip
Gold prices have fluctuated significantly this 2026 so far, reaching an all-time high at almost $5,600 per troy ounce at the end of January, and then correcting to a low of $4,100 in March.
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
Avalanche Price Forecast: AVAX extends correction as Middle East tensions, weak derivatives weigh on sentiment
Avalanche price extends losses, trading below $9.30 after being rejected at the key resistance zone the previous day. The risk appetite has dampened as Iran opened fire on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as the US maintains a blockade, keeping a lid on crypto markets.
Stellar Price Forecast: XLM flips south as leverage market loses confidence
Stellar extends losses at press time on Thursday, as the 100-day Exponential Moving Average at $0.1798 caps short-term recovery, keeping the tone bearish. The leverage market remains bearish on XLM, with active short positions rising.
Solana Price Analysis: SOL tests 50-day EMA with bullish on-chain and derivatives backdrop
Solana approaches a key technical hurdle near $87 and a breakout above this level would signal a bullish move ahead. Strengthening on-chain, improving derivatives data, and a constructive technical chart support a positive outlook for SOL in the near term.
STOCKS
Tesla stock jumps 4% after earnings, revenue beats in Q1 Premium
Tesla (TSLA) shares bounced over 3% initially afterhours on Wednesday as the electric vehicle and battery concern run by CEO Elon Musk reported adjusted earnings and revenue that beat Wall Street estimates.
Nasdaq 100 rebound looks strong… or is it just a trap?
The Nasdaq 100 spent the past few sessions recovering strongly from its November lows, rebounding from 24,307 and climbing back into the 25,100–25,150 mid-range zone. While the candles look convincing, the broader picture reveals a different story: the index remains trapped inside a 4H range structure.
WEEKLY FORECAST
EUR/USD: Fragile optimism pressures the US Dollar Premium
Gold: Bulls take action on growing optimism about a permanent US-Iran truce Premium
Gold (XAU/USD) started the week on the back foot but managed to reverse its direction.
GBP/USD: Pound Sterling sees bullish consolidation ahead of a Big week Premium
The Pound Sterling (GBP) built on the recovery against the US Dollar (USD) and refreshed two-month highs near 1.3600, but sellers quickly jumped in. Despite the late pullback, GBP/USD booked the second straight weekly gain, thanks to another leg higher heading into the weekend.
Bitcoin: BTC textbook breakout move in play
Bitcoin (BTC) extends gains, up 6% so far this week, trading above $75,000 on Friday, with a technical bullish breakout pattern scenario in play. Easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East further boosted risk sentiment, driving assets such as BTC higher.
USD/JPY: Stuck in a range as Hormuz risks counter Iran diplomacy hopes Premium
The USD/JPY pair builds on the previous day's goodish rebound from the 158.25 region, or over a one-week trough, and gains some follow-through positive traction on Friday.
Week ahead – Data to switch focus from US-Iran optimism to war impact
March CPI due in Canada, Japan, New Zealand and UK. Flash April PMIs also on tap ahead of central bank decisions. Kevin Warsh’s Senate hearing to likely overshadow US data.
EDUCATION
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Prop trading comparison sites: Propinder vs PropFirmMatch
The rise of prop trading firms has created opportunity, but also confusion. With so many firms offering different challenges, rules, pricing models, and payouts, traders are increasingly turning to comparison tools like Propinder and PropFirmMatch to make sense of it all.
PRESS RELEASES
The Trading Awards nominations are open: Nominate your brand
The Trading Awards officially open the nomination phase today. These accolades exist strictly for B2C organizations. The program measures market dominance among retail brokerages and prop trading firms. Operational excellence demands public validation.
Hantec Markets begins 2026 with a punch: Q1 fuelled by UFC partnership, $1.2T+ trading volume and more
Hantec Markets has started 2026 with its strongest first quarter on record, delivering $1.206 trillion in trading volume in Q1 2026.
BitMEX Launches the Trading Circuit Campaign Featuring a 100,000 USDT Weekly Prize Pool
Mahe, Seychelles, April 22nd, 2026, Chainwire