BoE set to maintain status quo, vote split and Bailey comments will be key – LIVE
The BoE is widely expected to hold the benchmark Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% for a third consecutive meeting. The vote split amid growing concerns over persistently high inflation and comments from Governor Andrew Bailey in the post-meeting press conference could impact Pound Sterling's valuation.
EUR/USD stabilizes below 1.1700 as focus turns to ECB decision
EUR/USD is off highs, stabilizing below 1.1700 in European trading on Thursday, following the release of mixed German and Eurozone data. The pair stays supported as the US Dollar turns south, even as traders remain cautious due to US-Iran tensions and ahead of the European Central Bank (ECB) policy decision and US Q1 GDP report.
Gold approaches $4,600; upside seems capped amid hawkish Fed and Iran tensions
Gold recovers further from the monthly low, and climbs back closer to the $4,600 mark during the early European session. The US Dollar enters a bullish consolidation phase after touching a fresh high since April 13 and turns out to be a key factor acting as a tailwind for the commodity. However, the US Federal Reserve's hawkish tilt, along with the US-Iran stalemate, favors the USD bulls and should keep a lid on any meaningful upside for the non-yielding yellow metal.
US GDP expected to show healthy economic growth after a weak Q4
The United States Gross Domestic Product is seen expanding at an annualised rate of 2.3% in Q1. Investors will focus on the potential impact of the US-Iran conflict on the economy.
DEEPER DIVE
Thanks for your service, Mr. Chair Powell Premium
Powell’s departure is probably the most troublesome end of a Fed Chair, despite being the most resolute leader a central bank could have. You may love him or hate him, but what is not under discussion is his professionalism: he had a task, and he did it with excellence.
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.
AI could quickly become the Fed’s new problem Premium
A strong economy and a flimsy labor market don’t typically go hand in hand. For the Fed and other central banks, the playbook has long been straightforward: weak hiring calls for lower interest rates, while an overheating economy and inflation above target justify tighter policy.
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
Crypto Overview: Fed decision triggers $500 million in liquidations
Bitcoin stalls above $76,000 as the US Federal Reserve keeps the interest rates steady. Still, the short-term volatility surge triggered over $500 million in liquidations within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Terra Classic and Dogecoin maintain bullish momentum and are the top gainers over the last 24 hours.
Meme Coins Price Prediction: DOGE surges, Shiba Inu, Pepe await breakout signals
Dogecoin extends its upward momentum, trading above $0.106 and leading gains among major meme coins. Meanwhile, Shiba Inu and Pepe remain range-bound, signaling a pause in momentum as both meme coins consolidate near key resistance levels.
Bitcoin stalls at $75K as Fed rate decision, STH profit-taking weigh on price
Bitcoin remained under pressure, falling below $76,000 after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged. The FOMC kept the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%, citing persistent inflation risks amid geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
STOCKS
Alphabet becomes sole winner of hyperscaler earnings sweepstakes Premium
Alphabet (GOOGL) was the sole Magnificent 7 stock to rally on earnings afterhours on Wednesday. The big day for earnings saw the other three — Meta Platforms (META), Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT) — sell off despite major beats.
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: War and central banks in the limelight Premium
The EUR/USD pair ended a three-week winning streak and settled below the 1.1700 mark as the US Dollar strengthened amid Middle East uncertainty.
Will reopening Hormuz fix the energy market? Not really Premium
Week ahead – Geopolitics, central bank meetings and earnings test market resilience
Middle East developments drive market sentiment as negotiations appear to have stalled. An action-packed week ahead, with key GDP prints, central bank meetings and pivotal US earnings. US Dollar rebound to be tested if ME newsflow improves and/or ECB and BoE turn hawkish.
EDUCATION
Prop trading in the United States: Why more traders are looking at futures
The United States is a major financial market, but it is much more restrictive for retail traders who want to try prop trading. As a result, US traders face a different prop-trading environment than those in Europe, Asia, or offshore locations.
Risk is a system, not a percentage
Ask a trader how they manage risk and the answer is often immediate: “I risk one percent per trade.” It introduces discipline. It prevents overexposure. For many, it is where risk management begins.
PRESS RELEASES
PU Prime bridges the gap between knowledge and success with launch of interactive “PU Community” platform
PU Prime, a global multi-licensed online brokerage, announced the launch of the PU Community, an all-in-one ecosystem designed to transform retail trading from a solitary, high-risk activity into a collaborative and guided professional journey.
Do AI trading bots really work in 2026? 6 AI crypto trading platforms reviewed for profit potential
AI trading bots are everywhere in 2026. Some promise easier crypto trading, some focus on automated execution, and others claim to help users capture market opportunities around the clock.
CFI Financial Group reports record Q1 2026 performance, surpassing USD 2.3 trillion in trading volume
CFI Financial Group, a globally recognized leader in online trading services, has started 2026 with its strongest quarter to date, recording trading volumes of USD 2.3 trillion.