RBA Set to Hike Rates Again Amid Inflation Surge and Global Uncertainty 
RBA Set for Back-to-Back Rate Hikes, Westpac Forecasts 
Bank of Japan Governor Signals Gradual Progress Toward 2% Inflation Target 
EU and CPTPP Nations Push for Landmark Digital Trade Agreement 
Oil Prices Surge Past $100 as U.S.-Iran Peace Hopes Collapse 
ANZ and Westpac Forecast Two RBA Rate Hikes in March and May 2026 
Fed Rate Cut Hopes Fade as Oil Prices Stoke Inflation Fears 
Google's TurboQuant Sends South Korean Chip Stocks Tumbling Amid AI Memory Demand Fears 
Gold Prices Drop Amid Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty and Stronger Dollar 
China Opens Door to Stronger U.S. Trade Ties Amid Rising Tensions 
How the war in Iran is already affecting UK farmers and food production 
WTO Digital Trade Talks Stall as E-Commerce Tariff Deadline Looms 
Lots of economic data and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: Westpac leading index declined 0.1 percent in April. Construction work done in the first quarter declined by 0.7 percent.
Upcoming:
- Japan: Leading economic index and coincident index will be updated at 5:00 GMT.
- Germany: GFK consumer confidence report will be published at 6:00 GMT.
- Switzerland: First quarter industrial production report will be released at 7:15 GMT.
- Eurozone: EU financial stability review report will be released at 9:00 GMT. ECB President Draghi’s speech is scheduled at 12:45 GMT.
- United States: MBA mortgage applications report will be released at 11:00 GMT, followed by House price report at 13:00 GMT, and existing home sales report at 14:00 GMT. EIA will report crude oil inventory details at 14:30 GMT. FOMC will release minutes of meeting report at 18:00 GMT. FOMC member Kaplan is scheduled to speak at 22:00 GMT.
- Canada: Bank of Canada (BoC) will announce interest rate decision at 14:00 GMT.
