Colombia Consumer Price Index (MoM) came in at 0.78%, above expectations (0.73%) in April

Colombia Consumer Price Index (YoY) came in at 5.68%, above expectations (5.63%) in April

Rabobank strategists assess how the US and Israel’s war against Iran could affect China. They note higher Oil and gas prices and global cost-push inflation, but argues China’s inflation is unlikely to force PBOC tightening.

ING’s Chief Economist for Greater China, Lynn Song, notes that Taiwan’s April trade data showed slower export and import growth versus expectations, with the trade surplus easing to USD14.35bn.

Standard Chartered’s Aldian Taloputra notes Indonesia’s GDP growth accelerated to 5.6% year-on-year in Q1 2026, driven by front-loaded fiscal stimulus, seasonal festival spending and limited pass-through from higher Oil prices.

Silver (XAG/USD) price advances more than 2.50% on Friday, set to end the week with gains of over 7% sponsored by US Dollar (USD) weakness and falling Oil prices. At the time of writing, XAG/USD trades at $80.72, after bouncing off daily lows of $78.16.

Wells Fargo Economics projects Brazil’s April IPCA inflation to rise 0.9% month-over-month and around 4.5% year-over-year, near or above the target band. Energy and food pressures are intensifying, while inflation expectations have risen.

MUFG economists Lin Li, Michael Wan, Lloyd Chan and Khang Sek Lee outline a base case where the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by end‑May eases pressures on Asian currencies.

United Kingdom CFTC GBP NC Net Positions down to £-63.9K from previous £-60.6K

United States CFTC Gold NC Net Positions climbed from previous $159.6K to $163.3K

United States CFTC S&P 500 NC Net Positions fell from previous $-101.4K to $-103.9K

United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions dipped from previous 191.9K to 178.8K

Australia CFTC AUD NC Net Positions: $78.7K vs $71.9K

Eurozone CFTC EUR NC Net Positions dipped from previous €35.7K to €32.2K

Japan CFTC JPY NC Net Positions increased to ¥-61.7K from previous ¥-102.1K

Indian investors continue to pile up their bets on Gold via Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), contributing to the rebound in demand for the precious metal as spot prices stabilize after March’s sharp decline.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude Oil benchmark, falls some 2.49% on Friday, poised to end the week with losses of over 7.39%, amid growing speculation that the US and Iran will reach an agreement to end the conflict.

Commerzbank’s Thu Lan Nguyen argues that any relief from a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for Aluminium will likely be short‑lived.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) fell toward the 97.90 region on Friday, pressured by improving risk sentiment and easing safe-haven demand after reports suggested the United States (US) and Iran are still attempting to preserve a fragile ceasefire framework despite renewed military incidents in the Middle

ING’s Peter Virovacz notes that Hungary’s inflation accelerated in April but remained a positive surprise versus expectations, with headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) at 2.1% year-on-year and 0.4% month-on-month.

DBS Group Research economist Radhika Rao assesses how a projected below normal monsoon in India, linked to a strong El Niño, could affect growth and inflation.

The USD/JPY pair fell toward the 156.60 region on Friday, as the Japanese Yen (JPY) gained modest support from safe-haven flows despite resilient United States (US) labor-market data limiting broader downside pressure on the US Dollar (USD).

Gold (XAU/USD) rises some 0.75% on Friday as financial markets remain optimistic about a possible end to the Middle East conflict, which could potentially drive Oil prices lower and ease inflationary pressures.

Wells Fargo Economics expects April U.S. CPI to firm, with headline inflation rising toward 3.8% year-over-year and core near 2.9%.

Nomura’s analysts see the Iran war keeping UK inflation above target until mid-2027 and weakening the 2026 growth outlook beyond Q1. UK GDP growth slowed to 0.1% q-o-q in both Q3 and Q4 2025.

USD/CHF trades on the back foot on Friday and is set for a second straight weekly decline amid broad-based weakness in the US Dollar (USD). At the time of writing, the pair is trading around 0.7773, hovering near two-month lows.

United States Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count came in at 410, above expectations (409)

Gold (XAU/USD) holds firm on Friday but lacks upside momentum as traders digest mixed US Employment data while keeping a close eye on geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures clawed back ground on Friday after Thursday's late-session selloff dragged the cash index toward 49,500. Overnight dealing through Asia and Europe held a tight range just above 49,600, with traders reluctant to commit ahead of the US jobs report.

EUR/USD edges higher during the North American session on Friday amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, even though a solid US jobs report might prevent the Federal Reserve (Fed) from cutting rates in the upcoming months. At the time of writing, the pair trades at 1.1775, up 0.44%.