Here is what you need to know on Thursday, April 25:
The US Dollar (USD) stays under modest selling pressure on Thursday as investors gear up for key data releases. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis will publish the first estimate of the annualized Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the first quarter and the Department of Labor will release the weekly Initial Jobless Claims data.
Following Tuesday's sharp decline, the USD Index registered small losses on Wednesday, supported by the upbeat Durable Goods Orders data for March. Additionally, the cautious market stance further helped the currency stay resilient against its risk-sensitive rivals. Early Thursday, the USD Index stays in negative territory and edges lower toward 105.50. The US economy is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 2.5% in Q1, following the 3.4% expansion recorded in the last quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, US stock index futures stretch lower in the European morning and the 10-year US yield continues to fluctuate above 4.6%.
EUR/USD gained traction and climbed to its highest level in nearly two weeks above 1.0720 after closing virtually unchanged on Monday. Several European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers will be delivering speeches throughout the day.
US Dollar price this week
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies this week. US Dollar was the weakest against the Australian Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | CAD | AUD | JPY | NZD | CHF | |
| USD | -0.60% | -1.02% | -0.44% | -1.47% | 0.66% | -0.91% | 0.22% | |
| EUR | 0.59% | -0.41% | 0.16% | -0.86% | 1.25% | -0.30% | 0.81% | |
| GBP | 0.99% | 0.39% | 0.58% | -0.46% | 1.67% | 0.11% | 1.22% | |
| CAD | 0.43% | -0.16% | -0.56% | -1.03% | 1.09% | -0.47% | 0.66% | |
| AUD | 1.45% | 0.86% | 0.45% | 1.02% | 2.09% | 0.55% | 1.66% | |
| JPY | -0.66% | -1.26% | -1.68% | -1.10% | -2.14% | -1.57% | -0.44% | |
| NZD | 0.89% | 0.30% | -0.13% | 0.46% | -0.56% | 1.54% | 1.11% | |
| CHF | -0.20% | -0.83% | -1.24% | -0.64% | -1.67% | 0.46% | -1.10% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).
GBP/USD closed the second consecutive day in positive territory on Wednesday and continued to push higher in the early European session on Thursday. The pair was last seen trading within a few pips of 1.2500.
USD/JPY broke above 155.00 and reached its highest level in several decades above 155.50. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce monetary policy decisions during the Asian trading hours on Friday.
Japanese Yen struggles near multi-decade low ahead of US GDP; looks to BoJ on Friday.
Gold (XAU/USD) closed with marginal losses on Wednesday. After edging lower toward $2,300 in the Asian session on Thursday, XAU/USD staged a rebound and was last seen trading above $2,320.
Gold price remains confined in a range, $2,300 holds the key for bulls ahead of US GDP.
Economic Indicator
Gross Domestic Product Annualized
The real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Annualized, released quarterly by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, measures the value of the final goods and services produced in the United States in a given period of time. Changes in GDP are the most popular indicator of the nation’s overall economic health. The data is expressed at an annualized rate, which means that the rate has been adjusted to reflect the amount GDP would have changed over a year’s time, had it continued to grow at that specific rate. Generally speaking, a high reading is seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish.
Read more.Last release: Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:30
Frequency: Quarterly
Actual: 3.4%
Consensus: 3.2%
Previous: 3.2%
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis
The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth on an annualized basis for each quarter. After publishing the first estimate, the BEA revises the data two more times, with the third release representing the final reading. Usually, the first estimate is the main market mover and a positive surprise is seen as a USD-positive development while a disappointing print is likely to weigh on the greenback. Market participants usually dismiss the second and third releases as they are generally not significant enough to meaningfully alter the growth picture.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD holds the bounce toward 0.6500 amid mixed markets
AUD/USD remains on the front foot, looking to 0.6500 in Asian session on Monday. A broadly subdued US Dollar supports the Aussie but the further upside appears elusive as sentiment remains tepid ahead of Fedspeak and Tuesday's RBA Minutes release.
USD/JPY regains 154.00 and beyond amid BoJ's Ueda-led volatility
USD/JPY has recaptured 154.00 in Asian trading on Monday after BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda's comments injected volatility around the Japanese Yen. Ueda offered no clues on a likely December interest rate hike, weigihing heavily on the Yen while triggering a big USD/JPY jump.
Gold extends recovery to test $2,600 amid renewed Russia-Ukraine tensions
Gold price (XAU/USD) extends its rebound to test $2,600 early Monday, snapping a six-day losing streak. The latest uptick in Gold price could be attributed to rsurfacing Russia-Ukraine geopolitical tensions after US authorizes Ukraine to use long-range US weapons to strike inside Russia.
Dollar rally 2024: Epic bull run or dangerous bubble?
Dear, The US dollar is surging—how high can it go? Is this unstoppable growth or a bubble about to burst? Discover the 5 key factors fueling this rally Watch, learn, and get ready for what’s next! .
Week ahead: Preliminary November PMIs to catch the market’s attention
With the dust from the US elections slowly settling down, the week is about to reach its end and we have a look at what next week’s calendar has in store for the markets. On the monetary front, a number of policymakers from various central banks are scheduled to speak.
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads
VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.