Forex Top Story

Revised data released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated by even more than previously estimated in the month of May. The report showed the consumer sentiment index for May was downwardly revised to 58.4 from the preliminary reading of 59.1.

The Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing personal income in the U.S. increased by slightly less than expected in the month of April. The report showed personal income rose by 0.4 percent in April after climbing by 0.5 percent in March. Economists had been expecting another 0.5 percent increase.

The monetary aggregates data from Eurozone is the only major statistical report due on Friday. At 3.00 am ET, Spain's INE is slated to publish retail sales for April. Sales are forecast to drop 1.9 percent annually, slower than the 4.2 percent decrease in March.

The U.S. dollar drifted down on Thursday amid expectations the Federal Reserve might stop hiking rates later this year in the event of the tighter policy resulting in an economic slowdown.

A report released by the National Association of Realtors on Thursday showed pending home sales in the U.S. plummeted by much more than expected in the month of April. NAR said its pending home sales plunged by 3.9 percent to 99.3 in April after tumbling by 1.6 percent to a revised 103.3 in March.

Economic activity in the U.S. slumped by slightly more than previously estimated in the first quarter of 2022, according to revised data released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The Commerce Department said real domestic product slid by 1.5 percent in the first quarter compared to the previously reported 1.4 percent drop.

After reporting first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits at their highest level in almost four months in the previous week, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing initial jobless claims pulled back by more than expected in the week ended May 21st.

Russia's central bank slashed its key interest rate sharply by 300 basis points, on Thursday, citing a slowdown in inflation and the recovery in the currency exchange rate. At an emergency meeting, the Board of Directors of Bank of Russia decided to cut the benchmark rate to 11.00 percent from 14.00 percent.

The Bank of Korea lifted its key interest rate by a quarter point for the second straight meeting to tackle high inflation. At the first rate setting meeting of Governor Rhee Chang-yong, the Monetary Policy Board decided to lift the Base Rate by 25 basis points to 1.75 percent from 1.50 percent.

Business and consumer confidence survey results from Italy are due on Thursday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 3.00 am ET, Turkey economic confidence survey data is due. In the meantime, unemployment data is due from Hungary.

The U.S. dollar climbed higher in the European session on Wednesday, and stayed firm with most of its gains intact till the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting.

With inflation remaining stubbornly elevated, the minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy meeting showed the central bank intends to move "expeditiously" to a more neutral monetary policy stance. The minutes revealed the Fed plans to use both interest rate increases and reductions in the size of its balance sheet to achieve a neutral posture.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed new orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods increased by less than expected in the month of April. The Commerce Department said durable goods orders rose by 0.4 percent in April after climbing by a downwardly revised 0.6 percent in March.

Germany's economy logged a modest growth in the first quarter as the expansion in investment was partially offset by the contraction in exports and household spending, detailed data from Destatis showed on Wednesday. Gross domestic product grew 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, in contrast to the 0.3 percent decline seen a quarter ago.

Germany's consumer confidence is set to improve marginally in June, though it remained at a historical low as high inflation and the war in Ukraine weighed heavily on consumer sentiment, survey results from the market research group GfK showed on Wednesday. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index rose to -26.0 in June from a revised -26.6 in May. The expected score was -26.0.