In April, Mexico’s core inflation reached 0.49%, slightly above the anticipated 0.47%. This data might influence economic forecasting and monetary policy assessments.
Currency market movements saw the GBP/USD slipping back to 1.3240, amidst renewed strength in the US dollar. EUR/USD touched its lowest in four weeks at 1.1230, further reflecting demand for the dollar boosted by strong labour data and potential trade agreements.
Precious Metal Market
Gold prices revisited daily lows between $3,320-$3,330 per troy ounce, impacted by the robust momentum of the US dollar and rising yields. Meanwhile, XRP witnessed upward movement, approaching the confluence resistance at $2.21, influenced by a positive trend in the broader crypto market.
The Federal Open Market Committee held the federal funds rate steady at 4.25%-4.50%. Trading foreign exchange remains risky with high leverage that can lead to significant financial consequences.
Opinions and analyses provided are for general market commentary and should not be seen as financial guidance. All investment decisions should be made cautiously, recognising the possibility of total principal loss.
We’ve just seen Mexico’s core inflation for April edge up to 0.49%, over the forecast by a small but clear margin. While the difference may appear minor on the surface, it can shift expectations for policy responses, particularly from central banks focused on domestic price stability. When inflation runs even slightly hotter than projected, markets may begin to reassess the path of interest rates or consider tighter financial conditions becoming more probable in the upcoming quarters.
In the currency markets, the pound has retreated to 1.3240 against the dollar, giving back recent gains amid a broader reassertion of dollar strength. This renewed momentum is tied closely to the resilience shown in US employment figures and the prospect of forward-looking economic partnerships. It’s less about the pound’s weakness and more about greenback demand picking up, potentially offering short-term directional clarity. We may want to revisit previous strategies that were built around a softer dollar bias in the near term.
The euro faced more pressure, dropping to a four-week low of 1.1230. That slide reflects the eurozone’s sensitivity to growing divergence between Federal Reserve policy guidance and the more cautious tone adopted by the European Central Bank. Yields in the US have continued to push upward, maintaining the dollar’s traction. The market appears to be building positions aligned with this asymmetry.
In commodities, gold has tracked lower again, revisiting the $3,320–$3,330 band. It’s trading as expected in relation to dollar performance and real yields. As yields climb and the dollar retains its footing, non-yielding assets like gold tend to shed value. That doesn’t suggest a structural downtrend yet, but short-term plays must account for a ceiling being established if prevailing conditions persist. We’re looking at constrained upside in the current range.
XRP is testing the 2.21 level, an area previously outlined as resistance due to the convergence of technical indicators at that point. The broader digital assets environment has turned more optimistic in recent sessions, and that buoyancy is now filtering through. Momentum is building with better sentiment, but don’t lose sight of how fast reversals occur in this asset class. A controlled approach, avoiding excessive leverage, remains appropriate.
Federal Open Market Committee Decisions
The FOMC has opted to hold rates unchanged at 4.25–4.50%. That move aligns with prior guidance, but more importantly, market interpretation of the hold suggests room for further reassessment based on upcoming inflation and growth data. If economic data continues to surprise to the upside, even stable policy might spur action in derivative pricing. As implied volatility levels stay compressed, scenarios where we see swift repricing could offer opportunity or risk, depending on positioning.
Trading foreign exchange and digital assets with leverage must always be approached with sufficient buffers and an exit plan tailored for market stress scenarios. We understand that sometimes short-term narratives can push directionality, but ensuring proper position sizing and recognising the leverage effect on portfolios prevents emotional overreaction.
We should not treat any of the observations here as direct advice, but rather as foundations to deepen our own assessments over the weeks ahead. Risk-reward analysis, not conviction trades, should drive decisions.