Live Forex News
Real-time financial news from around the world.
Published Monday – Friday, 24 hours a day.
Crypto Updates: Bitcoin Depreciates by 1.19%
Today's cryptos market is characterized by modest daily movements, with Bitcoin standing out as the frontrunner with a -1.19% decrease.
Agricultural Commodities Updates: Orange Juice Drops by 3.85%
Top commodity losers are Orange Juice (-3.85%), Rice (-1.91%) and Coffee (-1.85%). Gains are led by Sugar (1.52%) and Oat (0.78%).
Metals Commodities Updates: Copper Drops by 1.57%
Top commodity losers are Copper (-1.57%) and Platinum (-0.85%). Gains are led by Steel Rebar (0.54%) and Gold (0.24%).
Energy Commodities Updates: Natural gas Drops by 3.44%
Top commodity losers are Natural gas (-3.44%), Crude Oil WTI (-1.01%) and Heating Oil (-0.91%). Gains are led by Ethanol (1.95%), Germany Natural Gas THE (1.35%), Liquefied Natural Gas Japan Korea (0.98%) and Brent Crude Oil (0.77%).
FX Updates: Brazilian Real Increases by 0.95%
Top currency gainers are Brazilian Real (0.95%), Norwegian Krone (0.51%), British Pound (0.48%), Euro (0.33%) and Japanese Yen (0.20%). Biggest loser is Dollar Index (-0.25%).
Coal Falls to Over 7-Week Low
Coal prices slipped below $130 per ton, easing from the 17-month high of $146.5 reached on March 20 to the lowest level in over seven weeks, as renewed hopes for US-Iran talks raised expectations that energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz could resume. Traders continue to monitor diplomatic signals closely, with the key shipping route still largely shut but seen as critical to restoring supply. The potential easing of gas disruptions could reduce the need for gas-to-coal switching in power generation. Still, the prolonged Middle East conflict continues to embed a risk premium across energy markets, having driven utilities in Asia and Europe to rely more heavily on coal. Despite the recent pullback, coal prices remain up nearly 9% since the war began in early March.
Brazil
Ibovespa Edges Lower on US-Iran Standoff
The Ibovespa fell 0.3% to close at 190,745 on Friday as investors monitored the standoff between the US and Iran. Tehran demonstrated control over the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US blockade, with few signs of reopening soon. Brent prices remained high, threatening to exacerbate inflation fears and global growth concerns while pressuring major banks and the broader index. Bradesco lost 0.6% and Banco do Brasil shed 1.3%. Petrobras dropped 1.3% after relinquishing strategic rights in Braskem, which rose 1.2%. In other news, Suzano (-2.2%) will increase pulp prices for customers in Europe and the Americas starting in May, amid rising costs from the Middle East conflict. On the upside, Usiminas gained 4.4% after more than doubling Q1 profits to R$896 million. Sabesp edged up after receiving approval from Brazil's competition authority to assume 100% ownership of Paulista Geradora de Energia.
United States
S&P and Nasdaq Close at Record Levels
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both finished Friday at record highs, buoyed by optimism that US–Iran peace talks may soon occur in Pakistan. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to 7,1658, while the Nasdaq climbed 1.6% to 24,837. In contrast, the Dow Jones slipped 0.2%, closing at 49,231. Reports indicated Iran’s foreign minister would meet Pakistani mediators in Islamabad, raising hopes for renewed negotiations with Washington. President Donald Trump also announced a three-week ceasefire extension between Israel and Lebanon, adding to risk appetite. Intel surged 23% to a new record after posting strong results and sharply beating sales for profits this year. Nvidia rose more than 4%, Amazon added over 3%, and Palantir gained 1.1%. Also, P&G added 1.6% after topping sales forecasts and reiterating its full-year forecast. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 0.6%, the Nasdaq added 1.5%, while the Dow fell 0.4%.
US Natgas Prices Extend Losses to 18-Month Low
US natural gas futures dropped 3.6% to $2.52 per MMBtu, the lowest since October 2024, as mild weather forecasts through early May keep demand subdued and allow continued strong storage injections. Warmer-than-normal spring conditions have already pushed inventories to an estimated 8% above seasonal norms for the week ended April 24, up from 7% the previous week. Even with slightly cooler temperatures expected into early May, demand is unlikely to rise significantly as heating needs remain limited and cooling demand has yet to pick up. On the supply side, output has declined by about 4.1 bcfd over the past 18 days to an 11-week low of 108.1 bcfd, with lower prices prompting producers such as EQT to curb production. Meanwhile, LNG feedgas flows have increased to 18.9 bcfd in April, near record levels. For the week, gas prices fell about 5.8% after a 1% gain in the previous period.
Canada
TSX Flat Amid US-Iran Standoff
The S&P/TSX Composite Index closed near flat at 33,904 on Friday as investors monitored the US Iran standoff, which has kept oil prices elevated amid uncertainty over the fragile ceasefire. Tehran demonstrated control over the Strait of Hormuz with few signs of reopening soon. Brent remained high, threatening to exacerbate inflation fears and global growth concerns while pressuring major banks and the broader index. Canadian producer prices increased 2.4% month-on-month in March, driven by spikes in energy, petroleum products, and chemicals costs from the Iran conflict, raising the prospect of central bank rate hikes. Brookfield shed 0.6% and TD inched down, while Royal Bank of Canada and BMO edged up. Meanwhile, gold prices recovered but were on track for a weekly decline. WPM lost 1.8% and Franco-Nevada fell 1%, while Agnico Eagle gained 0.3% and Barrick added 2%.
Wheat Futures Ease from 3-Week High
Wheat futures eased to around $6.07 per bushel from a near three-week high of $6.11 reached on April 23, as prospects for rain in the US Plains and signs of possible de-escalation in the Middle East weighed on prices. Weather forecasts point to rainfall across Kansas and Nebraska over the weekend, which could offer some relief to stressed crops after drought conditions worsened in key growing areas, including central and western parts of both states. Improved moisture could help stabilize production outlooks, easing some supply concerns. At the same time, grain markets remain sensitive to swings in energy prices and geopolitical developments, with crude oil fluctuating as traders balance ongoing supply disruptions against the possibility of renewed US-Iran peace talks.
WTI Falls as US Heads to Talks, Hormuz Still Blocked
WTI crude oil futures eased to $94.7 per barrel on Friday, snapping a four-day winning streak, after the White House said it would send envoys to Pakistan, where Iranian officials are also expected, raising tentative hopes that stalled US-Iran talks could resume and eventually reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran struck a cautious tone, with reports suggesting no formal talks are currently scheduled during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit. The prospect of diplomacy reduced some of the geopolitical premium built into prices earlier in the week. Still, WTI added 13% during the week, the most since early March, as the key shipping route stays largely closed. The ongoing US naval blockade continues to restrict Iranian crude exports and remains a major obstacle to progress. Analysts note that even if the strait reopens, oil flows could take months to normalize, keeping supply tight and maintaining pressure on global energy markets.
Agricultural Commodities Updates: Orange Juice Falls by 3.52%
Top commodity losers are Orange Juice (-3.52%), Rice (-1.97%) and Coffee (-1.83%). Gains are led by Sugar (1.51%) and Oat (0.78%).
Metals Commodities Updates: Silver Gains by 1.38%
Top commodity gainers are Silver (1.38%), Steel Rebar (0.54%) and Gold (0.50%). Biggest losers are Copper (-0.85%) and Platinum (-0.72%).
Energy Commodities Updates: Natural gas Drops by 3.34%
Top commodity losers are Natural gas (-3.34%), Heating Oil (-3.21%), Crude Oil WTI (-1.89%) and Brent Crude Oil (-0.21%). Gains are led by Germany Natural Gas THE (1.35%).
United States
Week Ahead - Apr 27th
The potential for an agreement between Iran and the US or concessions to restore trade ahead potential talks will continue to dictate the global economy as the conflict enters its eighth week. Attention will also be on US tech giants, set to update their views on AI spending guidance that has underpinned global stocks. The busiest week in this earnings season will host results from Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, and Meta, in addition to major global players in energy production, pharmaceuticals, mining, and fast-moving consumer goods. Also, the Fed will set interest rates in what is likely to be Jerome Powell's last meeting as Chairman. Policy decisions will also take place from the ECB, BoE, and BoJ. On the data front, Q1 GDP is due from the US and the Euro Area. Also, inflation reports are due from the Euro Area and Australia. In China, the focus will be on the National People's Congress Standing Committee, while markets await for results from official and industry PMIs.
Germany
DAX Sees 5th Day of Losses
Frankfurt's DAX 40 closed marginally down at 24,129 on Friday, marking the fifth consecutive session of decreases, as traders remained cautious ahead of the weekend, amid lingering geopolitical risks. News that Iran’s foreign minister was heading to Pakistan today lifted hopes that peace talks with the US could resume, although uncertainty remains over whether negotiations will restart. Meanwhile, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains virtually halted. Investor attention was also on the earnings season. The aerospace and defense sector lagged, while technology outperformed. Rheinmetall slipped 5.5% and MTU Aero Engines fell 3%. On the upside, SAP rose 5.1% after reporting a 17% increase in first-quarter profit and beating estimates on strong growth in its cloud business. Siemens Energy gained 2.9% after raised its outlook for the 2026 fiscal year. For the week, the index lost about 2.3%.
Euro Area
European Stocks Close Lower for 5th Session
European stocks closed lower on Friday amid further pressure from high energy prices and their impact on the European economy, despite stronger earnings from the tech sector. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 fell 0.3% to 5,885 and the STOXX 600 dropped 0.6% to 611, each dropping for five consecutive sessions. The Iran and US blockade on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz dented hopes of an imminent agreement and maintained pressure on global energy supply, lifting the outlook on rates and denting equities. Sovereign yields held the week's gain as Governing Council members warned about the need to hike rates this quarter, pressuring banks with Santander and BNP Paribas dropped 1.5%. Industrials also lagged, with Safran and Rheinmetall losing 3% and 6%. Also, Eni dropped 1.2% after missing earnings. In turn, SAP jumped 4.6% after posting strong earnings.
United Kingdom
FTSE 100 Falls for 5th Session
The FTSE 100 fell more than 0.5% on Friday, marking a fifth straight decline and hitting a more than two-week low, with the index down around 2.5% for the week. Mondi slumped over 10% after warning that higher energy, raw material and logistics costs tied to the Middle East conflict are pressuring its outlook. Pharma stocks also weakened, with AstraZeneca down 3.7% and GSK falling 2.7% ahead of upcoming earnings. Defence names were under pressure, including BAE Systems (-3%), Babcock (-4.3%) and Rolls-Royce (-2.5%). Major banks such as HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest declined by around 0.8-1.1% ahead of results next week. On the upside, Unilever (1.1%) and British American Tobacco (2.6%) gained, and oil majors Shell (0.4%) and BP (0.2%) edged higher. On the data front, UK retail sales rose 0.7% in March, beating expectations, with a 0.2% increase excluding fuel.
United States
Alphabet Stock Price Hits 11-week High
Alphabet shares increased to 342.33 USD, the highest since February 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, Alphabet gained 16.79%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 109.8%.
Live Forex News are published 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday and provide fast financial updates from around the world. The news is delivered in near real time so you can easily follow the most important developments in the Forex and stock markets.