HFMarkets (hfm.com): Market analysis services.

[AllForexnews]

Date: 25th April 2025.

Trade Tensions Hurt Confidence Across Europe
 

Trading Leveraged products is Risky

The latest European confidence indicators highlighted the growing impact of global trade tensions on investor sentiment, particularly within the Eurozone. According to recent surveys, investor confidence has been notably dented, with the services sector showing greater weakness compared to manufacturing. This may be due to U.S. efforts to front-load imports ahead of potential tariff hikes.

Meanwhile, diverging fiscal policies between the UK and the Eurozone have further widened economic gaps. The UK faces limited fiscal flexibility and mounting pressure to stimulate domestic demand, complicating its response to external shocks.
 

German ZEW Investor Confidence Plummets

Germany's ZEW investor sentiment index plunged in April following the announcement of new U.S. tariffs. The index fell by a staggering 65.6 points to -14.0, reflecting growing pessimism about the economic outlook. While recent political shifts offered short-term relief to market sentiment, uncertainty remains elevated, suggesting this key forward-looking indicator may stay in negative territory.
 

Eurozone PMI and Ifo Data Show Mixed Signals

Surprisingly, the Eurozone PMI and Germany’s Ifo business climate report showed resilience. Although the composite PMI dropped to a four-month low of 50.1—indicating stagnation rather than contraction—the weakness was concentrated in the services sector. The services PMI fell to 49.7, ending a five-month expansion streak.

Germany’s Ifo survey showed improvements in construction and business sentiment, driven by a rise in the current conditions index. The overall business climate index rose to 86.9 in April, up from 86.7 in March, defying expectations of a decline.

Trade Boost May Be Temporary as Risks Persist
Trade data from February revealed a 22.4% year-over-year jump in Eurozone exports to the U.S., with Ireland’s pharmaceutical-heavy exports surging by 200%. S&P Global noted signs of stockpiling and unplanned orders from U.S. clients trying to stay ahead of tariffs.

However, analysts warn this boost may be short-lived. As tariffs bite and the euro strengthens, European exports risk becoming less competitive. Despite hopes that EU goods could benefit from U.S.-China trade disputes, long-term gains are uncertain. If U.S. firms start to run down inventories, demand may soften.

Germany and EU Infrastructure Investment to Counter Trade Headwinds
Germany’s decision to raise borrowing for infrastructure and defense, alongside EU-wide investment plans, aims to cushion the blow from external shocks. Sentiment in the German construction sector has already improved, according to the Ifo report. While large-scale spending will take time to materialize, early signs show progress in the defense sector.
 

UK PMI Data Signals Growing Economic Challenges
Across the Channel, the UK economy is facing multiple headwinds. Government finances are strained, and recent fiscal data missed expectations. Although the UK may enjoy lower tariffs post-Brexit, its open economy is more vulnerable to global slowdowns.

Rising labor costs, due to higher National Insurance contributions and minimum wage hikes, have added pressure. The latest S&P Global UK Composite Output Index dropped sharply to 48.2 in April from 51.5, with the Services PMI falling to 48.9—a 27-month low. Manufacturing Output PMI also fell to 44.0, the weakest since mid-2021.

S&P Global attributed this decline to weakened client confidence and the impact of U.S. tariffs. Business outlooks have dimmed, with optimism at its lowest since October 2022. Rising cost burdens have prompted employment cuts, and inflationary pressures persist, despite easing energy prices.

UK Inflation and Rate Outlook: BoE Faces Tough Decisions
The CBI industrial trends survey painted a similarly cautious picture. Although total orders slightly improved, export orders deteriorated. Selling price expectations also rose, reflecting cost pressures.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey emphasized risks to growth and warned about the dangers of global economic fragmentation. While markets are pricing in another BoE rate cut, rising wage-driven inflation may keep UK interest rates elevated relative to the Eurozone.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
HFMarkets

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

[AllForexnews]

[b]Date: 28th April 2025.[/b]

 

[b]Can a Busy Week For the USD Revive The Dollar?[/b]

 

 

The first week of May for the US Dollar is likely to be the most important within the whole month. During this week, the US will confirm its NFP employment data, job openings, PCE Inflation, US company earnings and the Gross Domestic Product. The US Dollar has been the worst performing currency in 2025, but can this week’s releases change its performance?

 

Currency Market

In April, the best performing currencies are the Swiss Franc, Euro and Japanese due to their safe haven nature and a known alternative to the Dollar. The worst-performing currencies have been both the US Dollar and Australian Dollar. However, the US Dollar had slightly improved during the previous week meaning traders need to be cautious as to if the USD may retrace slightly higher.

 

AUDUSD

 

The performance of the US Dollar is likely to continue to depend primarily on the US trade policy. According to experts, over the past week, investor sentiment has improved but for this to continue the news will need to provide a positive tone.

 

 

Lastly, the Japanese Yen could see volatility in either direction as the Bank of Japan is due to announce its rate decision later this week. Analysts expect the rate to remain unchanged but Governor Ueda is likely to provide indications of future rate hikes.

 

 

Australian Dollar and Australian Elections

The main developments which will influence the dynamics of the Australian Dollar is the Consumer Price Index (inflation) on Wednesday, Retail Sales and the elections over the weekend. The Australian Dollar Index is trading 1.85% higher over the past month. However, the AUD is still underperforming compared to other currencies. The AUDUSD has struggled to cross above the 0.64069 resistance level over the past month.

 

 

The Australian Dollar has been struggling over the past month as economists believe the inflation rate will continue to fall close to the 2.0% target. Current expectations are that the inflation rate will fall from 2.4% to 2.3%. Economists say the likelihood of an interest rate cut in May is diminishing but was previously the main expectation. The Australian Dollar has recovered from the sharp decline that had triggered urgent calls for action from the Reserve Bank.

 

 

However, if the US Dollar is to increase in value traders may take into consideration two opinions. The first is to trade the AUDUSD as the Australian Dollar is the worst-performing currency or the USDCHF as the Swiss Franc is the best-performing currency and can more easily give up recent gains.

 

 

US Dollar and Upcoming Releases

The US Dollar was 1.65% after starting the previous week on a negative price gap. However, even with the upward price movement, the US Dollar Index remains relatively cheap and still trades at its lowest since July 2024. Gold also declines during Monday’s Asian Session which is another positive sign for the USD. The US will release the following data in the upcoming days:

 

 

• JOLTS Job Opening - Tomorrow
• ADP Non-Farm Employment Change - Wednesday
• US GDP - Wednesday
• Employment Cost Index - Wednesday
• Core PCE Price Index - Wednesday
• Weekly Unemployment Claims - Thursday
• ISM Manufacturing PMI - Thursday
• NFP Employment Change and Unemployment Rate - Friday

A big factor this week will continue to be the US Trade Negotiations. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced that negotiations between Washington and Beijing had already begun. However, Chinese officials denied that any talks were underway, fueling traders' uncertainty and dampening appetite for riskier assets. Nonetheless, the tone has been positive as both Trump and China advise they can make a trade agreement. China has already advised some goods will see tariffs lowered as a show of good faith.

 

 

Meanwhile, Trump signed an executive order to start a deep-sea mining initiative aimed at countering China’s dominance in certain commodities. The US plans to boost domestic production of nickel, copper, and rare earth elements.

 

 

Currently, the Federal Reserve is reluctant to cut interest rates but this can quickly change if employment data deteriorates. If the data this week beats expectations, the Fed is likely to stick to this tone and the US Dollar can gain bullish momentum. However, if this data reads weaker than the projections, the confidence in the Dollar can deteriorate and the Fed may be pressured to cut interest rates further pressuring the currency.

 

 

Key Takeaway Points:

• This week’s major US data releases could decide whether the US Dollar rebounds or continues to lag.
• Safe-haven currencies like the Swiss Franc and Yen remain stronger, but risks of losing momentum increase.
• The Australian Dollar faces pressure from slowing inflation, soft retail sales, and upcoming elections.
• Stronger US data and positive trade negotiations could fuel a Dollar recovery; weak data may trigger Fed rate cut fears.

[b]Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.[/b]

 

[b]Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.[/b]

Click [url=https://www.hfm.com/hf/en/trading-tools/economic-calendar.html][b]HERE[/b][/url] to access the full HFM Economic calendar.

 

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click [url=https://www.hfm.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html][b]HERE[/b][/url] to register for FREE!

 

[url=https://analysis.hfm.com/][b]Click HERE to READ more Market news.[/b][/url]

 

[b]Michalis Efthymiou

HFMarkets[/b]

 

[b]Disclaimer:[/b] This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.