English 
Dutch - Nederlands
French - Français
German - Deutsch
Greek - Ελληνικά
Hungarian - Magyar
Italian - Italiano
Polish - Polski
Spanish - Español
Get in touch
- Home
- Getting Started
- Blog
Get in touch
iFOREX Europe uses cookies to improve your browsing experience, personalize ads, analyze traffic, and ensure security. For more information, please visit our Cookie Policy or go to Manage preferences.
15/04/2026 - 07:08 UTCThe USDX extended its recent losing streak on Tuesday, sliding 0.32% to hover near the 98.20 level. The Greenback remains under significant pressure as safe-haven demand continues to fade amid growing optimism for a diplomatic resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict. Reports of "significant progress" from Vice President JD Vance regarding initial talks in Pakistan have fueled hopes for a second round of negotiations before the current ceasefire expires. Further weighing on the Dollar, softer-than-expected U.S. PPI data—which rose only 0.5% against a 1.2% forecast—has effectively cooled expectations for further Federal Reserve rate hikes, reinforcing a more dovish outlook for the currency.
Gold maintained its strong upward momentum, surging 1.68% to trade around the $4,815 region. While the metal saw a slight intraday retracement from its four-week peak, it continues to find robust support as the "war premium" lingers due to the ongoing naval blockade and potential for IRGC retaliation. The bullion’s gains are being driven by a combination of the weakening Dollar and falling Treasury yields following the softer inflation data. Despite the hopeful diplomatic headlines, investors remain cautious until a definitive agreement is reached, sustaining the demand for non-yielding safe-haven assets.
WTI Oil suffered a sharp decline for the second straight session, plummeting -6.49% to settle near $87.50 per barrel. This steep retreat suggests that traders are aggressively pricing out geopolitical risks as both Washington and Tehran signal a willingness to resume peace talks this week. Although the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical logistical chokepoint with a largely constrained flow of goods, the shift toward a potential long-term truce has eased immediate fears of a permanent supply shock. Nevertheless, the market remains wary, as any recovery in physical oil traffic will likely be delayed until the current blockade and security concerns are fully resolved.
Asian equity markets extended their upward trajectory on Wednesday, fueled by a powerful rally in technology shares and a pivot toward "risk-on" sentiment. While the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical concern, investors focused on signals from Washington that diplomatic talks with Tehran are likely to resume. Regional performance was headlined by the Korea 200, which outperformed its peers with a jump of over 3%, reclaiming the 6,100 level on Tuesday as domestic chip heavyweights reached new record highs. In Japan, the Japan 225 advanced approximately 2.1%, maintaining its position near all-time peaks.
In China, the broader regional advance was supported by the tech sector’s resilience and a pullback in energy prices, which has eased fears of a sustained inflationary shock. As the market digests mixed results from major U.S. financial institutions, the focus now turns to upcoming reports from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley.
The cryptocurrency market maintained a bullish posture on Tuesday as the "risk-on" sentiment across global markets intensified. Following a stellar previous week where Bitcoin surged over 8% and Ethereum gained more than 10%, both of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization continued to climb, with each rising over 1% in the latest session. While Bitcoin briefly touched a one-month high above $76,000 before settling near $74,127, the move was supported by a pullback in oil prices and cooling U.S. producer inflation data, which came in significantly lower than consensus forecasts.
Investor confidence was further bolstered by signals from Washington that a second round of face-to-face diplomatic talks with Tehran is imminent, potentially occurring within the next 48 hours in Pakistan.
EUR/USD traded close to the 1.1800 level on Wednesday, steadying after previous session advance, as improving sentiment around potential renewed US-Iran negotiations weighed on the US Dollar.
The euro may remain supported if the greenback continues to soften amid expectations that Washington and Tehran could resume talks in the near term. Market participants see a possible diplomatic breakthrough as a factor that could ease geopolitical tensions and help secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route.
According to reports from the New York Post, US President Donald Trump indicated negotiations could restart as early as this week, while expressing opposition to a proposed 20-year suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Separately, Vice President JD Vance said “significant progress” had been made during an initial round of discussions in Pakistan, with follow-up meetings potentially scheduled within days.
Additional pressure on the US Dollar came from softer-than-expected US producer inflation data, which strengthened expectations that price pressures are easing. Investors paid particular attention to the services component of the report, often viewed as a key indicator for the Federal Reserve because it excludes direct energy and tariff effects.
US Producer Price Index data showed headline PPI rising 0.5% month-on-month, below forecasts of 1.2%, while core PPI increased just 0.1% versus expectations of 0.6%. On an annual basis, headline PPI rose 4.0% in March, missing consensus estimates of 4.6%, while core PPI remained unchanged at 3.8%.
Markets are currently pricing in modest tightening from the European Central Bank at its April 30 meeting, with expectations for two additional rate increases later this year.
Gold prices remained under mild pressure on Wednesday, trading below a recent four-week high as a modest rebound in the US Dollar limited further upside.
The precious metal came under pressure as the dollar recovered from its weakest level since early March, supported in part by lingering uncertainty surrounding developments in the Strait of Hormuz. While hopes for renewed diplomacy between the United States and Iran have improved sentiment, traders remain cautious over whether a lasting agreement can be reached.
Tensions in the region remain elevated after Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations described the recent US blockade, which took effect on Monday, as a serious violation of Tehran’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned of retaliation, keeping geopolitical risks firmly in focus.
Optimism surrounding diplomacy and the extension of the current ceasefire has been a key driver behind the US Dollar’s recent weakness and could continue to lend medium-term support to gold prices.
Additional support for bullion came from softer-than-expected US producer inflation data released on Tuesday. The figures eased concerns that higher energy prices would significantly accelerate inflation and reduced expectations for further aggressive Federal Reserve tightening.
The softer inflation data also weighed on US Treasury yields, helping to cap the dollar’s rebound and reinforcing expectations that buyers may emerge on dips in the gold market.
Oil prices fell sharply on Tuesday as renewed hopes for diplomatic progress between Iran, the United States and Israel eased fears over prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical routes for crude and refined fuel shipments.
The latest pullback reflected growing optimism that negotiations could help contain the crisis.
Despite the sell-off, some analysts cautioned that the market may be underestimating the impact of barrels currently unable to reach global markets.
The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its latest monthly report, said attacks on regional energy infrastructure and Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz had triggered the largest oil supply disruption on record, with an estimated 10.1 million barrels per day removed from the market in March.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continued. Sources indicated negotiating teams from the US and Iran could return to Islamabad this week. A US official said discussions aimed at reaching an agreement were ongoing, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed mediation efforts remain active.
Separately, the IEA sharply lowered its forecasts for global oil supply and demand growth. Demand growth expectations for 2026 were reduced by 80,000 barrels per day, while global supply is now projected to decline by 1.5 million barrels per day.
US stock index futures were little changed on Tuesday evening after the US 500 ended the regular session close to record highs, as investors balanced hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East against a busy corporate earnings calendar.
During Tuesday’s session, the us 500 gained 1.2%, finishing just below its all-time closing high.
The move higher was led by technology shares and supported by falling oil prices, as markets grew more optimistic that tensions in the Middle East could ease.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that “the other side” had reached out and was eager to strike a deal, comments investors interpreted as a sign of potential progress in negotiations involving Iran.
The remarks came despite continued regional tensions. The United States has initiated a naval blockade targeting vessels leaving Iranian ports, while Tehran has warned of retaliation against ports in neighboring Gulf countries after weekend talks reportedly broke down.
Markets also drew support from weaker-than-expected US producer inflation data, which reinforced the view that pipeline price pressures may be easing.
On the corporate front, major US banks delivered mixed quarterly results. JPMorgan Chase reported better-than-expected profit, driven by strong trading revenue, while Wells Fargo missed revenue estimates despite posting higher earnings. Johnson & Johnson also exceeded forecasts and raised its full-year outlook, supported by solid pharmaceutical sales.
Attention now turns to Wednesday’s earnings slate, with Bank of America and Morgan Stanley scheduled to report.
The materials contained on this document should not in any way be construed, either explicitly or implicitly, directly or indirectly, as investment advice, recommendation or suggestion of an investment strategy with respect to a financial instrument, in any manner whatsoever. Any indication of past performance or simulated past performance included in this document is not a reliable indicator of future results. For the full disclaimer click here.
Trusted partner
Featured partner
By 
