EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fig 1: USD BBDXY Index & US Tsy 10yr Yield - Divergence Continues

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg/Refinitiv.
UK
SANCTIONS (BBG): “The UK urged its Group of Seven allies to agree a cut to the price cap on Russian oil, saying the move is necessary to put further pressure on President Vladimir Putin to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
TRADE (POLITICO): “The United Kingdom has been accused of undermining World Trade Organization rules through its trade pact with the United States, potentially straining Britain’s “reset” with the European Union.”
GEOPOLITICS (BBC): “Sir Keir Starmer is due to sign a deal handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius on Thursday. Under the terms of the deal Mauritius would gain sovereignty of the islands from the UK, but allow the US and UK to continue operating a strategically important military base on one of the islands for an initial period of 99 years in exchange for a multi-billion pound payment.”
POLITICS (BBC): “Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ease cuts to winter fuel payments, in a U-turn following mounting political pressure in recent weeks.”
EU
UKRAINE (RTRS): “Ukraine will ask the EU next week to consider big new steps to isolate Moscow, including seizing Russian assets and bringing in sanctions for some buyers of Russian oil, as U.S. President Donald Trump has backed off from tightening sanctions.”
RUSSIA (WSJ): “On a call Monday, President Trump told European leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin isn't ready to end the war because he thinks he is winning, according to three people familiar with the conversation.”
TRADE (BBG): “The European Union has shared a revised trade proposal with the US, as it aims to inject momentum in talks with President Donald Trump’s administration amid lingering skepticism that a transatlantic deal can be reached.”
TRADE (POLITICO): “The EU needs to radically ramp up efforts to slash red tape and unify its single market if it wants to compete with China and the United States, France’s Europe minister told POLITICO.”
ECB (BBG): “European Central Bank Governing Council member Jose Luis Escriva said the euro and energy prices have been weighing on consumer-price growth, while the fallout from US tariffs is more complicated to evaluate.”
US
FISCAL (RTRS): “U.S. President Donald Trump's massive tax and spending bill cleared an important procedural hurdle in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday, when a gatekeeper committee approved the measure and set up a floor vote for passage to occur within hours.”
GOVERNMENT (WSJ): “President Trump said he is giving "very serious consideration" to taking the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public after nearly two decades under government control.”
ISRAEL (BBG): “Two members of the Israeli Embassy’s staff were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington on Wednesday night, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.”
ECONOMY (BBG): "JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief Jamie Dimon said he can’t rule out the US economy will fall into stagflation as the country faces huge risks from both geopolitics, deficits and price pressures."
OTHER
FOREX (BBG): “ US and Japanese finance chiefs confirmed existing currency views and did not discuss foreign exchange levels during a meeting in Canada, sending the yen briefly lower as markets wound back expectations for a more aggressive stance.”
CANADA (MNI BRIEF): The U.S. will eventually come to a deal with Canada providing relief on auto tariffs according to Rob Wildeboer, co-founder of parts supplier Martinrea International who met earlier this month with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
CANADA (MNI BRIEF): Half of Canadian mortgage holders faced difficulty paying bills last year according to a federal housing agency survey, often because of worsening economic circumstances.
JAPAN (MNI BRIEF): The Bank of Japan will adjust its policy interest rate cautiously and in stages to ensure inflation stabilises around 2%, noting the path forward will depend on underlying economic trends, board member Asahi Noguchi told business leaders in Miyazaki City Thursday.
NEW ZEALAND (BBG): " New Zealand’s elevated fiscal and current account deficits are weaknesses that could weigh on the credit rating, S&P Global Ratings says in statement Thursday after the annual budget was presented."
CHINA
POWER (MNI BRIEF): China’s total installed power generation capacity reached 3.5 billion kilowatts at the end of April, up 15.9% y/y, data released by the National Energy Administration showed on Thursday.
PROPERTY (CSJ): “Sales of new homes and second-hand property have been showing signs of recovery in some major Chinese cities, the China Securities Journal reports Thursday."
ECONOMY (SECURITIES DAILY): “Policymakers should emphasise supporting the real-estate market above boosting consumption to stabilise China’s domestic economy this year, said Liu Yuanchun, president at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.”
E-COMMERCE (BEIJING BUSINESS TODAY): “Chinese e-commerce companies expanding overseas face challenges as the EU and Japan signal plans to raise tariffs on low-value parcels, following the U.S.’s removal of its tax-free policy in early May.”
CHINA MARKETS
MNI: PBOC Net Injects CNY90 Bln via OMO Thursday
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) conducted CNY154.5 billion via 7-day reverse repos, with the rate unchanged at 1.40%. The operation led to a net injection of CNY90 billion after offsetting the maturities of CNY64.5 billion today, according to Wind Information.
MNI: PBOC Sets Yuan Parity Lower At 7.1903 Thurs; +0.56% Y/Y
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the dollar-yuan central parity rate lower at 7.1903 on Thursday, compared with 7.1937 set on Wednesday. The fixing was estimated at 7.2035 by Bloomberg survey today.
MARKET DATA
AUSTRALIA S&P GLOBAL MAY FLASH MFG PMI 51.7; APR. 51.7
AUSTRALIA S&P GLOBAL MAY FLASH SERVICES PMI 50.5; APR. 51
AUSTRALIA S&P GLOBAL MAY FLASH COMPOSITE PMI 50.6; APR. 51
JAPAN MARCH CORE MACHINE ORDERS +13.0% M/M; EST. -1.6%; FEB. +4.3%
JAPAN MARCH CORE MACHINE ORDERS +8.4% Y/Y; EST. -1.8%; FEB. +1.5%
JAPAN JIBUN BANK MAY FLASH MFG PMI 49; APR. 48.7
JAPAN JIBUN BANK MAY FLASH SERVICES PMI 50.8; APR. 52.4
JAPAN JIBUN BANK MAY FLASH COMPOSITE PMI 49.8; APR. 51.2
MARKETS
US TSYS: Asia Wrap - Yields Give Back Some Overnight Gains
TYM5 has traded higher within a range of 109-13 to 109-19 during the Asia-Pacific session. It last changed hands at 109-18, up 0-02 from the previous close.
JGB futures are weaker, -33 compared to settlement levels.
AUSSIE BONDS: Modestly Cheaper With A Slightly Steeper Curve
ACGBs (YM -1.0 & XM -3.0) are cheaper but sit near session bests on a data-light day.
BONDS: Outperforms $-Bloc Post-Budget Release
NZGBs closed showing a bull-steepener, with benchmark yields flat to 3bps lower.
FOREX: Asia FX Wrap - USD Struggles To Bounce
The BBDXY has had a range of 1216.80 - 1219.91 in the Asia-Pac session, it is currently trading around 1218. “House Republican leaders released a new version of Donald Trump’s tax bill with a larger SALT cap and other changes in a bid to win support from GOP factions. The House may vote as soon as Thursday”(BBG).”The EU shared a revised proposal with the US which includes gradually reducing tariffs to zero on some goods, people familiar said.(BBG)”
JPY: Asia Wrap - Sellers Cap An Early Bounce
The Asia-Pac range has been 143.15 - 144.40, Asia is currently trading around 143.35. USD/JPY was under pressure all through the overnight session but bounced higher in early morning trading, the pair printed a high of 144.40 on headlines related to the meeting between US Tsy Secretary Bessent and Japan FinMin Kato on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada. It could not hold these gains and spent the rest of the session back under pressure to eventually break the overnight lows.
Options : Closest significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: 143.50($600m), Upcoming Strikes : 145.00($2.12b May 23),144.00($1.85b May 23)
Fig 1 : USD/JPY Spot Weekly Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
NZD: Asia Wrap - Trades Softer As NZ Sees Slower Growth
The NZD/USD had a range of 0.5921 - 0.5948 in the Asia-Pac session, going into the London open trading around 0.5925. US stocks stabilised in the Asian session but the NZD has traded softer on the NZ Budget showing a weaker economy with less tax revenue.
AUD/NZD range for the session has been 1.0822 - 1.0877, currently trading 1.0875. The Cross has bounced in our session as the NZD trades softly after the Budget. A sustained break above 1.0920 is needed to turn the focus higher, until then expect supply on bounces.
Fig 1: NZD/USD Spot Daily Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
AUD: Asia Wrap - Quiet Session, Trades Steady
The AUD/USD has had a tight range of 0.6427 - 0.6447 in the Asia- Pac session, it is currently trading around 0.6445. US stocks stabilised in the Asian session and the AUD has traded sideways in a pretty quiet session.
AUD/JPY - Today's range 92.14 - 92.84, it is trading currently around 92.25. Decent demand again seen towards the 92.00 area as it holds overnight. A sustained close back below 91.50/92.00 is needed to turn the focus back towards the lows again. With stocks looking like they have more to go in this retracement it could provide further headwinds for this pair.
Fig 1: AUD/USD spot Daily Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
ASIA STOCKS: Korea's KOSPI Leads Regional Falls
Plans in the US to seek to pass a bill focused on tax cuts drove bond yields higher and volatility throughout Asia's major bourses. Fears as to the sustainability of the already perilous US fiscal position created a risk off day with the KOSPI one of the biggest fallers. In what was a good day for most Asia FX, major bourses couldn't say the same as falls were experienced throughout the region.
OIL: Crude Stabilises After Yesterday’s Losses, Monitoring Range Of Issues
After falling over a percent on Wednesday, oil prices are slightly higher during today’s APAC session. WTI is up 0.2% to $61.68/bbl, close to the intraday high, while Brent is up 0.1% to $64.95/bbl. Markets continue to worry about and monitor Russia & Iran developments, OPEC production plans, US demand and trade negotiations.
GOLD: Bullion Continues Trend Higher As US Deficit Worries Persist
Gold prices continue to trend higher during the APAC session rising around 0.7% to $3338.15/oz after rising 0.8% on Wednesday as the metal benefits from safe-haven flows as risk sentiment deteriorates on worries over the US budget. It is up 4.2% this week. They reached a high of $3345.38 earlier, approaching initial resistance of $3347.50, 9 May high.
UP TODAY (TIMES GMT/LOCAL)
| Date | GMT/Local | Impact | Country | Event |
| 22/05/2025 | 0600/0700 | *** | Public Sector Finances | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0645/0845 | ** | Manufacturing Sentiment | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0715/0915 | ** | S&P Global Services PMI (p) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0715/0915 | ** | S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (p) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0730/0930 | ** | S&P Global Services PMI (p) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0730/0930 | ** | S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (p) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0800/1000 | *** | IFO Business Climate Index | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0800/1000 | ** | S&P Global Services PMI (p) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0800/1000 | ** | S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (p) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0800/1000 | ** | S&P Global Composite PMI (p) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0830/0930 | *** | S&P Global Manufacturing PMI flash | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0830/0930 | *** | S&P Global Services PMI flash | |
| 22/05/2025 | 0830/0930 | *** | S&P Global Composite PMI flash | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1000/1100 | ** | CBI Industrial Trends | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1050/1150 | BOE's Breeden On Climate Panel | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1100/1200 | BOE's Dhingra On UK Productivity Panel | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1130/1330 | ECB April Minutes Released | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1200/0800 | Richmond Fed's Tom Barkin | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1230/0830 | *** | Jobless Claims | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | WASDE Weekly Import/Export | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1230/0830 | * | Industrial Product and Raw Material Price Index | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1230/1330 | BOE's Pill At MonPol Conference (Text 16:30BST) | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1300/1500 | ** | BNB Business Confidence | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1345/0945 | *** | S&P Global Manufacturing Index (Flash) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1345/0945 | *** | S&P Global Services Index (flash) | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1400/1000 | *** | NAR existing home sales | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1400/1000 | * | Services Revenues | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1430/1030 | ** | Natural Gas Stocks | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1500/1100 | ** | Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Index | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1500/1700 | ECB's Elderson Dinner Speech at Biodiversity Day | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1530/1130 | ** | US Bill 04 Week Treasury Auction Result | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1530/1130 | * | US Bill 08 Week Treasury Auction Result | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1535/1735 | ECB's de Guindos Speech in Madrid | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1700/1300 | ** | US Treasury Auction Result for TIPS 10 Year Note | |
| 22/05/2025 | 1800/1400 | New York Fed's John Williams | ||
| 22/05/2025 | 1900/1500 | New York Fed's Roberto Perli | ||
| 23/05/2025 | 2301/0001 | ** | Gfk Monthly Consumer Confidence | |
| 23/05/2025 | 2330/0830 | *** | CPI | |
| 23/05/2025 | 0600/0800 | ** | Unemployment | |
| 23/05/2025 | 0600/0700 | *** | Retail Sales | |
| 23/05/2025 | 0600/0800 | *** | GDP (f) | |
| 23/05/2025 | 0645/0845 | ** | Consumer Sentiment | |
| 23/05/2025 | 0830/1030 | ECB's Lane Inflation Lecture in Florence | ||
| 23/05/2025 | 1230/0830 | * | Quarterly financial statistics for enterprises | |
| 23/05/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | Retail Trade | |
| 23/05/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | Retail Trade | |
| 23/05/2025 | 1335/0935 | Kansas City Fed's Jeff Schmid |