Show Notes – September 19th, 2025
Focus: FX, Commodities, Trade & Geopolitics
00:00 – Intro Overview of today’s market briefing: FX momentum, commodity price action, key trade updates, and geopolitical headlines.
- BoJ Policy Decision: Rates held at 0.50%, surprise ETF & J-REIT sales plan. Yen initially strengthened, USD/JPY dipped to 147.20 before recovering.
- Dollar Strength: DXY extends winning streak, holding just under 97.60.
- EUR & GBP: Euro softens from highs, sterling pressured by UK borrowing data; cable trades below 1.35.
- Antipodeans: Remain weak, NZD weighed by poor export data.
03:00 – Commodities & Energy - Crude Oil: WTI steady near $63.40, Brent near $67.40. Market weighed by Trump’s comments urging lower oil prices.
- Gold & Metals: Gold trades near $3,650 as USD trims gains. Copper rangebound under $10,000/t.
- Supply Headlines: EU mulls accelerating Russian LNG phase-out; Congo considering extending cobalt export ban.
05:10 – Trade & Policy Developments - North America: Mexico & Canada commit to strengthening USMCA, launch bilateral security dialogue.
- US Tariff Policy: Bipartisan bill to exempt coffee from tariffs expected; Trump administration exploring tariff revenue use for factory construction.
06:30 – Geopolitical Risk Update - Middle East: Netanyahu vows to continue operations against Hamas until all objectives met.
- Europe: EU Council to hold informal October 1st summit on defense and Ukraine support.
- Iran: Warns EU sanctions would be politically motivated and escalate tensions.
08:00 – Wrap-Up Dollar strength, quiet but firm gold, and key upcoming events: Trump-Xi call, Fed speakers, and Canadian retail sales.