Markets rise after Trump threatened 50% tariffs against Europe - 26.5.2025

The Dollar weakening is intact presently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, lost 0.9% on Friday.

EUR/USD joined GBP/USD’s accelerated advancing on Friday as the Office for National Statistics reported UK retail sales rose more than expected in April. USD/JPY reversed its advancing while AUD/USD reversed its sliding on Friday with the Australian dollar higher against the Greenback currently and the yen lower.

US stock indexes futures are up currently after president Trump announced he is postponing 50% tariffs on imports from the European Union until July 9. US markets will ben closed today for Memorial Day holiday. Wall Street ended lower on Friday with the three main stock benchmarks recording daily losses in the range from -1.0% to -0.6% as president Trump vowed to impose a 50 per cent tariff on imports from the European Union.

European stock futures are rising today after closing down on Friday led by automobiles and parts stocks. Asian stock indexes futures are mostly up with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index defying the trend as shares of Asian companies that supply Apple Inc fell after Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all imported iPhones.

Brent is steady currently. Prices ended higher on Friday ahead of the three-day Memorial Day weekend which kicks off the US summer driving season, the period of highest demand for motor fuels. US West Texas Intermediate WTI futures rose 0.5% and are higher currently. Brent gained 0.5% to $64.78 a barrel on Friday.