US durable goods orders stabilized in August

European shares rebound 1% today led by the financial sector as Deutsche Bank rebounds after the German bank sold a UK insurance unit and CEO Cryan said that raising capital is currently not an issue. US Equities opened with limited gains.
"It seems likely to me that further monetary stimulus will be required at some point in order to help ensure that a slowdown in economic activity doesn't turn into something more pernicious", BoE's Shafik said today, adding timing of any fresh easing would depend on the continued evolution of the data over the coming weeks and months.
US durable goods orders stabilized in August, beating market expectations which were looking for a decline. An increase in transportation orders was offset by a limited drop in other sectors. Shipments however continued to disappoint with the core measure falling for a fourth straight month, a poor signs for business investments in Q3.
Rating agency Standard & Poor's predicts the process of exciting the EU will knock 2.1 percentage points off UK GDP growth between now and 2018 as it will have a drag on purchasing power and consumption
Although remaining volatile, Brent crude oil prices edged higher today, hovering around $46.50/barrel on signs that differences are narrowing between Saudi Arabia and Iran and talks are still continuing.
Fed Chairwoman Yellen testifies to the House Panel on Banking Supervision (16h CET) and also Fed's Bullard, Evans, Mester and George are scheduled to speak later today.

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EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.