London Open Briefing: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

London opens with a slightly risk-off tone, indicated by the -0.05 Risk Meter reading. Equity markets in Asia and Europe saw modest gains, with the JP225 up +0.60% and the DE40 gaining +0.14%. Gold, XAUUSD, advanced by +0.84%. In currency markets, the AUD leads with a +0.20% gain over 24 hours, while the CAD trails, down -0.24%.

Early data from Sweden showed the Unemployment Rate at 8.5%, below the 8.9% consensus. Household Consumption in Sweden rose 0.7% year over year and 4% month over month. The UK saw its CPI m/m align with expectations at 0.5%. However, RPI y/y came in at 3.4%, surpassing the 2.8% consensus, and CPIH y/y registered 3.3%, above the 2.6% consensus.

Looking ahead, the London session will see Eurozone Wage Costs y/y at 09:00 UTC, with a consensus of 2.7%. Later, at 12:15 UTC, Canada’s CMHC Housing Starts are due. The afternoon is packed with high-impact events from the US, including EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change at 14:30 UTC, followed by the ECB President Lagarde Speech at 17:00 UTC.

Retail positioning data shows a 9pt shift toward short on XAUUSD over 24 hours. Significant disagreement is noted in retail books, with GBPJPY showing a 28-point difference and USDCHF a 31-point difference. All eyes will be on the Fed Interest Rate Decision and accompanying statements later today.

Scheduled this session (High and Medium impact)

Times are UTC. This brief describes measured market state and the published schedule. It is not financial advice and nothing in it is a trade recommendation.