New York Open Briefing: Friday, July 24, 2026
The New York session opens with a generally positive tone across global equities and commodities. Asian and European markets closed higher, with the JP225 up +1.25% and the DE40 gaining +1.08%. Gold, XAUUSD, also saw a +0.62% rise. The risk meter stands at +0.09, indicating a slight risk-on sentiment. In currency markets over the last 24 hours, the NZD and USD have shown slight strength, up +0.14% and +0.13% respectively, while the GBP has seen a -0.15% decline.
Earlier data releases showed mixed signals. Mexico’s Unemployment Rate n.s.a. met consensus at 2.8%, but the overall Unemployment Rate registered 2.9% against a 2.6% consensus, a +11.5% surprise. In India, Foreign Exchange Reserves came in higher than expected at 676.237B, a +0.9% surprise, while Deposit Growth y/y and Bank Loan Growth y/y both showed slight negative surprises. The UK’s S&P Global/CIPS Services PMI surprised to the upside at 51.8 compared to a 50 consensus, a +3.6% surprise.
Ahead for the New York session, traders will monitor several key data points. The US is set to release New Home Sales m/m at 14:00 UTC, with consensus at -3.7%. Later, ECB Executive Board Member Lane Speech is scheduled for 15:30 UTC. The Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count and US Total Rig Count are due at 17:00 UTC. Additionally, CFTC Non-Commercial Net Positions for AUD, BRL, JPY, and Gold will be released at 19:30 UTC.
The New Home Sales m/m report for the US will be a key focus for market participants today.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Biggest moves since the previous session | JP225 +1.25%, DE40 +1.08%, UK100 +0.74% |
| Currency strength, 24h | NZD strongest at +0.14%, GBP weakest at -0.15% |
| Risk meter | +0.09 (mildly risk-on) |
Scheduled this session (High and Medium impact)
| Time | Ccy | Event | Impact | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 UTC | USD | New Home Sales m/m | Medium | -3.7% |
| 15:30 UTC | EUR | ECB Executive Board Member Lane Speech | Medium | – |
| 17:00 UTC | USD | Baker Hughes US Oil Rig Count | Medium | – |
| 17:00 UTC | USD | Baker Hughes US Total Rig Count | Medium | – |
| 19:30 UTC | AUD | CFTC AUD Non-Commercial Net Positions | Medium | – |
| 19:30 UTC | BRL | CFTC BRL Non-Commercial Net Positions | Medium | – |
| 19:30 UTC | JPY | CFTC JPY Non-Commercial Net Positions | Medium | – |
| 19:30 UTC | USD | CFTC Gold Non-Commercial Net Positions | Medium | – |
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.