New York Open Briefing: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

The New York trading session commences with a slightly risk-off sentiment, reflected by a -0.04 reading on the Risk Meter. Asian equity markets saw declines, with the JP225 down -0.57% and the USTEC lower by -0.41%. The US Dollar has shown strength over the past 24 hours, up +0.26%, while the Swiss Franc is weaker by -0.10%. This has contributed to a +0.13% rise in USDCHF. The EURJPY is up +0.12% and AUDUSD gained +0.11%, while the UK100 also saw a +0.13% increase.

Recent data releases have provided market impulses. In Canada, CMHC Housing Starts registered 229.074K, falling short of the 259.535K consensus by -11.7%. This comes as the Canadian Dollar has seen a +0.15% gain over the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, Australian Westpac-MI Consumer Sentiment m/m surprised positively at 6%, significantly above the -3.2% consensus, a +287.5% surprise. The Australian Dollar has gained +0.02% in the last 24 hours. The UK’s 10-Year Treasury Gilt Auction yielded 5.155%, with Labour Productivity y/y at 0.5% and q/q at 1.1%.

For the session ahead, traders will focus on US economic data. Fed Industrial Production m/m and y/y are due at 13:15 UTC. Consensus estimates stand at 0.1% for the monthly figure and 0.7% for the yearly figure. For Wednesday, Australian traders will monitor the Wage Price Index q/q at 01:30 UTC, with a consensus of 0.8%.

The most significant item ahead for the New York session remains the US Fed Industrial Production release.

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.