-- Societe Generale in its early Thursday economic news summary pointed out:
-- The US dollar (USD) is up with Brent overnight, oil squeezed to a high of US$106.2/barrel before retracing. Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz for alleged maritime violations. The United States and Iran remain divided on the ceasefire, blockade, nuclear topics and control of the Strait. President Trump: There is no deadline for ending the war, the ceasefire, or Iran's response to his request for a peace proposal.
-- Japan manufacturing PMI rose to 54.9 in April from 51.6 in March, new orders up on front-loading, input prices rise at the fastest pace since January 2023 on higher cost of raw materials, fuel, energy, strained supply chains, weaker yen (JPY). Services PMI dipped to 51.2 from 53.4.
-- Germany manufacturing PMI falls to 51.2 from 52.2 (new orders down to 51.0), services plummet to 46.9 versus 50.9. France manufacturing up to 52.8 (new orders up to 53.1). Services PMI falls to 46.5 versus 48.8.
-- Day ahead: Eurozone, U.S. and United Kingdom preliminary PMI. U.S. weekly jobless claims. European Central Bank speaker Nagel.
-- Nikkei -0.6%, EUR 10-year IRS +1.7bps at 3.067%, Brent crude +1.1% at US$103.1/barrel, Gold -0.4% at US$4,712/oz.