Global FX DATA:

• • • ASIAN MARKET
      
       Asia stocks rose modestly following data showing China’s economy grew a little faster than expected in the first quarter.
       
    • GOLD
      
      Gold prices were flat early Thursday while the dollar stayed firm helped by higher long-term U.S. Treasury yields, though lingering U.S.-China trade tensions kept the greenback’s gains in check.
       
  • • OIL
      
      Oil prices on Thursday remained close to late 2014-highs reached in the previous session as U.S. crude inventories declined and as top exporter Saudi Arabia pushes for prices of $80 to $100 per barrel by continuing to withhold supplies.
       
    • INDIA
      
       India will claim the top spot among the world’s fastest-growing major economies this year, but rising trade tensions between the United States and China may restrain that growth.
       
    • DOLLAR
      
      The dollar was steady against a basket of its peers on Thursday, supported by higher long-term U.S. Treasury yields on improving investor appetite for risk assets, though lingering concerns over U.S.-China trade tensions checked the greenback.
       
    • CRYPTO CURRENCY
      
      Cryptocurrencies’ prices gained on Thursday. Cambridge Analytica, the company behind the recent Facebook data scandal, is planning to develop its own digital currency.Cambridge Analytica is looking into the possibilities of developing its own cryptocurrency to store and sell personal data, according to reports on Wednesday, which further added that the company is hoping to raise $30 million through initial coin offering (ICO).
       
    • LONDON
      
      Hundreds of noisy protesters greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he arrived in London on Wednesday, demonstrating over a rising tide of sexual violence at home, including two particularly brutal rapes.

    • PHILLIPINES
      
      Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he ordered the investigation into a 71-year-old Australian nun for “disorderly conduct”, justifying it as a legal move against “undesirable” foreigners.

    • US
      
      U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday they had agreed to intensify trade consultations between the two longtime allies, with an aim to expand investment and trade between their countries.

    • CHINA
      
      China is well prepared to handle any negative effects from its trade dispute with the United States, the commerce ministry said on Thursday, adding that China’s tariff hikes on U.S. imports will not have a big impact overall on its domestic industries.

    • SOUTH KOREA
      
       South Korean police raided Korean Air Lines headquarters in Seoul on Thursday as part of a probe into the youngest daughter of the airline’s chairman,Cho Hyun-min, a senior vice president at the airline, is under investigation by police for possible assault after testimony that she “sprayed a drink towards them” during a business meeting.

    • US
      
      U.S. stocks closed higher, with the biggest boosts from technology and healthcare sectors as investors were optimistic about earnings season and appeared less worried about U.S.-led missile attacks in Syria.
       

    • AUSTRALIA
      
      Australia’s financial services minister said on Thursday that the country’s banks have a lot of work to do to regain the public’s trust as executives prepared for another day of grilling before a powerful inquiry into the scandal-hit sector.
       

    • MEXICO
      
      Mexican leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has widened his lead in the race to win the July 1 presidential election, opening up a gap of 22 percentage points.