Foreign Exchange Market Update

September 22, 2026

Spain Trade Gap Widens in July

Euro traded at 1.1438 against USD at 9:00 AM PST

Spain's foreign trade deficit increased notably in July from a year ago as imports grew much faster than exports. The trade deficit rose from EUR 4.0 billion in July of last year to EUR 5.2 billion in the corresponding month this year. In June, the shortfall was EUR 7.7 billion. Exports climbed 3.0% year-over-year in July, slower than the 5.3% growth in the prior month. Annual import growth rose from 5.9% to 15.7%. Sector-specific import trends showed automotive imports rose 17.8% year-over-year, while raw material inflows climbed 24.0% from a year earlier. Energy product exports maintained strong momentum, expanding 60.8%, while chemical product shipments fell sharply by 17.4% from the year-ago period. 09/22/2026 - 09:17:00 (RTTNews)

United Kingdom Manufacturing Order Books Improve

British Pounds traded at 1.3337 against USD at 9:00 AM PST

United Kingdom manufacturing orders improved for the second month straight in September. The total order books balance rose from -25% in August to -9% in September. The balance was seen at -34%. Orders were reported as below "normal" to the smallest extent since July 2023. Export order books were also reported as below "normal" in September, decreasing from zero in August to -9%. Output volumes fell marginally in the three months to September, and at the slowest pace since the quarter to July 2025. The corresponding balance reached -4% compared to -17% in the quarter to August. 09/22/2026 - 08:29:00 (RTTNews)

Taiwan Export Order Growth Accelerates to 71.4%

Taiwan's export order growth accelerated for the third month straight in August. Export orders surged 71.4% year-over-year in August, faster than the 61.9% increase in July. In June, orders were 59.4% higher. Orders for mineral products alone grew 91.6% from last year. Demand for electronic products advanced by 83.9%, and orders for machinery increased by 28.3%. Meanwhile, a decline was seen in orders for optical, photographic, and cinematographic apparatus, which dropped by 5.0%. Monthly, export orders increased 5.1% in August after rising 2.8% in July. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Taiwan dropped marginally from July's stable rate of 3.33% to 3.32% in August. There were 400,000 unemployed people compared to 401,000 in the prior month. 09/22/2026 - 08:41:00 (RTTNews)