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Market Overview

Sterling Regains Ground But Upside Limited by Brexit Uncertainties

Sterling strengthens broadly today but upside is capped as markets are now watching Brexit debate in the Commons. The opening statement of May was rather dull as she repeated the pledge to deliver Brexit. Meanwhile the situation got more complicated and confusing today as other alternatives emerge, most notably...

Sterling Soft as Brexit Votes Awaited, Yen Shrugs Mild Risk Aversion

The forex markets remain rather quiet today so far. The selloff in stocks and oil overnight triggered some pull back in Canadian and Australian Dollars, but losses were limited. Similar, Yen was given just a mild pop while it's unmoved by the shallow decline in Asian stocks. Though, "softness" in...

Sterling and Canadian Weaken in Quiet Markets, Dollar Mixed ahead of Key Events

Trading in the forex markets has been rather subdued for most of the day. But there are signs of some additional weakness in Sterling and Canadian Dollar in early US session. Traders could be lightening up positions ahead tomorrow's Brexit votes and debates in the Commons. But the Pound...

Dollar Weakness in Focus ahead of a Busy Week

Dollar weakness remains the main focus in rather directionless markets today. The greenback suffered steep selloff last Friday on rumors that Fed would discussing cutting short the balance reduction process. And Dollar will face a number of key events this week. FOMC meeting is for sure a highly anticipated...

FOMC, Government Reopen, US-China Trade Talks & NFP ahead for Dollar

Dollar ended last week as the weakest one after deep selloff before weekly close. A whole lot of events are scheduled ahead to keep the greenback busy. Those include FOMC rate decision, US-China trade talk, non-farm payrolls. Also, the partial government shutdown has finally ended temporarily and we'll have...

Yen, Dollar and Swiss Franc Suffer as Markets in Full Risk-On Mode

Yen traders broadly lower today as risk appetite extends from Asia markets to Europe and then US. Dollar is following as the second weakest and then Swiss Franc. Meanwhile, New Zealand, Australian and Canadian Dollars are the strongest one. The development is pretty normal on a "risk-on" day. Sterling...

Sterling Surges on Irish Backstop Time Limit Rumor, Pressing Key Resistance Against Dollar and Euro

Sterling surges broadly today on rumors that Northern Ireland's DUP has privately agreed to conditional support to Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal. The Pound is also the strongest one for the week. While there are still a lot of uncertainties surrounding Brexit outcome, at least, the threat of...

Euro Survives Downbeat ECB and Weak PMIs, Safe for Now

Euro has been under broad based pressure today after PMIs suggest more weakness in the economy ahead. The common currency then spikes further lower ECB President Mario Draghi sounds rather cautious and downbeat in the post meeting press conference. However, Euro quickly recovers as Draghi actually didn't bring out...

Euro’s Recovery Might be Cut Short by Weak PMIs and Cautious ECB

European majors are trading generally higher today as Eurozone will take the center of stage. There are worries of deeper and longer than expected slowdown in the Eurozone economy. PMIs from Germany, France and Eurozone will provide some hints on economic performance at the start of the year. ECB...

Sterling Shines as Campaign to Block No-Deal Brexit Gains Momentum

Sterling is the star performer today as campaign to block no-deal Brexit in the UK gathers momentum. Some upside acceleration is seen after the Pound takes out near term resistance against Dollar, Euro and Yen. New Zealand Dollar is following as the second strongest as boosted by stronger than...

Yen Lower after BoJ Downgrades Inflation Forecasts, Sterling Pressing Near Term Resistance

Risk sentiments stabilized in Asia today despite the selloff in US overnight. But so far, momentum for rebound in stocks is very weak. Major indices are stuck in right range between gains and losses, in particular in China and Hong Kong. Yen is trading as the weakest one for...

Yen Strengthens With Markets in Mild Risk Aversion, Australian Dollar Tumbles

Mild risk aversion is the main theme in the financial markets today. Selloff started in Asia, in particular in China, and spread to European session. Japan 10-year JGB yield also turned negative again. In the currency markets, Australian Dollar leads other commodity currencies lower in a typical day of...

Sterling Soft on Brexit Stalemate, Yen and Dollar Higher

Sterling is trading lower in Asian session today as UK Prime Minister Theresa May's uninspiring statement did nothing to break the stalemate. But, commodity currencies are equally weak, if not weaker, following decline in the stock markets. There is no clear theme but investors appear to be turning cautious...

Dollar Attempting to Rise in Mixed Holiday Markets, Near Term Resistance Still Holds

The forex markets are rather mixed and quiet today. Trading has also become a bit subdued as US is on Martin Luther King day holiday. But UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan B might still trigger some volatility. For now, New Zealand Dollar remains the weakest one for...

Chinese Data Show Stabilization Sign, UK May’s Brexit Plan B Awaited

The financial markets are rather quiet today. Asian stocks trade higher despite data showing China's growth in 2018 slowed to lowest since 1990. But December data painted a picture of stabilization. Also, there is optimism on US-China trade talks, despite a lack of detail on the progress. Meanwhile, Yen,...

Trade Optimism Lifted Stocks, Yields and Dollar

Brexit and US-China trade negotiation were the two major themes last week. After a week of drama, it's still unclear exactly what kind of Brexit deal would get through the Parliament. There's some anticipation for UK Prime Minister Theresa May on her plan B on Monday. Yet she could...

Canadian Dollar Jumps on CPI and Oil, Sterling Pares Gain after Weak Retail Sales

Canadian Dollar strengthens mildly in early US session and is trading as the strongest one for today so far. Recovery in oil price has been supporting the Loonie through the day. And, further lift is given by stronger than expected CPI reading. Euro is following as the second strongest,...

Sterling Extends Rally, Yen Lower on Risk Appetite, Dollar Follows Yields Higher

Yen trades generally lower in rather quiet markets today. Risk appetite strengthens mildly despite extended record run in US government shutdown. There were rumors that US is considering to roll back tariffs to facilitate trade negotiation with China. But that was quickly denied. Nevertheless, Fed's "patience" rhetorics continued which...

Sterling Enjoying Renewed Buying, But Traders Remain Cautious

Renewed buying emerges in early US session for Sterling and it's trading as the strongest for today so far. But for now, the Pound's strength is relatively limited against Yen and Dollar. Investors would need to know more about the Brexit plan B before committing. Yen is supported by...

Sterling Stays Firm after May Won Confidence Vote, Euro and Swiss Franc Turning Softer

Sterling is staying as the strongest one for the week after UK Prime Minister Theresa May narrowed survived the confidence vote in Commons. Though, there is no follow through buying against Dollar. Upside momentum in the Pound is also relatively weak against Euro and Yen. Traders would probably stay...