Market Overview

Dollar continues to trade as the weakest major currency as another week starts. Over the month, the greenback is trading weakest against Kiwi and Aussie. Meanwhile, Euro is catching up as Germany is closer to reforming the grand coalition. Sterling follows on improving prospects of a favorable Brexit deal. For the moment, it's unclear which is the main driving force behind Dollar's selloff. The fact that other global central banks are catching up on tightening is a factor. Surge in commodity prices is another one. But these two factors are not strong enough to send the Dollar index to three year low. The concerns of China's consideration to move away from Dollar assets could be the more important reason.

EUR/USD powers through 1.21 handle today on new that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has achieved some breakthrough in forming the new coalition government. It's reported that Merkel has struck a deal with the Social Democrat to formally open talks for reforming the grand coalition. The marathon talks were closed with a 28-page blue print between the CDU/CSU and SPD. Close cooperation with France to strengthen the Eurozone is one of the key point of the blue print.

Risk appetite continued to be generally strong. DOW closed up 205.6 pts, or 0.81% overnight to 25574.73. S&P 500 and NASDAQ were up 0.7% and 0.8% respectively. All hit new record highs. Positive sentiments continue in Asian session with gains in China and HK markets even though Nikkei weakens mildly on recent Yen strength. WTI crude oil also extended recent rally to as high as 64.77 and is set to test 65 handle. Gold is firm, consolidation around 1320, as Dollar is back under pressure. The greenback will look into today's CPI reading for direction.

Aussie trades broadly higher in Asian session as lifted by retail sales data. While AUD/UD is still limited below 0.7896 key near term resistance, EUR/AUD has dipped through 1.5226 support, which signals more Aussie strength ahead. Over the week, Yen remains the strongest one on speculations of BoJ stimulus exit. Dollar suffered steep selling of talks that China will slow purchases of US assets. But still, the greenback in trading mixed, in red against Yen Aussie and Kiwi only.

Dollar dives broadly today on news that China is considering to diversify its foreign exchange reserves away from Dollar. It's reported by Bloomberg, without unnamed source, that Chinese officials are recommending the government to slow or even halt purchase of US treasuries. The China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange has yet provide a response to press query yet. But it's believed that the lowered attractiveness of US assets, as well as trade tensions between the two countries could be the reasons for the change in strategies.

Risk appetite remains strong in global financial markets. All three major US indices, DOW, S&P 500 and NASDAQ made record highs over night. Optimism carries on in Asian session. Even though Nikkei is trading a touch lower, stocks in China and Hong Kong are strong. The biggest surprise overnight was the surge in US treasury yields. 10 year yield close up 0.066 at 2.546. 2.621 key medium term resistance is now within reach. The development also helped lifting the dollar index back above 92.5. The greenback is probably finally preparing for a sustainable rebound.

Yen remains the strongest major currency for today as BoJ operates spurred speculations of stimulus exit. Dollar also follow closely as the second strongest one. On the other hand, European majors are under much selling pressure as recent rally fails to sustain momentum. Euro continue to shrug off positive economic data while EUR/USD's fall gathers steam. Elsewhere, commodity currencies are generally mixed. Speculations for a January BoC rate hike continue to grow. But Loonie's rally is looking stretched.

Yen strengthens against all major currencies in Asian session on news that BoJ lowers its long-dated JGB purchases. Strength in Yen is followed by Aussie, which is lifted by strong housing data. On the other hand, Dollar and Euro are both trading weakly. Comments from Fed officials overnight gave no extra confidence to the markets that Fed would hike three more times this year, not to mention four. Meanwhile, Euro stays soft as recent rally lost steam.

Despite a string of upbeat confidence data from Eurozone, Euro tumbles broadly today. Weaker than expected German retail sales could be a factor. Some also point to the risks of upcoming election in Italy. But it's seen that the decline in Euro is due to recent loss in momentum, and the failure of EUR/USD to break through 1.2091 key resistance. On the other hand, the greenback is trying to regain some ground, together with the Japanese Yen. BoC business outlook survey is the only economic release in US session. Focus will be on speeches of Fed officials including Atlanta Fed Raphael Bostic and San Francisco Fed John Williams.

Markets open another week rather steadily. Canadian Dollar remains the strongest one as supported by rate hike expectations. Dollar is trying to recover again, in particular as EUR/USD is feeling heavy ahead of 1.2091 key near term resistance. But more evidence is needed to confirm underlying strength in the greenback. Strong global risk appetite is keeping Yen and Swiss Franc soft. But Aussie is so far the weakest one after the government forecasts 20% drop in iron ore price this year.

Risk appetite dominated the markets last week and with global equities having a stellar start to 2018. With that, Japanese Yen and Swiss France ended as the two weakest ones. Dollar attempted to rebound multiple times but failed. Non-farm payrolls data were solid even though the headline number missed expectations. But it nonetheless gives no push for Fed to quicken it's rate path. Euro was also relatively firm throughout the week, until data showed headline and core inflation slowed in December. Sustainable strength was seen in commodity currencies. In particular, Canadian Dollar ended as the star as double boosted by strong job data and surge in oil price.

Canadian dollar soars in early US session after another month of stellar job data. The employment market grew and impressive 78.6k in December, just slightly smaller than prior month's 79.5k. It's also well above expectation of 0k growth. Unemployment ate, dropped to 5.7%, down from 5.9% and was way below expectation of 6.0%. That's also the lowest level in more than four decades, since the series began in 1976. The strength in job market is sealing the deal for BoC to hike again in Q1. And there could be more speculations for a January hike ahead. USD/CAD dives through 1.2380 handle, comparing to 1.2500 just an hour ago. Also from Canada, trade deficit came in larger than expected at CAD -2.5b in November.

Japanese Yen and Swiss Franc are trading as the weakest major currencies for the week on strong global risk appetite. Nikkei is extending recent rally in Asian session, after hitting 26 year high yesterday. DOW, S&P 500 and NASDAQ also closed at record highs again overnight, following the record high in FTSE. Commodity currencies and Euro are the main beneficiary in the current market sentiments. Dollar, on the other hand, stays generally weak except versus Yen and Franc. Non-farm payroll report, in particular wage data, will be key to whether the greenback can stage a turnaround. In addition, Canadian job data and Eurozone CPI will also be closely watched.

The pattern continues today with Dollar trying to recovery but fails. Economic data from US are solid but that gives little support to the greenback. Instead, Euro shines today as PMI data confirmed a "stellar" end to 2017, as the best year for over a decade. Released from US, ADP report showed 250k growth in private sector jobs in December, above expectation of 190k. Initial claims rose 5k to 250k in the week ended December. Challenger report showed -3.6% yoy fall in planned layoffs in December. From Canada, IPPI rose 1.4% mom in November. RMPI rose 5.5% mom.

US equities ended broadly higher overnight as boosted by tax cuts optimism. DOW gained 0.40% to 24922.68 and 25000 handle is within reach. S&P 500 closed solidly above 2700 handle at 2713.06, up 0.64%. NASDAQ also rose 0.84% to 7065.53. All three indices were at records. Nikkei follows today and surges close to over 2.6% through 23300. Dollar was also lifted by Fed officials's discussion that tax cuts could prompt faster rate hike. But for the moment, the greenback is still traded in red against all but Swiss Franc for the week. More support is needed from economic data, possibly non-farm payroll and wage growth, to give the greenback a turnaround.

The forex markets are trading rather mixed ahead of FOMC minutes. Commodity currencies overtake Europeans as the main driver today, with Aussie and Loonie trading generally higher. Sterling dips on weaker than expected data but remains the second strongest for the week. Dollar is also trying to stage a rebound but stays in red for the week, except versus Swiss Franc. Strength in Dollar's rebound is rather unconvincing. Traders are relatively more active back from holiday. But would likely need more inspirations from today's ISM and Friday's NFP.

Dollar is trying to recover in Asian session today after the steep new year selloff. Nonetheless, the greenback remains the second weakest one for the week, just next to Kiwi. S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed at records high at 26951.81 and 7006.90 overnight. DOW also gained 104.79 pts or 0.42% to 24824.01. 10 year yield staged a strong rebound by gaining 0.06 to 2.465 but that was mainly driven by surge in European yields, including Germany and UK. In other markets, gold breached 1320 handle before retreating mildly today. WTI crude oil is also holding above 60 handle.

Dollar's broad based selloff continues as 2018 starts. In particular, EUR/USD reaches as high as 1.2080 and is set to take on 1.2091 key resistance. USD/JPY is holding above 112.02 support for the moment, but it looks vulnerable. Among the currencies, Euro is so far trading as the strongest one, followed by Sterling. But Swiss Franc clearly lags behind its European rivals.

The forex markets start rather slowly today as, without any news, traders are staying in holiday mood. Trading could remain subdued today as UK manufacturing PMI is seen as the only market moving event. Nonetheless, US events will take lead later in the week with FOMC minutes, ISM indices and non-farm payrolls featured. Dollar was under tremendous pressure by the end of last year, partly thanks to surging commodity prices. The greenback will need some strong data to give it a life. Otherwise, Dollar index would have a take on 91 key support level within January.

Dollar remains generally weak as 2017 is coming to a close. It has been a rather bad year for the greenback despite Fed's rate hike. The highly anticipated tax plan of the Republicans also provided little boost to the greenback. Dollar index's yearly high was made back in January at 103.82. It then dropped to as low as 91.01 in September before finally staging a rather weak recovery. The sharp fall in December would very likely put 91 hand back into in the coming January. And we could see more downside in the greenback, at least in near term, before seeing a sustainable rebound.