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Market Overview

Dollar Failed to Rally on Hawkish Powell, Aussie Rebounds after GDP

Dollar attempted for a rally overnight after hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, but momentum quickly faded. Instead, the greenback was dragged down by extended weakness in benchmark treasury yields. Overall market sentiment is stable in Asian session, helping commodity currencies rebound. Aussie is additionally lifted by better...

Risk Selloff Resumes on Omicron, Dollar Vulnerable Against Euro and Yen

Selloff in stock markets resume today, after Moderna Chief Executive Stéphane Bancel foresaw "material drop" in effectiveness of current vaccines on Omicron. Benchmark treasury yields also tumble sharply on safe haven flows. In the currency markets, Canadian Dollar lead commodity currencies lower, as oil price tumble. Dollar is dragged...

Dollar and Yen Stay in Consolidation, Awaiting Next Move

Overall market sentiment is stable, with major Asian indexes mixed, following the recovery in US stocks overnight. Yen and Dollar soften slightly after turning into consolidations, but Swiss Franc is still strong. Commodity currencies are mixed with no follow through buying with the current rebound attempt. In other markets,...

Yen and Franc Consolidate as Market Sentiment Stabilized for Now

The forex markets are staying in consolidative mode today as overall market sentiment stabilized. Major European indexes are paring some of last week's losses while US futures also point to higher open. But it remains to be seen if it's just a dead cat bounce, or a reversal. Canadian...

 Markets Staying Heavy on Omicron Worries

Worries about Omicron remains a main theme in the markets. Nikkei takes a dive after Japan announced to close its borders to all foreigners as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he's taking measures with a "strong sense of crisis". The forex markets are relatively quiet for now, with Yen...

Investor Confidence Shattered by Omicron Variant, Yen and Swiss Franc Surged

Investor confidence was shattered by the news of the heavily mutated B.1.1.529 coronavirus variant, now called omicron. WHO warned that this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. It added that preliminary evidence suggested an increased risk of reinfection with this variant. It may...

Yen and Swiss Franc in Strong Momentum as Risk Aversion Dominates

The new coronavirus variant is the main them in the markets today, sending global stocks and benchmark treasury yields sharply lower. Yen and Swiss Franc are trading sharply higher, followed by Euro. Commodity currencies tumble sharply on risk aversion but Sterling and Dollar are also pressured. For the week,...

New Coronavirus Variant Sinks Investor Sentiment, Yen Marches Higher

Risk-aversion dominates Asian markets today as new coronavirus variant sinks investor sentiment. Australian Dollar is leading other commodity currencies lower. Yen and Swiss Franc surge sharply, followed by Euro and Dollar. Overall, it's flight to safety. The question now is, whether Aussie or Kiwi would eventually end as the...

Dollar Firm in Quiet Holiday Trading, Yen Soft

The forex markets are rather quiet in Asian session today. Trading will probably remain subdued with US on holiday. The greenback remains the strongest one for the week on speculation that the "transitory" yet persistent strong inflation would eventually force Fed to raise interest rate earlier. Canadian Dollar is...

Dollar Rally Continues as Jobless Claims Dropped to Lowest Since 1969

Dollar's rally continues today and stays firm after much better than expected jobless claims data. Yen is following as second strongest on risk-off sentiment, as major European indexes and US futures are in red. On the other hand, New Zealand Dollar remains the worst performing one on post-RBNZ selloff,...

NZD Softens after RBNZ Hike, Dollar Firming Up

New Zealand Dollar weakens in Asian session after RBNZ rate hike, and leads other commodity currencies lower. Dollar firms up mildly as it's ready to extend recent rally, except versus Yen for now. European majors are mixed, with Sterling have a mild upper hand against Euro and Swiss Franc....

Sterling Breaking to the Downside, Euro in Weak Recovery

Markets are trading in mild risk off sentiment, while treasury yields also surge. New Zealand Dollar is leading other commodity currencies lower, and Sterling is week too. On the other hand, Euro and Swiss Franc are currently the stronger ones, followed by Dollar and Yen. But overall, it should...

USD/JPY Upside Breakout after Powell Got Nominated Again, Gold Tumbled

Dollar surged overnight after Fed Chair Jerome Powell was nominated for a second term by US President Joe Biden. The greenback stays firm in Asian session and is ready to extend its near term rally. On the other hand, New Zealand Dollar is trading notably lower, as traders are...

Euro Soft But No Fresh Selloff Yet

Euro stays generally soft today even though there is no follow through selling yet. It's reported that Germany's acting Chancellor Angela Merkel urged in a CDU meeting tougher restrictions to combat the fourth wave of coronavirus infection. But the news was shrugged off as the markets have probably priced...

Market Consolidates in Tight Range But Euro Looks Vulnerable

The forex markets are generally staying in tight range in Asian session, digesting last week's moves. Euro remains generally soft and looks vulnerable to extend the near term decline, in particular against commodity currencies and Yen. Sterling is so far resilient, awaiting more BoE officials to speak up their...

Euro Dived on Dovish ECB and Lockdown Fears, More Downside Risks ahead

Euro tumbled broadly and deeply last week, and ended as the run away worst performer. It's firstly weighed down by dovish comments from ECB officials, who talked down the need for policy action to counter inflation. More importantly worries grew after Austria returned to full lockdown. Daily new COVID-19 infections...

Euro Hammered as Lockdown Returns, Risk Sentiments Turn Sour

Euro's recovery was rather short-lived as selling returns after dovish comments from ECB president. Also, Austria returned to full lockdown while Germany may follow on the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. Yen rises broadly today as risk sentiments turn sour. For the week, Euro remains the worst performer, followed...

Euro Recovers, Dollar Retreats as Markets Turn Quiet

Dollar's retreat continues in Asian session, but it remains one of the strongest for the week, just next to Sterling. On the other hand, while Euro is recovering, it's still the worst performing one followed by Aussie. Overall, the markets are staying in a near term consolidative phase with...

Euro Recovering in Crosses, But Not Out of the Woods Yet

The forex markets are a bit mixed today while trading is subdued. New Zealand Dollar stays as the strongest on RBNZ rate hike expectations. Swiss Franc and Euro are following, primarily thanks to recovery against Sterling. Yen is currently the weakest one for the day, followed by the Pound...

NZD Rises Mildly on Firm RBNZ Rate Expectations, Euro Still Pressing Key Support

New Zealand Dollar trades mildly higher today, after an RBNZ survey shows firm expectation of more rate hike ahead. On the other hand, Canadian Dollar weakens broadly as WTI crude oil's pull back extends below a near term support level. Overall, Sterling and Dollar remain the strongest ones for...