Yen Recovers as Japan Steps Up Verbal Intervention, But No Sign of Lasting Bottom Yet
Yen is showing broad-based recovery today, although the momentum remains weak, following its decline to the lowest level against Dollar since 1986. Japan has finally stepped up its verbal intervention efforts again, with Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki expressing a "high sense of urgency" regarding Yen's depreciation. Suzuki pledged to...
Yen Hits 37-Year Low Against Dollar, Japan to Intervene or Not?
Yen is drawing significant attention again today as it plummeted past the crucial 160 mark against Dollar, and hit its lowest level in over 37 years. Market participants are vigilantly watching for any signs of intervention from Japanese authorities, yet no action has been taken so far. It should...
Strong Inflation Boosts Aussie, Euro Struggle Returns
Australian Dollar surged broadly in Asian session following a much stronger-than-expected monthly CPI report, sparking speculation that RBA might return to rate hikes in August. Comments from a top RBA official also indicated that the central bank is vigilant about upside risks to inflation. The upcoming inflation reports for...
Canadian Dollar Surges on Unexpected Inflation Rebound in May
Canadian Dollar jumps following after data showing that Canadian inflation unexpectedly accelerated in May. More importantly, the resurgence in price pressures was largely driven by significant increase in services inflation. The data aligns with BoC Governor Tiff Macklem's cautious stance that the central bank should not ease monetary policy...
Canadian CPI Takes Center Stage; Yen Stabilizes in Quiet Trading
Trading in the Asian session has been quiet today and is expected to remain so during the European session, given the empty economic calendar. However, Yen continues to be a significant focus among market participants. Discussions are emerging about the possibility of USD/JPY surging through the 160 level, which...
Yen Rebounds from 160 Level, Euro Gains but Political Risks Remain
USD/JPY attempt to break through the critical 160 level was unsuccessful for, as Yen recovered during a relatively quiet European session today. Although Yen surged briefly, there was no sustained selloff below the 159 mark against the greenback. The scale of the movement makes it challenging to determine if...
Japan’s Inaction and Refrained Rhetoric Lead to Speculation on New Intervention Threshold
Yen recovered mildly in quiet Asian session along with the Swiss Franc, driven by mild risk aversion in the region. Despite this uptick, there is no strong indication of a significant rebound for the Japanese currency following its sharp decline last week. Notably, Japan did not utilize the thin...
Yen’s Plunge Puts Japan’s Intervention Resolve Under Scrutiny
Yen ended as the runaway loser last week as its decline reaccelerated towards the end. With the crucial 160 level against Dollar now within reach, market participants are keenly watching to see if Japan will intervene soon to prop up the Yen, or just let it depreciate further.
Swiss Franc...
Euro and Sterling Fall on Weak PMI Data
Euro fell notably today, along with decline in Eurozone government bond yields, following weaker-than-expected PMI data. Political instability in France is negatively impacting business activity, while Germany's economic recovery has lost momentum. At the same time, surge in Germany's services inflation pressures suggests that ECB is unlikely to implement...
Yen Approaches 160 Against Dollar, Will Japan Tolerate a Move to 165 or 170?
Yen is under intense scrutiny today as it continues a six-day losing streak, approaching the key psychological level of 160 against Dollar. This move comes despite Japan's core inflation reaccelerating in May, but failed to meet market expected pace. Additionally, core-core CPI, which excludes both food and energy, and...
Swiss Franc Plummets After SNB Rate Cut, Sterling Weakens Following BoE Hold
Swiss Franc is currently the worst performer today, plummeting after SNB delivered a rate cut for the second consecutive meeting. In addition to the rate reduction, SNB lowered its inflation forecast across the board. Nevertheless, Franc's selloff has been relatively restrained.
Notably, SNB did not mention the recent sharp appreciation...
Markets Await SNB and BoE Decisions, Gold Bounces Higher
As markets await rate decisions from SNB and then BoE today, both Swiss Franc and Sterling are trading largely within established ranges. SNB's decision is particularly uncertain, with a close call on whether they will implement a second consecutive rate cut. If SNB opts to hold rates steady, Swiss...
Sterling and Aussie Show Strength in Quiet Trading
Trading as been relatively quiet in European session today. Sterling strengthened slightly despite CPI data showing inflation returning to BoE's target for the first time in three years. Notably, services inflation remains elevated at 5.7%, which could limit the BoE's ability to aggressively ease policy, although the first rate...
Sterling Steady as UK Inflation Eases; Australian Dollar Strengthens
British Pound held steady following release of UK data showing decrease in both headline and core consumer inflation for May. This development is unlikely to influence BoE decision tomorrow, where a rate hold is widely anticipated. Although BoE is expected to begin cutting interest rates soon, this plan has...
Swiss Franc Rallies Amid Falling Yields and Political Risks
Swiss Franc breaks higher in early US session as benchmark treasury yields in both the US and Europe plummeted. This rise was partly triggered by US retail sales data coming in much weaker than anticipated. Additionally, investor sentiment in Europe remains fragile due to ongoing political risks in France.
On...
Yen Recovers as BoJ’s Ueda Reiterates July Hike Possibility, But Gains Capped by Uncertainty
Japanese Yen had a modest recovery in Asian session, accompanied by an uptick in 10-year JGB yield and Nikkei. This comes as BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda continued to prepare the markets for more tightening ahead, by reiterating that another rate hike in July is a possibility. Additionally, Ueda emphasized...
Aussie Weakens as Market Eyes Upcoming RBA Rate Decision
Australian Dollar declines broadly today, as markets brace for the upcoming RBA rate decision. With the cash rate expected to hold steady at 4.35%, speculation is rife about RBA's future monetary policy direction. Although the central bank maintains an open stance on rate adjustments, indicating that hikes are still...
Euro Finds Stability, Markets Anticipates Turbulent Week Ahead
The forex markets are pretty steady in Asian session today, with Euro stabilizing from its previous sharp sell-off. Meanwhile, Dollar and Yen are posting modest gains. In contrast, commodity currencies showed less resilience, and Swiss Franc surrendered some of its recent strong gains. British Pound demonstrated mixed performance. A...
Sharp Declines in Euro and European Markets Triggered by French Political Drama
Global financial markets were abuzz with several high-profile events last week, including critical meetings of Fed and BoJ, alongside release of US inflation data. However, it was the escalating political turmoil in France that captured the most attention, significantly impacting Euro and overshadowing other major economic news. The common...
Euro Resumes Decline as French Bond Risk Premium Surges Amid Political Turmoil
Euro is once again capturing market attention today as this week's significant selloff resumes. The steep decline has been driven by rising political tensions in France, as the snap parliamentary election called by President Emmanuel Macron has heightened investor anxiety, particularly as left-wing parties coalesce against him. There is...