Swiss Franc Weakens With Dollar, Aussie and Kiwi Firm
The financial markets are generally steady today, as European indices are mixed in tight range. US futures point to slightly higher open, as S&P 500 could extend record run. Gold and oil are both still range bound. In the currency markets, Aussie and Kiwi continue to trade as the...
Dollar Selling Taking Off, Aussie and Kiwi Strong
Dollar remains generally pressured in Asian session, as selling appeared to have taken off overnight. J&J's vaccine saga is raising some concerns that it would take longer for US to achieve herd immunity. Or, at least, it's not brightening the outlook. On the other hand, New Zealand Dollar jumps...
Kiwi Shoots Higher as RBNZ Appears Less Concerned about its Rise
As expected, the RBNZ left all monetary policy measures unchanged at the April meeting. While acknowledging the dampening effects of the government’s housing policy, policymakers need more time to assess the impacts on the real economy. Meanwhile, the members appear more comfortable with the current level of New Zealand...
Dollar and Stocks Lower on J&J Vaccine Pause, Euro Rises
Dollar trades mildly lower entering into US session, after US FDA and CDC recommend pause of J&J COVID-19 vaccines on blood clot issue. DOW futures also turn south and point to slightly lower open. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also warned that the fall in infections was due...
Crude Oil Prices to Hover around Current Levels as Supply Increases amidst Better Demand Outlook
Both crude oil benchmarks have been range-bounded after pulling back from the peaks in early March. Although global economic recovery is still underway and the pandemic situation has largely stabilized, the ramp-up of output by OPEC members and non-OPEC producers have raised concerns over whether the growth in world...
Yen Softens in Quiet, Directionless Markets, Dollar Regains Ground
The forex markets are generally quite and directionless for the time being. After very brief selloff yesterday, Dollar is regaining some ground in Asian session today. Sterling is mildly firmer too, but there is no follow through buying. Yen is currently the weaker one together with Swiss Franc and...
Dollar Softens ahead of Treasury Auctions, Sterling Staging Strong Recovery
Dollar turns softer entering into US session, as traders await the results of auctions of both 3- and 10-year bonds, worth USD 96B in total. Additionally, there will be auction of USD 24B of 30-year bonds tomorrow, and a total of USD 151B in bills this week. It should...
Dollar and Yen Higher on Mild Risk-Off Sentiment, Kiwi Up ahead of RBNZ
Dollar and Yen trade slightly higher on mild risk-off sentiment in Asia. Australian and Canadian Dollar are the weaker ones for the time being. But overall, most major pairs and crosses are stuck in range. Except that, some extra strengthen is seen in Kiwi against Aussie. Kiwi could be...
RBNZ to Leave Expansionary Policy Unchanged as Growth Momentum Eases
Economic developments have been mixed since the February RBNZ meeting. Inter-meeting data show deceleration in the growth momentum, while inflation expectations have soared. Government's measures to curb property prices would be another factors easing the growth outlook, while the Trans-Tasman travel bubble could offer help to pandemic-ridden sectors in...
Euro Reversed Course on Less Pessimistic European Outlook, Commodity Currencies Ignored Risk Rallies
Swiss Franc and Euro ended as the strongest ones last week, as investors reversed their short positions accumulated in Q1. In particular, such reversals pushed Sterling to be the worst performing one, suffering heavy pressure against both Euro and Franc. The outlook for European looked a bit less pessimistic...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Net Long Sank in Crude Oil While Increased in Precious Metal Futures
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended April 6, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures plunged -19 585 contracts to 511 725 for the week. Speculative long position fell -21 921 contracts, while shorts dropped -2 336 contracts. OPEC+'s decision to increase output from...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Net Long Trimmed on All Majors
As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended April 6, NET LENGTH of USD index futures dropped -1 277 contracts to 4 449. Speculative long positions declined -2 807 contracts while shorts fell -1 530 contracts. Concerning European currencies, NET LENGTH in EUR futures...
Canadian Dollar Rises on Strong Job Data, Gold Fails Double Bottom Neckline
Canadian Dollar jumps broadly in early US session, with help from much better than expected job data. Dollar is following as second strongest for today, paring some of this week's losses. On the other hand, Yen and Euro, turn weaker, other with Aussie. Overall, it appears that traders are...
Sterling Still Facing Downside Pressure in Quiet Markets
Markets are generally quiet in Asian session today. Sterling is set to end as the worst performing one for the week. And it's still facing much downside pressure against Euro, Swiss Franc and Yen. Dollar is following as the second weakest, but the final position is unsure, as Aussie...
ECB’s Minutes Revealed that Upside from US’ Fiscal Stimulus Not Yet Reflected in March Forecasts
ECB's minutes for the March meeting have lent support to EURUSD. The minutes revealed that policymakers saw upside risks to the economic outlook, thanks to US’ huge fiscal stimulus. Meanwhile, despite higher inflation in the near-term, it should remain subdued and below the central bank’s target. Policymakers also pledged...
USD/JPY Extends Correction Lower, Dragging Down Other Yen Crosses
USD/JPY's near term correction accelerates lower today and the development drags down other Yen crosses too. There is no apparent reason for the rush into Yen. Stocks, yields, metals, and oil are all steady for now. We'll monitor if the Yen's rally is a prelude to some other developments...
Fed Upbeat on Recovery, while Pledged to Maintain Stimulus Until Substantial Progress is Seen On Economy
The FOMC minutes for the March meeting revealed that members turned more optimistic over the economic outlook. They were more hopeful of continuous improvement in light of the "significant declines in the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths over the intermeeting period as well as a pickup...
Euro Making Progress as Focus Turns to ECB Accounts
Markets are generally mixed as FOMC minutes overnight delivered basically what have be told. Asian stocks are mixed, following the US session. Gold and oil are both stuck in range. In the currency markets, Euro and Swiss Franc are paring some gains. But both stay as the best performer...
US Crude Inventory Declined More than Expected. Refinery Products Saw Stock-build
The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks gained +2.31 mmb to 1292.63 mmb in the week ended April 2. Crude oil inventory sank -3 522 mmb (consensus: -1.44 mmb) to 498.31 mmb. Stockpile decreased in 4...
Euro and Franc March on, Sterling Extends Slide
The rallies of Euro and Swiss Franc continue today, with much help by buying in crosses, in particular against Sterling and Aussie. The latter two are currently the worst performing ones, with Sterling as the weakest for the week too. Dollar is actually performing not too badly, down just...