Market Rout Deepens Globally: Will ISM Services Provide Relief?
The global market turmoil showed no signs of easing as the week began, with Japanese stocks taking a severe hit during Asian session. Both the Nikkei 225 and Topix indices plunged by as much as nearly -10%, marking a -20% drop from their all-time highs on July 11. This...
Market Turmoil Intensifies With Deepening Recession Fears
The financial markets were marked by significant turbulence this last week again, dominated by risk aversion. Evidence are surfacing that the US economy is heading for a recession, or even hard landing. Speculation is mounting that Fed might be compelled to implement aggressive rate cuts, totaling 75 basis points...
Risk Aversion Deepens as US Non-Farm Payrolls Fall Short of Expectations
Risk aversion is intensifying in early US session after non-farm payroll report significantly missed expectations on all fronts. This follows yesterday's poor manufacturing data, which has already sparked discussions about a hard landing for the US economy. The weak job data is likely to fuel these concerns further, as...
Market Turmoil Boosts Safe Haven Currencies ahead of NFP, GBP/CHF Under Pressure
Safe haven currencies are dominating the market as the steep selloff in the US extended into Asian trading, with Nikkei down more than -5%. Poor US manufacturing data released overnight has intensified investor concerns about an impending recession, overshadowing the benefits of monetary policy easing from Fed. The market's...
Sterling Stabilizes After Initial Selloff, BoE Easing Not Automatic Despite First Cut
Sterling suffered an initial sell-off in European trading and remained weak following BoE's decision to cut the Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 5.00%. However, it stabilized during Governor Andrew Bailey's press conference. The tight 5-4 vote to cut the rate underscored that monetary policy easing is not...
Dollar Steady Following FOMC, BoE Rate Decision Looms
Dollar remained relatively steady following the balanced post-FOMC press conference, with notable exceptions against the stronger yen and Swiss franc. Fed Chair Jerome Powell explicitly mentioned the possibility of a rate cut in September but refrained from making any firm commitments or providing extended guidance. While markets are aggressively...
Dollar Dips on Weak ADP While Yen Marches On, Market Awaits FOMC
Dollar dipped as weaker-than-expected ADP job data hit the market entering US session. However, the movement has been limited with traders bracing for FOMC rate decision. Fed is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at 5.25-5.50% today. The main focus is whether Fed will signal enough "confidence"...
Yen Up Slightly After BoJ Hike; Aussie Tumbles on Core Inflation Relief
Yen rose broadly today after the BoJ raised interest rates for the second time this year, and maintained hawkish bias. However, buying momentum has not been decisive. This lack of strong momentum can be attributed to the fact that the rate hike decision was likely well priced in by...
Quiet Forex Trading with Dollar Leading, AUD/JPY at Make-or-Break Level
Overall trading in the forex markets remained relatively subdued today. Dollar continues to hold the top position, despite the absence of clear follow-through buying momentum. Investor caution is also evident in US stock futures, which are moving within a tight range. Any movement in the US markets is likely...
Dollar Holds Firm Against Euro in Quiet Trading, Cautious Sentiment Prevails
Dollar remains firm against European majors in relatively quiet trading today. Despite slightly better-than-expected GDP data from France, Euro has not gained significant support. While today's Eurozone GDP and tomorrow's CPI flash are important, they are unlikely to cause substantial movements in Euro. Traders' attention is firmly on tomorrow's...
Dollar Rally Gains Momentum as European Majors Falter
Dollar's rally is gaining significant traction today, as major European currencies face increasing selling pressure. The break of last week's lows in both EUR/USD and GBP/USD pairs suggests that the greenback's rise is poised to extend further in the near term. However, the sustainability of this rally will largely...
Quiet Forex Session Precedes Three Central Bank Meetings and High-Impact Data
Trading in the forex markets has been notably subdued during the Asian session today, even as major Asian stock indexes showed strong rebounds. This muted activity in currency trading is not surprising given that it's a typical Monday, coupled with an ultra light economic calendar. However, significant volatility is...
Multiple Themes Play Out in Turbulent Week, Yield Curve De-Inversion Most Significant
It was a highly volatile week which cannot be characterized by a single theme. Yen had a sharp and robust rally against all major currencies, continuing its rebound from the 38-year lows hit earlier this month, with market participants unwinding their long-held short positions. Alongside Yen, Swiss Franc and...
Forex Markets Steady as Traders Shrug US PCE Data
Trading in the forex markets remains subdued today as investors take a breather from a week of high volatility. Most major currency pairs and crosses are trading within yesterday's ranges, with little reaction to US PCE inflation data. Annual Core PCE rate was surprisingly unchanged in June, but the...
Calmer Markets Shift Focus to US PCE Inflation Data
The forex markets have calmed down considerably in Asian session after a week of significant wild ride. Despite the pause, the risk-averse sentiment persists. Yen, which has led the charge this week, is starting to take a breather. It remains the runaway leader, followed by Swiss Franc and then...
Dollar Edges Up After Strong Q2 GDP, Yen Finally Retreats
Dollar rises modestly in early US trading following stronger-than-expected Q2 GDP data. The robust performance overshadowed the mixed durable goods orders data, instilling some optimism in the market. Despite this, overall market reactions remain subdued. US futures point to a flat open, suggesting a degree of stabilization following yesterday's...
Relentless Yen Rally in Risk-Off Market: Will US GDP Turn the Tide?
Risk aversion has firmly gripped the markets, leading to the steepest selloff in US stocks since 2022 overnight. This sharp decline continued into the Asian trading session, with Nikkei plunging nearly 3%. The market rout is further exacerbated by a broad decline in base metals, oil, and even cryptocurrencies,...
Euro Slips After Weak PMI Data, Yen Extends Gains on BoJ Speculations
Yen continues to dominate the forex markets today, with speculation heating up ahead of next week's BoJ meeting. According to a Reuters report, unnamed sources have confirmed that a rate hike will be debated at the meeting. However, the decision is expected to be a "close call," described as...
Yen Jumps as Strong PMI Boosts BoJ Hike Hopes; Canadian Dollar Eyes BoC Cut
Yen's rally accelerates again in Asian session today, driven by stronger-than-expected PMI services data, which bolsters the argument for a BoJ rate hike next week. While opinions vary on the exact timing of the rate move, with some economists forecasting a move in September or October, all would agree...
Yen Holds Strong While Dollar Begins to Flex Its Muscles
Japanese Yen continues to stand out as the strongest currency, in another day with a lackluster economic calendar. However, it's Dollar that's capturing market interest as markets enter into US session, where it has shown notable gains against major counterparts like Euro and Swiss Franc. Break of near term...