Yen Crosses Trading Up But Markets Stay Generally Cautious
While NASDAQ surged to new record high overnight, overall closes were mixed with DOW slightly down. Asia markets also lack a clear direction. Investors appear to remain cautious ahead of US non-farm payroll report tomorrow. So far, New Zealand and Australian Dollars are the strongest ones for the week....
Kiwi Gains Support from Hawkish RBNZ
New Zealand dollar was the only major currency rose against the US dollar in August, despite speculations over Fed’s tapering and renewed lockdown. We believe policymakers’ proactive reassurance of an October rate hike would likely make the RBNZ the first major central bank to begin rate hike after the...
Dollar Weakens Mildly after ADP Miss, Yen Selloff Continues
Dollar weakens mildly in early US session after big ADP job data miss. But Swiss Franc and Yen remain the weaker ones. Euro and Sterling firm up mildly. But they are outshone by Aussie and Loonie for the moment. Overall movements in the currency markets are limited, except in...
Dollar Losing Downside Momentum, Sellers Turn to Yen and Franc
Dollar recovers broadly today, as the near term decline lost momentum. Selling focus is turned to Yen and Swiss Franc instead. Traders are now awaiting key economic indicators from the US, while would start with ADP employment and ISM manufacturing today, to be completed with non-farm payrolls and ISM...
Disappointing PMI Suggests PBOC will Ease Further. Policy Divergence to Drive CNY Lower vs USD
The latest data revealed that China’s economy continued to lose momentum. The PMI report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed disappointment in both manufacturing and services activities. Stability of the renminbi (a.k.a. Yuan, CNY) is mainly due to government’s control and is not reflective of the headwind...
Euro Rises on Inflation, ECB Talks, and German Yield
Euro jumps notably today, as supported by highest inflation reading in a decade, and hawkish comments from an ECB official, as well as rise in German yields. Though, it's slightly outshone by Kiwi, Aussie and Swiss Franc for now. On the other hand, Dollar's selloff continues to pick up...
EUR/USD Breaks 1.18 handle on Fresh Dollar Selling
Selling of Dollar picks up momentum again in Asia today, with EUR/USD breaking through 1.18 handle finally. On the other hand, New Zealand Dollar is staging a notable rebound as Covid case number dropped to the lowest level in six days. The markets are mixed elsewhere though, with some...
Swiss Franc Dips in Mixed, Quiet Markets, Awaiting Dollar’s Next Move
Selling of Swiss Franc is somewhat the biggest theme in a very quiet day so far, with UK on holiday. On the other hand, some buying is picking up in Canadian Dollar. But overall, markets are mixed without a clear direction yet. Main focus will firstly be on whether...
USD/JPY Slightly Softer in Subdued Trading, Look Forward to NFP
Trading is relatively subdued in Asian session today with most major pairs and crosses staying inside Friday's range. Some additional pressure is seen in USD/JPY but loss is so far limited. Markets seemed to have well digested Fed Chair Jerome Powell's balanced message on tapering already. Attention will turn...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Risk Currencies Got Dumped. Reversal Likely in Coming Week
As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended August 24, NET SHORT of USD index futures gained +1 151 contracts to 20 362. Speculative long positions added +1 151 with no change in shorts. European currencies got dumped in the reporting weeks on resurgence...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Precious Metals Remained Firm while Crude Oil Rebounded after Sharp Fall
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended August 24, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures plunged -30 011 contracts to 374 312 for the week. Speculative long position declined -10 078 contracts, while shorts jumped +19 933 contracts. The rebound of crude oil prices...
Stocks at New Record, Dollar Plummeted, Aussie Turning Around
Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium didn't disappoint. He did what the markets expected, affirming the openness for beginning tapering this year, without indicating the need for an imminent start. Just as Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker described, Powell laid out where the center of...
Explaining JPY’s Resilience Amidst Fed’s Taper Talks
Japanese yen has been rather stable over the past weeks despite volatility in other major currencies. It's resilient performance over the past few days despite heightened FOMC tapering talks is no accident. We summarize three major drivers of this.
Funding Currency Firms on Risk Aversion
A key theme of USD’s strength...
Powell More Upbeat about Job Market and Inflation, Stopped Short of Hinting about the Timing of Tapering
The closely-awaited Jackson Hole speech by Fed chair Powell reaffirmed that QE tapering would begin later this year. While being more upbeat about the progress of employment and inflation, Powell warned of the downside risks posed by the rapid spread of the delta variant. He also attempted to de-link...
Markets Treading Water Despite Strong PCE Inflation, Powell Next
The overall markets continue to tread water in early US session. Two Fed officials expressed their support for tapering, but investors are probably still waiting for Chair Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech to take action. There is also little reaction to stronger than expected PCE inflation data. Commodity currencies...
Markets Mixed as More Fed Comments Awaited, Sterling Softens
Overall markets continue to trade in a mixed manner for now. Yen and Dollar are currently the weakest for the weak while commodity currencies are the strongest. But all major pairs and crosses are stuck inside prior week's range. The situation in Afghanistan is unlikely to be a persistent...
Swiss Franc Falls Broadly While Euro Firms Up, Dollar Cautious
Swiss Franc drops sharply today, as pressured by selling against Euro, and rising treasury yields. Dollar once again tries to recover, but there is no committed buying yet. The greenback traders will carefully scrutinize the comments from Fed officials coming out today and tomorrow, as the annual Jackson Hole...
Yen Falls on Rising US Yields, Dollar Soft Again
Another round of selling was seen in Dollar overnight, as US stocks extended record run. But Yen was even weaker, following the strong rally in treasury yields. It remains to be seen if investors are already starting to position themselves for the Jackson Hole symposium. For now, Yen, Dollar,...
Dollar Continues to Recover after Durable Goods Orders, Markets Mixed
Dollar continues to pare back some of this week's losses in early US session, after slightly better than expected durable goods orders. But strength of recovery is so far relatively weak. Markets are also generally in mixed mode. Euro has litter reaction to worst than expected Germany business climate...
Dollar Recovers Mildly as Selling Slows, Traders Turning Cautious
Dollar recovers mildly in Asian session today as selling lost some momentum. On the other hand commodity currencies are turning softer. Australian Dollar continues to be weighed down by surging coronavirus cases, as the State Premier also warned of "lots of pressures" on hospitals. But overall, traders are starting...