Market Overview
Dollar and Yen Mildly Higher as Markets Shrug New US-China Tariffs
Dollar and Yen firm up mildly in Asian session as markets started the month mixed. New round of US-China tariffs took effect over the weekend but market reactions are muted so far. Australian Dollar softens mildly, followed by Swiss Franc and then Sterling. But overall, major forex pairs and...
EUR/USD Resumed Down Trend as Dollar Surged after China Backed Down on Tariff Escalations
Dollar ended as the strongest major currency last week, largely thanks to late buying before weekly close. It remains to be proved whether that was due to month end flows. But somewhat receding risk of US-China decoupling and expectations of aggressive Fed cut could have provided some help too....
Canadian Dollar Higher on Solid GDP, Dollar Shrugs PCE Inflation
Markets turned a bit mixed as month end approaches. European stocks are generally higher while DOW up over 100pts at open. Meanwhile, treasury yields are steady tough, with German 10-year yield slightly lower, but US 10-year yield is recovering. In the currency markets, Canadian Dollar is notably stronger after...
Markets Cautious as Hong Kong Tensions Overshadow Trade Optimism
Asian markets opened higher earlier today following the strong close in US markets. China appeared to be backing down on further tariff retaliation, and there's hope for continuation in US-China trade negotiation. But sentiments turned sour quickly on escalating tensions in Hong Kong.
Two prominent activists in HK are arrested...
Stocks Rebound as China Backs Down on Tariff Escalation, Dollar Mixed
Stock markets stage a strong rebound today after China appears to be backing down from its hard line stance in trade war with US. Yen and Swiss Franc turn soft while commodity currency regain reverse earlier losses. Euro is also weak despite improvement in confidence indicators. Sterling remains mixed...
New Zealand Dollar Leads Commodity Currencies Lower, Yen and Franc Firm
Commodity currencies remain generally pressured on risk aversion today. In particular, New Zealand Dollar is weighed down by poor business confidence data. Australian is not much better after contraction in private capital spending. On the other hand, Yen and Swiss Franc are strongest on falling stocks and treasury yields....
Sterling Tumbles as Johnson Takes UK into Constitutional Crisis
Sterling is back in focus today as UK is heading into constitutional with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's move to suspend the government. Risk aversion return of risk aversion also keep commodity currencies generally soft. On the other hand,Yen is generally stronger following further decline in major global treasury yields....
Dollar, Euro and Pound Stronger in Consolidative Markets
Dollar, Euro and Sterling are trading as the stronger ones today while commodity currencies are generally weaker. Dollar somewhat shrugs offer weaker treasury yields as markets await the next move in US-China trade war. Euro is underpinned by possible political resolution in Italy. Meanwhile, Sterling is lifted as UK...
Sterling Jumps as UK Oppositions Seek Brexit Delay, Swiss Franc Weakens
Sterling rises broadly today as UK opposition lawmakers are moving to seek Brexit delay. Swiss Franc weakens broadly at the same time, partly due to the same reason. The forex markets are otherwise mixed, staying in tight range as consolidations continue. Yen is having a slight upper hand with...
Risk Rebound to be Short-Lived, Yen Crosses Stay Bearish
Yen strengthens broadly today again as the pull back lost momentum. After all the words and rhetorics, US-China trade war is still in progress for escalation. Yesterday's early selloff in risk markets might be overdone. But current recovery doesn't indicate any change in the down trend in stocks, nor...
Sentiments Stabilized after Trump Toned Down Trade Tension, Dollar Firmer
Sentiments stabilized a lot after US President Donald Trump toned down his rhetoric on trade war with China. There appears to be some conversations going on for resolutions. But recovery in stock markets is so far refrained, as tensions could intensify again suddenly. In the currency markets, major pairs...
Yen Jumps on Trade War Escalation, Yuan Tumbles
Yen surges broadly as Asian markets tumble sharply on US-China trade war escalation. Gold also resumed recent up trend and hit as high as 1555. But traders turn a bit more cautious as mixed messages came out of China. A bit more time is needed to gauge the formal...
Sentiments Sank as Abrupt US-China Trade War Escalation Raises Risk of Cold War
Last week started with anticipation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech, but ended with shocked escalation of US-China trade war. Risk aversion should continue to dominate the markets this week, as hard-line rhetorics are expected from both sides. Indeed, they look moving away from a September trade...
Dollar Softer as Fed Powell Points to New Events, But No Downside Breakout
Dollar weakens mildly after the rather uninspiring speech of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The highly anticipated is slightly on the dovish side as Powell mentioned a number of new "events after July's rate cut. Though, sell off in the greenback is rather limited. For the week, Sterling remains the...
Dollar Firms Up as Markets Await Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech
Sterling pares back some gains in Asian session today, but remains the strongest one for the week. It's lifted by hope that an Irish border solution could finally be reached before October 31 to avoid no deal Brexit. Dollar is generally firmer and it's trading as the second strongest...
Sterling Jumps on German Merkel’s Comments on Irish Backstop
Sterling rebounds strongly after German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her optimism that Irish border backstop solution could be achieved before Brexit date. The Pound is currently the strongest one, followed by Canadian Dollar. On the other hand, cautious risk sentiments keep Australian and New Zealand Dollar as the weakest....
Dollar Supported by FOMC Minutes, Aussie Tumbles on Poor PMIs
Yen and Swiss Franc attempt for rally again today as risk sentiments turned cautious. Dollar is also mildly firmer after FOMC minutes reaffirmed that last month's rate cut was just a mid-cycle adjustment. Though, upside in the greenback is capped so far as Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole...
Canadian Dollar Jumps on CPI, Risk Appetite Lifted by Fed Expectations
Canadian Dollar jumps broadly in early US session after stronger than expected consumer inflation data. Australian Dollar follows as the second strongest, with help from risk appetite since European session. Fed Kashkari's push for forward guidance raises expectation that Fed will keep rates low for longer. Yen and Swiss...
Markets in Consolidation, But Risk Aversion Ready to Come Back Soon
Directions in the forex markets are not very clear for now as consolidations continued. There were lots of reasons for a move but traders remained generally cautious. The US is stepping up its hardline rhetoric on China, and prompted some worries of RBA Governor. Italy is in political turmoil...
Sterling Falls after Brexit Comments from UK and EU, Yen Rises Broadly
Sterling drops broadly today as comments from UK and EU suggested that there is no compromise on Brexit any time soon. Euro is also pressured as German is back pressing -0.7 handle. Yen jumps again and is trading as the strongest one with fading risk appetite. Aussie follows after...