Markets Surprisingly Calm Despite War Risks and Sanctions, Euro Recovers
The markets are surprisingly calm despite some initial volatility on escalation in Russia Ukraine situation. News of sanctions on Russia are staying to flow out, with the UK sanctioning five Russians banks and three individuals. Germany also put the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline on hold....
Euro and Sterling Sink on Escalating Risks of Russia Invading Ukraine
Market sentiment sinks deeply after Russian President Valdimir Putin declared recognition of independence of the breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine, and ordered troops to enter the regions, which is seen as risk of imminent invasion. Coordinated sanctions on Russia are expected shortly from the US and allies, including the...
Swiss Franc Surges as Risk Sentiment Turns Sour Again
Risk sentiment turns sour again as the arrangement for a Biden-Putin summit looks far from being promising. As the same time, there seems to be some scattered escalations in Russia-Ukraine situations. Major European indexes are trading mildly lower, together with US futures. Gold is holding in tight range slightly...
Markets Steady as Biden and Putin Agreed on a Ukraine Summit
The markets are steadily mixed in Asian session today. Sentiment is stabilized somewhat on news that US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed in principle to a summit over Ukraine, as brokered by French President Emmanuel Macron. Nevertheless, risks of imminent war remain. For now,...
Indecisive Markets Awaited Clarity on Russia-Ukraine Situation, Euro Weakened
The markets were rather indecisive last week, as there is still no clarity on the Russia-Ukraine situation. The fall in benchmark treasury yields and rally in Gold suggest some risk-off undertone. But then, the selloff in equities was not very committed. Meanwhile, crude oil price gyrated in established range...
Markets Staying Quiet, Canada and UK Retail Sales Ignored
The financial markets are generally quiet today. Stocks are slightly down by losses are limited. Retail sales data from Canada and UK are largely ignored. Commodity currencies are the strongest ones for now. Yen, Dollar and Euro are the weaker ones. There news of shelling in Ukraine east by...
Sterling to Look into Retail Sales for Range Breakout
Even though the US markets were in deep selloff overnight, Asian markets are just mixed. Investors are still waiting for come clarity on the Russia-Ukraine situation before taking a committed move. Trading is also subdued ahead of a long weekend in the US, with a holiday on Monday. In...
Yen and Gold Rise as Investors Stay Nervous on Russia-Ukraine
The markets are overall mixed today, as investors are holding their breath, awaiting confirmation on whether Russia is going to invade Ukraine, or not. Gold jumps notably and is now eyeing 1900 handle on nervous sentiment. In the currency markets, Yen is currently the stronger one, followed by Kiwi...
Sentiment Remains Fragile and Sensitive to Ukraine Situation, Aussie Shrugs Mixed Job Data
Australian Dollar rises mildly in Asian session, together with New Zealand Dollar. But both were hammed down after a Russian media reported that Ukraine forces opened fire on four settlements of the LPR. Overall market sentiment remains rather fragile and ultra-sentiment. Dollar and Yen are both picking up some...
Canadian Dollar Popped Up by CPI, Sentiment Turns Cautious Again
Overall market sentiment is slightly weaker entering into US session. While Russia showed videos of tanks leaving Crimea, NATO questioned de-escalation and said troop buildup was still going on. There is little reaction to much stronger than expected US retail sales. Nevertheless, Canadian Dollar is popped up by higher...
Euro Steady after ECB Comments, Focus Back from Ukraine to Fed Minutes
Asian markets are cautiously optimistic as worries over Russia-Ukraine situation eased. While there are reports of cyber attacks by Russia on Ukraine's defence ministry and banks, investors are still calm. If the risks of war do vanish, hopefully, focuses will be turned back to Fed's tightening pace, which might...
Euro Rebounds, Sentiment Improved as Russia-Ukraine Tensions Ease
Overall market sentiment improved a lot after Russia said it pulled back some troops near the border of Ukraine. As worries of imminent war eased, Gold and oil price dip notably, while stocks rebound. Euro is staging a recovery, together with Aussie and Kiwi. On the other hand, Yen...
Gold Jumps on Ukraine Risks, Swiss Franc Firm and Euro Weak
The forex markets are pretty steady in Asia session today, with major pairs and crosses bounded inside yesterday's range. Sentiment is mixed as investors are awaiting to see Russia would invade Ukraine on February 16, as media reported. But the rally in Gold suggests that investors are getting nervous...
Yen Takes a Breather after Lavrov Comments, Dollar Firm
While risk aversion still dominates, sentiments appeared to be lifted by comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In a televised exchanged, Lavrov told President Vladimir Putin, "I must say there are always chances... It seems to me that our possibilities are far from exhausted... At this stage, I...
Asian Markets Open on Risk Aversion, Russia-Ukraine Situation Still in Focus
Asian markets open with heavy selling today as worries remain that Russia could invade Ukraine "any day now". New Zealand Dollar is leading Aussie lower on risk aversion. But Canadian Dollar is the stronger one with WTI crude oil staying comfortably at around 94.5. Dollar, and Euro are also...
War Fear Overwhelmed Rate Hikes; Oil, Gold, Yen and Franc Surged
War or rate hikes, it's very clear that investors are worried about the former. Sentiment took a deep dive on Friday on worries over an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine. WTI crude oil surged to new 7-year high while Gold also soared before weekly close, while stocks took a...
Sterling Rises after GDP, Dollar Turning Soft Again
Sterling rises broadly today after better than expected GDP data, even though upside momentum is weak so far. Dollar is paring some of the post-CPI gains as over sentiment, while weak, seems to be stabilizing. As for the week, Yen is the worst performing one, followed by Euro and...
Risk-off Sentiment Dominates as Expectation of 50bps Fed Hike Intensified
Much volatility was seen in the markets overnight, but as dusts settled, risk-off sentiment dominated. Fed funds futures are now pricing in 94.7% chance of a 50bps rate hike by Fed after the strong CPI reading, comparing to just 33.7% a week ago. Dollar is trading generally higher in...
Dollar and Yields Up, Stocks Down after Strong US CPI
Dollar rebounds broadly in early US session after stronger than expected CPI data. Treasury yields also surged with 10-year yield marching higher. 2% level for 10-year yield is getting closer. Stocks on the other hand, take some beating on concerns of a more aggressive Fed. For now, selloff is...
Dollar Soft with Yen as US CPI Awaited
While US stocks staged a strong rally overnight, Asian markets turned mixed. Investors are holding their bets ahead of US CPI data. Australian Dollar remains the strongest one for the week, followed by Kiwi. Loonie also regained some ground with help from the stabilization in oil prices. On the...