Moody’s Downgrade Disrupts Calm from Tariff Truce, Dollar Faces New Test
Just as markets were finding their footing following a series of positive trade developments, Moody’s delivered a late-week shock by downgrading the US sovereign credit rating from Aaa to Aa1. The move overshadowed the optimism sparked by the US-China tariff truce and the broader de-escalation of trade tensions.
The trade...
Markets Stuck in Ranges as Data Fail to Inspire
Market activity remains subdued ahead of the weekend, with major currency pairs and crosses locked within yesterday’s tight ranges. Earlier in the day, New Zealand Dollar received a brief lift from rise in inflation expectations, but the move lacked conviction and quickly faded. Similarly, Japan’s weaker-than-expected Q1 GDP figures...
Weak Data Overlooked as Yen Rises on Risk-Off Mood
Mild risk-off mood is helping Yen to extend its near-term rebound, despite fresh signs of economic weakness at home. Japan’s economy was already showing signs of strain even before the impact of US tariffs, with Q1 GDP contracting more sharply than expected. BoJ is left in an increasingly precarious...
Markets Tread Water as Traders Shrug Off US PPI and UK GDP Surprises
Global financial markets are trading in tight ranges today, with little conviction seen across major asset classes. U.S. futures are pointing to a mildly weaker open. Despite a surprise decline in US producer prices in April, suggesting a possible easing of inflation pressures, there was little follow-through in market...
Cautious Trade as APEC Cuts Growth View, Key UK and US Releases Awaited
Activity in the global stock markets remained relatively subdued, with US posting a mixed close overnight and Asian markets slipping modestly lower today. Despite China’s 50bps Reserve Requirement Ratio cut taking effect, expected to inject over USD 138B into the banking system, investor reaction has been muted. The cautious...
Dollar Steadies After Early Weakness, Focus Turns to Australia Jobs Data
Dollar faced broad selling pressure throughout the Asian and European sessions but has since found some footing as markets transition into the US trading day. However, direction remains murky, with traders appearing undecided on whether to push the greenback higher or extend the recent pullback. A similar tone of...
Dollar Rally Stalls, Market Cools, Trade Optimism Tempered by Reality
Global markets showed signs of fatigue overnight as trade optimism gave way to a more cautious tone. In the US, the S&P 500 eked out another gain, turning positive for the year, while DOW lagged and closed modestly lower. The divergence reflects a market still digesting the implications of...
Dollar Eases as Trade Boost Fades, Sterling Finds Support on Wages and BoE Rhetoric
Dollar softened slightly in early US trading today, though the move appears more related to a fading post-trade-deal rally than any direct reaction to economic data. While April’s inflation report showed encouraging progress on headline disinflation, the core CPI reading held firm, suggesting underlying price pressures remain sticky. That...
Fed Cut Bets Recede Ahead of US CPI, Dollar Approaches Key Resistance
Global equity markets surged overnight in response to the breakthrough US-China tariff truce, with risk appetite roaring back across the board. DOW jumped more than 1100 points, while S&P 500 and NASDAQ surged 3.26% and 4.35%, respectively. The relief rally extended into Europe, where Germany’s DAX surged to a...
Risk Assets Soar as US-China Tariff Rollback Surpasses Expectations
Global risk markets surged after the surprising breakthrough in US-China trade negotiations delivered results far beyond market expectations. Just days ago, hopes were low, with even the mere continuation of talks seen as a positive development. Investors had braced for a possible breakdown or at best, a symbolic gesture...
Markets Cautious Despite US-China Trade Progress, US Inflation and Consumer Data In Focus This Week
Markets opened the week on a subdued note despite the White House’s announcement that a trade agreement had been reached with China following negotiations in Switzerland. Despite the positive headline, investor reaction has been muted with lackluster performance in Asian stocks. Traders appear to be holding back judgment, at...
Sterling and Dollar Lead as Trade Deal Grabs Attention
Last week was dominated by developments out of the US and UK, not just because of monetary policy decisions, but also the unexpected announcement of a US-UK trade deal. Fed's hold and BoE's cut were were largely overshadowed by the surprise trade breakthrough.
Importantly, the structure of the agreement offered...
Markets Turn Cautious Again Ahead of US-China Talks in Switzerland
The forex markets are quiet today, with major pairs largely consolidating after yesterday's modest directional movement. Dollar and British Pound remain the strongest performers overall, bolstered earlier in the week by the announcement of the US-UK trade agreement. However, both currencies are now struggling to extend their momentum. Canadian...
Dollar Strengthens on Trade Deal, But Details Keep Risk Sentiment Tame
Market reaction to the much-anticipated US-UK trade agreement was cautiously positive, though not particularly enthusiastic. While major US equity indices closed higher overnight, DOW, S&P 500, and NASDAQ all gave back early gains to finish near their opening levels, suggesting that the initial optimism faded as details of the...
Pound and Dollar Lead FX on UK-US Trade Deal, BoE Cut Overshadowed
Sterling and the US Dollar are leading gains among major currencies today, lifted by anticipation surrounding the imminent announcement of a comprehensive US-UK trade agreement. The Pound remained resilient after BoE's expected 25bps rate cut. The three-way split within the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee and the mixed implications of...
Sterling in Focus as BoE Decision and US-UK Trade Deal Speculation Loom
Trading in the forex markets remains subdued. Fed’s policy announcement overnight triggered minimal market reaction, as it delivered a widely expected hold at 4.25–4.50%. While Fed acknowledged that risks of both higher unemployment and higher inflation have increased, Chair Jerome Powell made it clear that rate cuts are not...
Calm in Currency Markets Ahead of Fed’s Fourth Straight Hold
The forex markets are treading water ahead of today’s FOMC decision. While the announcement typically acts as a volatility trigger, the lack of suspense surrounding this meeting could mean muted price action even after Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference. Markets are pricing in a near-certainty, 99% probability, that Fed...
Thaw in US-China Tensions With Geneva Talk Scheduled, But Markets Stay Guarded Before FOMC
Positive developments out of Asia offered some encouragement to global investors today, though market responses remained muted. China unveiled a wide-ranging stimulus package, cutting both its seven-day reverse repo rate and the reserve requirement ratio to inject liquidity to stabilize the economy. In parallel, officials from the US and...
Franc and Euro Falter, Yen Strengthens as Risk-Off Returns
Both Swiss Franc and Euro are under some selling pressure today, especially against Sterling. The Franc suffered after SNB Chair Martin Schlegel signaled the willingness to reintroduce negative interest rates if deflationary risks persist. Meanwhile, Euro came under pressure as fresh political instability emerged in Germany
CDU/CSU leader Friedrich Merz’s...
Dollar and Loonie Soft Ahead of Carney-Trump Meeting
Dollar remains on the soft side today, although losses are so far limited. Currency market activity is subdued as traders remain cautious ahead of the upcoming FOMC rate decision. While no policy changes are expected from the Fed tomorrow, markets are watching closely for any forward guidance. Notably, expectations...