Yen Jumps Again as Markets Turned Risk-Off
Overall markets are in risk-off mode today, started with steep selloff in Hong Kong and China stocks. Nevertheless, losses in Europe are limited, while DOW future is just slightly lower. In the currency markets, commodity currencies are the worst performing ones, as led by New Zealand Dollar. Yen is...
Dollar Soft in Quiet Markets, European Majors in Control
The forex markets are rather quiet in Asia, with major pairs and crosses stuck inside yesterday's tight range. Risk sentiments are mixed. While US indexes extended the record runs overnight, Asian index are struggling, as dragged down by extended selloff in Hong Kong. Overall, European majors are generally firmer...
FOMC Preview – Policy Stance to Stay Intact Despite Surging Inflation
With no updates on median dot plots and economic projections, the focus of this week’s FOMC meeting would be the policy statement and the press conference. Since the June meeting, inflation has continued to accelerate. Market optimism was, however, overshadowed by the spread of Delta variant. Policymakers should likely...
Sterling Rises on Falling Delta Infections, Dollar Softens
Sterling rises broadly today despite dovish comments from a BoE policymaker. Sentiment towards the Pound is likely support by declining trend in delta variant infections. Other European majors are also firm together with Yen. On the other hand. Dollar is currently the weakest one, followed by commodity currencies. Traders...
Swiss Franc and Yen Higher on Selloff in Hong Kong and China
Yen and Swiss Franc are trading mildly higher as the week starts. Heavy selling is seen in stock markets in Hong Kong and China. Yet, Japan came back from holiday with mild gains. Commodity currencies are generally soft, with Aussie leading the way down. Dollar and Euro are mixed...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Loonie Fell In Line with Crude Oil’s Decline
As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended July 20, NET SHORT of USD index futures gained +931 contracts to 12 188. Speculative long positions added +1 280 contracts while shorts increased +349 contracts. Concerning European currencies, NET LENGTH in EUR futures fell -13...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Long Bets Trimmed on Crude Oil Futures amidst Profit-Taking
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended July 20. NET LENGTH for crude oil futures slumped -50 356 contracts to 448 740 for the week. Speculative long position declined -43272 contracts, while shorts rose +7 084 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH for...
Stocks Closed at Records as Delta Worries Receded, Dollar Index Holding On to Weak Rally
It has been a very volatile week as risk markets were initial knocked down by fear of the infectious delta variant. But sentiment made an about-turn then, even with US indexes closing at record highs. Still, despite late recovery, Australian Dollar ended as the weakest one. Yen was surprisingly...
PBOC Likely to Ease Further, Adding to Renminbi’s Downside Bias
Renminbi has been range-bounded against the US dollar since June. Traders in the Chinese currency has turned cautious after People’s Bank of China (PBOC) surprisingly reduced the reserve requirement ratio earlier this month. The move was contrary to the broad theme of monetary policy normalization in major central banks...
Yen Lower Again as Risk Turned On, Loonie Shrugs Retail Sales
Yen drops broadly today as markets turn back into risk-on mode. It has indeed become the worst performing one for the week. Dollar is also staying to look a bit vulnerable against European majors and commodity currencies. Canadian Dollar is firm and shrug off retail sales data, which shows...
Canadian Dollar Firm as Focus Turns to Retail Sales
Trading in Asian session is relatively subdued today, as some participants are already looking forward to the weekend, after a roller coaster ride. Canadian Dollar is currently the strongest one for the week, helped by rebound in WTI oil price, which is back above 71. However, New Zealand and...
ECB Pledges to Continue Front-load QE Purchases until Inflation Reaches 2% Sustainable
The ECB has updated the forward guidance on the policy rate, reflecting the new inflation target concluded in the strategic review. All monetary policy measures stay unchanged as it strives to achieve the symmetric 2% inflation target: The deposit rate stays at -0.5%, the total Pandemic Emergency Purchase Program...
Euro Steady Against Dollar after ECB, Jobless Claims
Euro is trading steadily in US session after ECB finally revealed it's new forward guidance. Though, the common currency is notably weak against Sterling and commodity currencies. Meanwhile, Dollar and Swiss are also weak, together with Yen, as market sentiments are generally stable. We'd now see if US stocks...
Euro Looks Forward to ECB, Canadian Dollar Rebounds With Oil Price
Dollar and Yen lost their position as the strongest ones as US stocks staged another day of massive rebound overnight, together with treasury yields. On the other hand, Canadian Dollar is currently the best performer for the week, helped by WTI crude oil's reclaim of 70 handle. But Aussie...
US Crude Oil Inventory Surprisingly Increased for First Time in 3 Months
The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks rose +4.42 mmb to 1275.28 mmb in the week ended June 16. Crude oil inventory increased, for the first time since mid-April, by +2.11 mmb (consensus: -4.47 mmb) to...
Dollar Rises Against Yen as Sentiments Recover Further
The forex markets appear to be turning into a consolidative phase for now. Yen is trading broadly lower as European indexes and US futures rebound further. Canadian Dollar is the strongest one with WTI crude oil reclaiming 68 handle. Aussie and Sterling are following as the next strongest for...
Dollar and Yen Firm as Asia Shrugs US Rebound, Sterling Vulnerable
While US stocks staged a strong rebound overnight, the moves didn't follow through in mixed Asia. There is also little reaction in the currency markets. Yen and Dollar remain the strongest ones for the week, despite retreating mildly. New Zealand Dollar is the worst performer, followed by Aussie and...
ECB Preview: New Forward Guidance to Reflect New Inflation Target
ECB’s conclusion of the strategy review on July 8 has made this week’s meeting very important. Policymakers adjusted the inflation target to a symmetric 2%, allowing a temporary overshoot. Despite the significant change, no monetary policy is expected to change in July. We only expect some changes in the...
Sterling and Kiwi Fall on Fragile Market Sentiments, Dollar Strong
Overall sentiments in the financial markets remain rather fragile today, despite some stabilization. Major European indexes are trading slight up while DOW futures also gains over 150 pts at the time of writing. But there appears to be little support for treasury yield, with Germany 10-year yield below -0.4...
Markets Stabilized after Massive Risk-Off, Yen Remains Firm
Overall market sentiments stabilized in Asia, after the massive risk-off trades in the US overnight. While Asia indexes are still down, losses are limited. Yen and Swiss franc are paring some gains but remain the overwhelmingly strongest ones. Commodity currencies are the weakest as led by Canadian Dollar. Dollar...