Yen and Dollar Lower as US Investors Cheer Trade Deal, Markets Mixed Elsewhere
Yen and Dollar trade broadly lower today while markets are having different reactions to US-China trade deal phase one, which was signed finally yesterday. Asian stocks were mixed while European stocks are soft. But US futures point to higher open, probably extending recent record runs, while 10-year yield is...
Markets Shrug US-China Trade Deal, Dollar Await Retail Sales
The US-China trade deal phase one was finally signed but market reactions were muted. US stock indices hit record highs but gains were limited. On the other hand, there were notable fund flows into bonds and Swiss Franc over political uncertainties in Russia. In the currency markets, over the...
US-China Phase I Trade Deal Signed, Execution & Phase II Negotiations the Next Focus
Signing of the Phase I trade deal marks an end of the beginning the trade war between the US and China. While the deal covers various areas of great concerns to the US, including China’s imports of US goods and services, China’s handling of intellectual properties, technological transfer and...
Swiss Franc Surges after Russian Prime Minister Resigns, Taking Euro Higher
Swiss Franc jumps broadly on political news from Russia today and takes the Euro higher. Yen follow as third strongest on risk aversion as European stocks also dive on the news. Sterling is among the weakest, following weaker than expected CPI, as well as dovish comments from a BoE...
Sentiments Softer as Tariffs Will Stay after US China Trade Deal Phase One
The forex markets are rather mixed today as traders are holding their bets ahead of signing of US-China trade deal phase one. Sentiments turned softer after US indicated that tariffs will stay in place before conclusion of phase two. But the impact is so far limited. Sterling pares back...
Dollar Firm as after CPI, EUR/CHF Downside Breakout
Dollar rises broadly in rather quiet markets today. Consumer inflation data from the US is supporting the greenback's firmness, but provides not further lift. Indeed, Swiss Franc is even stronger, as the best performing one today so far. China Yuan is also notably stronger than Dollar, after US scrapped...
Low Base and Frontloading Drove China’s Trade Higher in December
China’s foreign trade surprised to the upside in December. Exports rose +7.6% y/y in the last month of 2019, compared with consensus of +2.9%. Meanwhile, imports jumped +13.6% y/y, beating expectations of +9.6%. Both outbound and inbound shipment improved in December from a month ago. Exports in November contracted...
Sentiments Lifted as US Scrapped China’s Currency Manipulator Label
Yen weakens broadly today as markets are generally in risk on mode. US stocks rose broadly overnight with S&P 500 and NASDAQ closing at record highs. Sentiments were lifted as US scrapped labeling of China as currency manipulator, just ahead of trade deal signing on Wednesday. Asian stocks are...
Sterling Dives after Poor GDP, Yen Lower on Rising Yields
Sterling is sold off broadly today as poor GDP data added to the case of BoE rate cut. Recent comments from BoE officials already suggested that they're open to easing if data don't show improvement. The Pound will face more tests from CPI and retail sales later in the...
Risk On Ahead of US-China Trade Deal, Sterling Weak and Aussie Firm
Asian markets are generally in risk on mode today as traders await signing of US-China trade deal phase one. Commodity currencies strengthen with Australian Dollar leading the way up. On the other hand, Sterling is currently the weakest one as weighed down by dovish comments from BoE officials. A...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – NET SHORT on Safe Haven Currencies Fell as Risk Sentiment Improved
As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended January 7. NET LENGTH in USD Index added +414 contracts to 12 468. Speculative long positions dropped -1 120 contracts and short positions fell -1 534 contracts. Concerning European currencies, NET SHORT for EUR futures declined...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – NET LENGTH on Safe Haven Assets Trimmed Last Week
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended January 7. NET LENGTH for crude oil futures rose + 12 415 contracts to 567 272 for the week. Speculative long positions gained +12 161 contracts while shorts dropped -254 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH...
Dollar Rally Jeopardized by Job Data, No Bullish Reversal Yet
After some jitters on Iran tensions, Dollar ended up as the strongest one last week. Strong stocks and steady yields provided some support to the greenback. Fed officials also reaffirmed the base stance to stand pat this year. US and China are on track to sign the phase one...
Dollar Retreats after NFP Miss, But Loss Limited
Dollar retreats mildly in early US session after non-farm payroll reports missed market expectation. But loss is limited as the set of data was decent even thought not spectacular. Indeed, there is prospect of more Dollar rally once the knee-jerk reactions fade. For now, Swiss Franc and Yen is...
Dollar Supported by Fedspeaks, Awaits NFP for Next Move
Markets are somewhat staying in risk on mode with US stock indices making new record highs overnight. But upside momentum in Asia markets is relatively weak. Australian and New Zealand Dollars are mildly firmer today, paring some of this week's losses. Meanwhile, Yen and Canadian Dollar are the weaker...
Dollar Firm as Markets Turn Risk On, Sterling Soft
Markets are generally back on risk on mode today as the concerns of US-Iran tensions faded. Also, it's finally confirmed that Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will travel to the US for signing the trade deal phase one. Dollar rises broadly with deeper pull back in oil prices and...
Dollar Rises as Iran Risks Fade, Yen and Franc Soften
Yen and Swiss Franc weakened notably as imminent US-Iran war receded. Canadian Dollar also turned slightly softer as oil prices reversed this week's gains. Dollar is currently trying to ride on the development to extend recent rebound. But the real will probably lie in tomorrow's non-farm payroll report. For...
US Crude Oil Inventory Gained, While Refined Product Stockpile Rose Sharply Last Week
The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks surged +14.77 mmb to 1287.84 mmb in the week ended January 3. Crude oil inventory gained +1.16 mmb (consensus: -3.57 mmb) to 431.06 mmb. Inventory in PADD 3 (Gulf...
Dollar Rebounds on Lesser Iran Risks and Strong Job Data
Dollar rebounds strongly as risk of imminent escalation in US-Iran tensions seem to have eased. It's reported there was no casualties caused by Iran's retaliation strikes against US forces in Iraq. The greenback is additionally supported by strong ADP employment report. Dollar follows New Zealand Dollar as second strongest....
Gold Driven Higher by Iran Tensions, Falling Yields and Rising Inflation Expectations
Geopolitical tensions in Iran continue to evolve. The latest development is that Iran has launched over a dozen missiles at Iraqi bases hosting US and coalition troops. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced in a statement that the attack was done “in the name of martyr General Qassem...