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...
Muted Major FX Action Masks Big Moves in Asia; Gold Rebound Gather Momentum
The currency markets remain subdued in early trading this week, with the exception of a broad, mild Dollar weakness. Among the major currencies, movements have been muted despite notable developments. Swiss inflation falling back to 0% has increased pressure on the SNB to cut rates further to avoid deflation,...
Dollar Slips in Holiday Trade, Fed and BoE in Focus This Week
Dollar drifted lower in subdued trading, with many Asian markets closed for holidays. Movements in the currency markets elsewhere were mixed. Traditional safe havens like Yen and Swiss Franc inching higher. But at the same time, risk-sensitive currencies such as Australian and New Zealand Dollars also advanced. Overall risk...
Risk-On Sentiment Regains Control as Data Downplays Severity of Tariff Shock
Global risk sentiment continued to improve last week, with major equity indices staging robust rallies as investor anxiety over the fallout from tariffs eased. The solid US non-farm payroll data was a key turning point, reassuring markets that the early economic impact of the trade shock was not as...
Markets Cheer Solid NFP, Tariff Fallout Appears Milder Than Feared
Risk assets are rallying to end the week as investors take comfort in the stronger-than-expected US non-farm payroll report. The data helped to offset recession concerns after surprise Q1 GDP contraction. While the GDP miss raised alarms, it was largely attributed to a surge in imports ahead of the...
Markets Lifted by US-China Trade Thaw Hopes, But All Eyes on US Jobs Report
Markets trade on a cautiously optimistic in Asian session, supported by fresh signs that US-China trade tensions may be starting to thaw. China's Commerce Ministry said the US has repeatedly expressed interest in reopening negotiations, adding that Beijing is "evaluating" these overtures. This marks the most constructive public tone...
FX Markets Hold Range While Yen Extends Slide
Yen weakness remains the dominant theme in an otherwise range-bound forex market today. While all other major pairs and crosses are contained within yesterday’s trading range, the Japanese currency continues to lose ground as traders react to BoJ’s dovish tone. Governor Kazuo Ueda attempted to soften the impact of...
Yen Slides as BoJ Slashes Growth Outlook; Investor Resilience Faces ISM Test
Yen weakened broadly today following the BoJ’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, while significantly downgrading its growth projections for the current fiscal year. Inflation outlook was also softened, with risks of undershooting the 2% target increased, albeit slightly.
This backdrop suggests that while BoJ remains on a slow tightening...