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Sterling Dives Again on Brexit Deadlock and Coronavirus Spread

Sterling opened the week broadly lower after Brexit trade negotiations missed yet another deadline. Additionally, European countries rushed to ban travel from UK as coronavirus infections worsened. Aussie and Kiwi are trailing as the next weakest on mild risk aversion. On the other hand, Dollar, Yen and Swiss Franc...

Dollar Resumed Down Trend, Pound Still Awaiting Brexit Trade Talks

Dollar's broad based down trend resumption was a major theme last week. Though, Canadian Dollar was the worst performing one, as it digested recent oil price supported rally. Overall risk appetite, with NASDAQ extending record run, kept Yen and Swiss Franc soft too. As Brexit trade negotiations went into an...

CFTC Commitments of Traders – Traders Trimmed Bets on US dollar. Better Sentiment Lifted Risk Currencies

US dollar's weakness continued as risk appetite improved. As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended December 15, NET SHORT of USD Index futures more than doubled to 14 056 contracts. Speculative long positions plunged -8 499 contracts and short positions dropped -929 contracts....

CFTC Commitments of Traders – Bets Trimmed on Crude Oil Futures as Traders Took Profit after 7-Week Rally

According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended December 15, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures decreased -825 contracts to 513 804 for the week. Speculative long position fell -6 539 contracts, while shorts declined -5 714 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH for...

Dollar in Weak Recovery in Quiet Pre-holiday Trading

Trading in the financial markets are rather subdued today, pretty much in pre-holiday mood. Dollar is still in recovery mode but upside momentum has been very weak. The greenback is set to end as the worst performing one, followed by Canadian and then Swiss Franc. On the other hand,...

Dollar Paring Losses While Yen Crosses Turning Up

Dollar recovers broadly today as markets turn into consolidative mode. The greenback pars back some of f the previous selloffs. but remains the worst performing one for the week. Canadian Dollar and Swiss Franc follow as the next weakest. On the other hand, Sterling and Aussie turn a bit...

Dollar’s Selloff Intensifies after Poor Initial Jobless Claims

Dollar's selloff intensifies further today, after worse than expected job data. Also, markets are generally on risk-on mode, as traders are optimistic that stimulus deal could be reached in the Congress soon. Swiss France is currently the next weakest, having little reactions to SNB rate decision. Australian and New...

BOE Stays Put as Deadline of Brexit Talk Approaches

BOE left the Bank rate unchanged at 0.1% and the asset purchase program at 875B pound. The central bank remained cautious about the “unusually uncertain” economic outlook and pledged to take “whatever additional action is necessary” if the outlook for inflation weakens. Despite forecasts that GDP growth in December...

Dollar Extends Fall after FOMC, BoE and SNB Next

Dollar's decline continues in Asian session today, with mild risk-on markets in the background. FOMC rate decision overnight triggered little reactions in the markets, and the greenback holds on to the near term trajectory. Sterling is currently the strongest one, awaiting BoE rate decision, and more news regarding Brexit...

US Crude Inventory Dropped while Petroleum Stockpiles Increased

The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks fell -6.24 mmb to 1367.64 mmb in the week ended December 11. Crude oil inventory fell -3.14 mmb (consensus: -1.94 mmb) to 500.1 mmb. Stockpile decreased in 3 out...

Fed Pledged to Continue QE Until “Substantial Progress” Seen in Employment and Inflation

The major changes in the December were forward guidance in the asset purchase program (QE) as well as upgrades in economic forecasts. The Fed left the policy rate unchanged at 0-0.25% and asset purchases at US$120B per month. The updated median dot plot suggests that no rate hike is...

Euro and Pound Surge on Brexit Progress and Outlook, Dollar Tumbles Broadly

Sterling and Euro rise broadly today and maintain gains in early US session. Progress in Brexit trade negotiations and stronger than expected PMIs lift both currencies as well as their respective stock markets. Canadian Dollar is currently the worst performing one for today, apparently reacting to BoC's jawboning. Risk-on...

Dollar Selloff Returning ahead of FOMC, No Clear Direction Elsewhere

Dollar trade with a generally soft tone today, with strong risk-on markets in the background. But overall, most major pairs and crosses are bounded inside last week's range. The economic calendar is extremely busy for the rest for the week. But there are still a couple of things to...

BOE Preview – Staying Cautious about Brexit Outlook

For QE expansion at the last meeting, we expect the BOE will keep its powder dry this month. BOE should leave the Bank rate unchanged at 0.1%, and the size of asset purchases (QE) at 875 pound. There have been mixed developments since the November meeting. Economic data released...

Sterling Mildly Higher, But Upside Capped by Conflicting Brexit Messages

The forex markets are relatively mixed today. Sterling is generally higher but it's capped by conflicting messages regarding Brexit trade negotiations. Canadian Dollar is currently second strongest, with help from mild strength in oil price. On the other hand, New Zealand Dollar is the worst performing, followed by Euro...

China’s November Data Signals Recovery Continues. PBOC to Keep Powder Dry

The latest set of economic data indicates economic recovery in China continued. Growth in industrial production improved slightly, while manufacturing investment accelerated, thanks to strong exports growth. Retail sales growth accelerated, suggesting internal circulation has taken effect. Industrial production expanded +7% y/y in November, inline with expectations and up +0.1...

Aussie Tumbles Mildly on Trade Tension, Markets Mixed Elsewhere

Australian Dollar weakest broadly today after China intensified the trade tensions with banning Australia's coal imports. Markets are relatively mixed elsewhere, with some softness in both Yen and Swiss Franc. The Pound's rebound is fading as for now, there is no confirmation on whether there would be a Brexit...

Dollar Breaking Down as Stocks Surge on Vaccines, Sterling Jumps on Brexit Optimism

The global markets are quickly back in risk-on mode today. DOW future is back above 30k handle, as coronavirus vaccine rollout began. There seems to be some progress in the US Congress for fresh fiscal stimulus too. Dollar is under broad based selling pressure, followed by Canadian and Yen...

Sterling Gaps Up as Brexit Talks Go an Extra Mile, But Upside Capped

Sterling opens broadly higher as Brexit trade negotiation is extending through the Sunday deadline. The Pound is taking Euro and Swiss Franc slightly higher today. Nevertheless, it should be noted that no important resistance level is broken by Sterling. Traders are just lighting their shorts. Markets are rather mixed...

FOMC Preview – Fed to Update Forward Guidance on QE

At the last meeting of the year, we expect the Fed to be more cautious about the near-term outlook, while more optimistic over the longer-term. The focus of the meeting will be on the adjustment of the forward guidance about the asset purchase program. It will be a qualitative,...