HomeAction Insight

Action Insight

CFTC Commitments of Traders – Major Currencies Weakened against USD on Hawkish Fed

As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended June 22, NET SHORT of USD index futures decreased -1 793 contracts. Speculative long positions slipped -1 114 contracts while shorts were down -2 907 contracts. The greenback gained ground after the Fed turned more hawkish...

CFTC Commitments of Traders – Gold’s Net Length Slumped on USD Strength

According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended June 22 NET LENGTH for crude oil futures gained +2 205 contracts to 526 161 for the week. Speculative long position increased +5 615 contracts, while shorts added +3 410 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH...

Dollar Weakens as PCE Inflation Surged by Missed Expectations

Dollar weakens in early US session, in particular against Yen. PCE inflation showed notable acceleration in May but fell short of expectations slightly. Nevertheless, Sterling is the worst performing ones for today, extending post BoE selloff. The Pound is also pressured by uncertainties over resurgence of coronavirus infections. Commodity...

Stocks Surge on Infrastructure Deal, Dollar and Yen Soften

Dollar and Yen are trading slightly softer in Asian session today, as markets are back on full risk-on mode. S&P 500 and NASDAQ hit new record after US President Joe Biden struck an infrastructure deal with a bipartisan group of senators. Asian stocks also trail higher. Commodity currencies rise...

Sterling Weakens as BoE Gives No Hawkish Surprise, Dollar Softer on Job and Durables

Sterling drops notably today after BoE delivered no hawkish surprise. While it sounded upbeat on the outlook, the MPC, except chief economist Andy Haldane, would prefer to wait until August to take any policy actions. Dollar is also soft after weaker than expected jobless claims and durable goods orders....

Fed Officials Shrugged by Markets, Focus Turns to BoE and US Data

The chorus of Fedspeaks overnight provided little inspirations to the markets. Some policy makers expected tapering in the coming months, followed by rate hike next year. Some remained more cautious on the outlook. That's what we already know from the Fed's dot plot already. Major US indexes closed mixed...

Sharp Fall in US Inventory Gives Further Boost to Crude Oil Price

The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks declined -5.81 mmb to 1282.86 mmb in the week ended June 18. Crude oil inventory slumped -7.61 mmb (consensus: -3.94 mmb) to 459.06 mmb. Stockpile decreased in 4 out...

Yen Selloff Continues With Dollar, Commodity Currencies Strong

The forex markets continue to stay in sort of risk-on mode today, with weakness in Dollar and Yen, and strength in commodity currencies as led by New Zealand Dollar. Though, traders in other markets are not too committed yet. European indexes are just mixed while US futures point to...

China to Continue Curbing Excess Strength in Renminbi

Losing -1.8% month-to-date, CNY has erased much of the gain made against USD since the beginning of the year. While the broadly based USD rally after the June FOMC meeting is the major driver, PBOC’s intervention has also prevented the renminbi from having meaningful gains. In April and May,...

Yen Extends Decline on Risk-On Markets, Completed Corrective Rebound

Yen dropped notably overnight and stays pressured in Asian session with markets back in risk-on mode. NASDAQ closed at new record high while DOW and S&P 500 also gained. Major Asian indexes follow with solid gains in Hong Kong. Dollar also extended this week's retreat but losses are so...

Dollar Awaits Fed Powell, Sterling Bulls Not Giving Up

Trading in the forex markets is rather subdued today, as in other financial markets. Dollar continues to consolidate recent rise while European stocks and US futures are treading water. Focus turns to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's testimony for fresh inspirations. . Sterling bulls hesitated in early part of European...

BOE Preview: Not Yet Time for Tapering as Virus Resurgence Raises Economic Uncertainty

The BOE would maintain an upbeat tone at this week's meeting. However, the uncertainty, in particular a third wave of the pandemic which has caused a delay in restriction easing, suggests that it would be too early to hint about tapering of monetary policy or pushing forward the first...

CFTC Commitments of Traders – Expect USD Net Short to Drop Next Week on Greenback’s Rebound

As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended June 15, USD index futures drifted to NET SHORT of 2 303 contracts. Speculative long positions dropped -6 273 contracts while shorts decreased -2 219 contracts. Concerning European currencies, NET LENGTH in EUR futures soared +10...

Sterling Firms Up While Dollar and Yen Consolidate

The forex markets are generally staying in consolidative mode today. Dollar and Yen pulled back slightly overnight, together with the notable rebound in stocks. But both are regaining some grounds while commodity currencies soften. Traders would likely be holding their bets on the next move first, waiting for some...

CFTC Commitments of Traders – Bets on Higher Crude Oil Price Increased Further as $70/bbl Level Breached

According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended June 15, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures jumped +13 457 contracts to 523 956 for the week. Speculative long position gained +7 013 contracts, while shorts fell -6 444 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH...

Dollar and Yen in Brief Retreat as Stocks and Yields Rebound

Dollar and Yen retreat as markets enter into US session. Stock markets are staging a mild rebound in Europe, while US futures also point to higher open. Treasury yields also recovered from earlier decline, with US 10-year yield back above 1.4 handle at the time of writing. New Zealand...

Yen Surges on Falling Stocks and Yields, Dollar Takes a Breather

Yen rises broadly today as risk aversion is dominating the overall financial markets. In particular, US 10-year yield dives through 1.4 handle in Asia, and we'd see if the weakness would persist. Though, selling focus is turning from Aussie and Kiwi to Canadian. Dollar is consolidating last week's strong...

Dollar Solidified Strong Near Term Rally, But Not in Long Term Reversal Yet

Dollar ended last week sharply higher as boosted by the surprisingly hawkish FOMC projections. Yen followed as second strongest on steep selloff in stocks, while Euro is a distant third. Commodity currencies were the worst performers, with Aussie leading the way, followed by New Zealand Dollar. Though, Swiss Franc...

Sterling Tumbles on Poor Retail Sales and Rise in Coronavirus Cases

Sterling is among the worst performing currency for today, together with commodity currencies. Poor retail sales data from the UK is weighing on the Pound. Additionally, the resurgence in coronavirus infections, now due to the delta variant, in the UK is concerning. Daily new cases jumped above 11k, after...

Dollar Consolidating Gains, Yen Also Firm after BoJ

Dollar is consolidating some gains in Asia session today but remains overwhelmingly the strongest for the week. Yen is following closely as second best. Yet, there is no one-sided risk aversion in the markets to help Yen against Dollar. US stock indexes ended mixed overnight only, while Asian markets...