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FX

US Dollar Strengthens

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US dollar strengthens

  • Asset market volatility remains high, with investors shifting to safe haven flows in USD and JPY. The Fed’s attempts to calm investor nerves also contributed to the demand in USD. Markets appear to be taking the Fed’s dismissal of the equity rout as a signal that the Fed is remaining calm and not reacting with any knee-jerk policy move. Short-term demand for the USD may continue for now.

 

 

EUR & GBP: EUR subdued, Brexit woes weigh on the sterling

  • EURUSD trades below 1.2300 this morning despite news that Germany’s Grand Coalition agreement is falling into place and despite the announcement that Germany’s labor union IG Metall will get a decent 4.2% pay rise over the next 27 months.

     

  • Sterling continues to weaken as the European Union (EU) threatens sanctions if the UK doesn’t toe the line during the transition period. This follows release of the EU position paper for the proposed Brexit transition period, which states that “the EU wants the power to restrict British access to the single market during a transition period after Britain leaves the bloc, as a way to punish London if it violates agreed rules”. The text reiterates that from 30 March 2019 to 31 December 2020, the UK would be fully bound by all EU laws – but will no longer be part of the decision-making process of the Union.

 

 

Commodity Bloc: NZD dips on RBNZ inflation shift, CAD awaits Friday’s jobs data

  • NZD dips as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) policy statement this morning forecasts inflation reaching 2.0% in Q3 2020 (versus Q2 2018). On the exchange rate, the RBNZ maintains “appreciation [in NZD] has been driven by a weaker USD”.

     

  • In Canada, a US Senator raises NAFTA optimism – saying his talks with US President Donald Trump indicate that the president doesn’t seem like he’s exiting the deal. CAD remains unaffected by this, although tomorrow’s Canadian payroll data may be supportive of CAD if it yields a better-than-consensus outcome.

 

 

This is an extract from the Daily Currency Update, dated 8th February 2018. Please approach a Citigold Relationship Manager if you would like more information.

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