Overview: The US dollar has extended the losses scored late yesterday when Federal Reserve Governor Waller indicated he was still leaning toward a December rate cut. The odds of a rate cut rose to around 76% from about 66% at the end of last week. The odds are slightly lower today, around 72%. A solid jobs report on Friday and another uptick in CPI may change some minds. The only G10 currency that is weaker today is the Japanese yen, and it is off about 0.25%....
Read More »French Government on Precipice, Presses Euro Lower
Overview: The US dollar is beginning the new week and month on a firm note. It is rising against all the G10 currencies and nearly all the emerging market currencies. US-President-elect Trump's threat to BRICS if they abandon the dollar is symbolic than substantive, as we have argued, despite the occasional claim to the contrary, a BRICS currency is not realistic, and the China has little interest in fostering another competitor to the yuan. Still, like being told...
Read More »Yen Jumps on Rate Hike Speculation
Overview: The US dollar has a softer profile today. All the G10 currencies are higher, led by 1%+ surge in the yen amid heightened speculation of a rate hike next month, while the US 10-year yield is near 4.25% today, the lowest since the election. Although the Reserve Bank of New Zealand allows for another half-point cut after delivering the second one this year earlier today, the New Zealand dollar has popped up amid sell the rumor buy the fact type of activity....
Read More »Ueda Lifts Yen, Leaving Euro and Sterling Pinned Near Lows
Overview: Escalating tensions in Europe and comments from Bank of Japan Ueda that spurred speculation of a December hike are the main drivers of the foreign exchange market today. The yen is the strongest of the G10 currencies, up about 0.65%, while the euro is the weakest, off a little more than 0.25%, and sterling is down almost as much. Most of the other G10 currencies are little changed. Led by central European currencies, most emerging market currencies are...
Read More »Fragile and Consolidative Tone Starts the Week in FX
Overview: The US dollar has begun the new week consolidating in a mixed fashion against the G10 currencies. Bank of Japan Governor Ueda remains circumspect and did not provide guidance about next month's central bank meeting. Without positive guidance, the market sold the yen, but the swaps market shows about 13 bp of tightening has been discounted, up a couple of basis points from a week ago. Leave aside the New Zealand dollar, which is also under pressure ahead of...
Read More »Higher Yields Help Extend the Dollar’s Gains
Overview: The dollar continues to ride high. It is up 0.20%-0.50% today against the G10 currencies. Most pairs have extended last week's moves. The Dollar Index, which was near 100 in late September is approaching 106.00. Emerging market currencies are all weaker, as well. The dollar is being helped by higher US yields. After yesterday's holiday, the US 10-year yield is up five basis points to near 4.36%. The two-year yield also is five basis points higher to almost...
Read More »The Dollar Remains Bid, While the Euro and Swiss Franc are Sold Through Last Week’s Lows
Overview: The dollar is bid to start the new week. It has taken out last week's high against the Swiss franc, and the euro has been sold through last week's lows. The divided opposition allowed Ishiba to continue as Japan's prime minister, heading up a minority government. The German government collapsed last week. Chancellor Scholz wanted to hold off holding (and losing) a vote of confidence until January, setting the stage for elections, but it seems increasingly...
Read More »US Dollar Soars and US Rates Jump
Overview: Shortly after the North American markets closed, before any results were known, the market jumped back into the "Trump trade," which it had pared on Tuesday. The dollar and US interest rates soared. The euro is the hardest hit among the G10 currencies today, off about 1.6% and the Canadian dollar, the best performer with about a 0.5% loss. Emerging market currencies have also been sold. The worst performer is the Mexican peso, which is off about 2.7%,...
Read More »Nervous Calm Hangs over the Markets
Overview: A nervous calm hangs over the markets as the US goes to the polls. The proximity of the presidential contest warns that the results may not been known as soon as people hope. Indeed, many fear the voting simply begins the next phase of the contest, with premature declarations of victory and disputes over votes. The dollar is in mostly narrow ranges today, but the Antipodeans and Scandis are the strongest, and the Reserve Bank of Australia kept rates on...
Read More »Eurozone Growth Surprises, Lifts Euro, while UK Budget is Awaited
Overview: The US 10-year yield is off around a dozen basis points off yesterday's high and European growth in Q3 was better than expected. This appears to have encouraged some dollar liquidation today. The greenback is softer against the G10 currencies, but the Canadian dollar and sterling. The much-awaited UK Autumn budget will be announced shortly. Sterling is consolidating around $1.30. Most emerging market currencies also are enjoying a firmer tone today. Asia...
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