Forex News Timeline

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Italy Trade Balance non-EU increased to €6.739B in February from previous €2.889B

European Central Bank (ECB) executive board member Fabio Panetta said on Thursday, “the conditions to start easing monetary policy are materializing.” Additional quotes Restrictive policy is dampening demand and contributing to a rapid fall in inflation.

European Central Bank (ECB) executive board member Fabio Panetta said on Thursday, “the conditions to start easing monetary policy are materializing.” Additional quotes Restrictive policy is dampening demand and contributing to a rapid fall in inflation. The risks to price stability have diminished. Market reaction Downbeat German data combined with the dovish remarks are weighing on the Euro, as EUR/USD currently loses 0.42% on the day to trade at 1.0780.

The US Dollar (USD) is no rush to sell off, economists at ING say.

The US Dollar (USD) is no rush to sell off, economists at ING say. Short-dated interest rate differentials are moving in favour of the Dollar As we head into the end of the quarter, one of the defining narratives remains the normalisation of monetary policy in the G10 space and the current signals that the Fed may be a late arrival. This follows last week's rate cut in Switzerland, Wednesday's Riksbank meeting near-promising a rate cut in May or June, and comments from the RBNZ Governor that New Zealand was preparing to normalise policy. As a result, short-dated interest rate differentials are moving in favour of the Dollar. It is hard to speculate against the Dollar in the G10 space, and barring any significant quarter-end rebalancing, it feels like the greater risks are DXY popping through 104.50 towards 105.00.  

USD/CAD continues channeling higher, up by almost a tenth of a percent and trading above 1.3600 on Thursday.

USD/CAD pushes higher on USD strength after Fed officials advocate caution in cutting interest rates. Oil remains bid despite higher inventories as official government figures moderate previous data. BoC could turn dovish at the next meeting on lower inflation and negative growth outlook. USD/CAD continues channeling higher, up by almost a tenth of a percent and trading above 1.3600 on Thursday. The pair is benefiting from a general appreciation in the US Dollar (USD) on the back of expectations the Federal Reserve (Fed) will delay cutting interest rates, a key driver of FX markets. US Dollar versus Canadian Dollar: 4-hour chart The outlook for Canada’s largest export Crude Oil, has hampered the Canadian Dollar (CAD) meanwhile, after a surprise rise in US stockpile data denoted flagging demand. Although WTI Oil is rising on Thursday – due to a more official source of stockpile data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) moderating the initial data – Crude’s outlook remains uncertain.  Fed officials caution against hasty rate cuts  Overall stronger growth data and stickier-than-expected inflation in the US have led a series of Fed speakers to question whether the conditions are right for a rate cut in June. With interest rates now expected to remain higher for longer, the US Dollar (USD) has gained a boost, since higher interest rates tend to attract greater inflows of foreign capital.  Policymakers in Canada have been less vocal about cutting interest rates and at the last Bank of Canada (BoC) meeting BoC Governor Tiff Macklem said it was still too early to consider cutting interest rates as more time was needed to ensure inflation had come down to the BoC’s 2.0% target.  BoC may change tone The divergence in policy stances between the two central banks would normally be expected to favor the Canadian Dollar over the US Dollar (bearish for USD/CAD), however, since Maclem spoke, Canadian inflation data for February has shown a fairly steep drop.  The core Consumer Price Index, which is the metric most central banks favor for targeting price stability, fell to 2.1% YoY in February, from 2.4% in January, placing it just a tenth of a percent above the BoC’s target, according to data from Statistics Canada.  Headline inflation also slowed to 2.8% from 2.9% and undershot expectations of 3.1%. The cooling inflation data suggests the BoC could shift their stance from its current “mute” setting at the next policy meeting on April 10.  Apart from disinflation there may be other reasons why the BoC may feel a need to start cutting interest rates. Canada’s economy is in comparatively worse shape than the US’s and it could do with the panacea of lower interest rates to help stimulate activity.  Canada’s  GDP growth rate is slower, it has higher unemployment and – in the words of BoC Assistant Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers – suffers from “low productivity” and “poor levels of investment”.  In addition, the BoC’s policy rate is lower at 5.0% than the fed funds rate of 5.25%-5.50%, a differential which mildly favors the US Dollar over the CAD.  

South Africa Producer Price Index (YoY) came in at 4.5% below forecasts (4.9%) in February

South Africa Producer Price Index (MoM) below expectations (0.9%) in February: Actual (0.5%)

USD/JPY is trading sideways near 151.35. Economists at Société Générale analyze the pair’s outlook.

USD/JPY is trading sideways near 151.35. Economists at Société Générale analyze the pair’s outlook. 150.20 is first support USD/JPY is in vicinity to the upper limit of its range since October 2022 near 152.00 which has remained a crucial graphical level. Daily MACD is anchored within positive territory denoting prevalence of upward momentum. The pair has evolved within a brief pause since last week; the lower end of this consolidation at 150.20 is first support. In case the pair overcomes 152.00, the uptrend is likely to extend. Next potential objectives could be located at projections of 153.10 and 155.50.

Eurozone M3 Money Supply (3m) rose from previous -0.2% to 0.2% in February

Eurozone M3 Money Supply (YoY) registered at 0.4% above expectations (0.3%) in February

Eurozone Private Loans (YoY) came in at 0.3%, below expectations (0.4%) in February

Italy Consumer Confidence came in at 96.5 below forecasts (97.5) in March

Italy Business Confidence registered at 88.6 above expectations (87.6) in March

Germany Unemployment Rate s.a. meets expectations (5.9%) in March

Germany Unemployment Change came in at 4K, below expectations (10K) in March

The NZD/USD pair comes under heavy selling pressure on Thursday and continues losing ground through the first half of the European session.

A combination of factors drags the NZD/USD pair to a fresh YTD trough on Thursday.Rising bets for a rate cut by RBNZ in July weigh on the Kiwi amid a softer risk tone.Sustained USD buying exerts additional pressure and contributes to the ongoing slide.The NZD/USD pair comes under heavy selling pressure on Thursday and continues losing ground through the first half of the European session. The downward trajectory drags spot prices to the 0.5970-0.5965 region, or the lowest level since November 17, and is sponsored by a combination of factors. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) weakens after the business outlook survey by ANZ Bank showed weakening activity indicators and a slight fall in inflation pressures. Moreover, markets are pricing in an almost 50% chance the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) could cut rates as early as July. This, along with a fresh bout of the US Dollar (USD) buying, turn out to be key factors exerting downward pressure on the NZD/USD pair. The USD Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, climbs to over a one-month peak in the wake of Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller's hawkish comments on Wednesday, which tempered rate cut bets. This remains supportive of elevated US Treasury bond yields, which, along with a softer risk tone, is seen benefitting the safe-haven buck and driving flows away from the risk-sensitive Kiwi. With the latest leg down, the NZD/USD pair now seems to have confirmed a breakdown through the weekly trading range and the 0.6000 psychological mark. This, in turn, favours bearish traders and supports prospects for a further near-term depreciating move. market participants now look to the US economic docket – featuring the final Q4 GDP print, Weekly Initial Jobless Claims, Pending Home Sales and revised Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. NZD/USD Overview Today last price 0.5968 Today Daily Change -0.0036 Today Daily Change % -0.60 Today daily open 0.6004   Trends Daily SMA20 0.6091 Daily SMA50 0.6109 Daily SMA100 0.6136 Daily SMA200 0.6074   Levels Previous Daily High 0.6011 Previous Daily Low 0.5987 Previous Weekly High 0.6107 Previous Weekly Low 0.5989 Previous Monthly High 0.6219 Previous Monthly Low 0.6037 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.6002 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.5996 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.5991 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.5977 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.5967 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6015 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6025 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6039    

NZD/USD is a shade below 0.6000. Economists at ANZ Bank analyze Kiwi’s outlook.

NZD/USD is a shade below 0.6000. Economists at ANZ Bank analyze Kiwi’s outlook.  Broader FX markets are likely to be illiquid and quiet into Easter As we wind down for Easter, there’s no sign of global FX shifting away from their USD-centric beat ahead of a host of key US data including the core PCE deflator, ISM Mfg survey and JOLTS data between now and the middle of next week.  Locally, as fiscal challenges mount and commentators become more wary on the outlook for NZ, it’s hard to see where a good news story is going to come from. Support 0.5750/0.5970 – Resistance 0.6255/0.6500

USD/MXN halts its three-day losing streak, advancing to near 16.60 during the European hours on Thursday.

USD/MXN gains ground on risk aversion ahead of US GDP Annualized.Mexico’s Jobless Rate stood at 2.5% in February, against the expected 2.8%.The higher US Treasury yields contribute support for the US Dollar.USD/MXN halts its three-day losing streak, advancing to near 16.60 during the European hours on Thursday. However, the Mexican Peso received upward support, which could be attributed to the softer Jobless Rate, consequently, undermining the USD/MXN pair. The unemployment rate in Mexico decreased to 2.5% from 2.7% in the same period a year earlier, surpassing market forecasts of 2.8%. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 137,000 to 1.5 million, while the number of employed individuals rose by 1.1 million to 59.4 million. This situation allows the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) to continue implementing tight borrowing conditions as a means to address persistent inflationary pressures. Inflation has consistently exceeded expectations, as observed in both headline and core measures during the mid-March assessment. Traders adopt a cautious stance ahead of the release of Gross Domestic Product Annualized and Initial Jobless Claims data scheduled for Thursday, with Personal Consumption Expenditures set to be revealed on Friday. The US Dollar Index (DXY) has risen to nearly 104.60, supported by higher yields on US coupon bonds, with the 2-year and 10-year yields standing at 4.62% and 4.21%, respectively, at the time of writing. However, conflicting views among members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) regarding monetary policy easing are contributing to market uncertainty. Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher Waller continues to advocate for a cautious approach toward rate cuts, citing persistent inflation data. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic shares this sentiment, anticipating only one rate cut this year and warning against premature reductions that could exacerbate economic disruptions. USD/MXN Overview Today last price 16.572 Today Daily Change 0.0304 Today Daily Change % 0.18 Today daily open 16.5416   Trends Daily SMA20 16.7952 Daily SMA50 16.9924 Daily SMA100 17.0823 Daily SMA200 17.2054   Levels Previous Daily High 16.6832 Previous Daily Low 16.5116 Previous Weekly High 16.9472 Previous Weekly Low 16.6683 Previous Monthly High 17.2852 Previous Monthly Low 16.9953 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 16.5771 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 16.6176 Daily Pivot Point S1 16.4744 Daily Pivot Point S2 16.4072 Daily Pivot Point S3 16.3028 Daily Pivot Point R1 16.646 Daily Pivot Point R2 16.7504 Daily Pivot Point R3 16.8176    

EUR/USD edges down on Thursday, retesting key support at 1.0800, after the release of subpar German Retail Sales data raised further concerns over the health of Europe’s largest economy, weighing on the Euro (EUR).

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}EUR/USD takes another step lower on poor German Retail Sales data. Subdued consumer spending levels in Germany increase the probability the ECB will cut interest rates soon. This contrasts with the US, where Fed officials are advocating a delay in rate cuts. EUR/USD edges down on Thursday, retesting key support at 1.0800, after the release of subpar German Retail Sales data raised further concerns over the health of Europe’s largest economy, weighing on the Euro (EUR).  EUR/USD downtrend continues on fears Fed could delay cuts EUR/USD’s move down extends the short-term downtrend that started after the rollover from the March 8 highs in the 1.0980s. The main catalyst appears to be the diverging commentary from rate-setters at the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and European Central Bank (ECB).  Whilst at the beginning of March the ECB was signaling it would cut interest rates by June and the Fed potentially by as early as May, recent higher-than-expected US data and sticky inflation has led many Fed officials to question whether it may be too early to start cutting interest rates.  The view the Fed may keep interest rates higher for longer has supported the US Dollar (USD) because higher interest rates tend to attract more foreign capital inflows. This is bearish for EUR/USD, which measures the buying power of a single Euro in USD terms.  On Wednesday, Federal Reserve board member Christopher Waller added his voice to those advocating a delay, saying that “there is no rush to cut the policy rate,” in a speech to the Economic Club of New York, according to Reuters.  ECB officials, on the other hand, have cleaved increasingly to June. Eurozone economic data has been on the whole disappointing compared to US data, although persistently high wage inflation still concerns some policymakers.  EUR/USD took another step lower on Thursday after German Retail Sales in February showed shoppers on the whole tightening their purse strings. Weakening consumer spending is another sign inflation will come down further, prompting the ECB to cut interest rates.  Retail Sales fell 2.7% YoY in Germany, which was far below estimates of a 0.8% decline, according to data from Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland. Month-on-month the 1.9% decrease must have come as a shock after economists predicted a 0.3% rise. Friday’s US core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index data for February – the Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation – is likely to be an even more important release for EUR/USD.  A higher-than-expected result could push even further back the time when the Fed is expected to cut interest rates, with negative consequences for the pair.  Technical Analysis: EUR/USD continues pushing lowerEUR/USD extends the dominant short-term downtrend that started at the March 8 high. It is currently retesting key support at around 1.0800. Euro versus US Dollar: 4-hour chart The pair formed a three wave price pattern called a Measured Move back in February and early March and the low of wave B is underpinning key support at just above 1.0800.  If the downtrend continues and breaks decisively below the B-wave lows at roughly 1.0795 it would signal a continuation of the downtrend even lower, to the next target at 1.0750, followed by the February lows at roughly 1.0700.  A decisive break is one characterized by a long red bearish candle that breaks cleanly through the level and closes near its low, or three down candles in a row that breach the level.  Alternatively, a move above the 1.0950 level would bring into question the validity of the short-term downtrend.    Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 20 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

The EUR/GBP pair falls back from 0.8570 as German Retail Sales data for February remains weaker than expected.

EUR/GBP faces sell-off near 0.8570 on poor German Retail Sales for February.Monthly German Retail Sales surprisingly dropped by 1.9% against expectations of 0.3% growth.BoE Haskel sees rate cuts are far away.The EUR/GBP pair falls back from 0.8570 as German Retail Sales data for February remains weaker than expected. Monthly Retail Sales surprisingly contracted by 1.9% against the consensus of 0.3% growth. In January, Retail Sales dropped by 0.4%. Annually, sales at retail stores were declined at a higher pace of 2.7% against expectations of -0.8% and the former decline of 1.4%. The Retail Sales data is an indicator of the current status of consumer spending, which accounts for a major part of the economy. Weak Retail Sales data indicates deepening cost of living crisis due to high interest rates by the European Central Bank (ECB). Poor Retail Sales could force ECB policymakers to discuss more about reducing interest rates early. Weak German Retail Sales tend to influence ECB policymakers heavily as it is the largest economy of Eurozone in term of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). ECB policymaker Madis Muller said on Tuesday that “we're closer to a point where ECB can start cutting rates.” Easing wage growth has fuelled ECB’s rate-cut expectations for the June meeting. Meanwhile, the Pound Sterling remains unchanged even though Bank of England (BoE) policymaker Jonathan Haskel delivers a hawkish guidance on interest rates. BoE Haskel said on late Wednesday to the Financial Times that rate cuts should be "a long way off." Haskel warned that, “fall in headline inflation is good news. However, he doesn’t think the headline figures give a good guide to the persistence.” EUR/GBP Overview Today last price 0.8559 Today Daily Change -0.0007 Today Daily Change % -0.08 Today daily open 0.8566   Trends Daily SMA20 0.8552 Daily SMA50 0.8549 Daily SMA100 0.8597 Daily SMA200 0.8608   Levels Previous Daily High 0.8585 Previous Daily Low 0.8565 Previous Weekly High 0.8602 Previous Weekly Low 0.853 Previous Monthly High 0.8578 Previous Monthly Low 0.8498 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.8573 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.8578 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.8559 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.8552 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.8539 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.8579 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.8592 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.8599    

The Pound Sterling (GBP) drops to 1.2600 against the US Dollar in Thursday’s European session.

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More broadly, the GBP/USD pair struggles for direction as investors wait for fresh cues about when the Bank of England (BoE) will begin reducing interest rates. The United Kingdom’s inflation has come down significantly, but BoE policymakers are expected to adopt a cautious approach as early rate cuts could revamp price pressures again. Investors expect that the BoE will start cutting rates from the June meeting. The expectations have been prompted by sharply easing inflation in February. Also, no BoE policymakers see the need for more rate hikes, indicating that the current level of interest rates is sufficiently restrictive. Generally, the Pound Sterling weakens when investors expect the BoE will start reducing borrowing rates early. Meanwhile, the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) released on Thursday its revised Q4 2023 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, confirming that the economy contracted by 0.3% in the October-December period. The US Dollar rises ahead of the United States core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Price Index data for February, which will be published on Friday. The measure, which gauges underlying inflation, is expected to have increased steadily by 2.8% on year. Daily digest market movers: Pound Sterling dips, but is broadly sideways The Pound Sterling consolidates in a tight range slightly above 1.2600 as investors seek fresh guidance on the UK interest-rate outlook. Bank of England policymakers are mixed about rate cuts as Jonathan Haskel said on Wednesday to the Financial Times that rate cuts should be "a long way off."  Haskel further added: “Although the fall in headline inflation is very good news, it is not informative about what we really care about. What we really care about is the persistent and the underlying inflation.” The comments from Jonathan Haskel suggest that he has low confidence on progress in inflation declining to 2% and rate cuts are still off the table. On the contrary, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said in a recent interview with the Financial Times that market expectations for two or three rate cuts this year are not “unreasonable”. Regarding the inflation outlook, Bailey said "We are not seeing a lot of sticky persistence." Currently, market expectations for BoE rate cuts have been brought forward to the June policy meeting from prior anticipation for August after UK inflation softened more than expected in February. Apart from that, the BoE’s slightly dovish outlook on interest rates in last week’s monetary policy statement has boosted expectations for June’s rate cuts. Meanwhile, the market sentiment is slightly risk-off as S&P 500 futures trade lower in Thursday’s European session. The US Dollar Index (DXY) rises to 104.40, an inch away from its monthly high of 104.50, amid uncertainty ahead of the United States core PCE Price Index data for February. Technical Analysis: Pound Sterling consolidates around 1.2600The Pound Sterling trades back and forth in a narrow range around 1.2600. The GBP/USD pair seems vulnerable around 1.2600 as the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.2690 has turned down. The asset is slowly declining to the 200-day EMA, which trades around 1.2564. On the downside, the horizontal support from December 8 low at 1.2500 would provide cushion to the Pound Sterling bulls. The 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) slips to near 40.00. A bearish momentum would trigger if the RSI dips below this level.   Pound Sterling FAQs What is the Pound Sterling? The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, aka ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling? The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects. How does economic data influence the value of the Pound? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall. How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound? Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

EUR/USD struggles to gain traction in the second half of the week.

EUR/USD struggles to gain traction in the second half of the week. Will the easter bunny bring quotes below 1.0800? Economists at Commerzbank analyze the pair’s outlook. Maybe a little tailwind for the Dollar The real data heavyweight is not on the agenda until Good Friday: the deflator for consumer spending or the PCE index, the Fed's preferred measure of inflation. However, as the consumer and producer price data for February have already been published, the PCE index is normally quite easy to forecast.  Our experts expect +0.4% month-on-month and +0.3% for the core rate, which should mean annual rates of 2.5% and 2.8% respectively. The data for December and January are likely to be revised slightly upwards. Although June is now back in focus as the timing for the first Fed rate cut, the still stubbornly high inflation data or statements such as that made by FOMC Governor Christopher Waller at the Economic Club of New York that there is no rush to cut the key interest rate, could still lead to the Dollar gaining a tailwind in thin markets and EUR/USD cracking the 1.0800 mark on the Easter weekend.  

EUR/USD holds slightly above the 1.0800 level. Economists at ING analyze the pair’s outlook.

EUR/USD holds slightly above the 1.0800 level. Economists at ING analyze the pair’s outlook. Trading conditions will continue to be sticky We suspect that if it were not for month-end portfolio re-balancing flows, EUR/USD would be trading below 1.0800 now. And that looks the risk heading into Friday's release of February core PCE inflation data for the US, which is expected at a sticky 0.3% month-on-month.  Under 1.0800 support, we could see EUR/USD heading to 1.0780 and perhaps 1.0750. However, one month EUR/USD traded volatility below 5% suggests trading conditions will continue to be sticky.  

Austria Producer Price Index (YoY) rose from previous -7.2% to -6.4% in February

Austria Producer Price Index (MoM) increased to -0.3% in February from previous -1%

USD/CHF moves higher to near 0.9060 during the early European session on Thursday.

USD/CHF gains ground on risk-off sentiment ahead of US data.US GDP Annualized is expected to remain consistent at 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023.KOF Leading Indicator is expected to show a slight uptick to 102.0 in March, compared to the previous reading of 101.6.USD/CHF moves higher to near 0.9060 during the early European session on Thursday. The US Dollar (USD) receives upward support against the Swiss Franc (CHF), which could be attributed to the risk aversion ahead of the key economic figures from the United States (US). Traders adopt a cautious stance ahead of the releases of Gross Domestic Product Annualized and Initial Jobless Claims data scheduled to be released on Thursday. Furthermore, Personal Consumption Expenditures is set to be revealed on Friday.US Dollar Index (DXY) rises to near 104.50, with higher 2-year and 10-year yields on US coupon bonds standing at 4.61% and 4.20%, respectively, by the press time. However, conflicting views among members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) regarding monetary policy easing are adding to market uncertainty. Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher Waller continues to advocate for a cautious approach toward rate cuts, citing persistent inflation data. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic shares this sentiment, foreseeing only one rate cut this year and warning against premature reductions that could worsen economic disruptions. In other news, the ZEW Survey – Expectations rose by 1.3 points in March to reach 11.5, the highest level since October 2021. This increase was supported by the Swiss National Bank's decision to lower its interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.5%. Following the announcement, the Swiss Franc (CHF) weakened further year-to-date, as the SNB's move is likely to undermine the currency, being the first G10 central bank to implement such a cut. Looking ahead, the Swiss Leading Indicator, to be released on Thursday by the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, is expected to show a slight uptick to 102.0 in March, compared to the previous reading of 101.6. USD/CHF Overview Today last price 0.9062 Today Daily Change 0.0024 Today Daily Change % 0.27 Today daily open 0.9038   Trends Daily SMA20 0.887 Daily SMA50 0.8787 Daily SMA100 0.8735 Daily SMA200 0.8818   Levels Previous Daily High 0.9072 Previous Daily Low 0.9033 Previous Weekly High 0.902 Previous Weekly Low 0.8822 Previous Monthly High 0.8886 Previous Monthly Low 0.8553 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.9048 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.9057 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.9023 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.9008 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.8984 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.9062 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.9086 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.9101    
Gold extended recent gains amid expectations of lower inflation. Economists at ANZ Bank analyze the yellow metal’s outlook. Safe haven demand remains strong The US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index – the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge – will be released on Friday when markets are closed.  A rising Gold price suggests the market expects further falls in inflation should support the central banks move to cut rates later this year. Safe haven demand also remains strong. See: Gold Price Forecast: Push back in rate cut expectations from March to June may cap XAU/USD rally – ANZ

Economists at ANZ Bank expect the Indian Rupee (INR) to enjoy a mild appreciation over the course of the year.

Economists at ANZ Bank expect the Indian Rupee (INR) to enjoy a mild appreciation over the course of the year. INR to remain less volatile compared to other Asian currencies A balance of payments surplus points to a stronger Rupee, but the RBI’s two-way FX intervention to keep the INR stable has capped volatility compared to USD/Asia.  The RBI has been building up its foreign currency reserves, whenever possible, which are now at record highs. It believes them, not the exchange rate, to be its first line of defence against external shocks. We expect this trend to continue and the INR to gain modestly over 2024. However, once there is clarity around Fed rate cuts, the impetus for allowing the Rupee to appreciate could be stronger.  

The GBP/JPY cross trades in negative territory for two straight days, hovering around the 191.00 mark on Thursday.

GBP/JPY edges lower to 191.00 following the UK GDP Q4 data on Thursday. The UK GDP numbers contracted 0.3% QoQ and 0.2% YoY in Q4, as expected. The speculation that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will intervene in the FX market might lift the Japanese Yen against the Euro. Investors will closely watch the Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March, due on Friday. The GBP/JPY cross trades in negative territory for two straight days, hovering around the 191.00 mark on Thursday. The dovish remarks from the Bank of England (BoE) exert some selling pressure on the Pound Sterling (GBP). 

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics showed on Thursday that the UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter (GDP) contracted 0.3% QoQ and 0.2% YoY in Q4. Both figures were in line with market expectations. The GBP remains weak following the UK GDP numbers as the markets raise their bet that the Bank of England (BoE) will begin three quarter-point reductions in rates this year. The BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said that interest rate cuts will be ‘in play’ at future BoE policy meetings.

On the other hand, the weakening of the Japanese Yen might be limited amid speculation that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will intervene in the FX market to stop disorderly and speculative moves in the currency. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yishimasa Hayashi stated on Thursday that he will closely watch the FX volatility and won’t rule out any steps against excessive moves. 

Moving on, market participants will keep an eye on the Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March, Unemployment Rate, Industrial Production, and Retail Trade, due on Friday. If the Japanese CPI data shows softer-than-estimated, this could complicate the BoJ's interest rate hike path and weigh on the JPY. The UK market will be closed on the occasion of Good Friday.  GBP/JPY Overview Today last price 191.02 Today Daily Change -0.13 Today Daily Change % -0.07 Today daily open 191.15   Trends Daily SMA20 190.34 Daily SMA50 189.26 Daily SMA100 186.67 Daily SMA200 184.78   Levels Previous Daily High 191.54 Previous Daily Low 190.51 Previous Weekly High 193.54 Previous Weekly Low 189.54 Previous Monthly High 191.33 Previous Monthly Low 185.23 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 190.9 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 191.15 Daily Pivot Point S1 190.6 Daily Pivot Point S2 190.04 Daily Pivot Point S3 189.57 Daily Pivot Point R1 191.62 Daily Pivot Point R2 192.1 Daily Pivot Point R3 192.65    

Germany's Retail Sales dropped 1.9% MoM in February, slowing from a 0.4% decline in January, according to the official data released by Destatis on Thursday.

Germany's Retail Sales dropped 1.9% MoM in February, slowing from a 0.4% decline in January, according to the official data released by Destatis on Thursday. The data missed the market expectations for a 0.3% increase.Retail Sales in the Eurozone's biggest economy fell 2.7% YoY in February versus a 1.4% annual drop reported in January, much below the forecast of -0.8%.

United Kingdom Total Business Investment (QoQ) declined to 1.4% in 4Q from previous 1.5%

United Kingdom Gross Domestic Product (YoY) meets expectations (-0.2%) in 4Q

United Kingdom Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) in line with expectations (-0.3%) in 4Q

Turkey Economic Confidence Index climbed from previous 99 to 100 in March

United Kingdom Current Account came in at £-21.177B, above forecasts (£-21.4B) in 4Q

United Kingdom Total Business Investment (YoY): 2.8% (4Q) vs previous 3.7%

Germany Retail Sales (YoY) below expectations (-0.8%) in February: Actual (-2.7%)

Germany Retail Sales (MoM) below forecasts (0.3%) in February: Actual (-1.9%)

Here is what you need to know on Thursday, March 28: Major currency pairs continue to fluctuate in familiar ranges in the second half of the week.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Here is what you need to know on Thursday, March 28: Major currency pairs continue to fluctuate in familiar ranges in the second half of the week. Before markets go into the Easter holiday on Friday, the US economic docket will feature weekly Jobless Claims, February Pending Home Sales and the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index for March. Additionally, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis will release the final revision to the fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product growth before it publishes the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index data for February on Friday. The US Dollar (USD) Index closed the day virtually unchanged on Wednesday as the improving risk mood made it difficult for the currency to gather strength against its rivals. Early Thursday, the USD Index moves up and down in a narrow channel below 104.50. Meanwhile, the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield extends its sideways grind above 4.2% and US stock index futures trade marginally lower.  US Dollar price this week The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies this week. US Dollar was the strongest against the Swiss Franc.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.10% -0.22% -0.20% -0.05% 0.03% 0.06% 0.88%EUR0.12%   -0.13% -0.10% 0.08% 0.15% 0.21% 0.99%GBP0.22% 0.12%   0.04% 0.18% 0.26% 0.33% 1.12%CAD0.19% 0.09% -0.02%   0.16% 0.24% 0.30% 1.08%AUD0.07% -0.05% -0.17% -0.14%   0.04% 0.11% 0.93%JPY-0.03% -0.12% -0.15% -0.22% -0.06%   0.07% 0.86%NZD-0.10% -0.16% -0.27% -0.25% -0.11% -0.03%   0.84%CHF-0.90% -1.00% -1.13% -1.10% -0.93% -0.90% -0.80%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).  USD/JPY retreated after touching a multi-decade high near 152.00 on Wednesday. The pair, however, stabilized above 151.00. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yishimasa Hayashi said on Thursday that he “won't rule out any options against excessive currency moves.” In the meantime, the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) Summary of Opinions from its March monetary policy showed earlier in the day that one of the policymakers argued that the yield curve control, the negative interest rate and other massive stimulus tools have accomplished their roles. In the Asian session on Friday, Industrial Production and Tokyo Consumer Price Index data from Japan will be watched closely by market participants.Japanese Yen hangs near multi-decade low against USD, not out of the woods yet.USD/CAD closed the third consecutive day in negative territory on Wednesday and went into a consolidation phase below 1.3600 early Friday. Statistics Canada will publish the monthly GDP growth for January later in the day.Consumer Inflation Expectations in Australia declined to 4.3% in March from 4.5% in February, while Retail Sales grew by 0.3% on a monthly basis in February. After closing the day flat on Wednesday, AUD/USD came under modest bearish pressure and retreated toward 0.6500 early Thursday.Australian Dollar moves sideways amid a stable US Dollar, US economic data awaited.EUR/USD struggles to gain traction in the second half of the week but manages to hold comfortably above 1.0800. GBP/USD registered small gains on Wednesday but failed to extend its recovery early Thursday. The pair was last seen trading marginally lower on the day below 1.2650. After facing rejection near $2,200 and making a deep downward correction in the first half of the day on Wednesday, Gold gathered bullish momentum and closed in the green above $2,190. XAU/USD stays relatively quiet early Friday but remains within a touching distance of $2,200.Gold price flat lines below $2,200 mark as traders await US PCE Price Index on Friday.  Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.  

Silver price (XAG/USD) advances to $24.70 in the late Asian session on Thursday.

Silver price moves higher to $24.70, while the broader trend is sideways.The core PCE inflation will provide cues about Fed’s rate cut timing.Fed policymakers see three rate cuts by the year-end.Silver price (XAG/USD) advances to $24.70 in the late Asian session on Thursday. The white metal posts gains ahead of the United States core Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index (PCE) data for February, which will be published on Friday. Core PCE will provide cues about when the Federal Reserve (Fed) will begin reducing interest rates. The annual underlying inflation data is estimated to have grown steadily by 2.8%, with monthly growth declining to 0.3% from 0.4% in January. Currently, market expectations indicate that the Fed will cut interest rates from the June policy meeting. The expectations also show that there will be three rate cuts by the year-end, as projected by Fed policymakers in the monetary policy meeting last week. According to the CME FedWatch tool, traders are pricing in 64% chance that the Fed will trim interest rates in June. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index (DXY) edges down slightly from monthly highs of 104.50. The USD Index is broadly sideways in a 104.00-104.50 range from last four trading sessions. The US core PCE inflation is expected to support the USD index to blown out the consolidation. 10-year US Treasury yields rebound to 4.21% after falling sharply to 4.18% on Wednesday. Silver technical analysis Silver price consolidates in a range of $24.32-$25.00 from a week. This exhibits an indecisiveness among market participants. The 20-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $24.60 remain stick to the spot price, demonstrating a sideways trend. The 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillates in the 40.00-60.00 zone, indicating a sharp volatility contraction. Silver hourly chartXAG/USD Overview Today last price 24.64 Today Daily Change -0.05 Today Daily Change % -0.20 Today daily open 24.69   Trends Daily SMA20 24.43 Daily SMA50 23.39 Daily SMA100 23.53 Daily SMA200 23.36   Levels Previous Daily High 24.69 Previous Daily Low 24.33 Previous Weekly High 25.77 Previous Weekly Low 24.4 Previous Monthly High 23.5 Previous Monthly Low 21.93 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 24.55 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 24.47 Daily Pivot Point S1 24.45 Daily Pivot Point S2 24.21 Daily Pivot Point S3 24.09 Daily Pivot Point R1 24.81 Daily Pivot Point R2 24.93 Daily Pivot Point R3 25.17    

The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive around 1.2630 on Thursday during the early European trading hours.

GBP/USD trades on a softer note below the mid-1.2600s on Thursday ahead of UK GDP growth numbers data. The pair keeps the bearish vibe below the key EMA; RSI indicator holds below the 50 midlines. The immediate resistance level will emerge at 1.2655; the initial support level is located at the 1.2600–1.2605 zone.The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive around 1.2630 on Thursday during the early European trading hours. The hawkish tone from Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller early Thursday has lifted the US Dollar (USD) broadly, which creates a headwind for the GBP/USD pair. 

The Fed’s Waller said the US central bank is in no rush to cut the benchmark rate and may need to “maintain the current rate target for longer than expected. Traders await the final UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth number for Q4 on Thursday, which is projected to contract 0.3% QoQ in Q4. 

From a technical perspective, GBP/USD maintains the bearish outlook unchanged as the major pair holds below the key 100-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the four-hour chart. The downward momentum is confirmed by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which lies below the 50 midlines, supporting the sellers for the time being.

The first upside barrier for GBP/USD will emerge near the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band at 1.2655. A break above the latter will expose the 100-period EMA at 1.2685. Further north, the next hurdle is seen near a high of March 18 at 1.2746, followed by the psychological level of 1.2800. 

On the flip side, the initial support level of the major pair is located near the lower limit of the Bollinger Band at the 1.2600-1.2605 region. A breach of this level will pave the way to a low of March 22 at 1.2575. The next contention level to watch is a low of February 14 at 1.2535, en route to the 1.2500 round figure. GBP/USD four-hour chartGBP/USD Overview Today last price 1.2632 Today Daily Change -0.0009 Today Daily Change % -0.07 Today daily open 1.2641   Trends Daily SMA20 1.2719 Daily SMA50 1.2679 Daily SMA100 1.2649 Daily SMA200 1.2591   Levels Previous Daily High 1.2641 Previous Daily Low 1.2606 Previous Weekly High 1.2804 Previous Weekly Low 1.2575 Previous Monthly High 1.2773 Previous Monthly Low 1.2518 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.2628 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.2619 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.2617 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.2593 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.2581 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.2653 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.2665 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.2688      

FX option expiries for Mar 28 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time, via DTCC, can be found below - EUR/USD: EUR amounts 1.0752 803m 1.0825 1.9b 1.0850 1.7b 1.0925 544m - GBP/USD: GBP amounts 1.2600 1.1b - USD/JPY: USD amounts 150.00 1.3b 150.50 2.9b 151.00 732m 152.00 2.3b - USD/CAD: USD amounts 1.3600 1.6b .

FX option expiries for Mar 28 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time, via DTCC, can be found below - EUR/USD: EUR amounts 1.0752 803m 1.0825 1.9b 1.0850 1.7b 1.0925 544m - GBP/USD: GBP amounts      1.2600 1.1b - USD/JPY: USD amounts                      150.00 1.3b 150.50 2.9b 151.00 732m 152.00 2.3b - USD/CAD: USD amounts        1.3600 1.6b

South Africa Private Sector Credit above expectations (3.12%) in February: Actual (3.32%)

In an interview with the Financial Times (FT) on Thursday, Bank of England (BoE) policymaker Jonathan Haskel warned against rushing to cut interest rates.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} In an interview with the Financial Times (FT) on Thursday, Bank of England (BoE) policymaker Jonathan Haskel warned against rushing to cut interest rates. Haskel said that “I think cuts are a long way off.” Additional quotes Fall in headline inflation is very good news. But what we really care about is persistence and underlying inflation. Does not think headline inflation gives a good guide on persistence. Vote change is because there were improvements in critical indicators of inflation. Market reactionGBP/USD fails to find any inspiration from the hawkish BoE commentary, currently trading at 1.2635, almost unchanged on the day.   BoE FAQs What does the Bank of England do and how does it impact the Pound? The Bank of England (BoE) decides monetary policy for the United Kingdom. Its primary goal is to achieve ‘price stability’, or a steady inflation rate of 2%. Its tool for achieving this is via the adjustment of base lending rates. The BoE sets the rate at which it lends to commercial banks and banks lend to each other, determining the level of interest rates in the economy overall. This also impacts the value of the Pound Sterling (GBP). How does the Bank of England’s monetary policy influence Sterling? When inflation is above the Bank of England’s target it responds by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is positive for the Pound Sterling because higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls below target, it is a sign economic growth is slowing, and the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit in the hope businesses will borrow to invest in growth-generating projects – a negative for the Pound Sterling. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it affect the Pound? In extreme situations, the Bank of England can enact a policy called Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the BoE substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. QE is a last resort policy when lowering interest rates will not achieve the necessary result. The process of QE involves the BoE printing money to buy assets – usually government or AAA-rated corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Pound Sterling. What is Quantitative tightening (QT) and how does it affect the Pound Sterling? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE, enacted when the economy is strengthening and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the Bank of England (BoE) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to encourage them to lend; in QT, the BoE stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive for the Pound Sterling.  

NZD/USD snaps its three-day winning streak, depreciating to near 0.5990 during the Asian hours on Thursday.

NZD/USD loses ground on softer Kiwi data released on Thursday.ANZ – Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence fell to 86.4 in February from 94.5 prior.US GDP Annualized is expected to remain consistent at a 3.2% increase in Q4.NZD/USD snaps its three-day winning streak, depreciating to near 0.5990 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) faces challenges due to the softer-than-expected domestic key economic figures, which in turn, undermine the NZD/USD pair. ANZ – Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence decreased to 86.4 in February from 94.5 in the prior month. The index stepped down from January 2022 level highs. Business Confidence fell to 22.9 in March, from the previous reading of 34.7. Kiwi markets will observe Good Friday and Easter Monday. At the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), China's top legislator, Zhao Leji, underscored China's commitment to inclusive economic globalization. He articulated China's opposition to unilateralism and protectionism in all manifestations and expressed a dedication to closely aligning its development with that of other nations. The US Dollar (USD) shows subdued momentum as investors await the release of Gross Domestic Product Annualized data for the fourth quarter of 2023 from the United States (US) on Thursday. Furthermore, Personal Consumption Expenditures for February on Friday. The US Dollar Index (DXY) hovers around 104.30. US Treasury yields rebounded after losses in the previous two sessions, supporting the US Dollar. Market participants are eagerly awaiting guidance from the Federal Reserve (Fed) on its interest rate trajectory. However, conflicting views among members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) regarding monetary policy easing are adding to market uncertainty. NZD/USD Overview Today last price 0.5992 Today Daily Change -0.0012 Today Daily Change % -0.20 Today daily open 0.6004   Trends Daily SMA20 0.6091 Daily SMA50 0.6109 Daily SMA100 0.6136 Daily SMA200 0.6074   Levels Previous Daily High 0.6011 Previous Daily Low 0.5987 Previous Weekly High 0.6107 Previous Weekly Low 0.5989 Previous Monthly High 0.6219 Previous Monthly Low 0.6037 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.6002 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.5996 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.5991 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.5977 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.5967 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6015 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6025 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6039    

The EUR/JPY cross trades with a mild negative bias around 163.75 during the early European session on Thursday.

EUR/JPY trades on a softer note around 163.75 in Thursday’s early European session. The verbal intervention from Japanese authorities provides some support to the JPY. ECB’s Stoumaras said there is a growing consensus for a rate cut in June. The German February Retail Sales data will be due later on Thursday. The EUR/JPY cross trades with a mild negative bias around 163.75 during the early European session on Thursday. The cross edges lower amid the fear of foreign exchange intervention from the Japanese authorities.  

On Thursday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yishimasa Hayashi said that he will not rule out any options against excessive foreign exchange moves and will closely watch it. This verbal intervention complied with top currency diplomat Masato Kanda statement that he will react to the disorderly FX moves. The fear of FX intervention from Japanese authorities might support the Japanese Yen (JPY) and limit the upside of the EUR/JPY cross in the near term. 

On the Euro front, the growing speculation that the European Central Bank (ECB) will cut the interest rate in June acts as a headwind for the Euro (EUR) against the JPY. On Tuesday, ECB official Yannis Stoumaras said that there is a higher chance for a June rate cut, while Bank of Italy Governor Fabio Panetta said on Monday that the ECB is moving towards an interest rate cut as inflation is easing rapidly and approaching the 2% target. 

Looking ahead, traders will monitor German Retail Sales data, which is estimated to drop 0.8% YoY in February. Also, the German Unemployment Change and Italian Producer Price Index (PPI) will be released. On Friday, market players will turn their focus to the Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March. In the case of the stronger-than-expected data, this could lift the JPY against the EUR.  § EUR/JPY Overview Today last price 163.77 Today Daily Change 0.01 Today Daily Change % 0.01 Today daily open 163.76   Trends Daily SMA20 162.78 Daily SMA50 161.79 Daily SMA100 160.48 Daily SMA200 159.05   Levels Previous Daily High 164.42 Previous Daily Low 163.44 Previous Weekly High 165.36 Previous Weekly Low 161.95 Previous Monthly High 163.72 Previous Monthly Low 158.08 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 163.81 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 164.05 Daily Pivot Point S1 163.32 Daily Pivot Point S2 162.89 Daily Pivot Point S3 162.34 Daily Pivot Point R1 164.3 Daily Pivot Point R2 164.85 Daily Pivot Point R3 165.28  



 

 

The USD/CAD pair attracts some buyers during the Asian session on Thursday and for now, seems to have snapped a three-day losing streak, albeit lacks follow-through.

USD/CAD gains some positive traction on Thursday, though the upside remains capped.The Fed’s projected three rate cuts in 2024 caps the upside for the USD and the major.An uptick in Oil prices underpins the Loonie and contributes to keeping a lid on the pair.The USD/CAD pair attracts some buyers during the Asian session on Thursday and for now, seems to have snapped a three-day losing streak, albeit lacks follow-through. Spot prices remain below the 1.3600 mark as traders look to important macro data from the US and Canada for some meaningful impetus. Thursday's economic docket highlights the release of the monthly Canadian GDP report, along with the final US Q4 GDP print. Apart from this, the usual Initial Weekly Jobless Claims, Pending Home Sales and the revised Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index might influence the US Dollar (USD), which might produce short-term trading opportunities around the USD/CAD pair. The focus, however, remains glued to the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index on Friday. In the meantime, the overnight hawkish remarks by Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller cooled rate cut hopes and pushed the USD back closer to the monthly peak, lending some support to the USD/CAD pair. The Fed, however, projected a less restrictive policy going forward and indicated that it remains on track to cut interest rates by 75 basis points in 2024. This is holding back the USD bulls from placing aggressive bets and acting as a headwind for the currency pair. Meanwhile, Crude Oil prices gain some follow-through traction in the wake of worries about tighter global supply amid lower Russian production. Furthermore, the Israel-Hamas conflict has shown little signs of de-escalation, which continues to fuel concerns about supply disruptions from the Middle East and lends additional support to the black liquid. This, in turn, is seen underpinning the commodity-linked Loonie and contributing to capping the upside for the USD/CAD pair. USD/CAD Overview Today last price 1.3578 Today Daily Change 0.0010 Today Daily Change % 0.07 Today daily open 1.3568   Trends Daily SMA20 1.3538 Daily SMA50 1.3504 Daily SMA100 1.35 Daily SMA200 1.3493   Levels Previous Daily High 1.3608 Previous Daily Low 1.3565 Previous Weekly High 1.3614 Previous Weekly Low 1.3456 Previous Monthly High 1.3606 Previous Monthly Low 1.3366 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.3582 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.3592 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.3553 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.3537 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.3509 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.3596 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.3624 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.3639    

EUR/USD continues to lose ground for the third successive session on Thursday, inching lower to near 1.0820 during the Asian session.

EUR/USD extends its losing streak on dovish remarks from ECB officials.US GDP Annualized is expected to be consistent at a 3.2% increase in Q4.German Retail Sales (MoM) is anticipated to show a 0.3% rise, against the previous decline of 0.4%.EUR/USD continues to lose ground for the third successive session on Thursday, inching lower to near 1.0820 during the Asian session. However, the US Dollar (USD) exhibits tepid momentum ahead of the Gross Domestic Product Annualized data from the United States (US) for the fourth quarter of 2023. Furthermore, traders will likely observe the Personal Consumption Expenditures for February. The US Dollar Index (DXY) hovers around 104.30, correcting from March’s highs. US Treasury yields retrace losses registered in the previous two sessions, which could provide support for the US Dollar. Market participants await fresh guidance from the Federal Reserve (Fed) regarding its interest rate trajectory. However, conflicting opinions among members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) regarding monetary policy easing are contributing to market confusion. Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher Waller maintains his stance of 'no rush' to cut rates, citing persistent inflation data. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic echoes a similar sentiment, anticipating only one rate cut this year, warning against premature rate reductions that could exacerbate economic disruptions. The Euro faces downward pressure as European Central Bank (ECB) officials are increasingly suggesting a probable interest rate cut in June. Yannis Stoumaras remarked on Tuesday that there is a mounting consensus within the ECB for a rate reduction in June, a sentiment echoed by Madis Muller, who hinted at the ECB nearing a point where rate cuts are feasible. Thursday will bring German Retail Sales data for February. The data is expected to show a decrease of 0.8% year-over-year. While the monthly report could reveal an increase of 0.3%, swinging from a previous decline of 0.4%. EUR/USD Overview Today last price 1.0823 Today Daily Change -0.0005 Today Daily Change % -0.05 Today daily open 1.0828   Trends Daily SMA20 1.0877 Daily SMA50 1.0839 Daily SMA100 1.0874 Daily SMA200 1.0837   Levels Previous Daily High 1.0839 Previous Daily Low 1.0811 Previous Weekly High 1.0942 Previous Weekly Low 1.0802 Previous Monthly High 1.0898 Previous Monthly Low 1.0695 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.0822 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.0828 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.0813 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.0798 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.0785 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.0841 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.0854 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.0869    

Gold price (XAU/USD) continues with its struggle to make it through the $2,200 mark and oscillates in a range during the Asian session on Thursday.

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The overnight hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller cooled rate cut hopes and pushed the US Dollar (USD) back closer to the monthly top. This, in turn, is seen as a key factor acting as a headwind for the non-yielding yellow metal, though any meaningful slide seems elusive as traders await more cues about the Fed's policy path before placing fresh directional bets. Last week, the Fed projected a less restrictive monetary policy going forward and indicated that it remains on track to cut interest rates by 75 basis points in 2024. That said, the incoming US macro data suggested that the economy is in good shape and pointed to still-sticky inflation, which should allow the Fed to keep rates higher for longer. Hence, Friday's release of the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index will influence expectations about the Fed's rate-cut path, which will drive the USD and provide fresh impetus to the Gold price. Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price struggles to lure buyers amid mixed fundamental cues Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller said on Wednesday that he was in no hurry to cut rates in the wake of hotter inflation readings in recent months, boosting the US Dollar and capping gains for the Gold price. Waller, however, noted that further expected progress on lowering inflation will make it appropriate for the Fed to start cutting interest rates later this year, which is seen acting as a tailwind for the non-yielding yellow metal. Moreover, the Fed last week projected three interest rate cuts of 25 basis points each by the end of this year, and the markets are currently pricing in a greater chance of the first move at the June FOMC monetary policy meeting. Apart from this, geopolitical risks stemming from the protracted Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East should help limit any meaningful corrective decline for the safe-haven precious metal. Traders now look to Thursday's US economic docket – featuring the release of the final Q4 GDP print, the usual Weekly Initial Jobless Claims, Pending Home Sales and the revised Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. Technical Analysis: Gold price needs to find acceptance above $2,200 for bulls to regain control From a technical perspective, the range-bound price action witnessed over the past two weeks or so might be categorized as a bullish consolidation phase against the backdrop of a blowout rally since the beginning of this month. Moreover, oscillators on the daily chart are holding comfortably in the positive territory and support prospects for an eventual breakout to the upside. Some follow-through buying back above the $2,200 mark will reaffirm the constructive setup and allow the Gold price to retest the record high, around the $2,223 region touched last week. On the flip side, any corrective decline now seems to find some support near the overnight swing low, around the $2,173 area ahead of the $2,164-2,163 zone. This is followed by the lower end of the short-term trading range, around the $2,146-2,145 region, which, if broken, might prompt aggressive technical selling. The Gold price might then accelerate the fall to the next relevant support near the $2,128-2,127 region en route to the $2,100 round-figure mark. The latter should act as a strong base, which, if broken, will suggest that the XAU/USD has topped out in the near term.   Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.  

The Australian Dollar (AUD) manages to recover its intraday losses and extends its gains on Thursday.

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Australia’s Retail Sales (MoM) increased by 0.3%, against the expected 0.4% and 1.1% prior.US Dollar corrects ahead of US GDP Annualized data due on Thursday.The Australian Dollar (AUD) manages to recover its intraday losses and extends its gains on Thursday. Challenges persisted for the AUD/USD pair due to softer Consumer Inflation Expectations and Retail Sales figures from Australia. These factors heightened expectations of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) considering interest rate cuts in the second half of 2024. Additionally, Wednesday's release of the softer Australian Monthly Consumer Price Index supported this perspective. Australia's consumer expectations for future inflation rose by 4.3% in March, a slight decrease from the previous increase of 4.5%. February's seasonally adjusted Retail Sales showed a month-over-month increase of 0.3%, falling short of the expected 0.4% and the prior 1.1%. Additionally, on Wednesday, Australia's Monthly Consumer Price Index (YoY) for February saw a 3.4% rise, maintaining consistency with previous levels but slightly below the anticipated 3.5%. The US Dollar Index (DXY) appears to pause its two-day winning streak, edging lower in anticipation of the upcoming release of US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data scheduled for Friday. Nevertheless, the recent uptick in US Treasury yields may have lent support to the US Dollar (USD) amid divergent opinions among members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) regarding monetary policy easing. Daily Digest Market Movers: Australian Dollar gains ground on improved risk appetite Australia’s Westpac Consumer Confidence dipped 1.8% to 84.4 in March 2024 from February's 86.0, easing from 20-month highs. Australia’s Westpac Leading Index (MoM) increased by 0.1% in February, against the previous decline of 0.09%. Australia's government has pledged to support a minimum wage increase aligned with inflation this year, recognizing the ongoing challenges low-income families face amid rising living costs. At the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), China's top legislator, Zhao Leji, emphasized China's stance on inclusive economic globalization. He stated that China opposes unilateralism and protectionism in all their forms and is committed to closely linking its development with other countries. Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher Waller still sees 'no rush' to cut rates amid sticky inflation data. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic expressed his expectation for just one rate cut this year, cautioning that reducing rates prematurely could lead to greater disruption. Fed Governor Lisa Cook cautioned against easing policy too soon, warning that it could exacerbate the risk of inflation becoming entrenched. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, leaning towards a dovish stance, expects three cuts but indicates a need for more evidence of inflation subsiding before taking action. US Durable Goods Orders increased by 1.4% in February, against the 1.3% expected and previous decline of 6.9%. US Durable Goods Orders ex Defense rose by 2.2% in February, compared to the expected 1.1% and 7.9% previous decline. US Housing Price Index (MoM) decreased by 0.1% in January, against the December’s increase of 0.1%. Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar could test the major barrier of 0.6550 The Australian Dollar trades near 0.6540 on Thursday. Immediate resistance is observed around the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level at 0.6541, coinciding with the major barrier of 0.6550 and the 21-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 0.6553. On the downside, a notable support level is at the psychological mark of 0.6500, followed by March’s low at 0.6477. A breach below this level may lead the AUD/USD pair to test the major support level at 0.6450. AUD/USD: Daily ChartAustralian Dollar price today The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.09% -0.12% -0.10% -0.24% 0.03% -0.10% -0.12%EUR0.08%   -0.03% 0.01% -0.15% 0.15% -0.01% -0.03%GBP0.11% 0.03%   0.03% -0.12% 0.14% 0.02% 0.00%CAD0.08% 0.00% -0.03%   -0.15% 0.12% -0.01% -0.03%AUD0.24% 0.15% 0.12% 0.15%   0.30% 0.14% 0.12%JPY-0.03% -0.11% -0.14% -0.11% -0.25%   -0.13% -0.17%NZD0.08% 0.01% -0.02% 0.01% -0.14% 0.13%   -0.02%CHF0.11% 0.03% 0.00% 0.03% -0.12% 0.18% 0.02%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).   Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate, and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods, and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.  

Indian Rupee (INR) edges lower on Thursday amid the higher demand for the US Dollar (USD) from oil importers and the hawkish remarks from the Federal Reserve (Fed) officials.

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The Indian Central Bank released its monetary policy committee (MPC) schedule for the upcoming financial year 2024–25, starting from April 1, 2024. The first policy meeting will be held from April 3–5, and the RBI is anticipated to keep interest rates unchanged until at least July amid strong economic growth and elevated inflation. Moving on, investors await the release of the US Gross Domestic Product Annualized (Q4) on Thursday, which is estimated to grow at a steady pace at 3.2%. The US February Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) data will take center stage on Friday even though the markets are closed for Good Friday.Daily Digest Market Movers: Indian Rupee remains vulnerable despite the robust economic outlookIndia’s Current Account Deficit narrowed to $10.5 billion or 1.2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the fourth quarter (Q4) that ended December 2023 from $11.4 billion in the previous reading.  Morgan Stanley has raised India’s GDP growth projection for FY 24-25 to 6.8% from 6.5% estimated earlier, citing the ongoing growth in industrial and capex activities. S&P Global raised India's GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 6.8%, lower than the RBI’s estimation of 7%. Furthermore, S&P expects RBI to cut rates by 75 bps by the end of this fiscal year. The Fed Governor Christopher Waller said early Thursday that the central bank is in no rush to cut the benchmark rate and may need to “maintain the current rate target for longer than expected.”  Fed’s Waller further stated that he needs to see more inflation progress before supporting rate cuts.Technical Analysis: Indian Rupee weakens, further upside is likely to remain limitedIndian Rupee trades on a softer note on the day. USD/INR extends its uptrend in the longer term since the pair rose above a multi-month-old descending trend channel last week. 

In the near term, USD/INR remains above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily chart, with the 14-day Relative Strength Index holding above the 50 midline. This upward momentum of the pair indicates the support levels are more likely to hold than to break, and there’s more room for further upside. 

The potential upside barrier for USD/INR will emerge at an all-time high of 83.49. A decisive break above this level will see a rally to 84.00 (round figure). On the downside, the initial support level is seen at 83.20 (high March 21), followed by 83.00 (psychological level, the 100-day EMA). A breach of the mentioned level could confirm that sellers are returning and ready to let the downtrend resume.US Dollar price todayThe table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.08% -0.11% -0.09% -0.20% 0.05% -0.08% -0.11%EUR0.07%   -0.03% 0.01% -0.12% 0.16% 0.00% -0.02%GBP0.10% 0.03%   0.03% -0.09% 0.15% 0.02% 0.01%CAD0.08% 0.00% -0.01%   -0.12% 0.12% 0.00% -0.02%AUD0.20% 0.12% 0.10% 0.12%   0.28% 0.12% 0.10%JPY-0.05% -0.11% -0.15% -0.12% -0.23%   -0.13% -0.17%NZD0.07% 0.00% -0.03% 0.00% -0.12% 0.13%   -0.03%CHF0.09% 0.02% -0.01% 0.02% -0.10% 0.17% 0.02%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).   Indian Rupee FAQs What are the key factors driving the Indian Rupee? The Indian Rupee (INR) is one of the most sensitive currencies to external factors. The price of Crude Oil (the country is highly dependent on imported Oil), the value of the US Dollar – most trade is conducted in USD – and the level of foreign investment, are all influential. Direct intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in FX markets to keep the exchange rate stable, as well as the level of interest rates set by the RBI, are further major influencing factors on the Rupee. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of India impact the Indian Rupee? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively intervenes in forex markets to maintain a stable exchange rate, to help facilitate trade. In addition, the RBI tries to maintain the inflation rate at its 4% target by adjusting interest rates. Higher interest rates usually strengthen the Rupee. This is due to the role of the ‘carry trade’ in which investors borrow in countries with lower interest rates so as to place their money in countries’ offering relatively higher interest rates and profit from the difference. What macroeconomic factors influence the value of the Indian Rupee? Macroeconomic factors that influence the value of the Rupee include inflation, interest rates, the economic growth rate (GDP), the balance of trade, and inflows from foreign investment. A higher growth rate can lead to more overseas investment, pushing up demand for the Rupee. A less negative balance of trade will eventually lead to a stronger Rupee. Higher interest rates, especially real rates (interest rates less inflation) are also positive for the Rupee. A risk-on environment can lead to greater inflows of Foreign Direct and Indirect Investment (FDI and FII), which also benefit the Rupee. How does inflation impact the Indian Rupee? Higher inflation, particularly, if it is comparatively higher than India’s peers, is generally negative for the currency as it reflects devaluation through oversupply. Inflation also increases the cost of exports, leading to more Rupees being sold to purchase foreign imports, which is Rupee-negative. At the same time, higher inflation usually leads to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates and this can be positive for the Rupee, due to increased demand from international investors. The opposite effect is true of lower inflation.  

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yishimasa Hayashi said on Thursday, he “won't rule out any options against excessive currency moves.” On Wednesday, Hayashi said that he is “closely watching FX moves.” .

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yishimasa Hayashi said on Thursday, he “won't rule out any options against excessive currency moves.” On Wednesday, Hayashi said that he is “closely watching FX moves.”Related readsJapanese Yen edges lower against USD, languishes near Wednesday’s 34-year lowBoJ’s Summary of Opinions: YCC, negative rate, and other massive stimulus tools have accomplished their roles

The Japanese Yen (JPY) struggles to capitalize on the previous day's modest recovery against its American counterpart from the lowest level since 1990 and edges lower during the Asian session on Thursday.

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Speculations that Japanese authorities may soon intervene in the markets to support the domestic currency prompted traders to lighten their bearish bets around the JPY on Wednesday. That said, the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) cautious approach and uncertain outlook for future rate hikes caps any further JPY appreciating move.  The US Dollar (USD), on the other hand, stands tall near the monthly peak in the wake of Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller's hawkish remarks on Wednesday. This turns out to be another factor that assists the USD/JPY pair to attract some dip-buying, though the upside seems limited as traders might wait for more cues about the Fed's policy path. Hence, the focus will remain glued to the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index – the Fed's preferred inflation gauge – due for release on Friday.  Daily Digest Market Movers: Japanese Yen continues to be undermined by BoJ’s cautious outlook Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda said on Wednesday that he won't rule out any steps to respond to disorderly FX moves and provided a modest lift to the Japanese Yen.  Japan's top monetary officials met to discuss the rapidly weakening currency and suggested that they were ready to intervene to stop disorderly and speculative moves in the currency. The JPY recovery lacks follow-through in the wake of the Bank of Japan's dovish tone, indicating that accommodative financial conditions will be maintained for an extended period. The view was echoed by BoJ Board Member Tamura Naoki, adding that the bank will guide monetary policy appropriately in accordance with the economic, price, and financial developments. The overnight hawkish comments by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller cooled rate cut hopes, lifting the US Dollar closer to the monthly top and lending support to the USD/JPY pair.  Waller said that hotter-than-expected inflation readings in recent months and the current resilience in the US economy give the Fed substantial headroom to keep rates higher for longer. Traders, however, seem reluctant to place aggressive directional bets and prefer to wait for the release of the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index on Friday. The crucial inflation data will play a key role in influencing expectations about the Fed's rate cut path, which, in turn, will drive the USD and provide a fresh impetus to the currency pair. In the meantime, Thursday's US economic docket – featuring the final Q4 GDP print, Weekly Initial Jobless Claims and Pending Home Sales – might produce short-term opportunities. Technical Analysis: USD/JPY bulls need to wait for move beyond 152.00 before placing fresh bets From a technical perspective, any subsequent move up might continue to confront stiff resistance and remain capped near the 152.00 mark. The said handle should act as a key pivotal point, which if cleared decisively will be seen as a fresh trigger for bullish traders. Given that oscillators on the daily chart are holding in the positive territory, the USD/JPY pair might then prolong its well-established uptrend witnessed since January 2023 and climb further towards the 153.00 round figure. On the flip side, the overnight swing low, around the 151.00 mark, now seems to protect the immediate downside. Any further decline is more likely to attract fresh buyers and remain limited near the 150.25 support zone. This is closely followed by the 150.00 psychological mark, which, if broken decisively, could make the USD/JPY pair vulnerable to accelerate the corrective decline further towards the 149.35-149.30 region en route to the 149.00 round figure.   Japanese Yen FAQs What key factors drive the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. How do the decisions of the Bank of Japan impact the Japanese Yen? One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The current BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy, based on massive stimulus to the economy, has caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process has exacerbated more recently due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which have opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? The BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supports a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favors the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.  

The ASX 200 Index rises to nearly 7,900, up by 0.26% on Thursday, extending gains to new record highs.

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Positive market sentiment is bolstered by subdued Consumer Inflation Expectations and Retail Sales figures from Australia, which raise expectations of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) adopting a more accommodative approach to interest rates. Furthermore, Wednesday's release of the Australian Monthly Consumer Price Index, which was lower than anticipated, lent further support to the Australian stock market. Australia’s consumer expectations of future inflation during the next 12 months increased by 4.3% in March, lower than the previous increase of 4.5%. The seasonally adjusted Retail Sales increased by 0.3% month-over-month in February, against the expected 0.4% and 1.1% prior. The ASX 200 Index surged, driven by strong performances in mining stocks, buoyed by rising prices of gold, iron ore, and lithium. Among the top gainers were Arcadium Lithium, which soared by 10.20% to 4.43; Alumina, which saw a rise of 5.60% to 1.42; and Whitehaven Coal, which increased by 5.27% to 7.10. On the other side, Xero experienced a decline of 1.09% to 132.43; Audinate Group fell by 0.75% to 21.24; and Tabcorp Holdings dipped by 1.05% to 0.76. Allup Silica has expanded its potential applications with promising results from its Sparkler project in southern Western Australia, where bulk sample tests of high-purity silica have surpassed industry standards. This positions the product well for various high-purity applications, including photovoltaics and high-tech manufacturing. Terra Uranium is enhancing its Canadian exploration and development endeavors by finalizing a binding letter of intent for the acquisition of the Amer Lake uranium deposit in Nunavut. This move follows Terra's recent acquisition of two new 100%-owned projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin. AIC Mines, a copper producer, has reported a significant 86% increase in ore reserves at its Jericho copper deposit, located south of its Eloise high-grade underground copper mine in Queensland. The revised reserve estimate now stands at 3.2 million tonnes grading 1.9% copper and 0.4 grams per tonne of Gold, amounting to 61,100 tonnes of copper and 37,000 ounces of Gold.   Australian Stock Market FAQs Which are the main stock market indexes in Australia? Stock markets in Australia are managed by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), headquartered in Sydney. The main indices are the S&P/ASX 200 and the S&P/ASX 300, which track the performance of the 200 and 300 largest stocks by market capitalization listed on the exchange, respectively. The S&P/ASX 200 was launched in April 2000, and it is rebalanced every quarter. Which firms are the biggest contributors to the Australian stock market? Almost half of the index belongs to the financial sector, with major banks like the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac or National Australia Bank. The so-called materials sector is also relevant – comprising almost 20% of the weighting in the index – with mining giants such as BHP Group or Rio Tinto. Other important sectors are biotechnology, real estate, consumer staples, and industrials. What factors drive the ASX 200? Many different factors drive the ASX 200, but mainly it is the aggregate performance of the component companies revealed in their quarterly and annual earnings reports the main factor behind its performance. Commodity prices can also affect the index given its significant share of mining companies. Macroeconomic data such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, inflation, or unemployment data from Australia is also important as they are indicators of the health of the country’s economy and thus the profitability of its largest companies. Global economic conditions may also play a role, particularly from China, as the Asian country is Australia’s largest trading partner. How do the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decisions affect the Australian stock market? The level of interest rates in Australia, set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), also influences the ASX 200 and ASX 300 indexes as it affects the cost of credit, on which many firms are heavily reliant. Generally, when the RBA cuts interest rates (or signals it is going to do it), it is positive for the Australian stock market as it means a lower cost of credit for companies and higher economic growth ahead, likely boosting sales. On the contrary, if the RBA signals that it will increase interest rates, this tends to weigh on the index. As always, there is a caveat: banks. Financial institutions tend to benefit from higher interest rates because they earn more from lending to other businesses, thus boosting their overall income.  

On Thursday, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.0948 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.0946 and 7.2259 Reuters estimates.

On Thursday, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.0948 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.0946 and 7.2259 Reuters estimates.

Western Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $81.50 on Wednesday.

TI trades on a softer note near $81.50 on Thursday. The high-for-longer rate narrative from the Fed boosts the US Dollar. US crude oil inventories rose by 3.165 million barrels for the week ending March 22 from a decline of 1.952 million barrels. Western Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $81.50 on Wednesday. WTI prices edge lower amid the recovery of the US Dollar (USD) and a surprise jump in U.S. crude and gasoline stocks.

The hawkish comments from US Federal Reserve (Fed) policymaker early Thursday lift the Greenback across the board. The Fed Governor Christopher Waller, one of the most hawkish Fed officials, said that the US central bank is not in a hurry to lower the benchmark interest rate and may need to retain the current rate target for longer than previously expected. A firmer USD weighs on WTI prices as it makes dollar-denominated oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, dampening oil demand.

Additionally, US crude oil inventories rose by 3.165 million barrels for the week ending March 22 from a decline of 1.952 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). A surprise US crude inventories build also contributed to the pressure on WTI prices.

On the other hand, the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine could raise the fear of tighter global supply and cap the downside of WTI prices. Ukraine has been striking Russia's oil infrastructure since the start of the conflict but intensified its attacks in late 2023. There have been seven drone attacks this month alone, and experts estimate that the disruptions have impacted almost 12% of Russia's total oil processing capacity.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) decided to extend output cuts of around 2.2 million bpd until the end of June. OPEC+ is expected to affirm its production cuts policy until a full ministerial meeting in June. 

Oil traders will watch the US Gross Domestic Product Annualized (GDP) for the fourth quarter (Q4) on Thursday, which is estimated to remain steady at 3.2%. On Friday, the US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) data for February and Fed’s Powell will be in the spotlight. 

  WTI US OIL Overview Today last price 81.5 Today Daily Change 0.01 Today Daily Change % 0.01 Today daily open 81.49   Trends Daily SMA20 79.78 Daily SMA50 77.63 Daily SMA100 75.65 Daily SMA200 78.56   Levels Previous Daily High 81.51 Previous Daily Low 80.35 Previous Weekly High 83.05 Previous Weekly Low 80.24 Previous Monthly High 79.27 Previous Monthly Low 71.46 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 81.07 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 80.79 Daily Pivot Point S1 80.72 Daily Pivot Point S2 79.96 Daily Pivot Point S3 79.56 Daily Pivot Point R1 81.89 Daily Pivot Point R2 82.28 Daily Pivot Point R3 83.05    

Australia’s Retail Sales, a measure of the country’s consumer spending, dropped 0.3% MoM in February from the previous reading of a 1.1% rise, according to the official data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Australia’s Retail Sales, a measure of the country’s consumer spending, dropped 0.3% MoM in February from the previous reading of a 1.1% rise, according to the official data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday. The figure came in weaker than market expectations with an increase of 0.4%.Market reactionFollowing the downbeat Australia’s Retail Sales data, the AUD/USD pair is down 0.11% on the day at 0.6527.   Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.  

Australia Private Sector Credit (YoY) rose from previous 4.9% to 5% in February

Australia Private Sector Credit (MoM) rose from previous 0.4% to 0.5% in February

Australia Retail Sales s.a. (MoM) below forecasts (0.4%) in February: Actual (0.3%)

Bank of Japan (BoJ) published the Summary of Opinions from its March monetary policy meeting on March 18 and 19, with the key findings noted below.

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“One member said BoJ must guide monetary policy using short-term rate as main policy means, in accordance to economic, price, and financial developments.”

“One member said shifting to 'normal' monetary easing is possible without causing short-term shocks, may have a positive impact on the economy in medium-, long-term perspective.”

“One member said chance of policy shift causing big market volatility is small.”

“One member said future policy guidance very important so that BoJ can slowly but steadily proceed with policy normalization.”

“One member said appropriate to give some room for allowance in BoJ's bond buying operation.”

“One member said appropriate to revise policy after confirming that smaller firms are able to sufficiently hike wages.”

“One member said ending YCC and negative rate simultaneously could cause disruption in long-term rate, financial environment.”

“One member said changing policy now could delay achievement of BoJ's price target.”

“One member said important to make use of expected outcome from BoJ's policy review in future policy guidance.”

“One member said Japan's low natural rate of interest, lagged effect of monetary policy may be behind slow recovery pace of economy.”

“One member said virtuous cycle between wages and prices has become more solid.”

“One member said highly likely that mechanism behind price developments will be consistent with price target.”Market reactionFollowing the BoJ’s Summary of Opinions, the USD/JPY pair is losing 0.02% on the day to trade at 151.30, as of writing.   Bank of Japan FAQs What is the Bank of Japan? The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the Japanese central bank, which sets monetary policy in the country. Its mandate is to issue banknotes and carry out currency and monetary control to ensure price stability, which means an inflation target of around 2%. What has been the Bank of Japan’s policy? The Bank of Japan has embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy since 2013 in order to stimulate the economy and fuel inflation amid a low-inflationary environment. The bank’s policy is based on Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE), or printing notes to buy assets such as government or corporate bonds to provide liquidity. In 2016, the bank doubled down on its strategy and further loosened policy by first introducing negative interest rates and then directly controlling the yield of its 10-year government bonds. How do Bank of Japan’s decisions influence the Japanese Yen? The Bank’s massive stimulus has caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process has exacerbated more recently due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which have opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy of holding down rates has led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. Is the Bank of Japan’s ultra-loose policy likely to change soon? A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices have led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which has exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. Still, the Bank judges that the sustainable and stable achievement of the 2% target has not yet come in sight, so any sudden change in the current policy looks unlikely.  

Australia Consumer Inflation Expectations declined to 4.3% in March from previous 4.5%

New Zealand ANZ Business Confidence declined to 22.9 in March from previous 34.7

Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks up to ¥-891.4B in March 22 from previous ¥-1461.6B

The GBP/USD pair attracts some sellers to 1.2614 after retreating from a daily high of 1.2640 during the early Asian session on Thursday.

GBP/USD remains under pressure around 1.2614 following hawkish comments from Fed’s official on Thursday. Fed’s Waller said there is no rush to cut the rate and may need to maintain the current rate for longer than expected.The dovish comments from BoE’s Bailey about rate cuts weigh on GBP. Investors will focus on the BoE's Mann speech, final UK Q4 GDP, and US GDP annualized data, due on Thursday. The GBP/USD pair attracts some sellers to 1.2614 after retreating from a daily high of 1.2640 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The sell-off of the major pair is backed by recent hawkish comments from US Federal Reserve (Fed) official, affirming the higher-for-longer stance and no need to rush the rate cuts.

Early Wednesday, Fed Governor Christopher Waller said that the US central bank is in no rush to cut the benchmark rate and may need to “maintain the current rate target for longer than expected.” Waller emphasized that the Fed is in no rush to cut the policy rate as it’s prudent to hold its restrictive stance for longer than previously expected to bring down inflation to the 2% target. His hawkish comments boost the Greenback higher to 104.45 and weigh on the major pair. 

On the other hand, the Bank of England (BoE) held the interest rate unchanged at 5.25% for the fifth meeting in a row last week. The UK central bank turned dovish on the interest rate outlook, and this has exerted some selling pressure on the Pound Sterling (GBP). The BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said that interest rate cuts will be ‘in play’ at future BoE policy meetings.

Market players will monitor the speech by BoE's C. Mann and the final UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth numbers for Q4 on Thursday. Any dovish comments from the BoE policymaker or the weaker-than-expected GDP number might extend the selling pressure on the GBP. On the US docket, the GDP annualized number, the weekly Initial Jobless Claims and the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index will be due later in the day.  GBP/USD Overview Today last price 1.2618 Today Daily Change -0.0010 Today Daily Change % -0.08 Today daily open 1.2628   Trends Daily SMA20 1.272 Daily SMA50 1.268 Daily SMA100 1.2645 Daily SMA200 1.2591   Levels Previous Daily High 1.2668 Previous Daily Low 1.2622 Previous Weekly High 1.2804 Previous Weekly Low 1.2575 Previous Monthly High 1.2773 Previous Monthly Low 1.2518 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.264 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.2651 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.2611 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.2594 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.2565 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.2657 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.2686 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.2703  
 

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Vice President Martin Schlegel said late Wednesday, repeating the SNB’s longstanding position as regards the Swiss Franc (CHF).

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“The National Bank monitors the exchange rate closely and intervenes in the foreign-exchange market as necessary.”Market reactionAt the time of press, the USD/CHF pair was up 0.15% on the day at 0.9050.   

    SNB FAQs What is the Swiss National Bank? The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is the country’s central bank. As an independent central bank, its mandate is to ensure price stability in the medium and long term. To ensure price stability, the SNB aims to maintain appropriate monetary conditions, which are determined by the interest rate level and exchange rates. For the SNB, price stability means a rise in the Swiss Consumer Price Index (CPI) of less than 2% per year. How does the Swiss National Bank interest-rate policy affect the Swiss Franc? The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Governing Board decides the appropriate level of its policy rate according to its price stability objective. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame excessive price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF. Does the Swiss National Bank intervene in the forex market? Yes. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has regularly intervened in the foreign exchange market in order to avoid the Swiss Franc (CHF) appreciating too much against other currencies. A strong CHF hurts the competitiveness of the country’s powerful export sector. Between 2011 and 2015, the SNB implemented a peg to the Euro to limit the CHF advance against it. The bank intervenes in the market using its hefty foreign exchange reserves, usually by buying foreign currencies such as the US Dollar or the Euro. During episodes of high inflation, particularly due to energy, the SNB refrains from intervening markets as a strong CHF makes energy imports cheaper, cushioning the price shock for Swiss households and businesses. When does the Swiss National Bank Governing Council decide on monetary policy? The SNB meets once a quarter – in March, June, September and December – to conduct its monetary policy assessment. Each of these assessments results in a monetary policy decision and the publication of a medium-term inflation forecast.  

The Australian Dollar finished Wednesday’s session virtually unchanged against the US Dollar following the Aussie’s inflation report and a scarce economic docket in the United States (US).

AUD/USD falls following Federal Reserve Governor Waller's hawkish remarks on interest rates.Australian inflation remains steady at 3.4% YoY as traders digest implications for RBA’s monetary policy.Upcoming Australian Housing Credit and Retail Sales data eyed for further insight into domestic economic conditions.The Australian Dollar finished Wednesday’s session virtually unchanged against the US Dollar following the Aussie’s inflation report and a scarce economic docket in the United States (US). Nevertheless, hawkish comments by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller tumbled the AUD/USD as the Asian session began and traded at 0.6524, down 0.14%. Australian Dollar adjusts to Fed's rate expectations and domestic inflation figures Waller commented at a speech that rates need to be higher for longer than expected and the need to see more inflation progress before supporting a rate cut. He sees the beginning of the easing cycle in 2024, though he suggests the need to see back-to-back months of inflation data heading to 2%. Wall Street finished the session mixed, while US Treasury yields tumbled and the Greenback stood flat at 104.29. The US economic docket was empty on Wednesday. Conversely, Australia’s economic calendar revealed that February’s inflation hit 3.4% YoY for the third straight month. Up next, Housing Credit data for February will be released following Januar’s print of 0.4% MoM. Alongside that, Retail Sales for the same period are expected to slow from 1.1% to 0.4% MoM. AUD/USD Price Analysis: Technical outlook After Waller’s remarks, the AUD/USD pushed far below the 200-day moving average (DMA) of 0.6547, with the pair aiming to challenge Wednesday’s lows of 0.6511. Further weakness will drive the pair to test 0.6500, followed by the March 5 low of 0.6477, ahead of the February 13 low of 0.6442. Otherwise if buyers reclaim the confluence of the 200-DMA and the 50-DMA, that could open the door to challenge the 100-DMA at 0.6592.AUD/USD Overview Today last price 0.6524 Today Daily Change -0.0009 Today Daily Change % -0.14 Today daily open 0.6533   Trends Daily SMA20 0.6558 Daily SMA50 0.6551 Daily SMA100 0.6595 Daily SMA200 0.6551   Levels Previous Daily High 0.6559 Previous Daily Low 0.653 Previous Weekly High 0.6634 Previous Weekly Low 0.6504 Previous Monthly High 0.661 Previous Monthly Low 0.6443 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.6541 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.6548 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.6523 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.6512 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.6494 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6551 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6569 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.658    

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Wednesday that recent weak inflation data supports the case for Fed holding off on cutting its short-term interest rate target, per Reuters.

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“Fed may need to maintain current rate target for longer than expected.”

“Needs to see more inflation progress before supporting rate cut.”“Needs at least a couple of months of data to be sure inflation heading to 2%.”

“Still expects Fed to cut rates later this year.”

“Economy’s strength gives Fed space to take stock of data.”

“Data suggests fewer rate cuts possible this year.”

“Economy is growing at a healthy pace.”

“Despite progress on inflation, recent data has been disappointing.”

“Data has showed mixed messages on jobs front.”

“Fed has made a lot of progress lowering inflation.”

“Wage pressures have been easing.”

“Unsure productivity will keep at current strong pace.”Market reaction The US Dollar Index attracts some buyers following the above hawkish comments. The DXY is trading 0.11% higher on the day at 104.40, as of writing.   Fed FAQs What does the Federal Reserve do, how does it impact the US Dollar? Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback. How often does the Fed hold monetary policy meetings? The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it impact USD? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening (QT) and how does it impact the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.  

The NZD/USD pair is operating at around 0.6000 with losses, The market landscape is primarily dominated by sellers, underscored by a prevailing negative trend.

Rising seller traction is prevalent in the daily chart with the RSI deep in the negative area.The hourly chart signals a potential shift toward short-term bullish correction.The overall trend continues to be tilted to the downside.The NZD/USD pair is operating at around 0.6000 with losses, The market landscape is primarily dominated by sellers, underscored by a prevailing negative trend. The pair resides below the important 20, 100, and 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), emphasizing the strong presence of sellers. However, the hourly chart has clues for a potential short-term bullish reversal. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillates within the negative territory on the daily chart. at 35 near the oversold area, underscoring the prominence of sellers in the market. Concurrently, the predominance of flat red bars in the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram affirms this negative momentum. NZD/USD daily chart Switching to the hourly chart, the RSI moved towards its middle point but then retreated towards 40, implying a modest bias towards the buyers. In addition, the MACD histogram prints green bars which offer additional evidence of buyers gathering momentum. NZD/USD hourly chart Overall, the current dynamics of the NZD/USD pair infer a predominantly negative momentum. Nevertheless, the recovering indicators in the hourly chart point to a possible bullish reversal in the short term. Zooming out, the buyers must make a stride to reclaim the 200-day SMA at 0.6070 to avoid additional losses.   NZD/USD Overview Today last price 0.6004 Today Daily Change 0.0000 Today Daily Change % 0.00 Today daily open 0.6004   Trends Daily SMA20 0.6096 Daily SMA50 0.6111 Daily SMA100 0.6135 Daily SMA200 0.6075   Levels Previous Daily High 0.6032 Previous Daily Low 0.5995 Previous Weekly High 0.6107 Previous Weekly Low 0.5989 Previous Monthly High 0.6219 Previous Monthly Low 0.6037 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.6018 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.6009 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.5989 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.5973 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.5952 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6026 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6047 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6063    
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