EUR/USD pared away further losses on Monday, rising nearly two-thirds of a percent as markets ease off the Greenback gas pedal and give the Euro a chance to come up for air. Except for a midweek appearance from European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde on Wednesday, the economic calendar remains tepid until Friday’s global rolling release of Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) figures due on both sides of the pond.
Euro markets will be sent adrift of general market flows until Wednesday, when ECB President Lagarde appears on Wednesday to deliver the opening remarks at the ECB’s Conference on Financial Stability and Macroprudential Policy. The ECB is currently caught between a rock and a hard place as European inflation continues to hold stickier than European policymakers had initially expected, and the broader European economy continues to tilt lopsided.
The rest of this week’s economic calendar remains a tepid affair on both sides of the Atlantic, though Fiber traders will be keeping their heads low on Friday when S&P PMI business activity forecasts land during both the European and US market sessions. European Manufacturing PMI figures are expected to hold steady at 46.0 MoM, with the European Services PMI component forecast to rise to 51.8 from 51.6. On the US side, overall PMIs are broadly expected to rise, with Manufacturing expected to increase to 48.8 in November from 48.5, and Services expected to tick higher to 55.2 from 55.0.
EUR/USD tilted into the bullish side on Monday, reaching for the 1.0600 handle after the pair dug in its heels late last week near 1.0500. The pair still remains buried deep in bear country, with price action stuck far below the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.0884.
Fiber found a meager bounce from its lowest prices in over a year, after falling near 6.5% from September’s peaks just north of the 1.1200 handle. With the pair steeply off of its highs, a continued recovery is likely to run into technical resistance between 1.0700 and 1.0800.
The Euro is the currency for the 19 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%).
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.
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.
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.
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 AUD/USD pair trades flat near 0.6505 amid the consolidation of the US Dollar (USD) during the early Asian session on Tuesday. Investors will monitor the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Meeting Minutes, which is due later on Tuesday.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the USD against a basket of currencies, currently trades around 106.20 after retreating from a more than one-year high last week of 107.07. The Greenback struggles to gain ground as the Trump trade seems to lose momentum. However, the stronger US economic data and cautious remarks from the Federal Reserve (Fed) might cap the downside for the USD in the near term.
In a light week for US economic data, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index climbed to 46.0 in November, the highest since April, from 43.0 in October, beating the estimation of 44.0.
On the Aussie front, Donald Trump has threatened to implement 60% tariffs on exports from China as he seeks to protect US companies and jobs. The likely negative spillovers from Trump’s policies might drag the Australian Dollar (AUD) lower as China is a major trading partner of Australia.
Investors brace for the RBA Meeting Minutes for more cues on future interest rates. The hawkish tone about the inflationary outlook for the Australian economy could lift the Aussie against the USD for the time being.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
GBP/USD climbed 0.5% on Monday, kicking off the fresh trading week with a bullish recovery that ended a six-day losing streak and paring back recent losses to send price action back toward the 1.2700 handle. Gains in Cable bids are owing more to a general easing in one-sided Greenback momentum than any intrinsic strength in the Pound Sterling, with GBP traders hunkering down for this week’s fresh update in UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figures.
It was a quiet start to the trading week with a limited economic data docket on Monday. Markets twisted into risk appetite recovery mode, easing bullish pressures that have bolstered the US Dollar across the board in recent weeks.
The Bank of England (BoE) will warm up Cable action on Tuesday with the UK central bank’s latest Monetary Policy Report Hearings slated for Tuesday, but GBP traders will be focusing on Wednesday’s UK CPI print for October. Markets forecast annualized UK CPI inflation to accelerate to 2.2% YoY in October from the previous print of 1.7%, while core UK CPI is expected to hold steady at 3.2% YoY.
Markets are getting a nice breather from high-impact US economic data this week, though Cable traders will be keeping an eye out for Friday’s UK Retail Sales update, as well as S&P Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) figures due on both sides of the pond to wrap up the trading week.
The Pound Sterling dug in its heels and recovered a meager 0.5% on Monday, but cumulative losses still see Cable mired in bear country south of the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 1.2850.
GBP/USD tapped multi-month lows at the 1.2600 handle last Friday, in a complete reversal of the pair’s multi-year highs set in September of this year. The pair shed 6.25% top-to-bottom from September’s peak at 1.3434, and a near-term bullish bounce could see a fresh round of short positions collecting between 1.2700 and 1.2800.
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, also known as ‘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).
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.
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.
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.
Silver prices soar late in the New York session, trading with gains of over 3% at around $31.16 after bouncing off daily lows of $30.24. A weak US Dollar and falling US Treasury yields augmented appetite for precious metals, which halted their slide after the US Presidential Election.
Silver’s uptrend remains intact despite trading below the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $31.54. Although it has printed a lower low beneath the October 8 swing low of $30.13, sellers need the grey’s metal price to stay below the 50-day SMA. If that’s not achieved, the next resistance would be $32.00, followed by the October 4 peak at $32.95. On further strength, $33.00 would be up next.
On the other hand, XAG/USD is slumping below $30.13, and sellers are in charge. The next support would be $30.00, followed by the Intermediate support seen at $27.69, the September 6 low.
Oscillators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) remain bearishly biased, though in the short term, some upside is seen.
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
Gold price rallied over 1.80% at the beginning of the week and climbed above $2,600 after falling to a two-month low of $2,536. An escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, along with a weak US Dollar, opened the door for Gold’s leg up on Monday. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades at $2,610.
Wall Street sentiment is mixed. Two of the four largest US equity indices trade with gains, while the other two fluctuate. Geopolitics continued to drive the bullion’s price action after Russia’s massive attack on Ukraine triggered a reaction by the White House.
Recently, two officials revealed that US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine's use of long-range missiles inside Russia, CNN revealed. The decision comes as a reaction to thousands of North Korean troops being deployed in support of Moscow’s war effort.
This weighed on the Greenback, which, according to the US Dollar Index (DXY) that tracks the buck's performance against a basket of six currencies, dropped some 0.38% to 106.27.
Nevertheless, former US President Donald Trump’s victory bolstered the Greenback on fears that tariffs and lower taxes are seen as potential drivers of inflation and might slow the Fed’s easing cycle.
The Fed is expected to lower borrowing costs for the third straight meeting in December. Nevertheless, recent data has witnessed investors trimming the odds from an 82% chance of an imminent cut of 25 basis points (bps) to 62%, according to CME FedWatch Tool data.
Ahead of this week, the US economic schedule will feature housing data, Initial Jobless Claims, S&P Global Flash PMIs, and the University of Michigan (UoM) final reading of Consumer Sentiment for November.
Gold price resumed its upside as expected, following November 14, once a ‘hammer’ was formed, which opened the door for a rebound. Once XAU/USD has risen above the October 10 swing low of $2,603, buyers emerged and eyed the 50-day SMA at $2,653, with further resistance around $2,700. Exceeding this could pave the way to the November 7 high of $2,710.
On the other hand, further losses are seen below the November 14 swing low of $2,536, but firstly, traders will face the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $2,547. Once those two levels are taken, Gold’s next support would be $2,500.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved away from its neutral line, indicating bearish momentum that could lead to further declines in XAU/USD.
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.
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.
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.
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 Canadian Dollar (CAD) tiled into the bullish side for the first time in over a week on Monday, kicking off the trading week’s chart action with a meager bullish recovery against the Greenback. Market flows are less about bidding up the Loonie than they are taking a breather from one-sided US Dollar buying, and sustained recovery momentum is unlikely to build underneath the CAD’s tattered wings.
Canada is set to release its first batch of impactful economic data in over a week on Tuesday. Headline Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figures for October are expected to accelerate on an annualized basis. The Bank of Canada (BoC) will also be releasing it’s own special version of Canadian CPI, but markets are struggling to nail down a forecast for the CPI metric.
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is drifting back into the bullish side against the US Dollar on Monday. However, the Loonie has found itself at the bottom of a very long hole after falling to multi-year lows against the Greenback and sending USD/CAD to 54-month highs late last week.
A slight paring of the pair’s recent peaks is unlikely to spark a sustained move, so bears should be ready to wave goodbye to the prospect of a sustained move lower back into the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 1.3675.
The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive.
The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD.
While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar.
Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.
The US Dollar retreated further and tested three-day lows as the Trump rally seems to have lost some enthusiasm among market participants, although this carries the potential to be only temporary and may open the door to another “buy the dip” move.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) lost further ground and threatened to challenge the key 106.00 support amid lower US yields. Next on tap will be Building Permits, Housing Starts, and the API’s weekly report on US crude oil inventories.
EUR/USD advanced to three-day highs and managed to surpass the key 1.0600 hurdle on the back of the Dollar’s losses. The EMU’s final Inflation Rate takes centre stage seconded by Current Account results, the Labour Cost Index, and the speech by the ECB’s Elderson.
Finally, GBP/USD regained the smile and rose markedly to the proximity of the 1.2700 barrier following six consecutive daily declines.
USD/JPY resumed its uptrend, leaving behind Friday’s deep decline and reclaiming the 155.00 zone and above.
AUD/USD added to Friday’s bounce and manage to reclaim the 0.6500 hurdle in response to the persistent knee-jerk in the US Dollar. The RBA will publish its Minutes of the November 5 meeting.
WTI prices rose markedly and flirted with the key $70.00 mark per barrel on the back of the resurgence of geopolitical concerns in the Russia-Ukraine front.
The weaker Greenback and lower US yields across the board encouraged Gold prices to set aside part of the recent multi-day weakness and revisit the area beyond the $2,600 mark per troy ounce. By the same token, Silver prices surpassed the $31.00 mark per ounce, hitting new five-day highs.
The Mexican Peso appreciated against the US Dollar at the beginning of the week, gaining 0.39% during the North American session. A light economic docket in Mexico and the US keeps traders digesting last week’s Bank of Mexico (Banxico) interest rate cut and US inflation data. The USD/MXN trades at 20.27 at the time of writing.
Last Thursday, Banxico lowered rates by 25 basis points to 10.25% as expected, even though the central bank acknowledged inflation risks are tilted to the upside. The board members also updated their forecast and expect inflation to end at 4.7% in 2024, up from 4.3% in previous forecasts.
In addition, Moody’s changed Mexico’s credit outlook to negative, mentioning constitutional reforms, which they claimed “risks eroding checks and balances of the country’s judiciary system,” which could negatively impact Mexico’s economic and fiscal strength.
The Peso continued to rise for the fourth straight day due to an improvement in risk appetite. US equities climbed, while the Greenback dropped to a three-day low.
In the US, investors continued to assess US President-elect Donald Trump’s inflation-prone policies, which might deter the US Federal Reserve (Fed) from lowering rates.
Despite this, traders expect the Fed to cut rates by 25 basis points, as depicted by the CME FedWatch Tool, with odds standing at 62%. Estimates the US central bank would keep the Fed funds rate unchanged lie at 38%.
The USD/MXN uptrend remains intact with the Peso gaining some territory. If bears want to regain control, they must push the exchange rate below 20.00. A breach of the latter would expose the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 19.75, followed by the psychological 19.50.
For a bullish continuation, the USD/MXN must surpass 20.50, followed by last week’s high at 20.69. If surpassed, the year-to-date (YTD) high of 20.80 emerges as the next ceiling level before testing 21.00. A breach of the latter and the March 8, 2022, peak at 21.46 would emerge as the next resistance.
Oscillators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) are bullish, suggesting a projected further upside in the USD/MXN.
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the most traded currency among its Latin American peers. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Mexican economy, the country’s central bank’s policy, the amount of foreign investment in the country and even the levels of remittances sent by Mexicans who live abroad, particularly in the United States. Geopolitical trends can also move MXN: for example, the process of nearshoring – or the decision by some firms to relocate manufacturing capacity and supply chains closer to their home countries – is also seen as a catalyst for the Mexican currency as the country is considered a key manufacturing hub in the American continent. Another catalyst for MXN is Oil prices as Mexico is a key exporter of the commodity.
The main objective of Mexico’s central bank, also known as Banxico, is to maintain inflation at low and stable levels (at or close to its target of 3%, the midpoint in a tolerance band of between 2% and 4%). To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, Banxico will attempt to tame it by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money, thus cooling demand and the overall economy. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Mexican Peso (MXN) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken MXN.
Macroeconomic data releases are key to assess the state of the economy and can have an impact on the Mexican Peso (MXN) valuation. A strong Mexican economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for MXN. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) to increase interest rates, particularly if this strength comes together with elevated inflation. However, if economic data is weak, MXN is likely to depreciate.
As an emerging-market currency, the Mexican Peso (MXN) tends to strive during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and thus are eager to engage with investments that carry a higher risk. Conversely, MXN tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) held steady on Monday, testing into new weekly lows but overall keeping a tight grip on the 43,450 region. Market sentiment is grappling with a cooling effect that gripped indexes last week following the recent post-election rally.
After several high-impact prints on the economic calendar last week, traders get a chance to catch their breath with the US data docket on the moderate side until S&P Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) figures for November print on Friday. Mid-tier residential construction starts and permits will be reported on Tuesday, with a couple of outings from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials on Wednesday and weekly unemployment benefits claimants on Thursday.
Equities are broadly higher on Monday, with two-thirds of the Dow Jones’ constituent securities climbing from the week’s opening bids. However, losses were concentrated in Nike (NKE) which declined nearly 3% to $74.50 per share. According to analysts, investors are growing concerned that the shoe manufacturer could be looking at downside revisions to guidance in FY 2026 as the footwear giant faces downward pressure from potential US tariffs aimed at China. Tailwinds from an announced increase in Nike cash dividends is getting further crimped by an overall disappointing economic outlook in China.
The Dow Jones index is churning chart paper near 43,450, holding steady near familiar lows despite a brief test into fresh lows earlier Monday, softening an approach back toward the 43,000 handle. Despite early November’s post-election splurge, the Dow has steadily declined, shedding 2.77% top-to-bottom from record highs at 44,485.
Despite a near-term swing into the bearish side, the Dow Jones is holding firmly in the bullish end, trading north of the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). Even if bears maintain control in the immediate window, a one-sided bull run baked into charts since October of 2023 has left price action well north of the 200-day EMA at 40,250.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the oldest stock market indices in the world, is compiled of the 30 most traded stocks in the US. The index is price-weighted rather than weighted by capitalization. It is calculated by summing the prices of the constituent stocks and dividing them by a factor, currently 0.152. The index was founded by Charles Dow, who also founded the Wall Street Journal. In later years it has been criticized for not being broadly representative enough because it only tracks 30 conglomerates, unlike broader indices such as the S&P 500.
Many different factors drive the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). The aggregate performance of the component companies revealed in quarterly company earnings reports is the main one. US and global macroeconomic data also contributes as it impacts on investor sentiment. The level of interest rates, set by the Federal Reserve (Fed), also influences the DJIA as it affects the cost of credit, on which many corporations are heavily reliant. Therefore, inflation can be a major driver as well as other metrics which impact the Fed decisions.
Dow Theory is a method for identifying the primary trend of the stock market developed by Charles Dow. A key step is to compare the direction of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Dow Jones Transportation Average (DJTA) and only follow trends where both are moving in the same direction. Volume is a confirmatory criteria. The theory uses elements of peak and trough analysis. Dow’s theory posits three trend phases: accumulation, when smart money starts buying or selling; public participation, when the wider public joins in; and distribution, when the smart money exits.
There are a number of ways to trade the DJIA. One is to use ETFs which allow investors to trade the DJIA as a single security, rather than having to buy shares in all 30 constituent companies. A leading example is the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA). DJIA futures contracts enable traders to speculate on the future value of the index and Options provide the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the index at a predetermined price in the future. Mutual funds enable investors to buy a share of a diversified portfolio of DJIA stocks thus providing exposure to the overall index.
The GBP/USD fluctuates, yet it remains virtually unchanged at the beginning of the week as UK traders await the release of UK inflation figures and Retail Sales data. In the meantime, aside from Fed speakers, a scarce economic docket in the US might pave the way for some consolidation on the major. The pair trades at 1.2628, flat.
The breach of the August 8 daily low of 1.2664 opened the door for further GBP&USD downside. Although the pair has reclaimed the 1.2600 figure, sellers remain in charge. If bears push the exchange rate below 1.2600, the next support would be a November 15 swing low of 1.2596. Once surpassed, the next stop would be the May 9 low of .12445.
On the other hand, if GBP/USD climbs past the November 15 high of 1.2696, 1.2700 will follow. Further upside is seen above 1.2800, with the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) standing at the crucial support level of 1.2817.
Oscillators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) give buyers the upper hand in the short term. However, the RSI remains bearish below its neutral line, putting a lid on GBP/USD upside.
The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies today. British Pound was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.
USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USD | -0.28% | -0.09% | 0.40% | -0.16% | -0.23% | 0.09% | -0.25% | |
EUR | 0.28% | 0.34% | 0.77% | 0.22% | 0.20% | 0.48% | 0.14% | |
GBP | 0.09% | -0.34% | 0.45% | -0.11% | -0.14% | 0.14% | -0.21% | |
JPY | -0.40% | -0.77% | -0.45% | -0.57% | -0.57% | -0.26% | -0.58% | |
CAD | 0.16% | -0.22% | 0.11% | 0.57% | -0.05% | 0.25% | -0.09% | |
AUD | 0.23% | -0.20% | 0.14% | 0.57% | 0.05% | 0.29% | -0.05% | |
NZD | -0.09% | -0.48% | -0.14% | 0.26% | -0.25% | -0.29% | -0.33% | |
CHF | 0.25% | -0.14% | 0.21% | 0.58% | 0.09% | 0.05% | 0.33% |
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 British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).
The NZD/USD pair struggles to hold the immediate support of 0.5850 in the North American trading session on Monday. The Kiwi pair sees more downside as the US Dollar (USD) performs strongly across the board on expectations that the economic agenda of President-elected Donald Trump will boost inflationary pressures and spurt the overall growth.
Historically, the Federal Reserve (Fed) tends to slowdown its policy-easing cycle in a high-inflation environment.
Meanwhile, Fed Chair Jerome Powell also delivered slightly hawkish remarks in his speech at Federal Bank of Dallas event on Thursday. Jerome Powell said that the economy is not sending any signals that should compel the Fed to cut interest rates aggressively. However, he reiterated that the disinflation trend towards the bank’s target of 2% is intact and is allowing the central bank to push Federal Funds rate towards the neutral setting.
Powell refrained from providing any economic projections for the period when Trump will administer the office. Powell said, "I think it's too early to reach judgments here." He added, "We don't really know what policies will be put in place."
In the New Zealand region, the Producer Price Index (PPI) grew faster-than-expected in the third quarter of the year but failed to dent market expectations for more larger-than-usual interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ). The PPI for output surprisingly accelerated to 1.5% from 1.1% in the second quarter of the year. Economists expected the producer inflation to have grown at a slower pace of 0.9%.
The RBNZ reduced its Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points (bps) to 4.75% last month and is expected to do the same in its monetary policy meeting on November 27.
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair.
Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate.
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is flat on the session, Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
“BoE MPC member Greene is speaking on the inflation outlook later today and UK markets are focused on Wednesday’s CPI data for clues on the near-term policy outlook. Swaps are pricing in only limited (3-4bps) of easing risk for the December 19th BoE decision.”
“GBP is steady on the session but the risk or more short-term losses will grow on a break under 1-year trend line support at 1.2575 currently. Resistance is 1.2700.”
The Euro recovered some ground versus the British Pound on Monday as traders digested the latest UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report, which hinted the economy is slowing down. The EUR/GBP trades at 0.8359, up by 0.11%.
The EUR/GBP extended its gains past the psychological 0.8350 area, though buyers remain unable to crack 0.8400. Additionally, sellers leaning to the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 0.8360 keep the cross pair from reaching 0.84 despite printing a daily peak of 0.8373.
If bulls clear 0.8373 and 0.84, the next stop would be the 100-day SMA at 0.8413. A breach of the latter will expose the 200-DMA at 0.8475.
Conversely, if EUR/GBP retreats below 0.8350, the first support would be the November 14 low of 0.8306. Once surpassed, the next floor would be the November 11 swing low of 0.8260.
Oscillators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggest bulls are gathering momentu, as the RSI cleared its neutral line, turning bullish.
The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.
USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USD | -0.24% | -0.05% | 0.43% | -0.04% | -0.05% | 0.28% | -0.23% | |
EUR | 0.24% | 0.36% | 0.77% | 0.32% | 0.35% | 0.64% | 0.14% | |
GBP | 0.05% | -0.36% | 0.43% | -0.05% | -0.02% | 0.27% | -0.24% | |
JPY | -0.43% | -0.77% | -0.43% | -0.48% | -0.41% | -0.09% | -0.58% | |
CAD | 0.04% | -0.32% | 0.05% | 0.48% | 0.01% | 0.32% | -0.18% | |
AUD | 0.05% | -0.35% | 0.02% | 0.41% | -0.01% | 0.29% | -0.21% | |
NZD | -0.28% | -0.64% | -0.27% | 0.09% | -0.32% | -0.29% | -0.50% | |
CHF | 0.23% | -0.14% | 0.24% | 0.58% | 0.18% | 0.21% | 0.50% |
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 US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).
ECB Governor Makhlouf said he believed a ‘prudent and cautious’ approach to policy setting was appropriate which suggests he is not in favour of a bolder rate cut at the December policy decision, Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
“There are a few more ECB speaks on tap today—including President Lagarde. Swaps are pricing in around 30bps of easing at the December 12th decision so some recalibration of rate cut expectations could give the EUR a little support in the short run but it is marginal and the broader USD trend remains strongly bullish. Scope for EUR rebounds is limited for now.”
“The EUR is little changed on the session and short-term trading patterns have slipped into a sideways consolidation range. Price action reflects better EUR selling pressure on minor gains, however. Broader trends are EUR-bearish and key support sits just below the market at 1.0448 (2023 low).”
“A further lurch lower in the EUR is likely to develop on a break under there. Resistance is 1.0600/50.”
The USD/JPY recovers sharply from 155.00 in Monday’s North American session after a sharp correction on Friday. The asset bounces back as investors doubt the capability of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to hike interest rates again in the near term.
In a meeting with business leaders in Nagoya, BoJ Governor Kazua Ueda kept hopes of more rate hikes alive by saying that the central bank will tighten the monetary policy further if the economy performs in line with its expectations. Ueda mentioned that the central bank is evaluating every factor including the risk associated with the United States (US) economy.
However, Ueda stayed vague on providing a specific timing for rate cuts, which forced traders to doubt BoJ’s ability to increase interest rates further.
Meanwhile, expectations of Japan’s intervention in the FX domain could offer some support to the Japanese Yen (JPY). On Friday, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato warned of possible intervention if the yen fell too far and too fast.
The US Dollar (USD) performs strongly across the board as market participants expect interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (Fed) would be slower and shallow. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges Greenback’s value against six major currencies, clings to gains near 107.00, the highest level seen in more than a year.
Fed dovish bets have been eased as investors expect the economic agenda of President-elected Donald Trump to result in higher inflation and stronger economic growth.
This week, investors will pay close attention to the preliminary S&P Global PMI data for November, which will be published on Friday.
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.
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 BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen.
Over the last decade, 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 supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential.
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 Canadian Dollar (CAD) is little changed to start the week. There is no incentive to push the CAD higher at this point while yield differentials remain so favourable for the USD so stability or, more likely, more CAD softness are the only alternatives for spot trends in the short run, Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
“Spot is sitting close to estimated fair value today (1.4122). Note that BoC rate cuts have rekindled the domestic housing market. October home sales rose 7.7% over September to reach the highest level in more than two years.”
“USD/CAD is consolidating just below 1.41. Price trends remain broadly USD-bullish following last week’s strong close. There are no signs on the short– or longer-term charts that the USD rally is poised to reverse at this point and while oscillator signals are still extending deeper into overbought levels, these conditions can persist for extended periods of time.”
“Minor dips will remain wellsupported. Key support is 1.3945/50. Longer run trends are leaning towards a retest of the 2020 high just under 1.47.”
The US Dollar (USD) is consolidating in quieter trade at the start of the week. Market participation feels a little lighter to start the week. After the surge in the USD following the US elections, investors may be taking a step back to assess prospects as the president-elect assembles his team and lays out policy priorities, Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
“Looking at the last two US presidential elections, the DXY rallied in 2016 in the initial response to Trump’s victory and weakened in response to Biden’s 2020 win. In both cases, the USD’s immediate, post -election reaction started to weaken in mid/late December (after a 5.5% gain in 2016 and a 4.5% loss in 2020). So far, the USD’s broader trajectory is closely tallying with the 2016 profile; a similar (roughly 5% swing) in the DXY in response to the 2024 outcome suggests initial risk for the index is for a rise to around 108.50 ahead of some late year consolidation perhaps.”
“So far today, the core majors are soft but little changed on the day while the JPY is underperforming following comments from BoJ Governor Ueda. The governor commented that the timing of the central bank’s next hike depended on the economy and price trends. This was his last major speech ahead of the BoJ’s December 18-19th policy decision and his failure to flag the risk of more tightening clearly saw the JPY slip.”
“Swaps continue to price in 13bps of tightening for next month, however. There’s limited data for the markets to focus on today but there is a fair bit of central bank speak—from ECB President Lagarde, chief economist Lane and BoE’s Greene to the Fed’s Goolsbee (a nonvoter).”
The US Dollar (USD) consolidates on Monday after a very calm start of the week in the Asian session, with the US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, slightly in the red near a fresh year-to-date high reached last Thursday above 106.50. The main driver for the currency on Monday is the green light from the Biden Administration on Sunday for Ukraine to use long-range US missiles to target Russian infrastructures within Russian borders, just ahead of the G20 meeting in Rio De Janeiro this Monday.
The US response comes after Moscow deployed nearly 50,000 troops to Kursk, the southern Russian region. Reporting on that, “the change comes largely in response to Russia's deployment of North Korean ground troops to supplement its own forces, a development that has caused alarm in Washington and Kyiv,” Reuters said.,.
The US economic calendar is very light this Monday. Besides a speech by Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee, nothing really market moving on the docket. Markets will instead look out for the G20 meeting and comments around Ukraine.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) has undergone market repricing on President-elect Donald Trump having secured his presidential victory and gaining control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. For now, it looks like the past weeks’ moves have topped out and will start to ease a touch. levels seen before heading into the US Presidential Elections two weeks ago.
After a brief test and a firm rejection last Thursday, the 107.00 round level remains in play. A fresh yearly high has already been reached at 107.07, which is the static level to beat. Further up, a fresh two-year high could be reached if 107.35 gets taken out.
On the downside, a fresh set of support is coming live. The first support is 105.93, the closing level on November 12. A touch lower, the pivotal 105.53 (April 11 high) should avoid any downturns towards 104.00.
US Dollar Index: Daily Chart
The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away.
The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact 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 when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.
AUD/USD appears oversold below 0.65 relative to where Asian currencies and commodity prices are, DBS’ Senior FX Strategist Philip Wee notes.
“We expect no surprises in tomorrow’s Reserve Bank of Australia minutes for the November 5 meeting. Last Friday, RBA Governor Michele Bullock confirmed it would be some time before inflation returns sustainably to the 2-3% target.”
“Although CPI inflation fell to 2.1% YoY in September, trimmed mean inflation remained high at 3.2%. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1% for a third month in October after peaking at 4.2%. The futures market sees the RBA delaying rate cuts to 2Q25.”
GBP/USD has a trendline support level of around 1.2570, DBS’ Senior FX Strategist Philip Wee notes.
“Appearing before the Parliament’s Treasury Committee on November 19, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and his colleagues will likely reaffirm their gradual approach to removing monetary policy restraint. Having lowered the bank rate by 25 bps in August and November, the OIS sees quarterly rate cuts to 4.25% by mid-2025.”
“Following the Chancellor’s budget announcement on October 31, the BOE forecasted inflation rising and staying above the 2% target until 2027, based on its assumption for rates to decline to 3.7% by 4Q25.”
“On November 20, UK CPI inflation should rebound to 2.2% YoY (0.5% MoM) in October from 1.7% YoY (0% MoM) in September. While CPI core inflation is expected to moderate to 3.1% YoY from 3.2%, it remains above the 2% target.”
The Dollar Index (DXY) rebounded by 5.9% to 106.7 in the past 1.5 months, following its 4.8% decline to 100.8 in 3Q24, DBS’ Senior FX Strategist Philip Wee notes.
“The 107.3 high in October 2023 will be a significant resistance level, and DXY may correct lower if the Trump Trade loses momentum. The rallies in the S&P 500 Index and Bitcoin stalled around 6k and 90k, respectively, last week.”
“The Atlanta Fed GDPNow model projected US GDP growth slowing to 2.5% in 4Q24 from 2.8% in 3Q24. The US Treasury 2Y yield entered a 4.24-4.37% range last week. Since Trump’s victory, the futures market has reduced the odds of a December Fed cut to 58% from 80%.”
“On November 21, let’s see if Fed Governor Michelle Bowman joins her colleague’s optimism for inflation to return to the 2% target and rates to decline further towards neutral in 2025. Bowman dissented September’s 50 bps cut but supported November’s 25 bps cut.”
The Mexican Peso (MXN) edges lower in its key pairs on Monday after three consecutive days of mild gains. These came partly on the back of revised forecasts by the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) at its November meeting on Thursday, an optimistic budget announcement from Mexico’s Economy Minister on Friday, and as the waning bullish effect of the “Trump-trade” on the US Dollar (USD). Despite the Peso’s three-day rebound, MXN is in a technical downtrend overall, suggesting vulnerabilities could lurk just out of sight.
The Mexican Peso slightly retreats on Monday after a weak recovery in the second half of last week after Banxico revised its forecast for inflation at the end of 2024 to 4.7% from 4.3%. The change suggests the central bank will probably not cut interest rates as aggressively as previously expected, propping up the Peso. The maintenance of elevated interest rates increases capital inflows into a country, supporting its currency.
Nevertheless, Banxico went ahead with a 25 basis points (bps) (0.25%) cut at its policy meeting on Thursday, bringing its main interest rate down to 10.25% from 10.50% previously. The bank continued to see the balance of risks “to growth of economic activity remained biased to the downside.”
Also on Thursday, Moody’s Ratings cut Mexico’s credit rating to Baa2 “Negative” from “Stable” as a result of a combination of the country’s high budget deficit, which is expected to end 2024 at 5.9% of Gross National Product (GDP), the highest it has been since the 1980s, and risks to the economy from the government’s reforms of the judiciary, which Moody’s views as threatening the rule of law and “eroding checks and balances” to power.
“While our assessment of the quality of institutions in Mexico is already low compared to rating peers, particularly when it comes to rule of law and control of corruption, we will assess whether a further deterioration in the policymaking framework and the independence of the judicial system could limit the government's ability to address rising credit challenges," Moody's said.
The Mexican Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O responded to the downgrade by saying that Moody’s had not taken into account his proposed budget for 2025, which was published the following day. In the 2025 budget, Ramirez de la O forecast an increase in growth of between 2% and 3% and a budget deficit of 3.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The budget projection suggests an increase in growth from a rate of 1.5% to 2.5% in 2024 and a reduction in the deficit from the 5.9% expected by the end of 2024, according to Reuters.
USD/MXN has pulled back after rallying higher within a rising channel. The short-term trend is probably bullish but could also be sideways. The pullback from the November 12 high has found support at the 50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) in the 4-hour chart (as seen below), and the pair could be about to start recovering.
If USD/MXN extends a new leg higher, it could rally up to a zone between 20.80 (November 6 high) and 20.89 (61.8% Fibonacci extension of the prior rally). A cross of the blue Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) above its red signal line would provide a buy signal and evidence supporting such a move higher.
A break above 20.80 would confirm a higher high and an extension of the bullish trend and unlock the next upside target at 21.00 (round number, upper boundary of channel), where buyers could start to meet resistance.
In case USD/MXN extends its correction lower, support lies in the 19.70s from the 50-day SMA (not shown) the early November lows and the lower boundary line of the rising channel just below.
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the most traded currency among its Latin American peers. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Mexican economy, the country’s central bank’s policy, the amount of foreign investment in the country and even the levels of remittances sent by Mexicans who live abroad, particularly in the United States. Geopolitical trends can also move MXN: for example, the process of nearshoring – or the decision by some firms to relocate manufacturing capacity and supply chains closer to their home countries – is also seen as a catalyst for the Mexican currency as the country is considered a key manufacturing hub in the American continent. Another catalyst for MXN is Oil prices as Mexico is a key exporter of the commodity.
The main objective of Mexico’s central bank, also known as Banxico, is to maintain inflation at low and stable levels (at or close to its target of 3%, the midpoint in a tolerance band of between 2% and 4%). To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, Banxico will attempt to tame it by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money, thus cooling demand and the overall economy. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Mexican Peso (MXN) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken MXN.
Macroeconomic data releases are key to assess the state of the economy and can have an impact on the Mexican Peso (MXN) valuation. A strong Mexican economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for MXN. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) to increase interest rates, particularly if this strength comes together with elevated inflation. However, if economic data is weak, MXN is likely to depreciate.
As an emerging-market currency, the Mexican Peso (MXN) tends to strive during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and thus are eager to engage with investments that carry a higher risk. Conversely, MXN tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.
The USD/CAD pair holds into gains near a fresh more than four-year high around 1.4100 in Monday’s European session. The Loonie pair strives to maintain its winning spell for the seventh trading day on Monday on multiple tailwinds: strength in the US Dollar (USD) across the board on likely acceleration in the United States (US) inflation due to President-elected Donald Trump’s victory in both houses and weakness in the Canadian Dollar (CAD) on increasing Bank of Canada (BoC) dovish bets.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, clings to gains near a fresh yearly high of 107.00. Market sentiment is slightly cautious as investors expect the Federal Reserve (Fed) to follow a more gradual policy-easing approach. S&P 500 futures trade cautiously during European trading hours.
On Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell pushed back expectations of aggressive interest rate cuts but affirmed that the policy-easing cycle is intact, with inflation remaining on a sustainable track toward the bank’s target of 2%.
"The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates,” Powell said and added, “The strength we are currently seeing in the economy gives us the ability to approach our decisions carefully."
Meanwhile, the CAD remains on the backfoot as trades expect the BoC to cut interest rates again by 50 basis points (bps) in the December meeting. For more interest rate cues, investors await the Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for October, which will be published on Tuesday. Statistics Canada is expected to show that month-on-month headline CPI rose by 0.3% after a 0.4% deflation in September. On year, the inflation data is expected to have grown by 1.9%, faster than the former reading of 1.6%.
The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive.
The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD.
While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar.
Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.
Crude Oil price is trading below $68.00 on Monday, ticking up slightly following the escalation in the war between Russia and Ukraine over the weekend. Russia launched a large air strike to hit Ukraine’s power grid, while US President Joe Biden’s administration allowed Kyiv to strike Russian territory with its long-range missiles.
Solutions around the Ukraine situation will be discussed in the G20 meeting starting Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With the turn of events since Friday, several parties – even Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky himself – called for an end to the war in 2025. A truce or an end to the situation would mean more downturn for Crude, with Russian Oil possibly being accepted again once sanctions and embargoes are lifted under a peace deal.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is retreating a touch from its fresh one-year high at 107.07 that was printed last week. It looks like markets have repriced all elements from the triumph of President-elect Donald Trump. The focus is shifting back to the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the question if the December rate cut is still a good idea before going into the Trump presidency.
At the time of writing, Crude Oil (WTI) trades at $67.19 and Brent Crude at $71.20.
Crude Oil price is still stuck in the same pattern, posting lower highs and a rather flat level on the downside near $65.00-$66.00. A break lower this support area could quickly see a move to $64.38, a fresh low for 2024. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily chart suggests that there is still room for a push lower.
On the upside, the 55-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $70.04 is the first barrier to consider before the hefty technical level at $73.29, which aligns with the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). The 200-day SMA at $76.59 is still quite far off, although it could get tested in case tensions further intensify.
On the other side, traders need to look towards $67.12 – a level that held the price in May and June 2023 – to find the first support together with that small ascending trend line from October. In case that breaks, the 2024 year-to-date low emerges at $64.75, followed by $64.38, the low from 2023.
US WTI Crude Oil: Daily Chart
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member and Central Bank of Ireland Governor Gabriel Makhlouf said on Monday that overwhelming evidence would be needed to consider a 50 basis points rate cut in December, pre Reuters.
"I believe in cautious and prudent approach, believe the policy is working."
"We are going meeting by meeting."
"Let's see what data tells us; but reasonable to assume we are on a downward trajectory."
"Would be premature to start making decisions on what new US administration might do."
"I am confident we will meet our target next year, all of us should chill out a bit on whether it will be Q1, Q2 or even Q3."
EUR/USD showed no reaction to these comments and the pair was last seen trading virtually unchanged on the day at 1.0540.
The US Dollar (USD) is likely to trade in a range of 7.2250/7.2500. In the longer run, momentum is beginning to slow; a breach of 7.2000 would mean that USD is not rising further, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note.
24-HOUR VIEW: “Following last Thursday’s rise to 7.2700, we indicated on Friday that ‘Given the severely overbought conditions, USD is unlikely to advance further.’ We were of view that USD ‘is more likely to trade in a range, probably between 7.2350 and 7.2700.’ USD subsequently traded in a range of 7.2308/7.2555, closing slightly lower by 7.2429 (-0.13%). Further range trading still seems likely, even though the softened underlying tone suggests a lower range of 7.2250/7.2500.”
1-3 WEEKS VIEW: “Our most recent narrative was from last Wednesday (13 Nov, spot at 7.22470), wherein ‘The level to monitor is 7.2800 and the next resistance above 7.2800 is at 7.3115.’ USD has not been able to make further headway since then, and momentum is beginning to slow. From here, if USD breaks below 7.2000 (no change in ‘strong support’ level) would mean that USD is not rising further.”
USD/SGD eased into Fri NY close and continued to trade on the back foot this morning. Pair was last seen at 1.3442 levels, OCBC FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong notes.
“Daily momentum is mild bullish but rise in RSI moderated. Bearish divergence on MACD and rising wedge pattern appear to be forming. Technical patterns point to signs of bearish pullback in the near term. Support at 1.3340 (200 DMA), 1.3290 (61.8% fibo retracement of Jun high to Oct low).”
“Resistance at 1.3490, 1.3520 levels. Policy uncertainties associated with Trump policies, swings in RMB and JPY should continue to drive USDSGD in the near term. S$NEER was last at 1.27% above modelimplied mid.”
The UK economy grew at a slightly slower pace in the third quarter than economists polled by Bloomberg had expected. The pound came under some pressure as a result, causing EUR/GBP to rise. However, we would be cautious about reading too much into Friday's figures, Commerzbank’s FX analyst Michael Pfister notes.
“Firstly, quarter-on-quarter growth of 0.14% was very close to the rounding threshold. At the same time, there were some hopeful signs: private consumption grew strongly and thus contributed the lion's share to growth. This was probably due to the continued rise in real wages, which gave consumers more room to maneuver.”
“At the same time, the government continued to invest and gross fixed capital formation increased. Basically, a rather volatile sub-component pushed growth down significantly. This component rose sharply in the second quarter, thus having a strong weight in the aggregation. In the third quarter, by contrast, a now relatively small increase pushed growth down accordingly.”
“We therefore believe that the third quarter figure somewhat understates long-term growth potential, just as we believe that the growth figures for the first half of the year were somewhat overstated. The UK economy is likely to return to somewhat stronger growth in the coming quarters. We therefore remain cautiously optimistic on sterling, especially as the Bank of England's focus is more on inflation and stronger consumption suggests that the risks are on the upside.”
Chance for US Dollar (USD) to drop below 153.85; the major support at 153.20 is unlikely to come under threat. In the longer run, pullback in USD could extend to 153.20, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note.
24-HOUR VIEW: “Last Friday, we were of the view that USD ‘is likely to continue to rise.’ Our view was incorrect, as after rising to a high of 156.74, USD plunged to a low of 153.85. USD closed sharply lower by 1.22% at 154.34. While the sharp and swift sell-off appears to be overdone, there is a chance for USD to drop below 153.85 before stabilisation can be expected. The major support at 153.20 is unlikely to come under threat. Resistance is at 154.80; a breach of 155.25 would suggest the weakness in USD has stabilised.”
1-3 WEEKS VIEW: “When USD was at 156.50 last Friday (15 Nov), we indicated that ‘Momentum remains strong, and the next technical objective is at 158.00.’ USD then rose to 156.74 and then in a sudden move, plunged to a low of 153.85. The breach of our ‘strong support’ level at 154.95 indicates that the USD advance from the middle of last week has ended. The current price action is likely part of a pullback that could extend to 153.20. The downward pressure would remain intact as long as 155.80 is not breached.”
Towards the end of last week, the USD rally seemed to have run out of steam. For the time being, EUR/USD seems to be stabilising just above 1.05, which is around 6.5 cents below the interim high at the end of September. This should come as no surprise to anyone. In 2016, the US dollar also experienced temporary sideways movements in the weeks following Donald Trump's election victory. And this time around, the victory probably came as less of a surprise to the market, as the polls had already pointed to it and the US dollar had already appreciated quite a bit before the election. It is therefore likely that much of the USD's initially justified strength has now been priced in, Commerzbank’s FX analyst Michael Pfister notes.
“As a result, market participants are likely to turn their attention in the coming weeks to the question of how long the USD strength will last this time around. As a reminder, in 2016/2017 the US dollar also appreciated significantly after the election, but quickly lost this strength in the months following Trump's inauguration. This was probably mainly due to the fact that Trump did not immediately implement his trade policy, which he had already announced at the time, but the tariffs and the trade war only picked up speed in 2018/2019. Then the dollar rebounded.”
“I am not saying that history will repeat itself. After all, Trump is likely to be much better prepared this time around, as evidenced by his rapid personnel decisions. But is he so well prepared to implement an inflationary trade policy from day one? Especially if he also wants to impose high tariffs on long-standing allies, I have my doubts that this can be implemented quickly (not to mention the fact that our economists generally doubt that the tariffs will be that high). That's not to say it won't be implemented, just that it could take a bit longer, similar to 2018/2019. Therefore, I think a breather in USD strength is not unwarranted.”
“Of course, if it becomes (even) clearer that Trump wants to push through his policies quickly, this could change. However, I am not so much thinking of (even) more USD strength. Rather, I think the euro would suffer. Although the euro has depreciated quite a bit in the aftermath of the election, there is certainly potential for a much weaker euro if tariffs go ahead. Until then, however, the market is likely to wait for further signs that Trump is serious.”
The Swiss Franc (CHF) weakening this episode (QTD) comes alongside the decline also seen in other major FX, though the magnitude of CHF depreciation was slightly lesser (- 4.7% vs USD) compared to JPY, EUR, GBP, AUD (down over 5-8% vs USD). USD/CHF was last seen at 0.8871 levels, OCBC FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong note.
“Safe-haven characteristic of CHF was likely one of the mitigating factors that saw CHF fell by less. Nevertheless, US election outcome was one of the main reasons that triggered broad USD strength as market contemplates a return of US exceptionalism under Trump presidency/ Red sweep.”
“Bullish momentum on daily chart intact though RSI shows signs of easing from near overbought conditions. Near term retracement not ruled out. Support at 0.8800/20 (200 DMA, 50% fibo retracement of 2024 high to low), 0.8720 (21 DMA). Resistance at 0.89 (61.8% fibo), 0.9020 (76.4% fibo).”
“Data of interests this week include sight deposits (Mon), trade data, Swiss watch exports (Tue).”
The AUD/USD pair trades with caution near 0.6450 in Monday’s European session. The Aussie pair finds temporary support but struggles to gain ground as the US Dollar (USD) remains broadly firm. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, edges lower to near 106.50 in European trading hours but remains close to its annual high of 107.00.
The optimism over President-elected Donald Trump implementing its economic agenda in his administration has kept the US Dollar on the frontfoot. Donald Trump is expected to levy hefty tariffs on imports and lower taxes, which will accelerate inflationary pressures and force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to follow a more gradual policy-easing approach.
Also, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Thursday that the economy has not sent any signals, which strain on cutting interest rates aggressively. However, he commented that price pressures remain on a sustainable path towards the bank’s target of 2%, which allows us to continue heading towards the neutral rate.
For the last policy meeting of this year, traders see a 65% chance that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.25%-4.50%, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Meanwhile, the next move in the Australian Dollar (AUD) will likely occur on Tuesday after the release of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) minutes of the monetary policy that took place on November 5. In the policy meeting, the RBA left its Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 4.35% and Governor Michelle Bullock delivered a hawkish interest rate guidance with concerns over upside risks to inflationary pressures.
The minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia meetings are published two weeks after the interest rate decision. The minutes give a full account of the policy discussion, including differences of view. They also record the votes of the individual members of the Committee. Generally speaking, if the RBA is hawkish about the inflationary outlook for the economy, then the markets see a higher possibility of a rate increase, and that is positive for the AUD.
Read more.Next release: Tue Nov 19, 2024 00:30
Frequency: Weekly
Consensus: -
Previous: -
Source: Reserve Bank of Australia
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) publishes the minutes of its monetary policy meeting two weeks after the interest rate decision is announced. It provides a detailed record of the discussions held between the RBA’s board members on monetary policy and economic conditions that influenced their decision on adjusting interest rates and/or bond buys, significantly impacting the AUD. The minutes also reveal considerations on international economic developments and the exchange rate value.
This week, attention will again turn to the region's central banks. Today we start with some PPI growth in the Czech Republic and steadily elevated core inflation in Poland. Tomorrow, the National Bank of Hungary is scheduled to meet, and no change in rates at 6.50% is generally expected. The NBH doesn't have many options at the moment despite inflation and GDP surprising to the downside. Friday's move up in EUR/HUF again shows that the risk-off mood here persists, ING’s FX analysts Frantisek Taborsky notes.
“Thursday also sees a central bank meeting in Turkey. Again, we should see rates unchanged here at 50%. The focus will be on communication given the higher-than-expected inflation numbers but also a rather dovish tone in the latest inflation report. We expect the first cut in December but obviously it will be a close call dependent on the next inflation print.”
“CEE FX is still looking for new levels in the post-election environment. We remain generally bearish here. Lower EUR/USD, downside economic surprises and pricing in more rate cuts should continue to put pressure on FX. Additionally, Friday's sell-off in equity markets may bring back risk-off sentiment. The EUR/HUF will continue to be the main focus this week, having regained above 408 on Friday.”
“We believe the NBH meeting will return this story to the spotlight and EUR/HUF will be near 410 again into the meeting. The market has outpriced earlier rate hike expectations, while we saw some rally in HUF rates last week. We think positioning in HUF remains short, but less so than before the election. On one hand, this gives the space to add new short positions. On the other, it suggests that the NBH should have the worst behind it.”
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is expected to trade in a range between 0.5845 and 0.5885. In the longer run, outlook for NZD remains negative; the technical target now is at last year’s low of 0.5775, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note.
24-HOUR VIEW: “We expected NZD ‘to continue to weaken’ last Friday. However, it traded in a 0.5841/0.5880 range. The price movements are likely part of a range trading phase. Today, NZD is expected to trade between 0.5845 and 0.5885.”
1-3 WEEKS VIEW: “We turned negative in NZD last Wednesday (13 Nov, spot at 0.5925), but we indicated that ‘it is too early to tell if the major support at 0.5850 is within reach.’ After NZD fell below 0.5850, we indicated last Friday (15 Nov, spot at 0.5845) that ‘the outlook for NZD remains negative, and the technical target now is at last year’s low of 0.5775.’ We will continue to hold the same view, provided that 0.5915 (‘strong resistance’ previously at 0.5925) is not breached.”
The big event in the GBP market this week is the release of the October CPI report on Wednesday, ING’s FX analysts Francesco Pesole notes.
“As usual, markets will be looking almost solely at the services inflation figure, which our economist sees accelerating marginally from 4.9% to 5.0%. However, when stripping out categories that are less relevant for the Bank of England, we see a substantial slowdown to 4.3% in ‘core services’ inflation.”
“That would be good news for the BoE, but probably not enough to justify another cut in December. Incidentally, markets might focus a bit more on the ‘non-core’ services CPI figure, sticking to cautious BoE pricing and put a cap on the recent tentative rebound in EUR/GBP.”
“Our view on the pair remains moderately bearish in the near term as we see any dovish repricing in BoE expectations coming after a December outsized ECB cut.”
Momentum indicators are turning flat; Australian Dollar (AUD) is likely to trade in a sideways range of 0.6445/0.6485. In the longer run, further AUD weakness still appears likely; the next level to watch is 0.6400, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note.
24-HOUR VIEW: “When AUD was at 0.6450 last Friday, we highlighted that ‘provided that 0.6490 remains intact, AUD could decline further.’ However, we pointed out that ‘the major support at 0.6400 is unlikely to come into view.’ Our expectations did not turn out, as AUD traded sideways between 0.6443 and 0.6482, closing at 0.6465 (+0.16%). As momentum indicators are turning flat, further sideways trading appears likely, probably in a range of 0.6445/0.6485.”
1-3 WEEKS VIEW: “We indicated last Friday (15 Nov, spot at 0.6450) that ‘further AUD weakness still appears likely.’ We also highlighted that ‘The next level to watch is 0.6400.’ Although downward momentum has slowed somewhat, we will continue to hold the same view for now. Overall, only a breach of 0.6520 (no change in ‘strong resistance’ level) would mean that the weakness in AUD has stabilised.”
USD/JPY rose sharply this morning, and was last seen at 154.84, OCBC FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong notes.
“Markets were earlier anticipating some hint on policy moves from Governor Ueda at an event in Nagoya but his remarks were interpreted as less hawkish. He said that actual timing of adjustments will continue depending on developments in economic activity and prices as well as financial conditions – akin to policy decision being data dependent.”
“Last Fri, Finance Minister Kato said authorities will respond appropriately to any excessive move and authorities see one sided, sudden move in FX markets. In the very near term, self-inflicted concerns of officials’ intervention may slow pace of USD/JPY rise.”
“Bullish momentum on daily chart faded while RSI was flat. Potential bearish divergence on RSI observed. Further downside play not ruled out. Support at 153.00/30 (21 DMA, 61.8% fibo retracement of Jul high to Sep low) needs to be broken for bears to gather further traction towards 150.70 (50% fibo). Resistance at 156.50 (76.4% fibo).”
Silver prices (XAG/USD) rose on Monday, according to FXStreet data. Silver trades at $30.75 per troy ounce, up 1.64% from the $30.25 it cost on Friday.
Silver prices have increased by 29.22% since the beginning of the year.
Unit measure | Silver Price Today in USD |
---|---|
Troy Ounce | 30.75 |
1 Gram | 0.99 |
The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, stood at 84.37 on Monday, down from 84.70 on Friday.
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
(An automation tool was used in creating this post.)
PMIs have become an increasingly important release for the eurozone after the European Central Bank shifted the focus from inflation to growth and is now taking a broader range of soft activity data into account. The eurozone’s composite PMIs is at 50.0, the break-even level between contraction and expansion, meaning a greater resonance of even small movements in the index when they are published on Friday – especially if on the downside, ING’s FX analysts Francesco Pesole notes.
“Our economists are cautiously optimistic on the eurozone-wide figure, where they expect 50.2 (consensus is 50.0), although they suspect German figures could still disappoint. On this topic, expect a buildup in market scrutiny over the German snap elections in February and what those can mean for both Europe’s (geo)political balance and prospects of any bending of Germany’s strict debt rules. Our colleague Carsten Brzeski argues here how fiscal stimulus will have to come under the new government, regardless of the fiscal break. Still, that will take some time, and one of our key macro calls for 2025 remains that the ECB will need to do the heavy lifting in supporting the economy ahead of further protectionism-related growth headwinds.”
“Our short-term call for EUR/USD is that it can hold above 1.050 this week as dollar bulls take a break, but that is admittedly not a high-conviction view. As discussed above, the dollar momentum remains strong and there is no obvious catalyst for an inversion, outside of technical considerations. Obviously, soft EZ PMIs can easily prompt a break lower as markets could price in a 50bp ECB cut in December from the current 30bp. Ultimately, in line with our call for a half-point ECB move in December, we expect EUR/USD to trade around 1.04 at year-end.”
“Today, there are a few key ECB speakers, including President Christine Lagarde and Chief Economist Philip Lane. Remember how the latest ECB minutes showed some frictions within the Governing Council on the sustainability of disinflationary drivers. With plenty of ECB-speak this week, we may get a slightly clearer picture of where consensus is on this.”
Data from CFTC on speculative positioning show net US Dollar (USD) longs versus the rest of G10 rising to the highest since July until last Tuesday. In open interest terms, that is 12%, according to our calculations. That is a quite high figure, just above the 1-standard-deviation upper bound, however it is still well below April’s 24% peak. Long USD positions likely grew further throughout last week, but CFTC figures probably fail to capture the depth of the shift to a structural bullish stance on the dollar after Donald Trump’s election. Our perception remains that market positioning is quite stretched on dollar longs, and the greenback remains at risk of some technical correction in the near term, ING’s FX analysts Francesco Pesole notes.
“At the same time, the macro story hasn’t really offered any reason for second thoughts on the dollar rally. Inflation data has been hotter than the Federal Reserve's target would tolerate, and Chair Jerome Powell added a layer of caution on future easing in a speech last week. With very little extra information on the US economy being added this week, the market-implied policy divergence between the Fed and most other G10 central banks could mean that any positioning-led correction will be short lived.”
“Ultimately, our economists’ call is that the Fed will cut in December. Markets are pricing in 15bp, so there is room for a dovish repricing to hit the dollar. However, that repricing may not happen before jobs data are released in 18 days. That is a relatively long period for markets, and one where – net of any positioning-related wobble – the long dollar ‘Trump trade’ may remain the only clear-cut directional call in FX. We suspect DXY will still find support around 106.0 in case of a correction, and there is a tangible possibility it will be trading above 107.0 by Thanksgiving.”
“This week, expect market focus to remain on Trump’s cabinet nominees, in particular when it comes to the Treasury. The only potentially market moving data releases aside from jobless claims will be the leading index, which has however had very limited predicting ability for the direction of the economy. We'll also be looking out for S&P Global PMIs, which are expected to show more of the same for the US: weak manufacturing being more than offset by strong services. There are a few Fed speakers watch too, starting today with Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, who is considered a dovish-leaning member.”
The Pound Sterling (GBP) remains under pressure near 1.2600 against the US Dollar (USD) in Monday’s London session. The GBP/USD pair struggles to gain ground as the US Dollar clings to gains near a more-than-a-year high, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) wobbling around 107.00.
The Greenback trades firmly as investors expect the Federal Reserve (Fed) to follow a more gradual rate-cut approach given the recent slight rebound in inflation and the growth outlook on strong expectations that President-elected Donald Trump will be able to implement his economic agenda smoothly.
In the December meeting, there is a 62% chance that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.25%-4.50%, according to the CME FedWatch tool. This is significantly down from the almost 77% seen a month ago.
Trump’s victory is also making analysts reassess the Fed’s interest-rate outlook for next year. “The Fed’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be acutely aware that Donald Trump’s policies could be significantly inflationary, primarily due to the impact of tariffs being passed on to consumers while lower taxes heat up the economy,” analysts at Quilter Investors said.
“Investors will no doubt be combing through their comments carefully for any perceived guidance on how that might impact the path of interest rates going forward,” they added.
Meanwhile, Fed officials have refused to comment on the likely impact of Trump’s policies on the monetary policy action and the economic outlook. On Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that “it is too early to reach judgments on the effect of Trump policies.”
On the economic data front, investors await the preliminary S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for November, which will be published on Friday.
The Pound Sterling aims for a firm footing near 1.2600 against the US Dollar in London trading hours on Monday. The GBP/USD pair remains broadly under pressure as it remains well below the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.2850.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) slides sharply to 30.00, suggesting a strong bearish momentum.
Looking down, the psychological support of 1.2500 will be a major cushion for Pound Sterling bulls. On the upside, the Cable will face resistance near the 200-day EMA.
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, also known as ‘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).
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.
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.
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.
Scope for the Pound Sterling (GBP) to edge lower to 1.2590; the major support at 1.2565 is likely out of reach. In the longer run, GBP is likely to continue to weaken to 1.2565, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note.
24-HOUR VIEW: “Last Friday, we noted that ‘Downward momentum is showing tentative signs of slowing, but there is scope for GBP to retest the 1.2630 level.’ We added, ‘The major support at 1.2615 is unlikely to come under threat.’ The anticipated decline exceeded our expectations, as GBP fell to a low of 1.2598, closing at 1.2619 (-0.39%). Despite the relatively sharp decline, downward momentum has not increased much. That said, there is scope for GBP to edge lower to 1.2590. The major support at 1.2565 is likely out of reach. Resistance is at 1.2640, followed by 1.2670.”
1-3 WEEKS VIEW: “When GBP was at 1.2665 last Friday (15 Nov), we indicated that GBP “is expected to continue to weaken to 1.2615, possibly 1.2565.” We did not anticipate it to reach 1.2615 as quickly, as it dropped to a of low of 1.2598. While downward momentum has not increased much, GBP is likely to continue to weaken to 1.2565. On the upside, a breach of 1.2745 (‘strong resistance’ level was at 1.2770 last Friday) would indicate that the downward pressure that started early last week has faded.”
The US Dollar (USD) bulls show signs of fatigue even as better US data last Fri did not fuel further USD upticks. DXY was last at 106.52 levels, OCBC FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong notes.
“In response to better-than-expected US data and less dovish rhetoric (from Powell), markets have already scaled back probability of 25bp cut in Dec meeting to ~65% chance (vs 71% chance a week ago). Prospects of Fed cut will continue to adjust as US data comes. This puts focus on data this week: prelim PMIs, Uni of Michigan sentiment data (Fri) before core PCE (27 Nov).”
“Firmer print will add to US exceptionalism narrative, keeping USD rates and USD elevated for longer, until the trend turns. Bullish momentum on daily chart moderated while rise in RSI slows near overbought conditions.”
“Potential bearish divergence may be forming on daily MACD, but price action requires further monitoring. Near term, not ruling out a technical retracement. Support at 106.50, 105.60 (76.4% fibo) and 104.50/60 levels (21DMA, 61.8% fibo retracement of 2023 high to 2024 low). Resistance at 107, 107.40 (2023 high).”
The Euro (EUR) is likely to trade in a range between 1.0505 and 1.0585. In the longer run, price action continues to suggest EUR weakness; the next support level is at last year’s low, near 1.0450, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note.
24-HOUR VIEW: “The following are excerpts from our update last Friday: ‘Conditions remain oversold, but the weakness still has not quite stabilised just yet. That said, as momentum has slowed somewhat, any further decline is likely part of a lower trading range of 1.0490/1.0580. In other words, EUR is unlikely to break clearly below 1.0490.’ Our view of range trading was not wrong, even though EUR traded in a higher range of 1.0516/1.0592, closing at 1.0541 (+0.10%). There has been no increase in either downward or upward momentum, and we continue to expect EUR to trade in a range, probably between 1.0505 and 1.0585.”
1-3 WEEKS VIEW: “We turned negative in EUR on 07 Nov, when EUR was at 1.0730. After EUR fell below our technical target of 1.0500, we indicated last Friday (15 Nov, spot at 1.0525) that ‘The price action continues to suggest EUR weakness, even though caution is warranted given the deeply oversold conditions.’ We added, ‘The next support is at last year’s low, near 1.0450.’ EUR then snapped its 5-day losing streak, closing higher by 0.10% at 1.0541. Although downward momentum has slowed somewhat, only a breach of 1.0610 (no change in ‘strong resistance’ level) would indicate that EUR is not weakening further. Meanwhile, oversold conditions could lead to a couple of days of range trading.”
European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Luis de Guindos said on Monday that “the balance of risks has shifted from concerns about high inflation to fears over economic growth.”
The growth outlook is clouded by uncertainty about economic policies and the geopolitical landscape.
Trade tensions could rise further, increasing tail risk of events materializing.
These prudent remarks from the ECB policymaker fail to deter the Euro’s recovery, as the EUR/USD pair edges 0.25% higher on the day to near 1.0570 at the press time.
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for the region. The ECB primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means keeping inflation at around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will usually result in a stronger 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.
In extreme situations, the European Central Bank can enact a policy tool called Quantitative Easing. QE is the process by which the ECB prints Euros and uses them to buy assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Euro. QE is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the objective of price stability. The ECB used it during the Great Financial Crisis in 2009-11, in 2015 when inflation remained stubbornly low, as well as during the covid pandemic.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE. It is undertaken after QE when an economic recovery is underway and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the European Central Bank (ECB) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the ECB stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive (or bullish) for the Euro.
The NZD/USD pair retraces its recent gains, trading around 0.5850 during the European hours on Monday. A review of the daily chart highlights a growing bearish bias, as the pair tests the lower boundary of its descending channel pattern.
The nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) remains below the 14-day EMA, signaling persistent weakness in short-term price momentum. Meanwhile, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers around the 30 level, indicating oversold conditions for the NZD/USD pair and hinting at the possibility of an upward correction.
Regarding the support, the NZD/USD pair is testing the lower boundary of the descending channel, which aligns with the throwback support at the psychological level of 0.5850. A decisive break below this channel would reinforce the bearish outlook, increasing downward pressure and potentially driving the pair toward its two-year low of 0.5772, last seen in November 2023.
On the upside, immediate resistance lies at the nine-day EMA at 0.5901, followed by the 14-day EMA at 0.5928, which coincides with the upper boundary of the descending channel. A breakout above this channel would enhance bullish momentum, paving the way for the NZD/USD pair to target the psychological level of 0.6100.
The table below shows the percentage change of New Zealand Dollar (NZD) against listed major currencies today. New Zealand Dollar was the weakest against the Euro.
USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USD | -0.05% | 0.03% | 0.40% | 0.10% | 0.16% | 0.42% | -0.12% | |
EUR | 0.05% | 0.25% | 0.57% | 0.26% | 0.35% | 0.59% | 0.05% | |
GBP | -0.03% | -0.25% | 0.33% | 0.00% | 0.09% | 0.34% | -0.21% | |
JPY | -0.40% | -0.57% | -0.33% | -0.31% | -0.18% | 0.08% | -0.44% | |
CAD | -0.10% | -0.26% | -0.01% | 0.31% | 0.08% | 0.32% | -0.21% | |
AUD | -0.16% | -0.35% | -0.09% | 0.18% | -0.08% | 0.24% | -0.32% | |
NZD | -0.42% | -0.59% | -0.34% | -0.08% | -0.32% | -0.24% | -0.53% | |
CHF | 0.12% | -0.05% | 0.21% | 0.44% | 0.21% | 0.32% | 0.53% |
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 New Zealand Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent NZD (base)/USD (quote).
The EUR/CAD cross attracts some follow-through buying at the start of a new week and looks to build on its recovery from the vicinity of the 1.4700 mark, or the lowest level since July 10 touched last week. Spot prices climb to a one-week top during the first half of the European session and currently trade around the 1.4870 region, up 0.25% for the day.
A modest downtick in the US Dollar (USD) provides a modest lift to the shared currency. Furthermore, bets for a larger interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada (BoC) continue to undermine the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and act as a tailwind for the EUR/CAD cross. That said, rebounding Crude Oil prices could limit deeper losses for the commodity-linked Loonie and cap gains for the currency pair.
From a technical perspective, the EUR/CAD cross is currently placed near the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). This is closely followed by the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of the downfall witnessed over the past two weeks, around the 1.4885 region, and the 1.4900 mark. A sustained strength beyond the said barriers might shift the bias in favor of bulls and set the stage for further gains.
That said, oscillators on the daily chart – though have been recovering from lower levels – are holding in negative territory. This, in turn, makes it prudent to wait for strong follow-through buying beyond the 1.4915-1.4920 area before confirming that the EUR/CAD cross has formed a near-term bottom and positioning for a move beyond the 1.4950 area (50% Fibo. level), towards reclaiming the 1.5000 psychological mark.
On the flip side, the 23.6% Fibo. level, around the 1.4820 region, now seems to protect the immediate downside ahead of the 1.4790-1.4785 zone. The subsequent downfall could expose the multi-month low, around the 1.4710 area. The EUR/CAD cross could eventually weaken further below the 1.4700 round figure and accelerate the downfall towards testing the next relevant support near the 1.4675 region.
The AUD/JPY cross has trimmed its daily gains and trades near 99.90 during European trading hours on Monday. Meanwhile, the Japanese Yen (JPY) faced headwinds following remarks from Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda. Ueda reiterated that interest rate hikes would proceed gradually, contingent on the economy meeting expectations, but did not specify a timeline for future increases.
In a subsequent statement, Ueda emphasized the importance of carefully assessing the impact of foreign exchange (FX) movements on the economy, price forecasts, and associated risks at each policy meeting. He warned that failing to adjust monetary support appropriately could necessitate rapid rate hikes in the future. Ueda refrained from commenting on short-term FX fluctuations.
Japan's Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato issued a warning on Friday, stating that the government will closely monitor the foreign exchange (FX) market with heightened vigilance. Kato emphasized that appropriate measures would be taken to address any excessive movements in the currency.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) gained ground following hawkish comments from Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock last Thursday. Bullock emphasized that current interest rates are sufficiently restrictive and will remain unchanged until the central bank is confident about the inflation outlook.
Recent data indicated a slowdown in employment growth for October, while the unemployment rate held steady, highlighting the resilience of the labor market. Market focus now shifts to the release of the latest RBA meeting minutes on Tuesday, which could offer further insights into the central bank's policy stance.
Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%.
A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing.
A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%.
Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.
European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker and Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said on Monday, “Trump's tariffs may have a minor impact on inflation.”
He added, “global integration would have to decrease substantially to cause a noticeable rise in inflationary pressures.”
These comments have little to no impact on the Euro, as the EUR/USD pair keeps its range near 1.0500 at the press time.
EUR/USD trades sideways slightly above the psychological support of 1.0500 at the start of the week. The major currency pair consolidates as the US Dollar’s (USD) rally stalls after posting a fresh annual high. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges Greenback’s value against six major currencies, looks for fresh triggers to extend its upside above the key resistance of 107.00.
According to analysts at Capital Economics, "While a period of consolidation looks likely in the near term, we have revised up our forecasts for the US Dollar and now project a further 5% appreciation by the end of 2025." Economists added, "That is based primarily on a view that President-elected Donald Trump will push ahead with the core tariff policies he proposed on the campaign trail and that the United States (US) economy will continue to outperform its major peers."
Investors are looking for fresh cues to know how Trump’s policies will guide the monetary policy action for the December meeting and 2025. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve (Fed) officials refrain from projecting the likely consequences of Trump’s policies on the economy and the interest rate policy. In the event at Federal Bank of Dallas on Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said, "I think it's too early to reach judgments here." Powell added, "We don't really know what policies will be put in place."
On the interest rate outlook, Jerome Powell said that the economy is not sending any signals that might force us to ramp up rate cuts, however, he reiterated that inflation is on a sustainable path towards the bank’s target of 2% that allows them to head towards the neutral rate.
This week, investors will focus on the preliminary S&P Global Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data for November, which will be published on Thursday. The PMI data will show the current status of private business activity and the impact of Trump’s victory on business optimism.
EUR/USD wobbles above the immediate support of 1.0500 in European trading hours on Monday. The outlook of the major currency pair remains bearish as all short- to long-term Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) are declining.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillates in the bearish range of 20.00-40.00, adding to evidence of more weakness in the near term.
Looking down, the pair is expected to find a cushion near the October 2023 low at around 1.0450. On the flip side, the round-level resistance of 1.0600 will be the key barrier for the Euro bulls.
The Euro is the currency for the 19 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%).
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.
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.
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.
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.
EUR/GBP remains stable near 0.8350 during early European trading hours on Monday. The EUR/GBP cross faces headwinds as the Euro remains under pressure due to the European Central Bank's (ECB) dovish outlook, with a policy rate cut anticipated at its December meeting.
In its Autumn 2024 forecast, the European Commission predicts 0.8% growth for the Euro Area in 2024, unchanged from its Spring estimate. However, the growth projection for 2025 has been slightly lowered to 1.3% from 1.4%, while the Eurozone economy is expected to expand by 1.6% in 2026.
Commenting on the outlook, EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni remarked, "As inflation continues to ease and growth in private consumption and investment gains momentum, coupled with record-low unemployment, growth is expected to gradually accelerate over the next two years."
The UK economy expanded by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter in the three months ending September, slowing from the 0.5% growth seen in Q2 and missing market expectations of a 0.2% increase. Year-on-year, UK GDP grew by 1.0% in Q3, aligning with forecasts and improving on the 0.7% growth recorded in Q2. On a monthly basis, GDP contracted by 0.1% in September, reversing a 0.2% gain in August.
Capital Economics’ Deputy Chief UK Economist Ruth Gregory reiterated their expectation that the Bank of England (BoE) will maintain rates at 4.75% in December, with a 25-basis-point rate cut anticipated in February.
Interest rates are charged by financial institutions on loans to borrowers and are paid as interest to savers and depositors. They are influenced by base lending rates, which are set by central banks in response to changes in the economy. Central banks normally have a mandate to ensure price stability, which in most cases means targeting a core inflation rate of around 2%. If inflation falls below target the central bank may cut base lending rates, with a view to stimulating lending and boosting the economy. If inflation rises substantially above 2% it normally results in the central bank raising base lending rates in an attempt to lower inflation.
Higher interest rates generally help strengthen a country’s currency as they make it a more attractive place for global investors to park their money.
Higher interest rates overall weigh on the price of Gold because they increase the opportunity cost of holding Gold instead of investing in an interest-bearing asset or placing cash in the bank. If interest rates are high that usually pushes up the price of the US Dollar (USD), and since Gold is priced in Dollars, this has the effect of lowering the price of Gold.
The Fed funds rate is the overnight rate at which US banks lend to each other. It is the oft-quoted headline rate set by the Federal Reserve at its FOMC meetings. It is set as a range, for example 4.75%-5.00%, though the upper limit (in that case 5.00%) is the quoted figure. Market expectations for future Fed funds rate are tracked by the CME FedWatch tool, which shapes how many financial markets behave in anticipation of future Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
The EUR/JPY cross attracts some buyers to around 163.00 during the early European session on Monday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakens against the Euro (EUR) amid the uncertainty over the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) rate-hike plans. The European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Luis de Guindos and Phillip Lane are scheduled to speak on Monday.
The BoJ Kazuo Ueda said this Monday that the timing for when the central bank adjusts the degree of our monetary support will depend on the economic, price, and financial outlook. Ueda further stated that the Japanese central bank wouldn't necessarily wait for external risks to completely fade before hiking again. Nonetheless, he offered few clues on whether the BoJ would raise rates in December. The lack of clear guidance on the next rate hike timing exerts some selling pressure on the JPY and creates a tailwind for EUR/JPY.
The verbal intervention from the Japanese authorities could provide some support to the JPY and cap the upside for the cross. Japan's Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Friday that the Japanese government will scrutinize the Foreign exchange market with very high vigilance and take appropriate action against excessive moves.
On the Euro front, the European Central Bank (ECB) board member Piero Cipollone noted on Friday that the ECB should cut interest rates further to support a nascent economic recovery in the Eurozone and also in the face of potential new trade tariffs in the US. However, the pace and extent of rate cuts will depend on the incoming data. The dovish comment from the ECB policymakers could undermine the Euro in the near term.
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%.
The Bank of Japan embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy in 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. In March 2024, the BoJ lifted interest rates, effectively retreating from the ultra-loose monetary policy stance.
The Bank’s massive stimulus caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process exacerbated in 2022 and 2023 due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. This trend partly reversed in 2024, when the BoJ decided to abandon its ultra-loose policy stance.
A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. The prospect of rising salaries in the country – a key element fuelling inflation – also contributed to the move.
Here is what you need to know on Monday, November 18:
Financial markets remain relatively quiet at the beginning of the new week. The economic calendar will not feature any high-impact macroeconomic data releases on Monday. Market participants will keep a close eye on headlines surrounding geopolitics and pay attention to comments from central bank officials.
Boosted by hawkish comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials, including Chairman Jerome Powell, the US Dollar (USD) Index gained more than 1.5% in the previous week. The index stays in a consolidation phase above 106.50 in the European morning on Monday. Later in the day, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee will be delivering a speech. Meanwhile, US stock index futures trade in positive territory after Wall Street's main indexes closed in the red on Friday.
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies last 7 days. US Dollar was the strongest against the British Pound.
USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USD | 1.65% | 2.22% | 1.14% | 1.33% | 1.83% | 1.77% | 1.26% | |
EUR | -1.65% | 0.55% | -0.39% | -0.21% | 0.28% | 0.22% | -0.30% | |
GBP | -2.22% | -0.55% | -1.02% | -0.74% | -0.26% | -0.32% | -0.83% | |
JPY | -1.14% | 0.39% | 1.02% | 0.19% | 0.60% | 0.72% | 0.12% | |
CAD | -1.33% | 0.21% | 0.74% | -0.19% | 0.55% | 0.42% | -0.09% | |
AUD | -1.83% | -0.28% | 0.26% | -0.60% | -0.55% | -0.08% | -0.57% | |
NZD | -1.77% | -0.22% | 0.32% | -0.72% | -0.42% | 0.08% | -0.51% | |
CHF | -1.26% | 0.30% | 0.83% | -0.12% | 0.09% | 0.57% | 0.51% |
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 US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
Citing two US officials familiar with the decision, CNN News reported over the weekend that US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use powerful long-range American weapons to strike inside Russia. Reporting on the matter, “the change comes largely in response to Russia's deployment of North Korean ground troops to supplement its own forces, a development that has caused alarm in Washington and Kyiv,” Reuters said.
EUR/USD fell nearly 1.7% last week and registered its lowest weekly close since October 2023. The pair holds steady in the early European session and fluctuates at around 1.0550. During the American trading hours, European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde will deliver a speech titled "The Economic and Human Issues of a Changing Era" at an event organized by The Collège des Bernardins in Paris, France.
GBP/USD declined over 2% last week and closed in negative territory for the seventh consecutive week. The pair trades in a narrow range slightly below 1.2650 early Monday. On Wednesday, the UK's Office for National Statistics will publish Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for October.
Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Monday that the Japanese economy is recovering moderately despite weak signs. "We will scrutinize at each policy meeting how foreign exchange moves affect our economic, price forecasts and risks," Ueda reiterated. After falling more than 1% on Friday, USD/JPY moves up and down in a narrow band at around 154.50 on Monday.
Gold remained under bearish pressure last week and dropped to its lowest level in nearly two months below $2,540 on Thursday. Following a quiet Friday, XAU/USD gains traction to begin the new week and recovers toward $2,600.
Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%.
A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing.
A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%.
Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.
In a speech in Canberra on Monday, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Assistant Governor Christopher Kent said that the ”forward guidance in Australia might be less useful than in the United States.”
Variable rate mortgages are a key difference of the Australian system.
No evidence monetary policy overall is more potent in Australia than elsewhere.
Arrears rates here remain low, similar to economies with much more fixed-rate lending.
Most borrowers have buffers to help manage higher interest rates.
Worth reviewing the RBA’s approach to forward guidance from time to time.
Including considering other ways the RBA might clarify the nature of its reaction function.
AUD/USD is consolidating its rebound following these comments. The pair currently trades at 0.6465, up 0.07% on the day.
The USD/CHF pair softens to around 0.8875 on Monday during the early European session, pressured by the weakening of the US Dollar (USD). Investors will keep an eye on the Swiss Industrial Production for the third quarter (Q3) and the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) Austan Goolsbee speech later on Monday.
The Greenback edges lower as Trump Trades lose momentum. However, the encouraging US economic data and the cautious comments from the Fed officials might cap the downside for the pair. On Friday, Boston Fed President Susan Collins stated that monetary policy remains restrictive and an interest rate cut is still on the table for December, but a final decision would be based on the incoming data. Meanwhile, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said that markets tend to overreact to interest rate changes and that the Fed should maintain a slow and steady approach to reaching the neutral rate.
Data released by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau on Friday showed that US Retail Sales increased by 0.4% in October, following the 0.8% rise recorded in September (revised from 0.4%), beating the estimation of 0.3%.
On the other hand, the renewed geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine might boost the safe-haven currency like the Swiss Franc (CHF). Citing two US officials familiar with the decision, CNN News reported on Sunday that US President Joe Biden's administration allowed Ukraine to use US arms to strike inside Russia in a significant reversal of Washington's policy in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is Switzerland’s official currency. It is among the top ten most traded currencies globally, reaching volumes that well exceed the size of the Swiss economy. Its value is determined by the broad market sentiment, the country’s economic health or action taken by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), among other factors. Between 2011 and 2015, the Swiss Franc was pegged to the Euro (EUR). The peg was abruptly removed, resulting in a more than 20% increase in the Franc’s value, causing a turmoil in markets. Even though the peg isn’t in force anymore, CHF fortunes tend to be highly correlated with the Euro ones due to the high dependency of the Swiss economy on the neighboring Eurozone.
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is considered a safe-haven asset, or a currency that investors tend to buy in times of market stress. This is due to the perceived status of Switzerland in the world: a stable economy, a strong export sector, big central bank reserves or a longstanding political stance towards neutrality in global conflicts make the country’s currency a good choice for investors fleeing from risks. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen CHF value against other currencies that are seen as more risky to invest in.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) meets four times a year – once every quarter, less than other major central banks – to decide on monetary policy. The bank aims for an annual inflation rate of less than 2%. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame 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.
Macroeconomic data releases in Switzerland are key to assessing the state of the economy and can impact the Swiss Franc’s (CHF) valuation. The Swiss economy is broadly stable, but any sudden change in economic growth, inflation, current account or the central bank’s currency reserves have the potential to trigger moves in CHF. Generally, high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence are good for CHF. Conversely, if economic data points to weakening momentum, CHF is likely to depreciate.
As a small and open economy, Switzerland is heavily dependent on the health of the neighboring Eurozone economies. The broader European Union is Switzerland’s main economic partner and a key political ally, so macroeconomic and monetary policy stability in the Eurozone is essential for Switzerland and, thus, for the Swiss Franc (CHF). With such dependency, some models suggest that the correlation between the fortunes of the Euro (EUR) and the CHF is more than 90%, or close to perfect.
FX option expiries for Nov 18 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below.
EUR/USD: EUR amounts
USD/JPY: USD amounts
AUD/USD: AUD amounts
USD/CAD: USD amounts
NZD/USD: NZD amounts
GBP/USD breaks its six-day losing streak, trading around 1.2630 during the Asian hours on Monday. The daily chart analysis shows the sellers' control weakens as the pair moves downwards within the descending wedge pattern. This signals a potential bullish reversal for the pair.
Additionally, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at the 30 level, suggesting an oversold situation for the pair and a potential for an upward correction as soon as possible.
On the downside, the GBP/USD pair seems to test the lower boundary of the descending wedge at the psychological level of 1.2600. A break below this level would reinforce the bearish bias and put downward pressure on the pair to navigate the region around the yearly low at 1.2299, which was recorded on April 22.
For resistance, the GBP/USD pair could test the upper boundary of the descending wedge, aligned with the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.2746 level. Further barrier appears at the psychological level of 1.2800, aligned with the 14-day EMA at 1.2804 level.
The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies today. British Pound was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.
USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USD | 0.04% | -0.05% | 0.34% | -0.03% | -0.09% | 0.14% | -0.02% | |
EUR | -0.04% | 0.08% | 0.42% | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.22% | 0.06% | |
GBP | 0.05% | -0.08% | 0.37% | -0.03% | -0.07% | 0.14% | -0.02% | |
JPY | -0.34% | -0.42% | -0.37% | -0.38% | -0.36% | -0.14% | -0.29% | |
CAD | 0.03% | -0.05% | 0.03% | 0.38% | -0.04% | 0.17% | 0.01% | |
AUD | 0.09% | -0.02% | 0.07% | 0.36% | 0.04% | 0.20% | 0.04% | |
NZD | -0.14% | -0.22% | -0.14% | 0.14% | -0.17% | -0.20% | -0.15% | |
CHF | 0.02% | -0.06% | 0.02% | 0.29% | -0.01% | -0.04% | 0.15% |
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 British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).
Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda is back on the wires on Monday, noting that “we will check, at each policy meeting, data and factors available at the time in deciding policy.”
There are numerous factors we want to check, including on the US economiy but we won't necessarily wait until there is clarity for all of them.
Won't comment on short-term FX moves.
We will scrutinize at each policy meeting how FX moves affect our economic, price forecasts and risks.
If we don't adjust degree of monetary support appropriately, we could be forced to hike rates rapidly.
We are seeing progress in sustainably achieving price target as seen in service price developments.
Weak yen pushes up costs and have big negative impact on consumption, but positive for exports, inbound tourism.
Keeping real interest rate low for too long could accelerate underlying inflation above 2%, force us to hike rates rapidly.
Don't think there is huge build-up of Yen carry positions either way, compared with situation in July.
The EUR/AUD cross weakens to near 1.6285 during the early European session on Monday. The Australian Dollar (AUD) gathers strength against the shared currency amid the hawkish comments from Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock last week.
The RBA reiterated that “the Board is not ruling anything in or out” and that there is “the need to remain vigilant to upside risks to inflation.” Traders brace for the RBA Meeting Minutes from its last board meeting for more clues on future rates, which are due on Tuesday.
According to the 4-hour chart, the EUR/AUD cross keeps the bearish vibe, with the price holding below the key 100-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA). However, further consolidation cannot be ruled out as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers around the midline, suggesting the neutral momentum in the near term.
The lower limit of the Bollinger Band at 1.6264 acts as an initial support level for the cross. The crucial contention level is seen in the 1.6205-1.6200 region, representing the psychological level and the low of November 12. The additional downside filter to watch is 1.6135, the low of October 18.
On the bright side, the first upside barrier for EUR/AUD is located at 1.6317, the 100-period EMA. Further north, the next hurdle to watch is 1.6337, the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band. Any follow-through buying could see a rally to 1.6430, the low of November 5.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Silver (XAG/USD) regains positive traction at the start of a new week and climbs to the $30.70-$30.75 area during the Asian session, albeit it remains confined in a multi-day-old range around the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA).
The XAG/USD last week rebounded from the $29.70-$29.65 support zone, representing the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of the August-October rally. Moreover, the emergence of fresh buying on Monday favors bullish traders. That said, technical indicators on the daily chart are holding in negative territory and are still away from being in the oversold zone. Hence, any subsequent move up is more likely to confront stiff resistance and remain capped near the $31.00 round-figure mark.
Some follow-through buying, however, will suggest that the recent corrective fall from the vicinity of the $35.00 psychological mark, or a 12-year peak touched in October, has run its course and pave the way for additional gains. The XAG/USD might then climb to the next relevant hurdle near the $31.70 area (38.2% Fibo. level) before aiming to reclaim the $32.00 round figure.
On the flip side, the $30.20 region, followed by the $30.00 psychological mark could act as immediate support ahead of the $29.70-$29.65 area, or a two-month low touched on Friday. A convincing break below the latter will be seen as a fresh trigger for bearish traders and drag the XAG/USD below the $29.00 mark, towards the very important 200-day SMA support near the $28.80-$28.75 zone en route to the $28.40-$28.35 region, or the 78.6% Fibo. level.
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
Gold prices rose in India on Monday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.
The price for Gold stood at 7,032.01 Indian Rupees (INR) per gram, up compared with the INR 6,952.83 it cost on Friday.
The price for Gold increased to INR 82,019.95 per tola from INR 81,096.42 per tola on friday.
Unit measure | Gold Price in INR |
---|---|
1 Gram | 7,032.01 |
10 Grams | 70,320.07 |
Tola | 82,019.95 |
Troy Ounce | 218,720.00 |
FXStreet calculates Gold prices in India by adapting international prices (USD/INR) to the local currency and measurement units. Prices are updated daily based on the market rates taken at the time of publication. Prices are just for reference and local rates could diverge slightly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Gold price (XAU/USD) gains strong positive traction on Monday and reverses a part of last week's sharp decline to the lowest level since September 12. The commodity, for now, seems to have snapped a six-day losing streak and is supported by reviving safe-haven demand, bolstered by the risk of a further escalation of geopolitical tensions. Apart from this, subdued US Dollar (USD) price action is seen as another factor offering some support to the precious metal.
The upside for the Gold price, however, seems limited in the wake of expectations that US President-elect Donald Trump's policies will likely rekindle inflationary pressures and limit the scope for further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed). This has been a key factor behind the recent upsurge in the US Treasury bond yields, which should continue to act as a tailwind for the Greenback and keep a lid on any meaningful appreciation for the non-yielding Gold price.
From a technical perspective, the recent sharp pullback from the all-time peak stalled near the 50% retracement level of the June-October rally. The said support, around the $2,536-2,535 area, coincided with the 100-day Simple Moving Average and should now act as a key pivotal point. A convincing break below will be seen as a fresh trigger for bearish traders and pave the way for further losses. The subsequent downfall could drag the Gold price further towards the $2,500 psychological mark en route to the 61.8% Fibo. level, around the $2,480 region.
On the flip side, any subsequent strength above the $2,600 mark (38% Fibo. level) is likely to confront stiff resistance and remain capped near the $2,620-2,622 region. Some follow-through buying, however, could trigger a short-covering rally towards the $2,655-2,657 congestion zone, or the 50-day SMA, en route to the $2,672-2,673 region (23.6% Fibo. level). A sustained move beyond the latter might shift the bias in favor of bulls and allow the Gold price to reclaim the $2,700 round figure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
USD/CAD trades around 1.4090 during the Asian hours on Monday, holding its ground near the four-year high of 1.4105, which was reached on Friday. The upside of the loonie pair is attributed to a stronger US Dollar (USD), driven by recent hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell downplayed the likelihood of imminent rate cuts, highlighting the economy's resilience, robust labor market, and persistent inflationary pressures. Powell remarked, "The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates."
Moreover, on Friday, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee emphasized the importance of the Fed adopting a cautious, gradual approach in moving toward the neutral rate. Meanwhile, Boston Fed President Susan Collins tempered expectations for continued rate cuts in the near term while maintaining market confidence in a potential rate reduction in December.
The USD/CAD pair may break its six-day winning streak as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) could strengthen, buoyed by positive sentiment surrounding Oil prices. This optimism is driven by heightened concerns over potential supply disruptions amid the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
However, the Canadian Dollar faces downward pressure due to expectations that the Bank of Canada (BoC) will accelerate interest rate cuts in response to cooling inflation and a struggling economy. Traders are likely to focus on Tuesday's Canadian CPI inflation report for fresh insights into the central bank's policy direction.
The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive.
The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD.
While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar.
Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.
The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price holds steady above $67.00 per barrel during Monday's Asian trading session, reversing a recent decline as escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine heighten worries over possible supply disruptions.
Over the weekend, Russia launched its most significant airstrike on Ukraine in nearly three months. Moscow also stationed nearly 50,000 troops in Kursk, a southern Russian region. In addition, North Korea has sent thousands of its troops to Kursk as part of Russia's offensive. This move has raised alarm among US President Joe Biden and his advisers, with concerns that North Korea's involvement could usher in a perilous new phase in the conflict, according to CNN News.
Moreover, CNN News reported on Sunday, citing two US officials, that President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), powerful long-range American weapons, to carry out strikes within Russia.
Additionally, crude Oil prices faced pressure as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell dampened expectations for imminent rate cuts, highlighting the economy's resilience, a strong labor market, and ongoing inflationary pressures. Powell remarked, "The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates." Prolonged higher borrowing costs could negatively affect economic activity in the United States (US), the world’s largest Oil consumer.
Meanwhile, concerns over weakening demand in China, the world’s largest Oil importer, have fueled bearish sentiment in the crude Oil market. The recent 10 trillion Yuan debt package in China, which lacked direct economic stimulus measures, has further intensified market worries.
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
The Indian Rupee (INR) flat lines on Monday amid the modest decline in the US Dollar (USD). The renewed Greenback demand from investors and weakening of the Chinese Yuan are likely to keep pressure on the Iocal currency in the near term. Additionally, the unabated foreign fund outflows contribute to the INR's downside.
The routine intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) by selling USD might help limit the Indian Rupee’s losses, though this has led to a drop in India's forex reserves. In the absence of top-tier Indian and US economic data releases due on Monday, the focus will remain on risk sentiment and the speech from US Federal Reserve (Fed) Austan Goolsbee.
The Indian Rupee trades flat on the day. The longer-term uptrend of the USD/INR pair remains intact as the pair holds above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily chart. Nonetheless, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) exceeds 70, indicating an overbought condition. This suggests that additional consolidation cannot be ruled out before positioning for any near-term USD/INR appreciation.
The resistance level to watch if buyers step in would be 84.50. A break above this barrier could pave the way for a test of the 85.00 psychological level.
On the other hand, the resistance-turned-support level at 84.35 acts as an initial support level for the pair. If the support level fails to hold, bears could push prices lower toward 84.00, the round mark. The additional downside threshold is seen at 83.88, the 100-day EMA.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) drifts lower against its American counterpart and reverses a part of Friday's recovery from the lowest level since July 23 following Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda's remarks. Ueda offered no cues about a December rate hike, which seems to have disappointed investors and weighed on the JPY. Apart from this, a generally positive risk tone is seen as another factor undermining demand for the safe-haven JPY.
That said, speculations that Japanese authorities might intervene in the FX market to prop up the domestic currency hold back JPY bears from placing aggressive bets. This, along with subdued US Dollar (USD) price action, could act as a headwind for the USD/JPY pair and cap gains. Traders might also prefer to wait on the sidelines and look forward to BoJ Governor Ueda's media conference at 04:45 GMT for some meaningful impetus.
From a technical perspective, the USD/JPY pair once again showed some resilience below the 154.00 mark at the start of a new week. The subsequent move up, along with positive oscillators, favors bullish traders and supports prospects for a further intraday appreciating move. Acceptance above the 155.00 psychological mark will reaffirm the positive bias and pave the way for a move towards reclaiming the 156.00 round figure with some intermediate resistance near the 155.70 region.
On the flip side, the 153.85 zone now seems to have emerged as an immediate support, below which the USD/JPY pair could drop to the 153.25 region en route to the 153.00 mark and the next relevant support near the 152.70-152.65 area. A convincing break below the latter might expose the very important 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) resistance breakpoint, now turned support, currently pegged near the 151.85 region.
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.
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 BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen.
Over the last decade, 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 supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential.
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 Australian Dollar (AUD) extends its gains for a second consecutive session on Monday, supported by hawkish comments from Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock last Thursday. Bullock emphasized that current interest rates are sufficiently restrictive and will remain unchanged until the central bank is confident about the inflation outlook.
Australia's 10-year government bond yield eased slightly to around 4.66%, retreating from a one-year high. Recent data indicated a slowdown in employment growth for October, while the unemployment rate held steady, highlighting the resilience of the labor market. Market focus now shifts to the release of the latest RBA meeting minutes on Tuesday, which could offer further insights into the central bank's policy stance.
The AUD/USD pair’s upside could be restrained as the US Dollar (USD) may continue to strengthen, driven by recent hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials and stronger-than-expected US economic data.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell downplayed the likelihood of imminent rate cuts, highlighting the economy's resilience, robust labor market, and persistent inflationary pressures. Powell remarked, "The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates."
AUD/USD hovers around 0.6470 on Monday, reflecting short-term downward pressure on the daily chart as the pair stays below the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). However, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) has begun climbing from the 30 level, indicating that selling pressure may be waning and hinting at the potential for an upward correction.
On the downside, the AUD/USD pair may encounter significant support around the 0.6400 level. A breach of this psychological threshold could intensify downward pressure, potentially pushing the pair toward the yearly low of 0.6348, last seen on August 5.
Immediate resistance for the AUD/USD pair is at the psychological level of 0.6500. A break above this could propel the pair toward the nine-day EMA at 0.6514, followed by the 14-day EMA at 0.6542. Clearing these EMAs could open the path for a move toward the three-week high of 0.6687.
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.
USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USD | -0.03% | -0.14% | 0.31% | -0.13% | -0.27% | -0.04% | -0.05% | |
EUR | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.47% | 0.01% | -0.09% | 0.10% | 0.10% | |
GBP | 0.14% | -0.06% | 0.41% | -0.04% | -0.15% | 0.05% | 0.03% | |
JPY | -0.31% | -0.47% | -0.41% | -0.45% | -0.51% | -0.29% | -0.29% | |
CAD | 0.13% | -0.01% | 0.04% | 0.45% | -0.11% | 0.09% | 0.08% | |
AUD | 0.27% | 0.09% | 0.15% | 0.51% | 0.11% | 0.19% | 0.18% | |
NZD | 0.04% | -0.10% | -0.05% | 0.29% | -0.09% | -0.19% | 0.00% | |
CHF | 0.05% | -0.10% | -0.03% | 0.29% | -0.08% | -0.18% | -0.00% |
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 Australian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent AUD (base)/USD (quote).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Raw materials | Closed | Change, % |
---|---|---|
Silver | 30.232 | -0.67 |
Gold | 2561.64 | -0.19 |
Palladium | 951.64 | 1.12 |
Citing two US officials familiar with the decision, CNN News reported on Sunday that US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use powerful long-range American weapons to strike inside Russia.
The decision to allow the use of the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, inside Russia came after Moscow deployed nearly 50,000 troops to Kursk, the southern Russian region.
It is also worth mentioning that North Korea has deployed thousands of its troops to Kursk as part of Russia’s offensive, sparking concern from Biden and his advisers that their entry could lead to a dangerous new phase in the war, per CNN News.
“The change comes largely in response to Russia's deployment of North Korean ground troops to supplement its own forces, a development that has caused alarm in Washington and Kyiv,” Reuters reported, citing a US official and a source familiar with the decision.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, “today, many in the media are saying that we have received permission to take appropriate actions.”
"But strikes are not made with words. Such things are not announced,” he added.
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Monday that the Japanese economy is recovering moderately despite weak signs.
Japan’s economy recovering moderately despite weak signs.
Will increase interest rates upon realization of strong economic outlook.
To increasingly raise policy rate to adjust monetary support in line with economic and price forecasts.
Monitoring effects of various risks on economic outlook.
Sees moderate increase in private consumption trend.
Maintains stance to support economic activity.
Sees rise in income in both corporate and household sectors.
Gradually adjusting monetary support will help achieve price target through sustained economic growth.
Must monitor various risks, including US economy.
Increase in spending is gradually intensifying virtuous cycle.
To monitor wage negotiations in the future.
Sees executives of large firms announce commitment to sustained wage growth.
Firms should pass on higher labor costs through price hikes.
Gradual adjustment to easing to aid inflation goal.
Long-term inflation expectations embedded among households and firms.
Supports firm monetary policy to boost the economy.
Projects strengthening inflationary pressure from wage increases.
High uncertainty over future growth pace in China.
Expects underlying inflation to continue rising moderately.
To focus on outlook of wage negotiations and how increased wages will affect inflation.
It is crucial to achieve a sustained increase in real wages, such as by raising productivity.
Sees increasing likelihood of soft landing.
Need to monitor US economy carefully.
Cautions volatile markets based on economic data and geopolitical risks.
Underlying inflation expected to moderately increase.
High uncertainty over China's growth rate.
Japan's economy and prices remain vulnerable to volatile market moves.
At the time of writing, USD/JPY is trading 0.46% higher on the day to trade at 155.01.
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%.
The Bank of Japan embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy in 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. In March 2024, the BoJ lifted interest rates, effectively retreating from the ultra-loose monetary policy stance.
The Bank’s massive stimulus caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process exacerbated in 2022 and 2023 due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. This trend partly reversed in 2024, when the BoJ decided to abandon its ultra-loose policy stance.
A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. The prospect of rising salaries in the country – a key element fuelling inflation – also contributed to the move.
On Monday, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.1907, as compared to Friday's fix of 7.1992 and 7.2312 Reuters estimates.
The EUR/USD pair trades around 1.0550 during Monday’s Asian trading session, hovering near its yearly low of 1.0496, which was reached on November 14. Downside risks for the pair have intensified following cautious comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials and stronger-than-expected US Retail Sales data, broadly supporting the US Dollar (USD).
Last week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell tempered expectations for imminent rate cuts, emphasizing the economy's resilience, a strong labor market, and persistent inflationary pressures. Powell stated, "The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates."
The CME FedWatch Tool indicates that markets are pricing in nearly a 60% probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Fed at its December meeting.
The US Census Bureau reported on Friday that Retail Sales increased by 0.4% month-over-month in October, exceeding the market consensus of 0.3%. Additionally, the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index for November posted an unexpected surge, coming in at 31.2 compared to the anticipated 0.7 decline, signaling robust manufacturing activity.
The Euro faces continued downward pressure as the European Central Bank (ECB) maintains a dovish stance, with a policy rate cut expected at its upcoming December meeting. Headline inflation in the Euro Area is projected to drop sharply to 2.4% in 2024, down from 5.4% in 2023, before easing more gradually to 2.1% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026.
The European Commission's Autumn 2024 forecast projects 0.8% growth for the Euro Area in 2024, unchanged from the Spring forecast. However, the 2025 growth forecast has been revised slightly downward to 1.3% from 1.4%, while the Eurozone economy is projected to grow by 1.6% in 2026.
EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni stated, "As inflation continues to ease and growth in private consumption and investment gains momentum, alongside record-low unemployment, growth is expected to gradually accelerate over the next two years."
The Euro is the currency for the 19 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%).
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.
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.
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.
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 NZD/USD pair trades in positive territory near 0.5875 on Monday during the early Asian session. The pair edges higher on the stronger-than-expected New Zealand economic data and the consolidation of the Greenback.
Data released by Statistics New Zealand on Monday showed that New Zealand’s Producer Price Index (PPI) Input climbed 1.9% QoQ in the third quarter (Q3), compared to 1.4% in the previous reading. Meanwhile, the PPI Output rose 1.5% QoQ in Q3 versus 1.1% prior. Both figures came in better than the estimations. Additionally, the Business NZ Performance of Services Index (PSI) improved to 46.0 in October from 45.7 in September. The upbeat economic data provides some support to the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) against the US Dollar (USD).
However, the upside for the Kiwi might be limited as President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to implement 60% tariffs on exports from China as he seeks to protect US companies and jobs. The likely negative spillovers from Trump’s policies might drag the NZD lower as China is a major trading partner for New Zealand.
On the USD’s front, the solid economic performance and the cautious tones from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) reduced the expectations for a rate reduction at the central bank's upcoming FOMC meeting in December, lifting the USD. Futures markets hint at 60% odds of a Fed rate cut in December, though expectations for rate cuts through 2025 have moderated to 77 basis points (bps).
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair.
Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate.
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.
The GBP/USD pair kicks off the new week on a subdued note and consolidates in a range above the 1.2600 round-figure mark, or the lowest level since mid-May touched on Friday. Spot prices, for now, seem to have snapped a six-day losing streak amid a modest US Dollar (USD) downtick, though the fundamental backdrop supports prospects for an extension of the recent well-established downtrend.
The USD remains on the defensive below the year-to-date (YTD) top set last Thursday as bulls pause for a breather following the post-US election blowout rally. Any meaningful USD depreciation, however, seems elusive in the wake of expectations that US President-elect Donald Trump's policies will likely rekindle inflationary pressures and limit the scope for further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed). This has been a key factor behind the recent upsurge in the US Treasury bond yields, which suggests that the path of least resistance for the USD is to the upside.
The British Pound (GBP), on the other hand, might struggle to lure buyers on the back of the uncertainty concerning the Bank of England's (BoE) path forward on interest rates. Data released last week showed that UK wage growth excluding bonuses cooled in September and the unemployment rate to 4.3% from 4.1%. Furthermore, the UK GDP unexpectedly contracted for the first time in five months in September, increasing expectations for BoE rate cuts. That said, BoE members do not see the central bank cutting interest rates at the December policy meeting.
This, in turn, makes it prudent to wait for strong follow-through buying to confirm that the GBP/USD pair has formed a near-term bottom. Bearish traders, however, might now wait for a sustained break and acceptance below the 1.2600 round figure before placing fresh bets amid absent relevant market-moving economic releases on Monday, either from the UK or the US.
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, also known as ‘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).
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.
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.
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.
Index | Change, points | Closed | Change, % |
---|---|---|---|
NIKKEI 225 | 107.21 | 38642.91 | 0.28 |
Hang Seng | -9.47 | 19426.34 | -0.05 |
KOSPI | -2 | 2416.86 | -0.08 |
ASX 200 | 61.2 | 8285.2 | 0.74 |
DAX | -52.89 | 19210.81 | -0.27 |
CAC 40 | -42.17 | 7269.63 | -0.58 |
Dow Jones | -305.87 | 43444.99 | -0.7 |
S&P 500 | -78.55 | 5870.62 | -1.32 |
NASDAQ Composite | -427.53 | 18680.12 | -2.24 |
Pare | Closed | Change, % |
---|---|---|
AUDUSD | 0.6456 | 0.06 |
EURJPY | 162.441 | -1.22 |
EURUSD | 1.05271 | 0 |
GBPJPY | 194.521 | -1.64 |
GBPUSD | 1.26059 | -0.44 |
NZDUSD | 0.58578 | 0.13 |
USDCAD | 1.40929 | 0.29 |
USDCHF | 0.8881 | -0.11 |
USDJPY | 154.311 | -1.23 |
European Central Bank (ECB) board member Piero Cipollone said on Friday that central bank should cut interest rates further to support the recovery in the Eurozone and also in the face of potential new trade tariffs in the US, per Reuters.
The pace and extent of reduction will depend on data.
Developments remain consistent with a consumption-led recovery.
Whether the recovery will firm up remains to be confirmed.
We should not be more restrictive than what is necessary to ensure timely convergence of inflation to target.
It could be self-defeating to tolerate an economy running persistently below potential as an insurance against possible future inflationary shocks.
At the time of writing, EUR/USD is trading 0.08% higher on the day at 1.0535.
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for the region. The ECB primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means keeping inflation at around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will usually result in a stronger 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.
In extreme situations, the European Central Bank can enact a policy tool called Quantitative Easing. QE is the process by which the ECB prints Euros and uses them to buy assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Euro. QE is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the objective of price stability. The ECB used it during the Great Financial Crisis in 2009-11, in 2015 when inflation remained stubbornly low, as well as during the covid pandemic.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE. It is undertaken after QE when an economic recovery is underway and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the European Central Bank (ECB) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the ECB stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive (or bullish) for the Euro.
The Gold price (XAU/USD) rebounds to near $2,570, snapping the six-day losing streak during the early Asian trading hours on Monday. However, the strength of the US Dollar (USD) might cap the upside for the precious metal.
The Greenback rally in the wake of Donald Trump's election win could exert some selling pressure on the USD-denominated Gold price. The expectations of higher inflation next year due to Donald Trump’s policies have led to fewer expected rate cuts.
Furthermore, traders pared back expectations for lower rates in December after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the US central bank would be in no rush to cut, citing the “remarkably good” performance of the economy. Higher interest rates generally drag the Gold price lower, as it makes holding non-yielding assets like gold less appealing.
On the other hand, the rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia could boost the safe-haven flows, benefiting the yellow metal. President Joe Biden's administration has allowed Ukraine to use US arms to strike inside Russia in a significant reversal of Washington's policy in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, per Reuters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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