Forex News Timeline

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

USD/JPY rose back above 150.00 after the Bank of Japan abolished negative interest rates and yield curve control.

USD/JPY rose back above 150.00 after the Bank of Japan abolished negative interest rates and yield curve control. Kit Juckes, Chief Global FX Strategist at Société Générale, analyzes the pair’s outlook. A well-flagged BoJ move has emboldened Yen bears The BoJ brought the age of negative rates and yield curve control to an end.  I’m disappointed by the market reaction to the BoJ because there’s a good chance this eventually proves to be a pivotal moment for Japan and the BoJ.  USD/JPY 152.00 now becomes a big psychological level going into Wednesday’s FOMC.  

Economists at MUFG Bank analyze Japanese Yen (JPY) outlook after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy announcement.

Economists at MUFG Bank analyze Japanese Yen (JPY) outlook after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy announcement. Will Yen selling persist after BoJ policy changes? We see limits to the extent of Yen selling that can take place from here. Of course, there are greater USD/JPY upside risks over the very short term given this risk event has now passed without any major hawkish surprise and if the FOMC on Wednesday were to drop a DOT in its policy rate profile, US yields will likely jump further and potentially drag USD/JPY to intervention levels.  But over the medium term, we view today’s announcements as hugely significant that is consistent with higher yields and a stronger Yen.  

United States Redbook Index (YoY) up to 3.4% in March 15 from previous 3%

The US Dollar (USD) jumped firmly in the green on Tuesday, giving a big thank you to the Japanese Yen. The Yen, which accounts for roughly 13% of the US Dollar Index (DXY), depreciated nearly 1% against the Greenback after the Bank of Japan

The US Dollar soars on Tuesday after Asian markets set the scene for a stronger Greenback. Traders are letting the dust settle over the BoJ rate decision ahead of US housing data. The US Dollar Index briefly hit 104.00 before retreating a touch. The US Dollar (USD) jumped firmly in the green on Tuesday, giving a big thank you to the Japanese Yen. The Yen, which accounts for roughly 13% of the US Dollar Index (DXY), depreciated nearly 1% against the Greenback after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) delivered a dovish interest-rate hike. The move away from negative interest rates was well communicated months in advance and came as no surprise to markets, resulting in a weaker Yen.  Meanwhile, the US economic data front was all about housing data on Tuesday. Both Building Permits and Housing Starts were better than expected ahead of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate decision on Wednesday. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) starts its two-day meeting this Tuesday, and some further contraction in the US housing market could put June back on the table for that eagerly anticipated rate cut. Daily digest market movers: Ahead of FedIn Asia overnight, the BoJ has hiked interest rates for the first time in almost two decades, to 0% from  -0.10%. However, markets sent the Japanese Yen weaker after comments from BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda that the BoJ will keep its monetary easing in place and that this is probably a one-and-done hike.  In the aftermath of the BoJ rate decision, the Greenback and the Chinese Yuan benefited the most from the devaluing Yen.  In Europe, European Central Bank Vice President Luis De Guindos said that June will be pivotal for the ECB rate decision. An initial rate cut is already a possibility at the June meeting.  At 12:30 GMT, US Housing data was released: Housing Starts for February came in at 1.521 million, above the estimate of 1.425 million and beating the January number at 1.374 million. Building Permits for February jumped to 1.518 million, substantially higher than the 1.489 million from January. The US Treasury will be placing a 52-week bill in the market at 15:30 GMT. Equities are not reacting well to the dovish hike from the BoJ, with Europe and US indexes trading in the red ahead of the US opening bell.  According to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, expectations for a Fed pause in the March 20 meeting are at 99%, while chances of a rate cut stand at 1%.  The benchmark 10-year US Treasury Note trades around 4.30%, continuing its ascent from last week.US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Stronger due to outside forcesThe US Dollar Index (DXY) is fading a touch after it briefly hit the 104.00 mark. Ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting, this does not look the ideal place to be as markets will be looking for any dovish clues from Chairman Jerome Powell. Any dovish hint could mean that Tuesday’s move will be quickly pared back, with the DXY dropping back deep into 103.00 territory.  On the upside,104.96 remains the first level in sight. Once above there, the peak at 104.97 from February comes into play, ahead of the 105.00 region with 105.12 as the first resistance.  Expect some easing as the dust settles on the BoJ and ahead of the Fed meeting on Wednesday. Some support should come in from the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 103.70, the 100-day SMA at 103.60 and the 55-day SMA at 103.50. The 103-area, thus, looks well equipped and covered with support levels to catch any retreats in the DXY.     

Housing Starts in the US rose 10.7% in February to 1.52 million units, the monthly data published by the US Census Bureau revealed on Tuesday.

Housing Starts and Building Permits in the US increased in February.The US Dollar Index clings to daily gains near 104.00.Housing Starts in the US rose 10.7% in February to 1.52 million units, the monthly data published by the US Census Bureau revealed on Tuesday. This reading followed the 12.3% decrease recorded in January.  In the same period, Building Permits increased 1.9% after falling 0.3% in January. Market reaction The US Dollar Index preserves its bullish momentum after the data and was last seen rising 0.32% on the day at 103.92.

Canada BoC Consumer Price Index Core (YoY) declined to 2.1% in February from previous 2.4%

Canada Consumer Price Index (MoM) below forecasts (0.6%) in February: Actual (0.3%)

Canada BoC Consumer Price Index Core (MoM) remains at 0.1% in February

United States Housing Starts Change: 10.7% (February) vs -14.8%

The AUD/USD pair faces an intense sell-off as downbeat market sentiment has weakened the appeal of risk-perceived assets.

AUD/USD falls sharply to 0.6500 on multiple headwinds.The RBA kept interest rates unchanged at 4.35% and delivered neutral guidance on interest rates.Investors await the Fed’s dot plot for fresh guidance on interest rates.The AUD/USD pair faces an intense sell-off as downbeat market sentiment has weakened the appeal of risk-perceived assets. The Aussie asset falls to the psychological support of 0.6500 in Tuesday’s late European session as the US Dollar strengthens amid uncertainty ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy decision, which will be announced on Wednesday. S&P 500 futures have posted significant losses in the London session, portraying a decline in investors’ risk appetite. The US Dollar Index (DXY) continues its winning streak for the fourth trading session, rises to 104.00 amid upbeat safe-haven bid. 10-year US Treasury yields have come down slightly to 4.32%. Broadly, US bond yields exhibit strength as Fed rate cut expectations for the June policy meeting have dropped due to hot inflation data for February. The Fed’s interest rate decision will guide the next move in the US Dollar. The CME FedWatch tool shows that the central bank will keep interest rates unchanged in the range of 5.25%-5.50% for the fifth time in a row. Therefore, investors will focus mainly on the release of the dot plot and economic projections. The dot plot, updated every quarter, shows interest rate projections from Fed officials for various timeframes. Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar weakens as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) delivers neutral guidance on the Official Cash rate (OCR) after keeping it unchanged at 4.35%. RBA Governor Michele Bullock said in his policy statement that a victory on inflation cannot be announced yet. The RBA needs to be more confident that inflation is coming down to consider a rate cut. AUD/USD Overview Today last price 0.6519 Today Daily Change -0.0040 Today Daily Change % -0.61 Today daily open 0.6559   Trends Daily SMA20 0.656 Daily SMA50 0.6565 Daily SMA100 0.6588 Daily SMA200 0.656   Levels Previous Daily High 0.6574 Previous Daily Low 0.6551 Previous Weekly High 0.6639 Previous Weekly Low 0.6552 Previous Monthly High 0.661 Previous Monthly Low 0.6443 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.656 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.6565 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.6549 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.6538 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.6526 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6572 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6585 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6595    

Canada Consumer Price Index - Core (MoM): -0.1% (February) vs previous 0.1%

Canada Consumer Price Index (YoY) came in at 2.8%, below expectations (3.1%) in February

United States Housing Starts (MoM) came in at 1.521M, above forecasts (1.425M) in February

United States Building Permits Change climbed from previous -1.5% to 1.9% in February

United States Building Permits (MoM) came in at 1.518M, above forecasts (1.495M) in February

GBP/USD trades weaker below support in the low 1.2700s. Economists at Scotiabank analyze the pair’s outlook.

GBP/USD trades weaker below support in the low 1.2700s. Economists at Scotiabank analyze the pair’s outlook. Resistance is 1.2745/1.2750 UK CPI data due on Wednesday and Thursday’s BoE decision may help limit near-term losses. Sterling’s extended run lower from its early March peak pushed below minor support in the low 1.2700 zone to test the 40-DMA at 1.2680. Short-term price action suggests a potentially positive response to that test in the form of a bullish ‘hammer’ pattern, however.  Resistance is 1.2745/1.2750.  Support below 1.2675/1.2680 sits at 1.2600/1.2610.  

Mexico Private Spending (YoY): 5.1% (4Q) vs 4.3%

Mexico Private Spending (QoQ): 0.9% (4Q) vs previous 1.2%

EUR/USD finds support in the low 1.0800s. Economists at Scotiabank analyze the pair’s outlook.

EUR/USD finds support in the low 1.0800s. Economists at Scotiabank analyze the pair’s outlook. EUR may be trying to rebound from the low 1.0800s Soft price action on Monday and a pickup in intraday bear momentum suggest downside risks remain for the EUR but early Tuesday price signals suggest the EUR may be trying to base/rebound from the low 1.0800s via an intraday bullish ‘hammer’ signal. Intraday gains back above 1.0875 would give the EUR a little more technical strength intraday.  Support is 1.0835/1.0840 and 1.0800.  

Natural Gas prices (XNG/USD) are rallying for a second consecutive day on Tuesday towards the key $1.90 resistance level.

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When overlooking the charts, gas prices have jumped actually near 20% in five days combined on all gas contracts with near 6% on XNG/USD alone. Traders are seeing a mixture of reasons to keep Gas prices supported, from the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine to the push for green energy and ESG costs adding a premium to Gas prices. Adding to these, unforeseen outages in the US and Norway are also hitting production.  Meanwhile, the US Dollar is trading firmly in the green. The DXY US Dollar Index, which gauges the Greenback against a basket of currencies, rallies towards 104.00. The inflow in the Greenback comes after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) hiked interest rates for the first time in nearly two decades . However, the main takeaway for markets is that it was a one-and-done deal that was very well communicated.  Natural Gas is trading at $1.86 per MMBtu at the time of writing.  Natural Gas news and market movers: A mix of rocket fuelShipments from Australia last week dropped due to severe weather and storms, making it unsafe for big Gas shipments to take place, according to Bloomberg.  US LNG exports dropped nearly 10% last week, with the Freeport outage as the main driver. This adds to the several unscheduled maintenance in Norwegian Gas fields.  Ukraine's attacks on Russian infrastructure are creating an issue for Gas flows towards Asia.  The European Union has committed to asking importers of Russian LNG to reduce purchases this year, according to Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.Natural Gas Technical Analysis: Healing from the downsideNatural Gas prices are starting to heal from their steep decline since February. With traders seeing a mixture of elements supporting prices, this makes the rally more healthy and less dependent on just one driver. Look for $2 on the topside, should more supply issues or a surge in demand occur.  On the upside, the key $2.00 level needs to be regained first. The next key level is the historic pivotal point at $2.12, which falls broadly in line with the 55-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $2.08. Should Gas prices pop up in that region, a broad area opens up with the first cap at the red descending trend line near $2.27. On the downside, multi-year lows are still nearby with $1.65 as the first line in the sand. This year’s low at $1.60 needs to be kept an eye on as well. Once a new low for the year is printed, traders should look at $1.53 as the next supportive area. Natural Gas: Daily Chart   Natural Gas FAQs What fundamental factors drive the price of Natural Gas? Supply and demand dynamics are a key factor influencing Natural Gas prices, and are themselves influenced by global economic growth, industrial activity, population growth, production levels, and inventories. The weather impacts Natural Gas prices because more Gas is used during cold winters and hot summers for heating and cooling. Competition from other energy sources impacts prices as consumers may switch to cheaper sources. Geopolitical events are factors as exemplified by the war in Ukraine. Government policies relating to extraction, transportation, and environmental issues also impact prices. What are the main macroeconomic releases that impact on Natural Gas Prices? The main economic release influencing Natural Gas prices is the weekly inventory bulletin from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), a US government agency that produces US gas market data. The EIA Gas bulletin usually comes out on Thursday at 14:30 GMT, a day after the EIA publishes its weekly Oil bulletin. Economic data from large consumers of Natural Gas can impact supply and demand, the largest of which include China, Germany and Japan. Natural Gas is primarily priced and traded in US Dollars, thus economic releases impacting the US Dollar are also factors. How does the US Dollar influence Natural Gas prices? The US Dollar is the world’s reserve currency and most commodities, including Natural Gas are priced and traded on international markets in US Dollars. As such, the value of the US Dollar is a factor in the price of Natural Gas, because if the Dollar strengthens it means less Dollars are required to buy the same volume of Gas (the price falls), and vice versa if USD strengthens.  

USD/JPY traded back above 150.00 after the BoJ exited its Negative Interest Rate Policy (NIRP).

USD/JPY traded back above 150.00 after the BoJ exited its Negative Interest Rate Policy (NIRP). Economists at TD Securities analyze the pair’s outlook. BoJ exited NIRP and YCC simultaneously BoJ exited NIRP and YCC simultaneously and revamped its monetary policy framework around short-term interest rates. The Bank kept its QE program and signalled that it will make nimble responses to any spike in long-run interest rates. Our confidence around an October hike has lessened after Governor Ueda's dovish comments and the recent economic data. USD/JPY is now hostage to the FOMC decision on Wednesday and any big hawkish surprise from Powell could push USD/JPY beyond its 2022 high at 151.90 which may invoke some strong verbal interventions from the MoF.  
The new Canadian inflation figures for February will be released today. Economists at Commerzbank analyze how the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report could impact the Loonie. Bloomberg consensus is currently subject to considerable uncertainty Economists surveyed by Bloomberg are looking for a non-seasonally adjusted increase of 0.6% MoM, which should translate into a seasonally adjusted increase of around 0.26%.  If today's figures confirm the ongoing inflationary risks, the market may push back its rate cut expectations a bit. This would certainly be positive for the CAD. However, it should also be noted that the Bloomberg consensus is currently subject to considerable uncertainty. The number of participants in the survey for Canadian inflation data has fallen significantly in recent years. And even last month, the survey was expecting a solid increase, and in the end, prices actually fell. This is something to keep in mind for today.  

The EUR/GBP pair jumps to 0.8550 in the European session on Tuesday.

EUR/GBP rebounds to 0.8550 amid uncertainty over the Pound Sterling outlook ahead of the BoE policy meeting.The UK inflation data will influence expectations for the BoE to reduce interest rates from August.Eurozone ZEW Survey- Economic Sentiment improves sharply to 33.5 in March.The EUR/GBP pair jumps to 0.8550 in the European session on Tuesday. The asset rises ahead of key United Kingdom economic events this week. The Pound Sterling will be influenced by the Bank of England’s (BoE) interest rate decision, which will be announced on Thursday. The BoE is widely anticipated to keep interest rates unchanged at 5.25% as inflation is far from the desired rate of 2%. Investors await fresh cues about when the BoE could begin reducing interest rates. Currently, market participants anticipate that the BoE will announce their first rate cut in the August policy meeting after maintaining a hawkish stance for more than two years. BoE policymakers have been reiterating that rate cuts would be appropriate only if they are convinced that inflation will return sustainably to the desired target of 2%. Before the BoE policy, investors will focus on the UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for February, which will be published on Wednesday. The annual headline inflation is forecast to have grown at a slower pace of 3.6% against 4.0% in January. In the same period, core inflation that excludes volatile food and energy prices is forecast to have decelerated to 4.6% from 5.1%. Meanwhile, the Euro rises on upbeat Eurozone ZEW Survey—Economic Sentiment. The economic data showcases institutional investors' sentiment towards the economic outlook improving significantly to 33.5 from expectations of 25.4 and the former reading of 25.0. Going forward, the Euro will be guided by market expectations for the European Central Bank's (ECB) rate cuts. Investors expect the ECB to start reducing interest rates by summer. EUR/GBP Overview Today last price 0.855 Today Daily Change 0.0009 Today Daily Change % 0.11 Today daily open 0.8541   Trends Daily SMA20 0.8548 Daily SMA50 0.8553 Daily SMA100 0.8606 Daily SMA200 0.8608   Levels Previous Daily High 0.8562 Previous Daily Low 0.854 Previous Weekly High 0.856 Previous Weekly Low 0.8504 Previous Monthly High 0.8578 Previous Monthly Low 0.8498 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.8548 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.8554 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.8533 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.8525 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.851 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.8556 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.8571 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.8579    

Gold price (XAU/USD) drops to $2,150 in Tuesday’s European session as a strong US Dollar weighs heavily on the precious metal.

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The appeal for Gold remains subdued amid uncertainty ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision and the release of the quarterly dot plot on Wednesday.  The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged in the range of 5.25%-5.50% for the fifth time in a row, but uncertainty over rate-cut projections keeps the Gold price on the tenterhooks. Investors are scaling back bets that the Fed could begin reducing interest rates in June, putting further downside pressure on Gold. Meanwhile, 10-year US Treasury yields have fallen slightly to 4.32% but remain broadly strong on hopes that the first Fed rate cut, which is currently anticipated in June, will be delayed. Higher-than-expected consumer and producer inflation data are casting doubts among investors that this policy pivot will indeed occur in June or will be further postponed. Daily digest market movers: Gold, bond yields fall while US Dollar rallies Gold price falls sharply to the crucial support of $2,150. Investors turn risk-averse towards bullions ahead of the interest rate decision by the Federal Reserve, which will be announced on Wednesday.  The CME FedWatch tool shows that after the conclusion of the two-day meeting, the Fed will keep interest rates unchanged. Investors are eagerly awaiting the quarterly dot plot, which shows projections for interest rates over time by Chair Jerome Powell and other officials. The dot plot will signal any change in projections for rate cuts this year. December’s dot plot indicated that Fed officials are anticipating three rate cuts in 2024. If the Fed dials down rate-cut projections, the Gold price could face significant downside pressure. Currently, the CME FedWatch tool shows a 60% chance that at least three rate cuts will be announced by 2024. The chances for at least three rate cuts were slightly below 80% before the release of the hot consumer and producer inflation data for February. In addition to the dot plot, the Fed will also release economic projections for inflation and economic growth. An upbeat economic outlook would strengthen the appeal of the US Dollar. The United States economy has been performing better on the grounds of consumer spending and labor market than any other country in the Group of Seven (G-7) economies. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the US Dollar’s value against six rival currencies, rises to 104.00 amid improvement in safe-haven bid.  Technical Analysis: Gold price ranges between $2,145-$2,165 Gold price faces pressure as the upside remains limited amid caution ahead of the Fed’s decision on interest rates. The precious metal trades broadly sideways, ranging between $2,145 and $2,165, and it is likely to break the consolidating trend after the Fed’s policy meeting.  The precious metal may continue its downside towards the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $2,097. After a wide divergence, the asset tends to face a mean-reversion move, which results in a price or a time correction. On the downside, December 4 high near $2,145 and December 28 high at $2,088 will act as major support levels. The 14-Relative Strength Index (RSI) retraces from its peak near 84.50, although the upside momentum is still active.   Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.  

The US Dollar Index (DXY) rises to 104.00. Economists at ING analyze Greenback’s outlook.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) rises to 104.00. Economists at ING analyze Greenback’s outlook. A lower housing starts figure could prove a mild Dollar negative The US calendar is quiet ahead of Wednesday's FOMC meeting. With the market now just pricing 68 bps of Fed cuts this year, the FOMC could prove a mild Dollar negative. For the time being, however, the risk of the Fed Dots shifting to just 50 bps of cuts this year could continue to prompt some modest Dollar short covering.  One thing to mention regarding today's data is the housing starts. Democrats are starting to put pressure on the Fed over the locked-up housing market; no one wants to move home and lose a 3% mortgage rate. A lower housing starts figure could prove a mild Dollar negative. DXY may well trade a 103.50-104.00 range today.  

AUD/USD plunged after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) dropped its tightening bias.

AUD/USD plunged after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) dropped its tightening bias. Economists at BBH analyze the pair’s outlook. RBA left the cash rate target at 4.35% The RBA kept the cash rate target at 4.35% (no surprise) but unexpectedly dropped its tightening bias. The RBA tweaked its policy guidance from warning that’a further increase in interest rates cannot be ruled out’ to ‘the Board is not ruling anything in or out’. Accordingly, the tone of the RBA statement was more cautious noting that wage growth ‘appears to have peaked’ and ‘household consumption growth remains particularly weak amid high inflation and the rise in interest rates’. AUD/USD can break below its February low (0.6443) if, as we expect, the Fed turns less dovish on Wednesday.  

The headline German ZEW Economic Sentiment Index jumped from 19.9 in February to 31.7 in March.

Germany’s ZEW Economic Sentiment Index jumps to 31.7 in March.EUR/USD remains uninspired by the upbeat German ZEW survey.The headline German ZEW Economic Sentiment Index jumped from 19.9 in February to 31.7 in March. The market forecast a reading of 20.5. more to come ...

Eurozone ZEW Survey – Economic Sentiment came in at 33.5, above forecasts (25.4) in March

Eurozone Labor Cost declined to 3.4% in 4Q from previous 5.3%

Germany ZEW Survey – Current Situation came in at -80.5, above forecasts (-82) in March

Germany ZEW Survey – Economic Sentiment above expectations (20.5) in March: Actual (31.7)

EUR/USD declines by five hundredths of a percent into the mid 1.0800s on Tuesday, before the big event of the week in Forex, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) March meeting policy announcement.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}EUR/USD descends into mid 1.0800s ahead of Wednesday’s key Fed meeting. Speculation is mounting that the Fed could alter how many interest rate cuts it expects to make in 2024. ECB Vice-President De Guindos sees services inflation still too high for a rate cut.
 EUR/USD declines by five hundredths of a percent into the mid 1.0800s on Tuesday, before the big event of the week in Forex, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) March meeting policy announcement.  Although the Fed is not expected to change its interest rates at the meeting, there is a chance it could change its accompanying statement and forecasts. This could alter the outlook for interest rates and therefore the US Dollar (USD) valuation.  Interest rates, set by central banks, are a key driver for foreign exchange markets.  Higher interest rates tend to support a currency by attracting greater inflows of foreign capital with the opposite being the tendency for lower rates.  EUR/USD weakens as investors monetary policy expectations change  EUR/USD downside over recent days has mainly been driven by renewed US Dollar strength, on the back of a combination of rising expectations there will be a delay in the Fed cutting interest rates and that there may be fewer cuts overall in 2024.  Speculation is mounting that the Federal Reserve will revise the forecasts in its accompanying notes to the meeting, the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP). In the previous SEP, Fed officials forecast three 25 basis points (0.25%) rate cuts in 2024 but some analysts now think there is a material risk that this could be revised down to two 25 bps cuts to reflect inflationary pressures remaining elevated. A revision down to two cuts could pressure EUR/USD lower.  “The summary of economic projections will be updated and contains hawkish risks in our assessment with the committee potentially projecting fewer cuts in 2024,” says David Doyle, head of economics at Macquarie, in a note about the Fed meeting.  The market continues to see June as the first month when the Fed is more likely than not to make its first interest rate cut, but over the last few days July has gained in popularity. Current market-based probabilities, based on the CME FedWatch Tool, favor one or more cuts by June with a 55.1% chance, and by July with a 73.7% probability. The June figure has been trending down.  “Our view on FOMC policy remains that the first 25 bps cut will occur in July,” says Macquarie’s Doyle. “ In 2024 we anticipate 50 bps of cuts and a further 50 bps in 2025,” he adds.   Services inflation too high says De Guindos In Europe, a similar debate is going on about when to begin cutting interest rates. On Tuesday, Vice-President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Luis de Guindos, said “we have to wait,” because “services inflation” remains too high.  De Guindos said he thought June was the right time to review cutting interest rates. His views fall in line with that of the ECB President Christine Lagarde and several other officials.  Although a faction within the ECB led by Francois Villeroy de Galhau appeared to be pushing for a spring rate cut earlier in the month, they appear to be outnumbered by officials favoring June.  The EUR/USD seemed to find some support on Monday after the Eurozone Trade Balance data showed a healthy surplus for the region, and final revisions for inflation data for February came out in line with flash estimates.   Data out on Tuesday is unlikely to move the dial much. In Europe, German and Eurozone ZEW Survey results are scheduled for publication. In the US, Building Permits (a leading indicator) and Housing Starts will be released later in the day.  Technical Analysis: EUR/USD falls below key level, now vulnerable to more declines EUR/USD penetrates below the level of the 1.0867 swing lows on Tuesday, and by doing so probably reverses the direction of the short-term uptrend. Now the odds favor more losses.  Euro versus US Dollar: 4-hour chart A new series of declining peaks and troughs has begun since the March 8 highs. Subject to fundamentals, the price will probably continue to fall to the next key support level at roughly 1.0800 – the lows of wave B of the Measured Move that unfolded in February and early March.  The daily chart below is showing the Moving Average Convergence/ Divergence (MACD) momentum indicator crossing over the signal line, giving a bearish sell signal, and adding further evidence to a change of trend.  However, it is also flagging up a few key barriers to progress lower in the form of dynamic support from the red 50-day and then the green 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMA). Euro versus US Dollar: Daily chart

The 50-day SMA is situated at 1.0848 and the 200-day SMA at 1.0839 and both are likely to be tough support levels to crack. Whether bears can push through, may well depend on the outcome of the up-and-coming Fed meeting.   Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 20 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.    

EUR/CHF is flying high at 0.9660. Economists at ING analyze the Swiss Franc (CHF) outlook ahead of the SNB meeting on Thursday.

EUR/CHF is flying high at 0.9660. Economists at ING analyze the Swiss Franc (CHF) outlook ahead of the SNB meeting on Thursday. EUR/USD could come lower on a major European central bank cutting rates Data released today showed that the Swiss National Bank was still selling FX in the fourth quarter of last year. It might have flipped to FX buying this quarter, but confirmation of that will not emerge until late June.  In focus, however, is Thursday's Swiss National Bank rate meeting, where some are looking for the first rate cut. That is not our house view, but we do not rule it out given that the SNB only meets four times per year compared to eight times for the ECB.  A surprise SNB cut would likely carry EUR/CHF over 0.9700 and potentially USD/CHF sharply higher since EUR/USD could come lower on a major European central bank cutting rates.  

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price slightly retreats to near $81.80 per barrel during European trading hours on Tuesday.

WTI price corrects after reaching a four-month high of $82.46 marked on Monday.Russia has increased its exports in reaction to Ukrainian attacks on the nation's oil infrastructure.Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser rejected the idea of phasing out fossil fuels, describing it as a fantasy.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price slightly retreats to near $81.80 per barrel during European trading hours on Tuesday. This decline is attributed to increasing supply from Russia, coupled with moderating demand for jet fuel and cautious trading ahead of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision on interest rates. Russia has escalated its exports in response to Ukrainian attacks on the country's oil infrastructure, contributing to continued downward pressure on oil prices. However, analysts highlighted Ukraine's drone strikes on three Russian oil refineries over the weekend, which account for at least 10% of Russia’s total oil processing capacity. Additionally, Ukraine announced on Sunday its intention not to extend a five-year agreement with Russia's Gazprom regarding the transit of Russian gas to Europe. Iraq has announced plans to reduce its Crude exports to 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in the coming months to offset exceeding its OPEC+ quota since January. Additionally, Saudi Arabia's Crude exports have decreased for the second consecutive month, dropping to 6.297 million bpd in January compared to 6.308 million bpd in December. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser stated on Monday that global oil demand is not expected to peak for some time. He emphasized the need for policymakers to ensure sufficient investment in oil and gas to meet consumption, dismissing the notion of phasing out fossil fuels as a fantasy. Nasser projected that oil demand will reach a new record of 104 million bpd in 2024. Despite increasing investments, alternative energy sources have yet to significantly displace hydrocarbons on a large scale. WTI US OIL Overview Today last price 81.82 Today Daily Change -0.37 Today Daily Change % -0.45 Today daily open 82.19   Trends Daily SMA20 78.48 Daily SMA50 76.35 Daily SMA100 75.53 Daily SMA200 78.19   Levels Previous Daily High 82.46 Previous Daily Low 80.54 Previous Weekly High 81.05 Previous Weekly Low 76.5 Previous Monthly High 79.27 Previous Monthly Low 71.46 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 81.73 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 81.28 Daily Pivot Point S1 81 Daily Pivot Point S2 79.81 Daily Pivot Point S3 79.08 Daily Pivot Point R1 82.92 Daily Pivot Point R2 83.65 Daily Pivot Point R3 84.84    

AUD/USD dropped after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) removed its tightening bias.

AUD/USD dropped after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) removed its tightening bias. Economists at Commerzbank analyze Aussie’s outlook. RBA deletes explicit reference to further tightening Interest rates were left unchanged at 4.35%. At the same time, RBA removed its hint that further tightening might be appropriate.  The next interest rate move is likely to be a rate cut. However, this does not mean that such a cut will take place in the near future. The RBA also pointed out that inflation in services is much more persistent. And high wage growth is only consistent with the inflation target if productivity growth picks up. In our view, the RBA is therefore maintaining its cautious approach.  It is likely to be several months before the first rate cut is announced. The RBA is unlikely to cut rates until inflation falls more significantly. This is unlikely to happen until after the Fed, so the Aussie should be able to make gains again in the coming weeks.  

European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Pablo Hernandez de Cos said on Tuesday, "we could start cutting rates in June but it is conditional on the data.” Further comments Risks to inflation outlook are balanced.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Pablo Hernandez de Cos said on Tuesday, "we could start cutting rates in June but it is conditional on the data.” Further comments Risks to inflation outlook are balanced. But risks to growth projections are clearly to the downside. Market reactionEUR/USD is testing lows near 1.0845, down 0.23% on the day, following the above comments.   Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 20 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

Silver (XAG/USD) remains under some selling pressure for the second successive day on Tuesday and retreats further from the YTD peak, around the $25.45 region touched last week.

Silver extends its recent pullback from the YTD top, though the downside seems limited.The setup favours support prospects for the emergence of dip-buying near mid-$24.00s.Weakness below the latter might prompt fresh selling and pave the way for deeper losses.Silver (XAG/USD) remains under some selling pressure for the second successive day on Tuesday and retreats further from the YTD peak, around the $25.45 region touched last week. The white metal continues losing ground through the first half of the European session and drops to a fresh daily low, around the $24.85-$24.80 area in the last hour. From a technical perspective, the recent breakout through the very important 200-day Simple Moving (SMA) and a subsequent strength beyond the $24.50-$24.60 horizontal barrier favour bullish traders. Moreover, oscillators on the daily chart – though have been retreating from higher levels – are still holding comfortably in the positive territory. This, in turn, supports prospects for the emergence of some dip-buying and warrants some caution before positioning for any further depreciating move. Meanwhile, the $24.60-$24.50 resistance breakpoint now seems to protect the immediate downside. Any further decline could be seen as a buying opportunity and is more likely to remain limited near the $24.15-$24.10 region. This is followed by the $24.00 round-figure mark, which if broken decisively might shift the bias in favour of bearish traders. The XAG/USD might then accelerate the corrective decline back towards the 200-day SMA support, currently pegged near the $23.35-$23.30 region. On the flip side, momentum back above the $25.00 psychological mark might confront some resistance near the $25.20 region ahead of the YTD peak, around the $25.45 area. Some follow-through buying will reaffirm the near-term positive outlook and allow the XAG/USD to aim back to challenge the December 2023 swing high – levels just ahead of the $26.00 round figure. The latter should act as a pivotal point, which if cleared will pave the way for an extension of over a two-week-old uptrend. Silver daily chartXAG/USD Overview Today last price 24.86 Today Daily Change -0.18 Today Daily Change % -0.72 Today daily open 25.04   Trends Daily SMA20 23.7 Daily SMA50 23.13 Daily SMA100 23.39 Daily SMA200 23.32   Levels Previous Daily High 25.33 Previous Daily Low 24.95 Previous Weekly High 25.45 Previous Weekly Low 24.01 Previous Monthly High 23.5 Previous Monthly Low 21.93 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 25.09 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 25.18 Daily Pivot Point S1 24.88 Daily Pivot Point S2 24.72 Daily Pivot Point S3 24.5 Daily Pivot Point R1 25.26 Daily Pivot Point R2 25.49 Daily Pivot Point R3 25.65    

EUR/USD remains under bearish pressure. Economists at ING analyze the pair’s outlook.

EUR/USD remains under bearish pressure. Economists at ING analyze the pair’s outlook. EUR will likely ignore ZEW figures EUR/USD has softened a little, which seems to be more in line with short-term interest rate differentials. At -135 bps, two-year EUR:USD swap rate differentials remain at their widest levels for the year. We doubt a marginally better German ZEW number today will move the needle much on ECB rate cut expectations or the Euro and it looks like EUR/USD will struggle to get back above 1.0900 short term.  

The USD/CAD pair jumps to 1.3550 in Tuesday’s European session after breaking above the two-day consolidation formed in a range of 1.3510-1.3550.

USD/CAD climbs above 1.3550 amid uncertainty ahead of key events.Canadian inflation is forecasted to have accelerated in February.Investors will keenly focus on the Fed’s interest rate guidance.The USD/CAD pair jumps to 1.3550 in Tuesday’s European session after breaking above the two-day consolidation formed in a range of 1.3510-1.3550. The Loonie asset advances as uncertainty ahead of key events has dampened risk appetite of market participants. S&P500 futures have generated nominal losses in the London session, indicating a risk-aversion mood. The US Dollar Index (DXY) continues its winning spell for the fourth trading session and refreshes its weekly high at 103.87 amid uncertainty ahead of the interest rate decision by the Federal Reserve (Fed), which will be announced on Wednesday. The CME FedWatch tool shows that the central bank is certain to keep interest rates unchanged in the range of 5.25%-5.50%. Investors will focus on cues about rate cuts by the Fed, which are currently expected in the June policy meeting. Meanwhile, the next move in the Canadian Dollar will be guided by Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for February, which will be published at 12:30 GMT. Annual headline inflation is expected to have grown at a higher pace of 3.1% compared to 2.9% recorded for January. USD/CAD approaches the horizontal resistance of the Ascending Triangle pattern formed on a daily timeframe, plotted from December 7 high at 1.3620. The upward-sloping border of the aforementioned pattern is placed from December 27 low at 1.3177. The chart pattern exhibits a sharp volatility contraction. The near-term appeal is bullish, as the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 1.3520 continues to support the US Dollar bulls. The 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillates inside the 40.00-60.00 range, indicating indecisiveness among investors. The Loonie asset would observe a fresh upside if it breaks above December 7 high at 1.3620. This will drive the asset towards May 26 high at 1.3655, followed by the round-level resistance of 1.3700. On the flip side, a downside move below February 22 low at 1.3441 would expose the asset to February 9 low at 1.3413. A breakdown below the latter would extend downside towards January 15 low at 1.3382. USD/CAD daily chartUSD/CAD Overview Today last price 1.3571 Today Daily Change 0.0037 Today Daily Change % 0.27 Today daily open 1.3534   Trends Daily SMA20 1.3523 Daily SMA50 1.3486 Daily SMA100 1.3514 Daily SMA200 1.3481   Levels Previous Daily High 1.3552 Previous Daily Low 1.3521 Previous Weekly High 1.3552 Previous Weekly Low 1.3459 Previous Monthly High 1.3606 Previous Monthly Low 1.3366 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.3533 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.354 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.3519 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.3505 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.3489 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.355 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.3566 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.3581    

USD/MXN continues its upward trend, reaching near 16.90 and marking gains for the fourth consecutive session on Tuesday.

USD/MXN gains ground on speculation of the Fed’s extending policy tightening.Banxico is expected to reduce its interest rate to 11.0% from 11.25%.US Dollar strengthens on improved US Treasury yields.USD/MXN continues its upward trend, reaching near 16.90 and marking gains for the fourth consecutive session on Tuesday. Traders are awaiting Private Spending data on Tuesday and Retail Sales figures on Wednesday from Mexico. Furthermore, attention is on the Bank of Mexico's (Banxico) interest rate decision on Friday, with expectations of a 25 basis points reduction. In Banxico's quarterly report, officials acknowledged progress in inflation control and stressed the importance of avoiding premature interest rate cuts. However, recent speeches and media appearances indicate a division within Banxico's Governing Council. Governor Victoria Rodriguez Ceja, Omar Mejia Castelazo, and Galia Borja Gomez lean dovish, while Jonathan Heath and Irene Espinosa Cantellano take a more hawkish stance. An economic slowdown in Mexico stands out as the primary event that could prompt Banxico's first rate cut, as the central bank has revised its economic projections downward. Despite Mexico's Industrial Production surging over twelve months, surpassing December's stagnant performance, this could bolster the hawkish stance of Banxico. Meanwhile, the US Dollar (USD) strengthens to near 103.90, driven by improved US Treasury yields at 4.73% and 4.32% for 2-year and 10-year US bond coupons, respectively. Investors eagerly await the interest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve (Fed), expected to be announced on Wednesday. The Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to maintain its elevated interest rates in response to recent inflationary pressures. USD/MXN Overview Today last price 16.8805 Today Daily Change 0.0511 Today Daily Change % 0.30 Today daily open 16.8294   Trends Daily SMA20 16.9327 Daily SMA50 17.0367 Daily SMA100 17.1475 Daily SMA200 17.2208   Levels Previous Daily High 16.869 Previous Daily Low 16.6833 Previous Weekly High 16.8572 Previous Weekly Low 16.6461 Previous Monthly High 17.2852 Previous Monthly Low 16.9953 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 16.798 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 16.7542 Daily Pivot Point S1 16.7188 Daily Pivot Point S2 16.6082 Daily Pivot Point S3 16.5331 Daily Pivot Point R1 16.9044 Daily Pivot Point R2 16.9795 Daily Pivot Point R3 17.0901    

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has finally ended its eight-year reign of negative interest rates.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has finally ended its eight-year reign of negative interest rates. USD/JPY surged above 150.00 after the decision. Economists at ING analyze Yen’s outlook. BoJ lift-off underwhelms the Yen  Gone are the negative interest rates, yield curve control and purchases of ETFs and Real Estate Investment Trusts. Instead, excess reserves at the BoJ will now be remunerated at 0.10% and the BoJ will target the overnight call rate (its main policy rate now) in a range of 0.0%-0.1%.  The Yen sold off on the headlines that the BoJ would keep an accommodative policy for a while, but recent headlines are suggesting that further rate hikes may be forthcoming now that the virtuous link between wages and prices has been confirmed. The problem for the Yen, however, is that volatility remains exceptionally low and the carry trade exceptionally popular. USD/JPY may well trade in a 150.00-152.00 range for the time being (locals in Tokyo think the BoJ will not intervene to sell USD/JPY until 155.00), and a lower USD/JPY will have to be led from the Dollar side.  

The Japanese Yen (JPY) reacted negatively after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced an end to its negative rate policy.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) reacted negatively after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced an end to its negative rate policy. Economists at Commerzbank analyze Yen’s outlook. Bank of Japan delivers and still disappoints The BoJ actually raised interest rates for the first time since 2007. The short-term policy rate is now set between 0 and 0.1%. At the same time, the target for long-term JGBs (the YCC) was abandoned, although the BoJ still intends to buy a similar number of JGBs per month as before, just without an explicit target. On the other hand, it stops buying ETFs and REITs and purchases of commercial paper and corporate bonds will be gradually reduced and stopped completely in 12 months. A symbolic exit from the negative interest rate policy is unlikely to give the Yen much of a boost. After all, there have already been a number of exceptions to the negative interest rate policy, and the latest rate hike was only a few basis points. Only if the BoJ hints at further rate hikes, which would indicate a real rate hike cycle, will the Yen benefit more. Anything else has been priced in after the statements of the past few weeks. While the BoJ did take a first step away from its ultra-expansive monetary policy, it was not a clear hawkish turn, but rather a dovish rate hike. The key now is likely to be inflation. If there are further signs that inflation is persistently stuck at the BoJ's 2% target, further steps to normalize monetary policy could follow. However, we remain skeptical that inflation will really stay high. After all these years of extremely low inflation, we think it would have been better to wait a bit longer for this wage-price spiral to anchor inflation sustainably at the 2% target. After today's decision, there is still a risk that the BoJ will have to stop normalizing its monetary policy sooner rather than later. This should be kept in mind.  

The Pound Sterling (GBP) continues its losing streak for the fourth trading session on Tuesday as investors turn risk-averse in a big central banks’ week.

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The GBP/USD pair prints a fresh weekly low ahead of the interest rate decisions by the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE). As both central banks are anticipated to maintain the status quo, investors will majorly focus on clues about the interest rate outlook. In the United Kingdom, investors will scrutinize the BoE’s monetary policy statement to look for any cues about the timing for interest-rate cuts. UK headline inflation has come down significantly from the double-digit figures to 4%, mainly because the BoE has raised and kept interest rates at high levels for more than two years. Maintaining higher interest rates has also led to a sharp decline in economic growth, uplifting expectations for rate cuts in August. Before the BoE policy decision, market participants will focus on the UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for February, which will be published on Wednesday. Expectations for the BoE to lower interest rates sooner could escalate if the inflation data turns out softer than expected. On the contrary, stubborn data will deepen uncertainty over rate cuts. The Pound Sterling tends to strengthen when inflation data comes in higher than expected, suggesting BoE policymakers will maintain a hawkish narrative. Daily digest market movers: Pound Sterling dips amid cautious market mood The Pound Sterling drops to the round-level support of 1.2700 as dismal market sentiment has dampened the appeal of risk-sensitive assets. The risk appetite of investors has diminished ahead of a slew of central bank meetings this week. "Investors are uncertain that the Fed will start cutting rates in June, as markets previously widely expected, due to recently hot inflation data. This has weakened the appeal for risk assets. The demand for safe-haven assets has improved significantly. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the US Dollar’s value against six rival currencies, continues its winning streak for the fourth trading session on Tuesday. The USD Index jumped to 103.80 on hopes that the Fed will maintain hawkish rhetoric after keeping interest rates unchanged in the range of 5.25%-5.50% on Wednesday This week, the Pound Sterling will be guided by the Bank of England’s interest rate decision, which will be announced on Thursday. The BoE is widely anticipated to keep interest rates unchanged at 5.25%. Therefore, investors will keenly focus on cues about when the BoE is expecting to start reducing interest rates. Currently, the market expects the BoE to begin reducing interest rates in its August policy meeting. The market expectations for a rate cut in August are expected to be influenced by the United Kingdom CPI data for February, which will be announced on Wednesday. The annual headline inflation is forecast to have fallen to 3.6% against 4.0% in January. In the same period, core inflation – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – is forecast to have decelerated to 4.6% from 5.1%. For the monthly headline CPI, economists have forecasted a sharp growth of 0.7% after declining by by 0.6% in January. Technical Analysis: Pound Sterling drops below 20-EMA to 1.2700The Pound Sterling falls to the breakout region of the Descending Triangle formed around 1.2700. The near-term demand for the GBP/USD pair has turned uncertain as it has dropped below the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which trades around 1.2730.  On the downside, the downward-sloping border of the Descending Triangle chart pattern could support the Pound Sterling. On the upside, a seven-month high at around 1.2900 will be a major barricade. The 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) returns to the 40.00-60.00 range, indicating a sharp volatility contraction.   Pound Sterling FAQs What is the Pound Sterling? The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, aka ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling? The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects. How does economic data influence the value of the Pound? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall. How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound? Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

USD/CHF climbs towards 0.8890 during the Asian hours on Tuesday, driven by higher US Treasury yields.

USD/CHF gains ground on the expectation of the Fed prolonging elevated policy rates.Bond markets face selling pressure as a result of the resilience observed in the US economy.Swiss Trade Balance revealed a surplus of 3662M, surpassing expectations of 3500MUSD/CHF climbs towards 0.8890 during the Asian hours on Tuesday, driven by higher US Treasury yields. Market expectations suggest that the Federal Reserve will maintain its monetary policy unchanged during the March meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The Fed is under pressure to prolong its elevated interest rates in response to recent inflationary pressures. Bond markets are experiencing selling pressure as further signs of resilience in the United States (US) economy emerge, leading traders to adjust their expectations for fewer interest rate cuts this year. The likelihood of rate cuts in June and July has decreased, standing at 55.1% and 73.7%, respectively. In February, the Swiss Trade Balance revealed a surplus of 3662 million, surpassing expectations of 3500 million but declining from January's 4,701 million. Imports (MoM) increased to 18,812 million from the previous reading of 18,046 million, while monthly exports decreased to 22,474 million from 22,746 million prior. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) forecasts inflation to average 1.9% in 2024. Presently, the inflation rate is notably below this projection at 1.2%. However, there was a notable increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in February, rising by 0.6% compared to 0.2% previously on a monthly basis. Market participants are eagerly awaiting the Swiss National Bank (SNB) March policy meeting scheduled for Thursday. According to Reuters, there is a 29% probability of the SNB trimming its 1.75% policy rate at the meeting. A rate cut by the SNB could potentially weaken the Swiss Franc (CHF) as lower interest rates typically attract fewer foreign capital inflows. USD/CHF Overview Today last price 0.8888 Today Daily Change 0.0010 Today Daily Change % 0.11 Today daily open 0.8878   Trends Daily SMA20 0.8811 Daily SMA50 0.873 Daily SMA100 0.874 Daily SMA200 0.8818   Levels Previous Daily High 0.8885 Previous Daily Low 0.8822 Previous Weekly High 0.8853 Previous Weekly Low 0.8747 Previous Monthly High 0.8886 Previous Monthly Low 0.8553 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.8861 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.8846 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.8838 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.8799 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.8775 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.8901 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.8925 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.8964    

FX option expiries for Mar 19 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time, via DTCC, can be found below.

FX option expiries for Mar 19 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time, via DTCC, can be found below. EUR/USD: EUR amounts 1.0790 1.4b 1.0865 1b 1.0875 938 USD/JPY: USD amounts                      150.00 733m 151.50 500m

Statistics Canada will release February Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Tuesday, March 19 at 12:30 and as we get closer to the release time, here are the forecasts by the economists and researchers of five major banks regarding the upcoming Canadian inflation data.

Statistics Canada will release February Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Tuesday, March 19 at 12:30 and as we get closer to the release time, here are the forecasts by the economists and researchers of five major banks regarding the upcoming Canadian inflation data. The annual headline CPI is anticipated to have accelerated to 3.1% from 2.9% in January. If so, inflation would move further above the 2% target which means the BoC can be patient before loosening policy.  TDS We look for headline CPI to push back above the target range to 3.1% YoY in February after last month's deceleration, reflecting the contributions of higher energy prices, a mild rebound in core goods, and persistence across shelter components, as stagnant core inflation measures suggest little progress on underlying inflation ahead of the April BoC decision. RBC Economics Both headline and core (ex-food and energy) inflation are expected to come in at 3.1% YoY with headline up from 2.9% in January on higher energy inflation. Gasoline prices rose by nearly 4% in February from a month ago. Still, a very soft economic backdrop means that price pressures in Canada are more likely to keep easing and narrowing, allowing for a first rate cut from the BoC to also come in June. NBF The increase in gasoline prices during the month may translate into a 0.4% gain for the headline index before seasonal adjustment, which could make the 12-month rate increase from 2.9% to 3.1%. Similarly to the headline print, the core measures preferred by the Bank of Canada could strengthen, with CPI-med likely moving from 3.3% to 3.4%, and CPI-trim from 3.4% to 3.5%. Citi After a surprisingly soft reading of a flat headline CPI in January, we expect a solid bounce-back of 0.6% MoM in February. Part of this strength would reflect usual seasonal patterns where prices rise in the early months of the year. The most important element of monthly CPI reports will continue to be the core inflation measures, CPI-trim and CPI-median, and specifically the average annualized three-month pace of the core measures. Given somewhat stronger February data and a strong increase in December that will still be included in the three-month calculation, three-month core inflation will likely remain close to 3% in February. With February CPI the last release before the BoC’s April meeting, a cut at that meeting remains very unlikely. CIBC Higher prices at the pump in February likely helped push headline CPI up a tick to 3.0% YoY, reflecting a 0.6% NSA monthly increase. That would also include an acceleration in ex. food/energy prices to 0.3% MoM SA, as some volatile segments that showed large declines in January (clothing, airfares) could have seen a turnaround in February, adding to increases in shelter prices. Looking beyond the volatility, however, price increases likely weren’t any more broad based, reflecting soft consumer demand, and we therefore expect 12-month CPI trim and median to both be unchanged.  

Here is what you need to know on Tuesday, March 19: The volatility surrounding the Japanese Yen and the Australian Dollar heightened during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday as investors assessed the monetary policy announcements from the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

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Later in the day, ZEW Survey from Germany and Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from Canada will be watched closely by market participants. The US economic docket will feature Building Permits and Housing Starts figures for February. The BoJ announced that it lift the interest rate by 10 basis points (bps) from -0.1% to 0% and abandoned its yield curve control (YCC) strategy. Both of these decisions came in line with the market expectation. In its policy statement, the BoJ further noted that it will apply a 0.1% interest to all excess reserves parked with the JPY and said that it will use the short-term interest rates as its primary policy tool. USD/JPY rose sharply with the immediate reaction and was last seen rising nearly 1% on the day above 150.00.Japanese Yen adds to post-BoJ losses, eyes YTD low.In the post-meeting press conference, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said that they will continue buying broadly the same amount of Japanese government bonds as before and added that they will consider options for easing broadly, including the ones used in the past if needed.Ueda Speech: BoJ Governor speaks on interest rate outlook after historic hike.Japanese Yen price today The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies today. Japanese Yen was the weakest against the US Dollar.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  0.06% 0.14% 0.23% 0.61% 0.81% 0.54% 0.20%EUR-0.07%   0.09% 0.15% 0.55% 0.76% 0.49% 0.15%GBP-0.17% -0.11%   0.06% 0.46% 0.64% 0.36% 0.04%CAD-0.23% -0.17% -0.08%   0.38% 0.59% 0.31% -0.02%AUD-0.62% -0.55% -0.48% -0.39%   0.22% -0.07% -0.41%JPY-0.84% -0.75% -0.70% -0.62% -0.20%   -0.27% -0.61%NZD-0.57% -0.51% -0.44% -0.34% 0.04% 0.26%   -0.37%CHF-0.23% -0.16% -0.09% 0.01% 0.39% 0.59% 0.31%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).   The RBA left the policy rate unchanged at 4.35% after the March policy meeting, as widely anticipated. In the policy statement, the RBA noted that higher interest rates are working to establish a more sustainable balance between aggregate demand and supply in the economy. "While there are encouraging signs that inflation is moderating, the economic outlook remains uncertain," the RBA added. Bullock Speech: RBA Governor sheds light on interest rate path after standing pat.RBA Governor Michele Bullock said that they need to be much more confident on inflation coming down to consider a rate cut. AUD/USD came under bearish pressure following the RBA event was last trading slightly above 0.6500, losing more than 0.5% on the day.Australian Dollar depreciates amid a higher ASX 200, RBA's Bullock remains cautious.After closing in positive territory for the fourth consecutive day on Monday, the US Dollar Index continues to stretch higher toward 104.00 in the early European session on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield holds steady above 4.3% and US stock index futures trade marginally lower.EUR/USD registered small losses on Monday and edged slightly lower early Tuesday. The pair holds above 1.0850 ahead of economic sentiment data.GBP/USD stays on the back foot and closes in on 1.2800 in the early European session on Tuesday. The UK's Office for National Statistics will release Consumer Price Index data on Wednesday.Gold failed to gather directional momentum and closed the first day of the week virtually unchanged. The resilience of US Treasury bond yields make it difficult for XAU/USD to gain traction, which was last seen fluctuating in a narrow channel below $2,160.Gold price seems vulnerable near one-week low amid hawkish Fed expectations.  Central banks FAQs What does a central bank do? 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%. What does a central bank do when inflation undershoots or overshoots its projected target? 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. Who decides on monetary policy and interest rates? 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%. Is there a president or head of a central bank? 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.  

Switzerland Exports (MoM) declined to 22474M in February from previous 22804M

Switzerland Imports (MoM) increased to 18812M in February from previous 18067M

Switzerland Trade Balance came in at 3662M, above forecasts (3500M) in February

Following the Bank of Japan's first historic interest rate hike at the March policy meeting, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda is addressing the post-policy meeting press conference on Tuesday.

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Following the Bank of Japan's first historic interest rate hike at the March policy meeting, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said that the Bank “will continue buying 'broadly same amount' of JGB as before.” more to come ...

Following the Bank of Japan's first historic interest rate hike at the March policy meeting, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said that the Bank “will continue buying 'broadly same amount' of JGB as before.” more to come ...

The NZD/USD pair remains under some selling pressure during the early European session on Tuesday.

NZD/USD edges lower to 0.6053 amid the stronger US Dollar. The Fed Reserve is anticipated to leave rates unchanged for a fifth straight time on Wednesday.The positive headline surrounding the China-New Zealand free trade agreement failed to lift the Kiwi. Fed interest rate decision on Wednesday will be a closely watched event ahead of New Zealand’s GDP Q4 growth numbers. The NZD/USD pair remains under some selling pressure during the early European session on Tuesday. The uptick in the US Dollar Index (DXY) to two-week highs above 103.80 weighs on the NZD/USD pair. Markets are in a cautious mood ahead of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy meeting on Wednesday. The pair currently trades around 0.6053, down 0.53% on the day. 

The US economic data in recent weeks indicated that the US economy is strong and inflation remains elevated. The data might convince the Fed to delay the interest rate cuts, which lift the US Dollar (USD) broadly. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said he was not concerned about inflation data that remains above the central bank’s target, as the Fed’s preferred gauge has eased notably over the past year. 

Markets expect the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged for a fifth straight time at the end of its two-day meeting on Wednesday. Powell stated that the Fed is likely to cut its key interest rate this year, but he wants to see more evidence that inflation is falling sustainably back to the 2% target. Financial markets have priced in a nearly 73% chance that the Fed will cut rates in July, according to the CME FedWatch Tools.

On the Kiwi front, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China is ready to work with New Zealand to implement an upgraded version of the China-New Zealand free trade agreement. However, this positive headline failed to boost the China-proxy New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 

Looking ahead, traders will keep an eye on New Zealand’s Westpac Consumer Survey for the first quarter (Q1), due on Wednesday, followed by the Current Account. The Fed interest rate decision and the press conference will be the highlight for this week, On Thursday, the focus will turn to the New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Q4, which is expected to grow 0.1% QoQ.  NZD/USD Overview Today last price 0.6053 Today Daily Change -0.0032 Today Daily Change % -0.53 Today daily open 0.6085   Trends Daily SMA20 0.6141 Daily SMA50 0.6133 Daily SMA100 0.6127 Daily SMA200 0.608   Levels Previous Daily High 0.6101 Previous Daily Low 0.6077 Previous Weekly High 0.6191 Previous Weekly Low 0.608 Previous Monthly High 0.6219 Previous Monthly Low 0.6037 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.6086 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.6092 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.6075 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.6064 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.6051 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6099 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6112 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6123    

European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Luis de Guindos, said in an interview on Tuesday, “services inflation is stickier.

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Canada is slated to unveil the always-relevant inflation-related figures on Tuesday.

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  What to expect from Canada’s inflation rate? Analysts expect a pick-up of price pressures throughout Canada during last month. In fact, inflation measured by annual changes in the Consumer Price Index, is forecast to resume its upward trajectory in February, mirroring trends observed in many of Canada's G10 counterparts, notably its neighbour, the US. After reaching 4% in August, the CPI has shown a downward trend, with the exception of the bounce recorded in the last month of the year. All in all, inflation indicators still remain well above the Bank of Canada's 2% target. Should the forthcoming data confirm the anticipated increase in inflationary pressures, investors might consider the possibility of the central bank keeping the current restrictive stance in place for a longer duration than originally predicted. Still, any additional tightening of monetary conditions seems unlikely, as per comments from the bank’s officials. The latter situation would necessitate a sudden and sustained resurgence of price pressures and a rapid increase in consumer demand, both of which seem improbable in the foreseeable future. During his remarks at the latest BoC meeting, Governor Tiff Macklem expressed optimism about the ongoing battle against inflation, noting current progress and anticipating further advancements. He highlighted the significance of core inflation measures, suggesting that if they remain unchanged, the forecasts for overall inflation reduction may not come to fruition. He assessed the risks to the inflation outlook as reasonably balanced and noted that well-anchored inflation expectations are aiding efforts to bring inflation back under control. When is the Canada CPI data due and how could it affect USD/CAD? On Tuesday at 12:30 GMT, Canada is set to release the Consumer Price Index for February. The Canadian Dollar's potential response is tied to changes in monetary policy expectations by the Bank of Canada. However, barring any real surprise in either direction, the BoC is unlikely to change its current cautious monetary policy stance, in line with other central banks such as the Federal Reserve (Fed). The USD/CAD has started the new trading year in quite a bullish fashion, although the uptrend appears to have met a decent barrier around the 1.3600 zone. Pablo Piovano, Senior Analyst at FXStreet, says: “There is a strong likelihood of USD/CAD maintaining the constructive bias as long as it remains above the significant 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.3479. The bullish sentiment is expected to strengthen even more if there is a sustained break above the so-far yearly tops around 1.3600. On the flip side, the breach of the 200-day SMA could open the door to extra losses and a potential move to the January low of 1.3358 (January 31). South from here, there are no support levels of note prior to the December 2023 bottom of 1.3177, which occurred on December 27”. Pablo adds: "Significant increases in volatility around CAD would require unexpected inflation figures. If the numbers fall below expectations, it could strengthen the argument for potential interest rate cuts by the BoC in the next few months, further appreciating USD/CAD. However, a rebound in the CPI, similar to trends observed in the US, might provide some support to the Canadian Dollar, although to a limited extent. A higher-than-anticipated inflation reading would intensify pressure on the Bank of Canada to maintain elevated rates for an extended period, potentially resulting in prolonged challenges for many Canadians dealing with higher interest rates, as highlighted by Bank of Canada Governor Macklem."   Economic Indicator Canada Consumer Price Index (MoM) The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by Statistics Canada on a monthly basis, represents changes in prices for Canadian consumers by comparing the cost of a fixed basket of goods and services. The MoM figure compares the prices of goods in the reference month to the previous month. Generally, a high reading is seen as bullish for the Canadian Dollar (CAD), while a low reading is seen as bearish.Read more.Next release: 03/19/2024 12:30:00 GMTFrequency: MonthlySource: Statistics Canada Canadian Dollar price in the last 7 days The table below shows the percentage change of Canadian Dollar (CAD) against listed major currencies in the last 7 days. Canadian Dollar was the weakest against the .  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  0.48% 0.96% 0.44% 0.93% 1.69% 1.46% 0.86%EUR-0.50%   0.46% -0.06% 0.43% 1.20% 0.98% 0.37%GBP-0.97% -0.48%   -0.53% -0.03% 0.74% 0.52% -0.09%CAD-0.44% 0.07% 0.52%   0.48% 1.22% 1.03% 0.39%AUD-0.94% -0.45% 0.03% -0.50%   0.77% 0.55% -0.06%JPY-1.69% -1.22% -0.49% -1.27% -0.76%   -0.21% -0.83%NZD-1.48% -0.99% -0.52% -1.05% -0.54% 0.22%   -0.61%CHF-0.89% -0.40% 0.08% -0.43% 0.05% 0.81% 0.59%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).  

The S&P/ASX 200 Index continues its upward momentum, marking the third consecutive session of gains.

S&P/ASX 200 Index marks gains after RBA’s policy decision.RBA has maintained the policy rate at 4.35% during its March policy meeting.RBA Governor Bullock highlighted caution that the inflation fight is not yet won.The S&P/ASX 200 Index continues its upward momentum, marking the third consecutive session of gains. Trading higher around 7700, up approximately 0.27% on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has maintained the policy rate at 4.35% for the third consecutive meeting, as announced during its March policy meeting. The Australian equity market is buoyed by gains in the energy and real estate sectors. Mining and energy stocks are primarily on the rise due to stronger commodity prices. The top-performing stocks are Nickel Industries Limited and Bellevue Gold Limited, which have surged by 7.43% and 6.71%, respectively. On the other hand, companies with the lowest percentage returns include Reward Minerals Ltd, which plummeted by 40.0%, Oldfields Holdings Ltd down by 27.27%, and Resource Mining Corporation Ltd, which fell by 21.74%. The S&P/ASX200 VIX is notably lower today, decreasing by 4.35% to 10.85, reaching a new 50-day low. Conversely, the All Ordinaries Index is on the rise, gaining 32.60 points to reach 7,961.40.RBA Governor Michele Bullock addressed the policy outlook during a press conference following the monetary policy decision on Tuesday. She noted progress in the fight against inflation, citing recent data indicating the country is on the right track. However, Governor Bullock emphasized the importance of closely monitoring employment numbers. She highlighted that risks to the outlook are finely balanced and cautioned that the battle against inflation is not yet won. Additionally, markets are cautiously awaiting policy decisions from the Federal Reserve.

The EUR/USD pair trades on a negative note during the early European session on Tuesday.

EUR/USD trades in negative territory near 1.0871 amid the cautious mood in Tuesday’s early European session. The pair keeps the bearish vibe below the key EMA; RSI indicator lies below the 50-midline. The first downside target is seen at 1.0852; the initial resistance level will emerge at 1.0882.The EUR/USD pair trades on a negative note during the early European session on Tuesday. The major pair moves in a narrow range between 1.0866 and 1.0876 as traders prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate decision on Wednesday. At the press time, EUR/USD is trading at 1.0871, down 0.01% on the day. 

Technically, EUR/USD maintains the bearish outlook unchanged as the major pair is below the key 50- and 100-period Exponential Moving Averages (EMA) on the four-hour chart. Furthermore, the downward momentum is further confirmed by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which lies below the 50-midline, indicating that further downside looks favorable. 

The first downside target for the major pair is located near the lower limit of the Bollinger Band at 1.0852. Further south, the next contention level is seen at the 1.0800 mark, representing the confluence of a low of February 22 and a psychological mark. A breach of this level will expose a low of February 20 at 1.0761, and finally a low of February 15 at 1.0725.

On the other hand, the initial resistance level will emerge at the 100-period EMA at 1.0882. The critical upside barrier to watch for EUR/USD is the 1.0900-1.0905 region, portraying the 50-period EMA, psychological figure, and a high of March 18. A bullish breakout above the latter will see a rally to the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band at 1.0926, followed by a high of March 14 at 1.0955.EUR/USD four-hour chart   EUR/USD Overview Today last price 1.0871 Today Daily Change -0.0001 Today Daily Change % -0.01 Today daily open 1.0872   Trends Daily SMA20 1.087 Daily SMA50 1.085 Daily SMA100 1.0861 Daily SMA200 1.0839   Levels Previous Daily High 1.0906 Previous Daily Low 1.0866 Previous Weekly High 1.0964 Previous Weekly Low 1.0873 Previous Monthly High 1.0898 Previous Monthly Low 1.0695 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.0881 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.0891 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.0857 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.0841 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.0817 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.0897 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.0922 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.0937      

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Crude Oil prices edge lower during the Asian session on Tuesday and revers a part of the previous day's strong gains to the $82.45 area, or the highest level since early November.

WTI retreats from a fresh YTD peak touched on Tuesday, though the downside seems limited.The prospects of rising supply from Russia prompt some profit-taking after the recent run-up.Concerns about tightening global supply should act as a tailwind and help limit deeper losses.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Crude Oil prices edge lower during the Asian session on Tuesday and revers a part of the previous day's strong gains to the $82.45 area, or the highest level since early November. The commodity currently trades around the $82.00/barrel mark, though the downside seems limited in the wake of worries about tightening supply. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries over the last week could lead to higher crude oil exports from Russia. This, in turn, prompts bullish traders to take some profits off the table after the recent strong run-up witnessed over the past week or so and slightly overstretched conditions on short-term charts. Apart from this, sustained US Dollar (USD) buying, bolstered by bets that the Federal Reserve (Fe) will stick to its higher-for-longer interest rates narrative to bring down inflation, exerts downward pressure on the commodity. Furthermore, growing concerns about a global economic slowdown, which could dent fuel demand, turn out to be another factor weighing on Crude Oil prices. Meanwhile, lower crude exports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, along with disruptions caused by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, could act as a tailwind for the black liquid and help limit the corrective slide. Hence, it will be prudent to wait for strong follow-through selling before confirming that the commodity has topped out in the near term and positioning for deeper losses. WTI US OIL Overview Today last price 81.99 Today Daily Change -0.20 Today Daily Change % -0.24 Today daily open 82.19   Trends Daily SMA20 78.48 Daily SMA50 76.35 Daily SMA100 75.53 Daily SMA200 78.19   Levels Previous Daily High 82.46 Previous Daily Low 80.54 Previous Weekly High 81.05 Previous Weekly Low 76.5 Previous Monthly High 79.27 Previous Monthly Low 71.46 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 81.73 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 81.28 Daily Pivot Point S1 81 Daily Pivot Point S2 79.81 Daily Pivot Point S3 79.08 Daily Pivot Point R1 82.92 Daily Pivot Point R2 83.65 Daily Pivot Point R3 84.84    

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock is speaking on the policy outlook at a press conference following the announcement of the March monetary policy decision on Tuesday.

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock is speaking on the policy outlook at a press conference following the announcement of the March monetary policy decision on Tuesday. Bullock is responding to questions from the media, as part of a new reporting format for the central bank. Key quotes We are making progress in fight against inflation. Recent data suggest we are on right track. Keeping keen eye on employment numbers. Risks to outlook are finely balanced. developing story .... Market reactionAUD/USD is holding lower ground near 0.6530 on the above comments, down 0.31% on the day.

Japan Capacity Utilization: -7.9% (January) vs previous -0.1%

Japan Industrial Production (YoY): -1.5% (January)

Japan Industrial Production (MoM) came in at -6.7%, above forecasts (-7.5%) in January

The EUR/JPY cross gains traction above the mid-162.00s during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday.

EUR/JPY holds positive ground around 162.77 after the BoJ rate decision. BoJ decided to end a negative interest rate era that began in 2016, in line with market expectations.ECB’s de Cos said the central bank may start cutting rates in June if inflation in the eurozone continues to ease.Investors will focus on the German and Eurozone ZEW Survey on Tuesday.The EUR/JPY cross gains traction above the mid-162.00s during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The cross drifts higher after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) decided to end a negative interest rate era that began in 2016, in line with market expectations. At press time, EUR/JPY is trading at 162.77, adding 0.37% on the day. 

After the two-day monetary policy meeting on Tuesday, the BoJ decided to raise the interest rate by 10 basis points (bps) from -0.1% to 0% for the first time since 2007. The decision was in line with market expectations. The BoJ policy statement showed that, given the current outlook for economic activity and prices, the BoJ anticipates accommodative financial conditions to be maintained for the time being. In response to the interest rate decision, the Japanese Yen attracts some sellers as the hawkish policy was widely priced in by the markets.

The European Central Bank (ECB) held the interest rate steady at its March meeting. However, the ECB policymakers signaled progress in easing inflation and started discussions about the timeline of the rate cut. The ECB Pablo Hernandez de Cos said that the central bank may start lowering interest rates in June if inflation in the eurozone continues to cool down. The ECB Governing Council member Klaas Knot penciled in June for a first-rate cut and expects three rate cuts this year.

Moving on, market players will focus on the German and Eurozone ZEW Survey, due later on Tuesday. Later this week, the German Producer Price Index (PPI) and the ECB's Lagarde speech will be in focus on Wednesday. On Thursday, the Eurozone HCOB PMI data for March will be released. These events could give a clear direction to the EUR/JPY cross.  EUR/JPY Overview Today last price 162.9 Today Daily Change 0.72 Today Daily Change % 0.44 Today daily open 162.18   Trends Daily SMA20 162.33 Daily SMA50 161.14 Daily SMA100 160.22 Daily SMA200 158.69   Levels Previous Daily High 162.69 Previous Daily Low 161.95 Previous Weekly High 162.41 Previous Weekly Low 160.22 Previous Monthly High 163.72 Previous Monthly Low 158.08 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 162.23 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 162.41 Daily Pivot Point S1 161.86 Daily Pivot Point S2 161.53 Daily Pivot Point S3 161.12 Daily Pivot Point R1 162.59 Daily Pivot Point R2 163.01 Daily Pivot Point R3 163.33    

GBP/JPY has rebounded from intraday losses to extend its winning streak, which commenced on March 12.

GBP/JPY extends its winning streak despite hawkish BoJ.BoJ board members decided to lift the interest rate to 0% from -0.1%.Traders await consumer and producer price data from the United Kingdom.GBP/JPY has rebounded from intraday losses to extend its winning streak, which commenced on March 12. The pair trades higher around 190.30 during Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) board members opted to raise the interest rate by 10 basis points (bps) from -0.1% to 0% for the first time since 2007. This decision marks the end of a negative interest rate era. It aligns with market expectations. The much stronger-than-expected pay hikes by major Japanese firms have already laid the groundwork for the BoJ to shift away from the decade-long stimulus measures. In the United Kingdom (UK), inflation is showing signs of moderation, yet the Bank of England (BoE) maintains a cautious stance until Consumer Prices return to the 2% target. It is expected that the BoE will keep interest rates unchanged at 5.25% during Thursday's meeting. Traders are eagerly awaiting consumer and producer price data scheduled for release on Wednesday. Due to softer Consumer Inflation Expectations on Friday, which increased by 3.0% but slightly lower than the previous uptick of 3.3%, market speculation arose regarding a potential Bank of England (BoE) rate cut. Investors anticipate the BoE to commence rate cuts in August, with one or two additional cuts by year-end. Such sentiment could have weakened the Pound Sterling (GBP) and undermined the GBP/JPY cross. GBP/JPY Overview Today last price 190.57 Today Daily Change 0.71 Today Daily Change % 0.37 Today daily open 189.86   Trends Daily SMA20 189.9 Daily SMA50 188.4 Daily SMA100 186.17 Daily SMA200 184.37   Levels Previous Daily High 190.16 Previous Daily Low 189.54 Previous Weekly High 190.03 Previous Weekly Low 187.96 Previous Monthly High 191.33 Previous Monthly Low 185.23 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 189.92 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 189.78 Daily Pivot Point S1 189.55 Daily Pivot Point S2 189.23 Daily Pivot Point S3 188.93 Daily Pivot Point R1 190.17 Daily Pivot Point R2 190.47 Daily Pivot Point R3 190.78    

The AUD/JPY cross continues with its struggle to find acceptance above the 98.00 mark and surrenders Asian session gains to over a one-week high.

AUD/JPY retreats from over a one-week high after the RBA and the BoJ announced their decisions.The RBA decided to keep the benchmark rates unchanged for the third straight meeting in March.The BoJ ends the negative interest rates era and also scraps the Yield Curve Control (YCC) policy.The AUD/JPY cross continues with its struggle to find acceptance above the 98.00 mark and surrenders Asian session gains to over a one-week high. Spot prices drop to a fresh daily low after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced their policy decisions, albeit manage to attract fresh buyers in the vicinity of mid-97.00s. As was unanimously expected, the Australian central bank decided to keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at the end of the March policy meeting. The Australian Dollar (AUD), however, started losing traction in the absence of any fresh hawkish signals, though signs of improving relations between Australia and China – the former's biggest trading partner – help limit further losses. Meanwhile, the BoJ announced lifting the interest rate by 10 basis points (bps) from -0.1% to 0% for the first time since 2007, ending the negative interest rate era that began in 2016. The BoJ also scrapped its Yield Curve Control (YCC) policy at the conclusion of its two-day monetary policy meeting. The decision, however, was broadly in line with the market expectations and did little to influence the JPY. Investors now look forward to the post-meeting press conference, where comments by BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda will play a key role in influencing the JPY price dynamics and provide some meaningful impetus to the AUD/JPY cross. The mixed fundamental backdrop, meanwhile, makes it prudent to wait for strong follow-through buying before positioning for any further appreciating move. AUD/JPY Overview Today last price 97.91 Today Daily Change 0.07 Today Daily Change % 0.07 Today daily open 97.84   Trends Daily SMA20 97.96 Daily SMA50 97.5 Daily SMA100 97.17 Daily SMA200 96.03   Levels Previous Daily High 98.1 Previous Daily Low 97.64 Previous Weekly High 97.97 Previous Weekly Low 96.9 Previous Monthly High 99.06 Previous Monthly Low 95.5 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 97.93 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 97.82 Daily Pivot Point S1 97.62 Daily Pivot Point S2 97.41 Daily Pivot Point S3 97.17 Daily Pivot Point R1 98.08 Daily Pivot Point R2 98.32 Daily Pivot Point R3 98.53    

The AUD/NZD cross holds below the 1.0800 mark during the Asian session on Tuesday.

AUD/NZD attracts some sellers to 1.0770 after the RBA rate decision on Tuesday. The RBA held the Official Cash Rate (OCR) steady at 4.35% after its March meeting on Tuesday, as widely expected. The less hawkish stance of the RBNZ weighs on the Kiwi. New Zealand’s Westpac Consumer Survey Q1 will be due on Wednesday. The AUD/NZD cross holds below the 1.0800 mark during the Asian session on Tuesday. The cross edges lower following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate decision. The Australian central bank decided to leave the interest rate unchanged on Tuesday. Traders will take more cues from the RBA press conference. AUD/NZD currently trades around 1.0770, losing 0.07% on the day. 

On Tuesday, the RBA held the Official Cash Rate (OCR) steady at a 12-year high of 4.35% for the third meeting in a row after its March monetary policy meeting. The markets will focus on the fresh catalysts offered by the RBA on the timing and the scope of a policy pivot. The hawkish remarks from the central bank might lift the Australian Dollar (AUD) against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 

On the Kiwi front, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) decided to keep the policy rate steady at 5.50% for the fifth meeting in a row in February. However, the RBNZ tones down its hawkish stance and reduces the risk of further tightening. The central bank lowered its forecast cash rate peak to 5.6% from a previous projection of 5.7%. This, in turn, exerts some selling pressure on the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and acts as a tailwind for the AUD/NZD cross. 

New Zealand’s Westpac Consumer Survey for the first quarter (Q1) will be due on Wednesday, followed by the Current Account. On Thursday, traders will closely monitor the New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Q4 and the Australian Judo Bank PMI for March.  AUD/NZD Overview Today last price 1.0792 Today Daily Change 0.0013 Today Daily Change % 0.12 Today daily open 1.0779   Trends Daily SMA20 1.0683 Daily SMA50 1.0706 Daily SMA100 1.0752 Daily SMA200 1.0789   Levels Previous Daily High 1.0787 Previous Daily Low 1.0768 Previous Weekly High 1.0788 Previous Weekly Low 1.07 Previous Monthly High 1.0746 Previous Monthly Low 1.057 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.0775 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.078 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.077 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.076 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.0752 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.0788 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.0796 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.0806  
 

Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision meets expectations (0%)

Australia RBA Interest Rate Decision meets expectations (4.35%)

Gold price (XAU/USD) struggles to capitalize on the previous day's bounce from the $2,145 region, or over a one-week low and oscillates in a range during the Asian session on Tuesday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}Gold price oscillates in a range and is influenced by a combination of diverging forces.Hawkish Fed expectations, elevated US bond yields and a bullish USD cap the upside.Geopolitical risks lend some support to the XAU/USD ahead of the key FOMC meeting.Gold price (XAU/USD) struggles to capitalize on the previous day's bounce from the $2,145 region, or over a one-week low and oscillates in a range during the Asian session on Tuesday. The robust US consumer and producer inflation figures released last week fuelled speculations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) could modify its forward guidance to two 25 basis points rate cuts in 2024 instead of the three projected previously. This, in turn, remains supportive of elevated US Treasury bond yields, which underpin the US Dollar (USD) and act as a headwind for the non-yielding yellow metal. The markets, however, are still anticipating that the Fed will begin its rate-cutting cycle as early as the June policy meeting. This, combined with ongoing geopolitical tensions, might continue to provide a floor to the Gold price and help limit the downside. Traders might also prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the crucial two-day FOMC monetary policy meeting starting this Tuesday. The Fed is scheduled to announce its decision on Wednesday and investors will look for fresh cues about the rate-cut path, which will play a key role in driving the USD and provide a fresh impetus to the precious metal. Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price struggles to lure buyers amid mixed fundamental cues, ahead of FOMC The stronger US inflation data fuelled speculations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated, which, in turn, fails to assist the non-yielding Gold price to build on Monday's bounce from over a one-week low. Markets are now pricing in less than three 25 basis point rate cuts this year and about a 51% chance that the Fed will begin the rate-cutting cycle at the June meeting, down sharply from expectations at the start of the year.   Expectations that the Fed will stick to the higher-for-longer interest rates narrative push the yield on benchmark 10-year US government bond to a three-week high, underpinning the US Dollar and capping the commodity. The prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, along with the unrest in the Middle East, might continue to offer some support to the safe-haven XAU/USD and help limit deeper losses ahead of the crucial FOMC meeting starting today. Ukraine stepped up drone strikes on Russian oil refineries last week, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed plans to push into Gaza's Rafah enclave, contributing to a climate of uncertainty. The focus, meanwhile, will be on whether Fed policymakers change their projections, or dot plots, for the economy and rate cuts for this year and the next two, which will determine the near-term trajectory for the XAU/USD. Technical Analysis: Gold price could slide further once the $2,150 support is broken decisively From a technical perspective, the recent pullback from the record peak stalled near the $2,145-2,144 support zone, which should now act as a key pivotal point for the Gold price. A convincing break below will expose the next relevant support near the $2,128-2,127 zone before the XAU/USD extends the corrective decline further towards the $2,100 round figure. On the flip side, the $2,175-2,176 region now seems to have emerged as an immediate strong barrier, which if cleared should allow the Gold price to challenge the record peak, around the $2,195 area touched last week. Some follow-through buying beyond the $2,200 mark will set the stage for the resumption of the uptrend witnessed since the beginning of this month.   Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.  

USD/CAD continues its upward trend for the fourth consecutive session, trading near the significant level of 1.3540.

USD/CAD exhibits sideways movement with a positive bias to extend gains.Fed could uphold its elevated interest rates to curb inflationary pressures.Canadian Consumer Prices are expected to show an increase in February.USD/CAD continues its upward trend for the fourth consecutive session, trading near the significant level of 1.3540. The US Dollar (USD) advances, propelled by higher US Treasury yields. Bond markets are facing selling pressure as additional signs of resilience in the United States (US) economy emerge, prompting traders to revise their expectations for fewer interest rate cuts this year. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a rate cut in March stands at 1.0%, and 8.7% for May. The likelihood of rate cuts in June and July is lower, at 55.1% and 73.7%, respectively.The US Dollar Index (DXY) continues its upward trajectory, with 2-year and 10-year US yields at 4.73% and 4.32%, respectively. Investors are eagerly awaiting the interest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve (Fed), expected to be announced on Wednesday. The Fed is anticipated to uphold its elevated interest rates in response to recent inflationary pressures. The Canadian Dollar (CAD) might have found support from the surge in Crude oil prices, considering Canada's status as the largest oil exporter to the United States (US). West Texas Intermediate (WTI) hovers around $82.10 per barrel, nearing its highest levels since early November, bolstered by ongoing supply-side worries. On Monday, the Canadian stock market closed slightly lower as investors awaited Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) data scheduled for Tuesday. There are expectations for an uptick in Canadian consumer prices. USD/CAD Overview Today last price 1.3539 Today Daily Change 0.0005 Today Daily Change % 0.04 Today daily open 1.3534   Trends Daily SMA20 1.3523 Daily SMA50 1.3486 Daily SMA100 1.3514 Daily SMA200 1.3481   Levels Previous Daily High 1.3552 Previous Daily Low 1.3521 Previous Weekly High 1.3552 Previous Weekly Low 1.3459 Previous Monthly High 1.3606 Previous Monthly Low 1.3366 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.3533 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.354 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.3519 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.3505 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.3489 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.355 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.3566 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.3581    

Indian Rupee (INR) weakens on Tuesday on US Dollar (USD) purchases by state-run banks.

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Looking ahead, the US February Building Permits and Housing Starts are due on Tuesday. Investors will closely watch the US Fed interest rate decision on Wednesday and take more cues about the future trajectory of interest rates from Fed Chair Jerome Powell during the press conference. On Thursday, India’s S&P Global Manufacturing and Services PMI will be released. Daily Digest Market Movers: Indian Rupee remains vulnerable amid global uncertaintiesForeign investors purchased bonds worth about 100 billion Rupees ($1.21 billion) on a net basis in March, bringing the total net purchase to more than 375 billion Rupees in the first two months of 2024. Foreign portfolio investors increased their holdings of Indian government bonds by roughly 50% since the index inclusion news less than six months ago. India’s foreign exchange climbed from $6.55 billion to $625.63 billion in just two years, while Indian gold reserves rose from $569 million in 2021 to $48.4 billion this week in March 2024, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).   The Fed Chair Jerome Powell said earlier this month that the US central bank might cut its benchmark interest rate later this year, even though the continued progress on lowering inflation to the target “is not assured.” Investors have priced in nearly 73% odds that the Fed will cut rates in July, according to the CME FedWatch Tools.Technical Analysis: Indian Rupee remains confined in a longer-term band between 82.60 and 83.15Indian Rupee trades on a weaker note on the day. USD/INR sticks to the range bound theme within a multi-month-old descending trend channel around 82.60–83.15 since December 8, 2023. 

From a technical perspective, the bearish outlook of USD/INR remains intact in the near term as the pair is below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily timeframe. However, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) returns above the 50.0 midline, indicating that further upside cannot be ruled out. 

The first upside barrier will emerge near the 100-day EMA and a psychological mark at 83.00. Further strength could draw in USD/INR bulls and inspire another upswing to the upper boundary of the descending trend channel near 83.15. A decisive break above this level will see a rally to 83.35 (high of January 2), followed by the 84.00 round figure. 

On the flip side, the initial support level for USD/INR is seen near a low of March 14 at 82.80. The key contention level is located at the lower limit of the descending trend channel at 82.60. Any follow-through selling could extend the pair’s downtrend to 82.45 (low of August 23), en route to 82.25 (low of June 1).US Dollar price todayThe table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the weakest against the Australian Dollar.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.01% 0.01% 0.03% -0.02% 0.08% 0.07% 0.08%EUR0.00%   0.01% 0.02% -0.02% 0.10% 0.07% 0.09%GBP-0.01% -0.02%   0.02% -0.03% 0.07% 0.05% 0.07%CAD-0.03% -0.03% 0.00%   -0.05% 0.07% 0.04% 0.06%AUD0.02% 0.01% 0.03% 0.05%   0.12% 0.09% 0.10%JPY-0.10% -0.06% -0.09% -0.08% -0.10%   0.01% 0.00%NZD-0.06% -0.08% -0.06% -0.04% -0.09% 0.03%   0.01%CHF-0.09% -0.10% -0.08% -0.06% -0.11% 0.00% -0.02%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).   Indian Rupee FAQs What are the key factors driving the Indian Rupee? The Indian Rupee (INR) is one of the most sensitive currencies to external factors. The price of Crude Oil (the country is highly dependent on imported Oil), the value of the US Dollar – most trade is conducted in USD – and the level of foreign investment, are all influential. Direct intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in FX markets to keep the exchange rate stable, as well as the level of interest rates set by the RBI, are further major influencing factors on the Rupee. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of India impact the Indian Rupee? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively intervenes in forex markets to maintain a stable exchange rate, to help facilitate trade. In addition, the RBI tries to maintain the inflation rate at its 4% target by adjusting interest rates. Higher interest rates usually strengthen the Rupee. This is due to the role of the ‘carry trade’ in which investors borrow in countries with lower interest rates so as to place their money in countries’ offering relatively higher interest rates and profit from the difference. What macroeconomic factors influence the value of the Indian Rupee? Macroeconomic factors that influence the value of the Rupee include inflation, interest rates, the economic growth rate (GDP), the balance of trade, and inflows from foreign investment. A higher growth rate can lead to more overseas investment, pushing up demand for the Rupee. A less negative balance of trade will eventually lead to a stronger Rupee. Higher interest rates, especially real rates (interest rates less inflation) are also positive for the Rupee. A risk-on environment can lead to greater inflows of Foreign Direct and Indirect Investment (FDI and FII), which also benefit the Rupee. How does inflation impact the Indian Rupee? Higher inflation, particularly, if it is comparatively higher than India’s peers, is generally negative for the currency as it reflects devaluation through oversupply. Inflation also increases the cost of exports, leading to more Rupees being sold to purchase foreign imports, which is Rupee-negative. At the same time, higher inflation usually leads to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates and this can be positive for the Rupee, due to increased demand from international investors. The opposite effect is true of lower inflation.  

The Japanese Yen (JPY) drifts lower for the sixth straight day on Tuesday and weakens to a nearly two-week low against its American counterpart during the Asian session.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}The Japanese Yen continues losing ground amid reduced bets for a BoJ policy pivot.Hawkish Fed expectations underpin the USD and further lend support to USD/JPY.Traders now look to the BoJ decision for fresh cues ahead of the FOMC meeting.The Japanese Yen (JPY) drifts lower for the sixth straight day on Tuesday and weakens to a nearly two-week low against its American counterpart during the Asian session. Growing acceptance that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will wait until April to exit the negative interest rate policy and the Yield Curve Control (YCC) turns out to be a key factor undermining the JPY. Apart from this, a modest US Dollar (USD) strength, bolstered by reduced bets for steep interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed), lifts the USD/JPY pair closer to mid-149.00s. Meanwhile, the much-stronger-than-expected pay hikes by major Japanese firms already seem to have set the stage for the BoJ to pivot away from the decade-long stimulus measures, which should act as a tailwind for the JPY. Traders might also refrain from placing aggressive directional bets and prefer to move to the sidelines ahead of the key central bank event risks. The BoJ is scheduled to announce its highly-anticipated decision in a short while from now, which will be followed by the crucial two-day FOMC monetary policy meeting starting later today. Daily Digest Market Movers: Japanese Yen remains depressed amid bets that the BoJ will not exit its ultra-easy policy on Tuesday The Japanese Yen languishes near its lowest level in over a week amid the Bank of Japan policy uncertainty, though expectations that the central bank will eventually pivot away from its ultra-easy policy settings help limit losses. BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda offered a slightly bleaker assessment of the economy last week and said that policymakers will debate whether the outlook is bright enough to phase out the decade-long massive monetary stimulus. Japan's largest union group said that the biggest companies agreed to raise wages by the heftiest in 33 years, reaffirming bets that the BoJ will soon exit the negative interest rates regime and the Yield Curve Control (YCC) policy. Japan's Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said that this year's wage negotiations have yielded record-high wage growth so far and that the government will deploy various policies so that positive momentum in wages continues. The hotter-than-expected US producer and consumer price data released last week forced investors to trim their bets for a more aggressive policy easing by the Federal Reserve, which continues to lend support to the US Dollar. Markets are now pricing in less than three 25 basis points rate cuts in 2024 and about a 51% chance that the Fed will begin the rate-cutting cycle at the June policy meeting, down sharply from expectations at the start of the year.   Bets that the Fed will keep rates higher for longer lift the yield on benchmark 10-year US government bonds to a three-week high, which adds to the USD strength and supports prospects for further move up for the USD/JPY pair. Traders, however, seem reluctant to place aggressive directional bets ahead of the highly-anticipated BoJ policy decision on Tuesday, which will be followed by the outcome of the two-day FOMC meeting on Wednesday. Technical Analysis: USD/JPY seems poised to appreciate further, bulls might now aim to reclaim the 150.00 psychological mark From a technical perspective, the USD/JPY pair is holding above the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of the February-March downfall and seems poised to climb further. The constructive outlook is reinforced by the fact that oscillators on the daily chart have just started gaining positive traction. Hence, some follow-through strength towards the 149.75-149.80 horizontal barrier, en route to the 150.00 psychological mark, looks like a distinct possibility. A sustained strength beyond the latter might trigger a fresh bout of a short-covering move towards the 150.65-150.70 region before bulls aim to retest the YTD peak, around the 151.00 mark touched on February 13. On the flip side, the 149.00 round-figure mark now seems to have emerged as an immediate support. Any further slide is more likely to attract some dip-buying and remain limited near the 148.30 region. This is followed by the 148.00 round figure, below which the USD/JPY pair could accelerate the downfall towards the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), currently pegged near the 147.65 region. A convincing break below might shift the bias in favour of bearish traders and drag spot prices further towards the 147.00 mark en route to the monthly swing low, around the 146.50-146.45 region.   Japanese Yen FAQs What key factors drive the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. How do the decisions of the Bank of Japan impact the Japanese Yen? One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The current BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy, based on massive stimulus to the economy, has caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process has exacerbated more recently due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which have opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? The BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supports a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favors the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.  

The Australian Dollar (AUD) hovers around the key level of 0.6550 amid subdued trading activity as market participants exercise caution ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) interest rate decision on Tuesday.

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Investors will closely monitor RBA Governor Michele Bullock's press conference for further insights. The central bank is widely anticipated to maintain interest rates at their current levels. The Australian equity market, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index, has edged higher after starting the session positively, driven by gains in the energy and real estate sectors. This upward movement in the stock market may provide support for the Australian Dollar (AUD). Australia's economy expanded less than anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2023, leading to speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australia could initiate rate cuts later this year.The US Dollar Index (DXY) strives to extend its gains for the fourth consecutive session, bolstered by an uptick in US Treasury yields. Bond markets have experienced a sell-off following additional evidence of resilience in the United States (US) economy, compelling traders to adjust their expectations for fewer interest rate cuts this year. Investors are eagerly awaiting interest rate decisions from both the People's Bank of China (PBoC) and the US Federal Reserve (Fed), which are anticipated to be announced on Wednesday. Daily Digest Market Movers: Australian Dollar remains tepid on market caution The ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence index, which is published weekly, stands at 81.7, compared to the previous week's reading of 82.2. According to Bloomberg, Westpac anticipates the Reserve Bank of Australia could maintain its cash rate at 4.35% at Tuesday's meeting. ANZ Bank analysts anticipate that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will maintain a "mild tightening bias," with no adjustment to interest rates. China's Retail Sales (YoY) increased by 5.5% in February, against the expected 5.2% and 7.4% prior. Chinese Industrial Production (YoY) rose by 7.0%, compared to the market expectation of a 5.0% figure in February and 6.8% previous reading. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a rate cut in March stands at 1.0% and 8.7% for May. The likelihood of a rate cut in June and July is lower, at 55.1% and 73.7%, respectively. The preliminary US Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for March decreased to 76.5, from the previous reading of 76.9. This decline comes in contrast to expectations of it remaining unchanged. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve released Industrial Production (MoM), which increased by 0.1% in February, against the expected reading of flat 0.0% and from the previous decline of 0.5%. The US Core Producer Price Index (PPI) remained consistent with the rise of 2.0% year-over-year in February, maintaining its position above the 1.9% expected. The monthly report showed an increase of 0.3% against 0.5% prior, exceeding the expected 0.2% reading. US PPI (YoY) increased by 1.6% in February, surpassing the expected 1.1% and 1.0% prior. PPI (MoM) rose by 0.6% above the market expectation and the previous increase of 0.3%. Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar maintains position near the major level at 0.6550 The Australian Dollar remains close to the significant threshold of 0.6550 On Tuesday. A breach below this level might prompt downward momentum for the AUD/USD pair, with additional support anticipated around the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of 0.6528, and thereafter at the psychological support level of 0.6500. On the upside, the AUD/USD pair could encounter resistance near the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 0.6571, followed by the psychological hurdle at 0.6600. AUD/USD: Daily ChartAustralian Dollar price today The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the weakest against the US Dollar.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  0.03% 0.06% 0.08% 0.11% 0.12% 0.17% 0.11%EUR-0.03%   0.02% 0.04% 0.08% 0.09% 0.12% 0.08%GBP-0.04% -0.01%   0.02% 0.06% 0.06% 0.09% 0.05%CAD-0.08% -0.04% 0.00%   0.03% 0.05% 0.09% 0.04%AUD-0.09% -0.08% -0.06% -0.04%   0.02% 0.08% -0.02%JPY-0.13% -0.07% -0.07% -0.06% 0.01%   0.06% 0.00%NZD-0.14% -0.11% -0.09% -0.06% -0.03% -0.01%   -0.05%CHF-0.10% -0.07% -0.05% -0.03% 0.01% 0.02% 0.07%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).   Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate, and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.  

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to New Zealand on Tuesday, said that “China is ready to work with New Zealand to implement an upgraded version of the China-New Zealand free trade agreement.” Additional quotes Two sides should launch negotiations on negative list of service trade as soon as possible, so as to push bilateral cooperation to a new level.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to New Zealand on Tuesday, said that “China is ready to work with New Zealand to implement an upgraded version of the China-New Zealand free trade agreement.” Additional quotes Two sides should launch negotiations on negative list of service trade as soon as possible, so as to push bilateral cooperation to a new level. China-New Zealand relations maintain a leading position among China's relations with developed countries. Market reaction Despite the upbeat headlines, NZD/USD is losing 0.17% on the day to trade at 0.6071, as of writing.

On Tuesday, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.0985 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.0943 and 7.2056 Reuters estimates.

On Tuesday, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.0985 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.0943 and 7.2056 Reuters estimates.

The EUR/USD pair edges lower to multi-day lows around 1.0870 on the firmer US Dollar (USD) during the early Asian session on Tuesday.

EUR/USD remains on the defensive near 1.0872 amid renewed USD demand. The Fed is anticipated to hold benchmark interest rates steady in the range of 5.25%–5.50% at its March meeting.ECB policymakers signaled progress in easing inflation and began discussions about the rate cut.The Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy meeting will be a closely watched event. The EUR/USD pair edges lower to multi-day lows around 1.0870 on the firmer US Dollar (USD) during the early Asian session on Tuesday. The Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy meeting on Wednesday will be in the spotlight, with no change in rates expected. Meanwhile, the cautious mood in the market might lift the Greenback against the Euro (EUR). The major pair currently trades around 1.0872, unchanged for the day. 

The recent US economic data showed inflation in the US economy remains elevated, and this pushed out market expectations for the first rate cut in June. The Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said two weeks ago that the central bank is not far from the confidence it needs to cut rates, while some Fed officials expect the first rate cut could happen later this year or during the summer.

The Fed will announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday, which is anticipated to hold benchmark interest rates steady in the range of 5.25%–5.50% at its March meeting. Investors have priced in a nearly 73% chance that the Fed will cut rates in July, according to the CME FedWatch Tools.

The European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep borrowing costs at a record high at its March meeting. Nonetheless, the central bank policymakers signaled progress in easing inflation and began discussions about the rate cut. The ECB Governing Council member, Pablo Hernandez de Kos, said that the central bank may start lowering interest rates in June if inflation in the eurozone continues to decline. Meanwhile, ECB policymaker Mario Centeno stated that cutting borrowing costs could help prevent a euro area recession. 

Additionally, ECB Governing Council member Klaas Knot penciled in June for a first-rate cut and expects three rate cuts this year, while ECB President Christine Lagarde said that June is the earliest it is likely to cut interest rates after the ECB lowered its forecasts for inflation and estimated it will reach its 2% target in 2025. 

Looking ahead, market players will keep an eye on the German and Eurozone ZEW Survey on Tuesday. Also, the US Building Permits and Housing Starts will be released later in the day. The attention will shift to the Fed interest rate decision and press conference on Wednesday. Traders will take cues from this event and find trading opportunities around the EUR/USD pair.   EUR/USD Overview Today last price 1.0874 Today Daily Change 0.0002 Today Daily Change % 0.02 Today daily open 1.0872   Trends Daily SMA20 1.087 Daily SMA50 1.085 Daily SMA100 1.0861 Daily SMA200 1.0839   Levels Previous Daily High 1.0906 Previous Daily Low 1.0866 Previous Weekly High 1.0964 Previous Weekly Low 1.0873 Previous Monthly High 1.0898 Previous Monthly Low 1.0695 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.0881 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.0891 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.0857 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.0841 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.0817 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.0897 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.0922 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.0937    

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Tuesday that it depends on the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to decide the details of monetary policy.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Tuesday that it depends on the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to decide the details of monetary policy. Suzuki further stated that he saw positive economic signs, including wage growth and corporate spending.Key quotes“Won't comment on any BOJ policy steps to be taken.”

“It’s up to the Bank of Japan to decide specifics of monetary policy.”

“This year's wage negotiations yielding record-high wage growth so far.”

“We are clearly seeing good signs in the economy such as robust corporate spending appetite.”

“The government will deploy various policies so that positive momentum in wages continues.”Market reactionAt the time of writing, USD/JPY is trading 0.02% lower on the day at 149.13.   Bank of Japan FAQs What is the Bank of Japan? The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the Japanese central bank, which sets monetary policy in the country. Its mandate is to issue banknotes and carry out currency and monetary control to ensure price stability, which means an inflation target of around 2%. What has been the Bank of Japan’s policy? The Bank of Japan has embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy since 2013 in order to stimulate the economy and fuel inflation amid a low-inflationary environment. The bank’s policy is based on Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE), or printing notes to buy assets such as government or corporate bonds to provide liquidity. In 2016, the bank doubled down on its strategy and further loosened policy by first introducing negative interest rates and then directly controlling the yield of its 10-year government bonds. How do Bank of Japan’s decisions influence the Japanese Yen? The Bank’s massive stimulus has caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process has exacerbated more recently due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which have opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy of holding down rates has led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. Is the Bank of Japan’s ultra-loose policy likely to change soon? A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices have led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which has exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. Still, the Bank judges that the sustainable and stable achievement of the 2% target has not yet come in sight, so any sudden change in the current policy looks unlikely.  

The GBP/USD pair remains under some selling pressure during the early Asian session on Tuesday.

GBP/USD remains on the defensive near 1.2726 amid the stronger USD and risk-off mood.Fed is likely to maintain its monetary policy for a fifth straight time at its March meeting.BoE is expected to leave rates unchanged at 5.25% on Thursday, with the expectation of cutting rates in August.The Fed and Bank of England interest rate decisions will be the highlights of this week.The GBP/USD pair remains under some selling pressure during the early Asian session on Tuesday. The uptick in the US Dollar (USD) above 103.50 and higher US yields provide some support to the major pair. Markets turn cautious ahead of the central bank meetings, including the Federal Reserve (Fed) and Bank of England (BoE) interest rate decisions. At press time, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2726, down 0.02% on the day.

The Fed is anticipated to keep its interest rate unchanged for a fifth straight time at its March meeting on Wednesday and signal that they still need further evidence that inflation to return sustainably to its 2% target. The Fed Chair Jerome Powell said earlier this month that the US central bank might cut its benchmark interest rate later this year, even though continued progress on lowering inflation to the target “is not assured.”

Traders will also closely monitor press conference, which is unlikely to show a significant shift. However, there is still a possibility that policymakers might reduce the number of rate cuts they anticipate seeing this year to two from the earlier three.

On the other hand, UK inflation is moderating, but the BoE remains cautious in its approach until the CPI returns to the 2% target. The BoE is likely to leave interest rates unchanged at 5.25% on Thursday. Investors expect the UK central bank to start cutting rates in August, with one or two further cuts by the end of the year.

Later on Tuesday, the US Building Permits, and Housing Starts are due in the US docket. All eyes will be on the Fed monetary policy meeting and the press conference on Wednesday. Also, the Fed’s officials will update their quarterly economic projections. On the UK docket, the BoE interest rate decision on Thursday will be in the spotlight. Along with the rate decision, BoE policymakers might offer clues about inflation, economic growth, and the labour market outlook. GBP/USD Overview Today last price 1.2726 Today Daily Change -0.0010 Today Daily Change % -0.08 Today daily open 1.2736   Trends Daily SMA20 1.2709 Daily SMA50 1.2686 Daily SMA100 1.2614 Daily SMA200 1.2592   Levels Previous Daily High 1.2759 Previous Daily Low 1.2725 Previous Weekly High 1.2865 Previous Weekly Low 1.2725 Previous Monthly High 1.2773 Previous Monthly Low 1.2518 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.2738 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.2746 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.2721 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.2706 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.2687 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.2754 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.2773 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.2788    

The Australian Dollar begins the Asian session, clocking minuscule losses of 0.02% against the US Dollar as market participants prepare for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) monetary policy decision.

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On Monday, the AUD/USD was virtually flat, though at the time of writing, it trades at 0.6559, down 0.01%. Upbeat sentiment could shift amidst major central bank decisions Wall Street finished Monday’s session in the green. US Treasury yields edged higher as investors await the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision, with the 10-year note benchmark up at 4.328%. Consequently, the Greenback advances 0.13%, as measured by the US Dollar Index (DXY) at 103.58. On Monday, the US economic docket was light, with the release of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Market Index for February, which improved the most since July 2023, rising by 51, up from 48 in February. The NAHG Chairman Carl Harris noted “Buyer demand remains brisk and we expect more consumers to jump off the sidelines and into the marketplace if mortgage rates continue to fall later this year.” Aside from this, the day's main theme is the RBA’s decision. Market players estimate the central bank would keep rates unchanged thought, there are different opinions amongst economists. Some expect the RBA will lower rates in November, while others estimate the first cut will be in September. Given the backdrop of the Aussie economy printing mixed figures on inflation, and growth slowed to 1.5% in Q4 2023 from 2.1%, that has opened the door for easing policy. Testifying before the Australian Parliament last month, Bullock said that “inflation is being persistent, particularly in services. But it is coming down.” ANZ Bank analysts estimate the RBA would keep a “mild tightening bias, with no change in rates. While the January labor force survey came in weak, we think the RBA (like us) is expecting payback in the February data.” AUD/USD Price Analysis: Technical outlook If the RBA surprises the markets with a dovish tilt, the AUD/USD can drop further below the 200-day moving average (DMA at 0.6557, exposing the 0.6500 mark. Further losses are seen at the March 5 low of 0.6477, followed by the February 13 swing low of 0.6442. On the other hand, the pair could aim higher if the RBA sticks to a hawkish message and might recoup the 0.6600 mark. The next resistance level is seen at January’s 5 cycle low, which turned resistance at 0.6640.  RBA FAQs What is the Reserve Bank of Australia and how does it influence the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for Australia. Decisions are made by a board of governors at 11 meetings a year and ad hoc emergency meetings as required. The RBA’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means an inflation rate of 2-3%, but also “..to contribute to the stability of the currency, full employment, and the economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people.” Its main tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will strengthen the Australian Dollar (AUD) and vice versa. Other RBA tools include quantitative easing and tightening. How does inflation data impact the value of the Australian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for currencies since it lowers the value of money in general, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Moderately higher inflation now tends to lead central banks to put up their interest rates, which in turn has the effect of attracting more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in the case of Australia is the Aussie Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Australian Dollar? Macroeconomic data gauges the health of an economy and can have an impact on the value of its currency. Investors prefer to invest their capital in economies that are safe and growing rather than precarious and shrinking. Greater capital inflows increase the aggregate demand and value of the domestic currency. Classic indicators, such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can influence AUD. A strong economy may encourage the Reserve Bank of Australia to put up interest rates, also supporting AUD. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it affect the Australian Dollar? Quantitative Easing (QE) is a tool used in extreme situations when lowering interest rates is not enough to restore the flow of credit in the economy. QE is the process by which the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) prints Australian Dollars (AUD) for the purpose of buying assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from financial institutions, thereby providing them with much-needed liquidity. QE usually results in a weaker AUD. What is Quantitative tightening (QT) and how does it affect the Australian Dollar? 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 Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the RBA stops buying more assets, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It would be positive (or bullish) for the Australian Dollar.  

In Monday's trading, NZD/USD remained largely unchanged around 0.6085 while the pair showed ongoing sell-off pressure.

The daily chart reveals a bearish bias, with RSI transitioning to negative territories and rising red bars in the MACD.The hourly chart demonstrates a contrary perspective flashing signals on a potential shift to the upside.If bears want to confirm a bearish outlook, they must conquer the 200-day SMA.In Monday's trading, NZD/USD remained largely unchanged around 0.6085 while the pair showed ongoing sell-off pressure. However, subtle hints of an imminent near-term reversal are beginning to show up on the hourly chart as bears may step out to consolidate their movements. The continuous decline of the daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) from positive to negative territories demonstrates the prevailing sell-side pressure. The recent reading of the RSI indicates ongoing negative conditions, further substantiated by a sequence of rising red bars in the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). NZD/USD daily chart Moving on to the hourly chart, the NZD/USD pair persists in its bearish trend. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) reflects similar negative conditions as observed on the daily chart, albeit, the index seems to have flattened. In addition, a shift in momentum can be discerned with the emergence of green bars in the MACD histogram. These indicate positive momentum in the last trading hours. NZD/USD hourly chart Given the outlooks on the daily and hourly chart, after the sellers pierced through the 20 and 100-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), the last hope for the pair is the 200-day average which presents strong support. In case the buyers fail to defend it, the overall trend will turn bearish.   NZD/USD Overview Today last price 0.6086 Today Daily Change 0.0001 Today Daily Change % 0.02 Today daily open 0.6085   Trends Daily SMA20 0.6144 Daily SMA50 0.6136 Daily SMA100 0.6125 Daily SMA200 0.608   Levels Previous Daily High 0.6135 Previous Daily Low 0.608 Previous Weekly High 0.6191 Previous Weekly Low 0.608 Previous Monthly High 0.6219 Previous Monthly Low 0.6037 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.6101 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.6114 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.6065 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.6045 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.601 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6119 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6154 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6174    

Silver's price dropped toward $25.00 a troy ounce on Monday as US Treasury bond yields rose ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.

Silver price dips affected by an uptick in US Treasury yields and a stronger Dollar ahead of the Fed's decision.'Bearish harami' pattern suggests potential declines if support breaks.Staying above $25.00 may boost bullish momentum, eyeing $26.00 resistance.Silver's price dropped toward $25.00 a troy ounce on Monday as US Treasury bond yields rose ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The US 10-year Treasury bond yield advance underpins the Greenback, a headwind for the precious metal. Therefore, XAG/USD trades at around $25.03, down by 0.57% at the time of writing. XAG/USD Price Analysis: Technical outlook The grey metal daily chart formed a ‘bearish harami’ candlestick chart pattern that suggests prices might edge to the downside, though sellers need to extend Silver’s losses beneath the March 15 swing low of $24.79. It should be said that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator was barren from entering overbought conditions, keeping its bullish bias intact. However, the RSI edges lower, and if XAG/USD falls below $25.00, that might open the door to challenge December’s 22 high turned support at $24.60. Further downside is seen at $24.00. On the other hand, if buyers hold XAG/USD spot price above $25.00, that could open the door to test the current year-to-date (YTD) high of $25.44 ahead of $26.00. XAG/USD Price Action – Daily ChartXAG/USD Overview Today last price 25.04 Today Daily Change -0.14 Today Daily Change % -0.56 Today daily open 25.18   Trends Daily SMA20 23.6 Daily SMA50 23.09 Daily SMA100 23.38 Daily SMA200 23.31   Levels Previous Daily High 25.45 Previous Daily Low 24.8 Previous Weekly High 25.45 Previous Weekly Low 24.01 Previous Monthly High 23.5 Previous Monthly Low 21.93 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 25.2 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 25.05 Daily Pivot Point S1 24.84 Daily Pivot Point S2 24.5 Daily Pivot Point S3 24.19 Daily Pivot Point R1 25.49 Daily Pivot Point R2 25.79 Daily Pivot Point R3 26.13    

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its monetary policy decision on Tuesday, pretty much at the same time that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will do the same.

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50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}The Bank of Japan could deliver the first rate hike since 2007.Japanese Unions clocked the largest wage increase in over three decades.BoJ’s Governor Kazuo Ueda linked monetary tightening with higher wages.USD/JPY could collapse towards 146.48 on a hawkish decision. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its monetary policy decision on Tuesday, pretty much at the same time that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will do the same. Central banks stand out this week, which will also include the decisions of the United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE). The BoJ is a particular case, as it is the only central bank maintaining an ultra-loose monetary policy. Interest rates in Japan have been steady at -0.1% since 2016, with policymakers claiming lagging wage increases and doubts about sustainable healthy inflation require continued caution. To keep rates depressed, the BoJ also introduced the Yield Curve Control (YCC) in September 2016, as inflation remained stubbornly below target.  Bank of Japan Interest Rate Decision: Why this time could be different Most major central banks embarked on reversing their monetary policy in mid-2022 when inflation soared to multi-decade highs in the coronavirus pandemic aftermath. Interest rates were pushed to record levels, and price pressures receded, although they are still above target. And yet again, central banks are changing course. Market participants expect central banks to start trimming interest rates in the upcoming months, although at a more cautious pace than previously anticipated. The BoJ’s decision to keep rates on hold was largely linked to depressed wages. However, news over the weekend showed that Japan’s largest group for unions, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, announced an annual wage increase of 5.28%, the largest raise in over thirty years. BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said in the last few weeks that the end of negative rates would depend on such negotiations, and the latest announcement is fueling bets the BoJ will finally leave negative rates. Meanwhile, core inflation in Japan fell for a third consecutive month in January to its lowest level in almost two years. The core Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes fresh food, rose at a slower pace of 2%, matching the central bank’s target. At the same time, the Tokyo CPI rose 2.6% YoY from 1.8% in January, while the core CPI climbed 2.5%, in line with expectations. Such figures could spur concerns about another hold from BoJ, although inflation in Japan is expected to have accelerated in February as the effects of government fuel subsidies faded. The country will report February CPI next Friday, March 22,  and the core annual CPI is foreseen at 2.8%.  When will the BoJ announce its interest rate decision, and how could it affect USD/JPY? The Bank of Japan will announce its decision on Tuesday at around 3:00 GMT. However, it is worth reminding that Japanese policymakers do not have a set time like their counterparts, and the announcement could come earlier or later than that.  The Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday that “The BoJ began coordinating both within and outside the bank Friday on ending its negative interest rate policy, which was adopted in February 2016. The leading plan is to raise the policy rate, currently at negative 0.1%, by more than 0.1 point to guide short-term interest to the 0%-0.1% range.” Based on this news, the most optimistic bets aim for a rate hike in the upcoming meeting, up to 0.00%—0.10%, the first rate hike in seventeen years. Policymakers are also expected to end the YCC, although the central bank will need to continue buying bonds. However, the BoJ is not notorious for its boldness. A more conservative outlook suggests the BoJ will pave the way for a rate hike in April while deciding on a gradual ending to the YCC.  One more factor is whether the central bank anticipates additional rate hikes in the months to come. Policymakers may well abandon the ultra-loose policy next Tuesday but cool down hopes for the beginning of a tightening cycle at the same time.  Generally speaking, a hawkish announcement tends to boost the local currency. That said, the market will need to assess the level of hawkishness, if any, of Japanese policymakers to translate it into Japanese Yen (JPY) strength. The USD/JPY pair heads into the announcement trading at around the 149.00 figure, not far from the multi-year high posted in October 2022 at 151.94. From a technical perspective, Valeria Bednarik, Chief Analyst at FXStreet, notes: “Market participants seem unconvinced the BoJ will pull the trigger this time. The JPY was unable to gather momentum against the US Dollar, and in fact, the pair advanced for a fifth consecutive day. Sellers are aligned around the daily 20 Simple Moving Average (SMA), currently at 149.35, the immediate resistance level. A dovish announcement could push the pair towards the 150.00 mark en route to the 150.60-150.80 price zone.” Bednarik adds: “Financial markets will be caught off guard if the BoJ actually pulls the trigger. That could result in a massive decline in USD/JPY, initially targeting 148.35, the 100 SMA in the aforementioned daily chart. Once below the latter, the pair can reach the March low at 146.48.”   Bank of Japan FAQs What is the Bank of Japan? The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the Japanese central bank, which sets monetary policy in the country. Its mandate is to issue banknotes and carry out currency and monetary control to ensure price stability, which means an inflation target of around 2%. What has been the Bank of Japan’s policy? The Bank of Japan has embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy since 2013 in order to stimulate the economy and fuel inflation amid a low-inflationary environment. The bank’s policy is based on Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE), or printing notes to buy assets such as government or corporate bonds to provide liquidity. In 2016, the bank doubled down on its strategy and further loosened policy by first introducing negative interest rates and then directly controlling the yield of its 10-year government bonds. How do Bank of Japan’s decisions influence the Japanese Yen? The Bank’s massive stimulus has caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process has exacerbated more recently due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which have opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy of holding down rates has led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. Is the Bank of Japan’s ultra-loose policy likely to change soon? A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices have led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which has exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. Still, the Bank judges that the sustainable and stable achievement of the 2% target has not yet come in sight, so any sudden change in the current policy looks unlikely.   Economic Indicator Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision The Bank of Japan (BoJ) announces its interest rate decision after each of the Bank’s eight scheduled annual meetings. Generally, if the BoJ is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is bullish for the Japanese Yen (JPY). Likewise, if the BoJ has a dovish view on the Japanese economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is usually bearish for JPY.Read more.Next release: 03/19/2024 03:00:00 GMTFrequency: IrregularSource: Bank of Japan
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