Forex News Timeline

Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Pound Sterling (GBP) advances to near the psychological resistance of 1.2500 against the US Dollar (USD) in Thursday’s London 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 Pound Sterling rises to 1.2500 on multiple tailwinds.BoE Governor Andrew Bailey expects a sharp drop in April’s inflation.The US Dollar remains under pressure ahead of US Q1 GDP and core PCE Inflation data.The Pound Sterling (GBP) advances to near the psychological resistance of 1.2500 against the US Dollar (USD) in Thursday’s London session. The GBP/USD pair capitalizes on expectations of an improvement in the United Kingdom’s economic outlook and a decline in the US Dollar. Investors’ confidence in the UK economy's outlook improved after the preliminary PMI report from S&P Global/CIPS for April showed that new business volumes increased across the private sector as a whole. The agency also reported that the rate of growth of overall activity was the strongest since May 2023. However, the expansion was centred on the service sector, as manufacturers saw a moderate downturn in order books. Despite the recent upturn, downside risks to Pound Sterling remain high as investors expect the Bank of England (BoE) will pivot to interest-rate cuts before the Federal Reserve (Fed) does so. Last week, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said: “I expect next month's inflation number will show quite a strong drop.” Bailey added that Oil prices haven't leaped as much as expected and that the effect of the Middle-East conflict “is less than feared.” Daily digest market movers: Pound Sterling prints a fresh 10-day high The Pound Sterling extends its upside above Wednesday’s high at 1.2470 against the US Dollar. The recent United States preliminary PMI report has raised doubts over the strong economic outlook of the economy. Meanwhile, similar data for the UK presented a recovery in overall private-sector activity fueled by the Services sector. The US PMI report showed on Tuesday that surprisingly both the Manufacturing and Services PMI were down from the prior readings. The Manufacturing PMI even fell below the 50.0 threshold, signalling a contraction. Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “The US economic upturn lost momentum at the start of the second quarter, with the flash PMI survey respondents reporting below-trend business activity growth in April. Further pace may be lost in the coming months, as April saw inflows of new business fall for the first time in six months and firms’ future output expectations slipped to a five-month low amid heightened concern about the outlook.  Despite the downbeat PMI figures, the speculation for the Federal Reserve beginning to lower interest rates from the September meeting remains firm. Going forward, investors will focus on the Q1 preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the core Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index (PCE) data for March.  The Q1 US GDP data, which will be published at 12:30 GMT, is expected to show that the economy expanded at a slower rate of 2.5% compared with the 3.4% growth recorded in the last quarter of 2023. The GDP data is a lagging indicator of the economic performance of an economy. A high GDP exhibits strong demand from consumers and higher production levels by firms, which are generally translated into high inflationary pressures. This will force the Fed to keep interest rates restrictive for a longer period. For more clarity over Fed’s rate-cut timing, investors will wait for the core PCE inflation data for March, to be published on Friday. The underlying inflation data is estimated to have grown steadily by 0.3% on month, with annual figures softening to 2.6% from the 2.8% recorded in February. Technical Analysis: Pound Sterling climbs to 1.2500The Pound Sterling extends its recovery to the crucial resistance of 1.2500 against the US Dollar. The GBP/USD pair moves sharply higher after finding strong buying interest near a five-month low of around 1.2300. The near-term outlook of the Cable is still bearish as the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.2509 is declining. The 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) rebounds above 40.00, suggesting that a bearish momentum has concluded for now. However, the bearish bias remains intact. 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.  

Here is what you need to know on Thursday, April 25: The US Dollar (USD) stays under modest selling pressure on Thursday as investors gear up for key data releases.

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The US Bureau of Economic Analysis will publish the first estimate of the annualized Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the first quarter and the Department of Labor will release the weekly Initial Jobless Claims data.  Following Tuesday's sharp decline, the USD Index registered small losses on Wednesday, supported by the upbeat Durable Goods Orders data for March. Additionally, the cautious market stance further helped the currency stay resilient against its risk-sensitive rivals. Early Thursday, the USD Index stays in negative territory and edges lower toward 105.50. The US economy is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 2.5% in Q1, following the 3.4% expansion recorded in the last quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, US stock index futures stretch lower in the European morning and the 10-year US yield continues to fluctuate above 4.6%.EUR/USD gained traction and climbed to its highest level in nearly two weeks above 1.0720 after closing virtually unchanged on Monday. Several European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers will be delivering speeches throughout the day. US Dollar price this week The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies this week. US Dollar was the weakest against the Australian Dollar.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.60% -1.02% -0.44% -1.47% 0.66% -0.91% 0.22%EUR0.59%   -0.41% 0.16% -0.86% 1.25% -0.30% 0.81%GBP0.99% 0.39%   0.58% -0.46% 1.67% 0.11% 1.22%CAD0.43% -0.16% -0.56%   -1.03% 1.09% -0.47% 0.66%AUD1.45% 0.86% 0.45% 1.02%   2.09% 0.55% 1.66%JPY-0.66% -1.26% -1.68% -1.10% -2.14%   -1.57% -0.44%NZD0.89% 0.30% -0.13% 0.46% -0.56% 1.54%   1.11%CHF-0.20% -0.83% -1.24% -0.64% -1.67% 0.46% -1.10%   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).  GBP/USD closed the second consecutive day in positive territory on Wednesday and continued to push higher in the early European session on Thursday. The pair was last seen trading within a few pips of 1.2500.USD/JPY broke above 155.00 and reached its highest level in several decades above 155.50. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce monetary policy decisions during the Asian trading hours on Friday.Japanese Yen struggles near multi-decade low ahead of US GDP; looks to BoJ on Friday.Gold (XAU/USD) closed with marginal losses on Wednesday. After edging lower toward $2,300 in the Asian session on Thursday, XAU/USD staged a rebound and was last seen trading above $2,320.Gold price remains confined in a range, $2,300 holds the key for bulls ahead of US GDP.Economic Indicator Gross Domestic Product Annualized The real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Annualized, released quarterly by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, measures the value of the final goods and services produced in the United States in a given period of time. Changes in GDP are the most popular indicator of the nation’s overall economic health. The data is expressed at an annualized rate, which means that the rate has been adjusted to reflect the amount GDP would have changed over a year’s time, had it continued to grow at that specific rate. Generally speaking, a high reading is seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish. Read more. Last release: Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:30 Frequency: QuarterlyActual: 3.4%Consensus: 3.2%Previous: 3.2%Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis Why it matters to traders? The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth on an annualized basis for each quarter. After publishing the first estimate, the BEA revises the data two more times, with the third release representing the final reading. Usually, the first estimate is the main market mover and a positive surprise is seen as a USD-positive development while a disappointing print is likely to weigh on the greenback. Market participants usually dismiss the second and third releases as they are generally not significant enough to meaningfully alter the growth picture.  

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will publish the first estimate of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the January-March period on Thursday.

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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 United States Gross Domestic Product is seen expanding at an annualized rate of 2.5% in Q1.The current resilience of the US economy bolsters the case for a soft landing. Markets now see the US Federal Reserve starting its easing cycle in September.The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will publish the first estimate of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the January-March period on Thursday. The report is expected to show an economic expansion of 2.5% after growing at an annualized pace of 3.4% during the prior quarter. Forecasting US Gross Domestic Product: Deciphering the Numbers Thursday's economic agenda in the US features the unveiling of the initial GDP report for the first quarter, set to be disclosed at 12:30 GMT. Analysts anticipate that the first assessment will reveal a 2.5% growth rate for the world's largest economy in the January–March period, a moderately robust pace, albeit markedly slower than the 3.4% expansion recorded in the preceding quarter.  From the latest release of the BEA: “Real GDP increased 2.5 percent in 2023 (from the 2022 annual level to the 2023 annual level), compared with an increase of 1.9 percent in 2022. The increase in real GDP in 2023 primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, nonresidential fixed investment, state and local government spending, exports, and federal government spending that were partly offset by decreases in residential fixed investment and private inventory investment. Imports decreased”. Market participants will also pay close attention to the GDP Price Index (GDP Deflator), which represents the average change in prices of all new, domestically produced final goods and services in an economy over a specific period, typically a year or a quarter. It essentially reflects the inflation or deflation rate within an economy. During the last quarter of 2023, the GDP Price Index rose by 1.7% and is now seen rising by 3.0%. Furthermore, the Atlanta Fed GDPNow real GDP estimate for Q1 also props up the case for a solid performance of the US economy during that period. According to analysts at TD Securities: “GDP growth likely modestly cooled to start the year, but to a still firm pace following two stronger expansions at 4.9% and 3.4% q/q annualized rate (AR) in Q3 and Q4 of last year, respectively. Growth in final domestic sales was likely firmer in 24Q1 than the headline would suggest (TD: 2.8% q/q AR), as we look for net trade & inventories to modestly dent still solid consumer spending.” When is the GDP print released, and how can it affect the USD? The US GDP report will be published at 12:30 GMT on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Greenback seems to have embarked on a consolidative phase ahead of the first estimate of US Q1 GDP as well as the inflation tracked by the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) due on Friday. Meanwhile, the macroeconomic outlook remains consistent with growing anticipation among market participants of the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) first interest rate reduction in September. On this, CME Group’s FedWatch Tool sees the probability of a lower interest rate at around 70%, up from nearly 3% a month ago. Still around the commencement of the Fed’s easing cycle, Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic predicted US inflation would reach 2% more gradually than previously predicted but did not rush to cut rates. New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams emphasized that the Fed's decisions are based on positive data and the strength of the economy, adding that the Fed may adjust if higher rates are needed. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman suggests that efforts to reduce inflation may have hit a snag, leaving uncertainty about interest rates' ability to return to the bank's target. Finally, in his latest comments, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell showed no rush to start reducing interest rates, matching the broad-based rate setters’ views. A sneak peek ahead of the results Stronger-than-anticipated GDP growth in the first quarter could bolster expectations that the Fed will delay the start of its easing programme, probably until September or December, which should in turn morph into further strength in the US Dollar (USD). The Greenback is also expected to hold its ground in the case of a higher GDP Price Deflator. Alternatively, an abrupt change of heart around the US Dollar and, hence, a challenge to the current markets’ bets for a rate cut later in the year, should require an unexpectedly worse-than-estimated print, which appears quite unlikely for the time being. Techs on the US Dollar Index (DXY) Pablo Piovano, Senior Analyst at FXStreet, notes: “In case the bullish sentiment gathers steam, the USD Index (DXY) could confront the so-far 2024 top at 106.51 (April 16). Surpassing this level could encourage market participants to embark on a potential visit to the November peak at 107.11 (November 1), just ahead of the 2023 high at 107.34 (October 3).” Pablo adds: “If we look in the opposite direction, the April bottom at 103.88 (April 9) remains underpinned by the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 103.99, and this area is expected to offer decent contention. The breakdown of this region exposes a drop to the 100-day SMA at 103.67 prior to the March low at 102.35 (March 8).” Economic Indicator Gross Domestic Product Annualized The real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Annualized, released quarterly by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, measures the value of the final goods and services produced in the United States in a given period of time. Changes in GDP are the most popular indicator of the nation’s overall economic health. The data is expressed at an annualized rate, which means that the rate has been adjusted to reflect the amount GDP would have changed over a year’s time, had it continued to grow at that specific rate. Generally speaking, a high reading is seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish. Read more. Next release: Thu Apr 25, 2024 12:30 (Prel)Frequency: QuarterlyConsensus: 2.5%Previous: 3.4%Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis Why it matters to traders? The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth on an annualized basis for each quarter. After publishing the first estimate, the BEA revises the data two more times, with the third release representing the final reading. Usually, the first estimate is the main market mover and a positive surprise is seen as a USD-positive development while a disappointing print is likely to weigh on the greenback. Market participants usually dismiss the second and third releases as they are generally not significant enough to meaningfully alter the growth picture. GDP FAQs What is GDP and how is it recorded? A country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the rate of growth of its economy over a given period of time, usually a quarter. The most reliable figures are those that compare GDP to the previous quarter e.g Q2 of 2023 vs Q1 of 2023, or to the same period in the previous year, e.g Q2 of 2023 vs Q2 of 2022. Annualized quarterly GDP figures extrapolate the growth rate of the quarter as if it were constant for the rest of the year. These can be misleading, however, if temporary shocks impact growth in one quarter but are unlikely to last all year – such as happened in the first quarter of 2020 at the outbreak of the covid pandemic, when growth plummeted. How does GDP influence currencies? A higher GDP result is generally positive for a nation’s currency as it reflects a growing economy, which is more likely to produce goods and services that can be exported, as well as attracting higher foreign investment. By the same token, when GDP falls it is usually negative for the currency. When an economy grows people tend to spend more, which leads to inflation. The country’s central bank then has to put up interest rates to combat the inflation with the side effect of attracting more capital inflows from global investors, thus helping the local currency appreciate. How does higher GDP impact the price of Gold? When an economy grows and GDP is rising, people tend to spend more which leads to inflation. The country’s central bank then has to put up interest rates to combat the inflation. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold versus placing the money in a cash deposit account. Therefore, a higher GDP growth rate is usually a bearish factor for Gold price.  

France Business Climate in Manufacturing below forecasts (102) in April: Actual (100)

The EUR/JPY cross trades in positive territory for the fifth consecutive day during the early European trading hours on Thursday.

EUR/JPY gains traction near 166.85 on Thursday, the highest level since 2008. The cross keeps the bullish vibe, with the overbought RSI condition.The first resistance level will emerge at 166.82; the initial support level is located at 165.35.The EUR/JPY cross trades in positive territory for the fifth consecutive day during the early European trading hours on Thursday. The cross edges higher to 166.85, its highest level since 2008. The Tokyo April Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be due on Friday ahead of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) interest rate decision. The markets expect the Japanese central bank to leave its policy rate and bond purchase amounts unchanged since BoJ raised interest rates in March for the first time since 2007. The divergence in rates between Japan and the Eurozone is the key factor that weighs the Japanese Yen (JPY) against the Euro (EUR). 

Technically, EUR/JPY maintains the bullish stance unchanged on the four-hour chart as the cross is above the 50-period and 100-period Exponential Moving Averages (EMA) with an upward slope. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) holds in bullish territory above 70. However, the overbought RSI condition indicates that further consolidation cannot be ruled out before positioning for any near-term EUR/JPY appreciation.

The first upside barrier for the cross will emerge near the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band at 166.82. The next hurdle is seen at the 167.00 psychological level. A bullish breakout above this level will see a rally to a yearly high of 2007 at 168.95, en route to an all-time high of 169.78 in July 2008.

On the flip side, the initial support level for the cross is located near a high of March 20 at 165.35. Further south, the next contention level to watch is the 50-period EMA at 165.11, followed by the 100-period EMA at 164.62. A breach of this level will see a drop to the lower limit of the Bollinger Band at 164.30.  EUR/JPY four-hour chartEUR/JPY Overview Today last price 166.87 Today Daily Change 0.67 Today Daily Change % 0.40 Today daily open 166.2   Trends Daily SMA20 164.31 Daily SMA50 163.35 Daily SMA100 160.95 Daily SMA200 159.84   Levels Previous Daily High 166.23 Previous Daily Low 165.4 Previous Weekly High 165.03 Previous Weekly Low 162.67 Previous Monthly High 165.36 Previous Monthly Low 160.22 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 165.91 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 165.72 Daily Pivot Point S1 165.65 Daily Pivot Point S2 165.11 Daily Pivot Point S3 164.82 Daily Pivot Point R1 166.49 Daily Pivot Point R2 166.78 Daily Pivot Point R3 167.32    

FX option expiries for Apr 25 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time, via DTCC, can be found below - EUR/USD: EUR amounts 1.0595 390m 1.0640 1.2b 1.0650 990m 1.0700 750m 1.0750 767m 1.0760 642m 1.0800 689m 1.0850 839m - GBP/USD: GBP amounts 1.2410 400m 1.2500 432m - USD/JPY: USD amounts 153.00 1.7b 154.00 1.2b 155.00 1.9b 155.25 441m 155.85 1.2b - AUD/USD: AUD amounts 0.6430 559m 0.6635 505m - USD/CAD: USD amounts 1.3650 379m 1.3750 457m .

FX option expiries for Apr 25 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time, via DTCC, can be found below - EUR/USD: EUR amounts 1.0595 390m 1.0640 1.2b 1.0650 990m 1.0700 750m 1.0750 767m 1.0760 642m 1.0800 689m 1.0850 839m - GBP/USD: GBP amounts      1.2410 400m 1.2500 432m - USD/JPY: USD amounts                      153.00 1.7b 154.00 1.2b 155.00 1.9b 155.25 441m 155.85 1.2b - AUD/USD: AUD amounts 0.6430 559m 0.6635 505m - USD/CAD: USD amounts        1.3650 379m 1.3750 457m

Germany GfK Consumer Confidence Survey came in at -24.2, above expectations (-25.9) in May

Sweden Producer Price Index (MoM) climbed from previous 0% to 0.6% in March

Sweden Producer Price Index (YoY) climbed from previous -1.3% to -0.6% in March

EUR/USD recovers its recent losses registered in the previous session, trading around 1.0710 during the Asian session on Thursday.

EUR/USD could approach the 21-day EMA at 1.0727.A break below 1.0700 could lead the pair toward the major support of 1.0650 and April’s low at 1.0601.A breach above the major level of 1.0695 suggests a weakening of bearish sentiment.EUR/USD recovers its recent losses registered in the previous session, trading around 1.0710 during the Asian session on Thursday. From a technical standpoint, analysis suggests a weakening of bearish sentiment for the pair as it has surpassed the major level of 1.0695 and the psychological level of 1.0700. Additionally, the lagging indicator Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicates a shift in momentum for the EUR/USD pair, as it is positioned below the centerline but above the signal line. However, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains below the 50-mark, indicating a continuation of bearish momentum. Key support for the EUR/USD pair is likely to be found around the psychological level of 1.0700. A breach below this level could apply downward pressure on the pair, potentially leading it toward the region surrounding the major support level of 1.0650. Further support may be identified around April’s low at 1.0601, which aligns with the psychological level of 1.0600. On the upside, the immediate barrier for the pair could be the 21-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.0727. A breakthrough above this level could propel the pair towards the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at 1.0749, which is drawn between the levels of 1.0981 and 1.0606, coinciding with the major level of 1.0750.EUR/USD: Daily ChartEUR/USD Overview Today last price 1.0709 Today Daily Change 0.0010 Today Daily Change % 0.09 Today daily open 1.0699   Trends Daily SMA20 1.0735 Daily SMA50 1.0808 Daily SMA100 1.0849 Daily SMA200 1.081   Levels Previous Daily High 1.0714 Previous Daily Low 1.0678 Previous Weekly High 1.069 Previous Weekly Low 1.0601 Previous Monthly High 1.0981 Previous Monthly Low 1.0768 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.0692 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.07 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.068 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.0661 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.0643 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.0716 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.0733 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.0752    

The USD/CHF pair trades on a weaker note near 0.9145 during the early European session on Thursday.

USD/CHF drifts lower to 0.9145 on the softer US Dollar on Thursday. The hawkish tone of the US Fed has lifted the USD, creating a tailwind for the pair. Switzerland’s ZEW Survey Expectations rose to 17.6 in April, compared to 11.5 prior.The USD/CHF pair trades on a weaker note near 0.9145 during the early European session on Thursday. Traders seem to prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the release of the US preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Annualized for the first quarter (Q1) later in the day. In the meantime, any development surrounding escalating tensions in the Middle East might boost safe-haven assets like the Swiss Franc (CHF). 

The US Federal Reserve's (Fed) policymakers agreed with the central bank’s position to remain on hold. The hawkish tone of the Fed has provided some support to the Greenback in recent weeks. However, investors have doubts about exactly when monetary policy easing will come. The US GDP growth number might offer some hints about how the US economy performs in Q1 of 2024.  The first estimated US GDP growth number is estimated to grow at a 2.5% annualized pace during the first quarter, compared to the previous reading of 3.4%. In case the report shows stronger-than-expected data, this might trigger speculation that the US Fed will delay the rate cut cycle, which might lift the US Dollar (USD). 

On Wednesday, data released from the Centre for European Economic Research showed that Switzerland’s ZEW Survey Expectations improved to 17.6 in April compared to 11.5 in the previous reading. Apart from this, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East might lift the CHF, a traditional safe-haven currency, and drag the USD/CHF lower.  USD/CHF Overview Today last price 0.9143 Today Daily Change -0.0008 Today Daily Change % -0.09 Today daily open 0.9151   Trends Daily SMA20 0.9083 Daily SMA50 0.8942 Daily SMA100 0.8784 Daily SMA200 0.8842   Levels Previous Daily High 0.9153 Previous Daily Low 0.9114 Previous Weekly High 0.9152 Previous Weekly Low 0.9012 Previous Monthly High 0.9072 Previous Monthly Low 0.873 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.9138 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.9129 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.9125 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.91 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.9086 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.9165 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.9178 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.9204    

Japan Leading Economic Index meets forecasts (111.8) in February

Japan Coincident Index up to 111.6 in February from previous 110.9

The NZD/USD pair moves in the positive direction, trading around 0.5940 during the Asian session on Thursday.

NZD/USD gains momentum as investors express optimism regarding the de-escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran.The higher US Treasury yields could help in limiting the losses of the US Dollar.US GDP Annualized (Q1) is expected to grow at a slower rate in the first quarter.The NZD/USD pair moves in the positive direction, trading around 0.5940 during the Asian session on Thursday. The risk-sensitive New Zealand Dollar (NZD) gains momentum as risk appetite improves. Investors are optimistic about the resolution of conflicts between Iran and Israel, following a statement by an Iranian official suggesting no immediate plans for retaliation against Israeli airstrikes, as reported by Reuters. The China Securities Journal reported on Tuesday that the People's Bank of China (PBoC) plans to reduce the Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF) rate to decrease funding costs during the next MLF rate setting scheduled for May 15. Lower MLF rates in China could stimulate economic activity and boost consumer spending, which may lead to increased demand for New Zealand goods and services in the Chinese market.The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, depreciated following mixed manufacturing data from the United States (US). However, the Greenback's losses were somewhat offset by slight gains in US Treasury yields. According to the US Department of Commerce's report on Wednesday, US Durable Goods Orders rose 2.6% month-over-month (MoM) in March, surpassing the previous reading of 0.7% and beating the estimated 2.5%. However, core goods, excluding transportation, increased 0.2% MoM, falling short of the expected 0.3%. On Thursday, the preliminary Gross Domestic Product Annualized (Q1) data for the United States (US) is set to be released, with expectations of a growth rate slowdown. These GDP figures will offer insights into the strength of the US economy and could influence future actions by the Federal Reserve (Fed). NZD/USD Overview Today last price 0.594 Today Daily Change 0.0005 Today Daily Change % 0.08 Today daily open 0.5935   Trends Daily SMA20 0.5961 Daily SMA50 0.6052 Daily SMA100 0.6117 Daily SMA200 0.605   Levels Previous Daily High 0.5958 Previous Daily Low 0.592 Previous Weekly High 0.5954 Previous Weekly Low 0.5851 Previous Monthly High 0.6218 Previous Monthly Low 0.5956 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.5944 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.5935 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.5917 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.5899 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.5879 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.5956 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.5976 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.5994    

The GBP/USD pair consolidates its strong recovery gains registered over the past two days, from the 1.2300 mark or the YTD low set earlier this week and oscillates in a range during the Asian session on Thursday.

GBP/USD struggles to attract follow-through buying and trades in a narrow range on Thursday.Reduced Fed rate cut bets and speculations about more aggressive BoE easing act as a headwind.The technical setup warrants some caution before positioning for any further appreciating move.The GBP/USD pair consolidates its strong recovery gains registered over the past two days, from the 1.2300 mark or the YTD low set earlier this week and oscillates in a range during the Asian session on Thursday. Spot prices currently trade near the 1.2465 region, unchanged for the day as traders await more cues about the Federal Reserve's (Fed) rate-cut path before placing fresh directional bets.  Hence, the focus will remain glued to important US macro data – the Advance Q1 GDP report later today and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index on Friday. In the meantime, expectations that the Fed will delay cutting interest rates in the wake of sticky inflation continue to act as a tailwind for the US Dollar (USD). Apart from this, speculations about more aggressive policy easing by the Bank of England (BoE) undermine demand for the British Pound (GBP) and act as a headwind for the GBP/USD pair.  From a technical perspective, acceptance above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level of the March-April downfall favors bullish traders and supports prospects for a further appreciating move. Hence, some follow-through strength beyond the 1.2500 psychological mark, en route to the 1.2530-1.2535 region or the 38.2% Fibo. level, looks like a distinct possibility. That said, oscillators on the daily chart are still holding in the negative territory, suggesting that the latter should act as a headwind and cap the upside for the GBP/USD pair.  On the flip side, the 1.2425 area now seems to protect the immediate downside ahead of the 1.2400 round figure. Some follow-through selling could drag the GBP/USD pair back towards the 1.2350 intermediate support en route to the 1.2300 mark, or the YTD low touched on Tuesday. A convincing break below the latter will be seen as a fresh trigger for bearish traders and pave the way for an extension of the recent downtrend from the March swing high. Spot prices might then slide to the 1.2245 area before dropping to the 1.2200 mark. GBP/USD daily chartGBP/USD Overview Today last price 1.2465 Today Daily Change 0.0001 Today Daily Change % 0.01 Today daily open 1.2464   Trends Daily SMA20 1.2529 Daily SMA50 1.2627 Daily SMA100 1.2651 Daily SMA200 1.256   Levels Previous Daily High 1.247 Previous Daily Low 1.2423 Previous Weekly High 1.2499 Previous Weekly Low 1.2367 Previous Monthly High 1.2894 Previous Monthly Low 1.2575 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.2452 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.2441 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.2434 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.2405 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.2387 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.2482 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.2499 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.2529    

Gold price (XAU/USD) extends its consolidative price move above the $2,300 mark during the Asian session on Thursday as traders more cues about the Federal Reserve's (Fed) rate-cut path before placing fresh directional bets.

.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 remains confined in a narrow band for the second straight day on Thursday.Reduced Fed rate cut bets and a positive risk tone cap the upside for the commodity.Traders now await key US macro data before positioning for the near-term trajectory.Gold price (XAU/USD) extends its consolidative price move above the $2,300 mark during the Asian session on Thursday as traders more cues about the Federal Reserve's (Fed) rate-cut path before placing fresh directional bets. Hence, the focus will remain glued to key US macro data – the Advance Q1 GDP report due later today and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index on Friday. This will play a key role in influencing the near-term US Dollar (USD) price dynamics and provide some meaningful impetus to the commodity.
In the meantime, the recent hawkish remarks by several Fed officials suggested that the central bank is in no rush to cut interest rates. Moreover, stronger US consumer inflation figures forced investors to scale back their expectations about the timing of the first rate cut to September and downsize the number of rate cuts in 2024. This keeps the US Treasury bond yields elevated and acts as a headwind for the non-yielding Gold price. Apart from this, easing concerns about a major escalation of the Middle East crisis continues to cap the safe-haven XAU/USD.  Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price struggles to gain traction amid hawkish Fed expectations Investors await key US economic data for clarity about the timing when the Federal Reserve will start cutting rates, leading to subdued range-bound price action around the Gold price for the second straight day on Thursday. The first estimate, or the Advance US GDP report is due for release later today and is expected to show that the world's largest economy grew by 2.5% annualized pace during the first quarter as compared to the 3.4% previous. The focus will then shift to the Fed's preferred inflation gauge – the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index – on Friday, which will play a key role in determining the near-term trajectory for the XAU/USD.  The US Census Bureau reported on Wednesday that Durable Goods Orders climbed 2.6% in March as compared to the previous month's downwardly revised 0.7% increase, while new orders excluding transportation rose 0.2%. This comes on the back of strong US consumer inflation figures and hawkish remarks by Fed officials, reaffirming bets that the central bank will not begin its rate-cutting cycle before September and capping the non-yielding metal. The global risk sentiment remains supported by easing concerns about a further escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which is seen as another factor acting as a headwind for the safe-haven precious metal.  The US Dollar bulls seem reluctant to place aggressive bets and remain on the defensive ahead of important macro releases, offering some support to the XAU/USD and limiting any meaningful downside for now.  Technical Analysis: Gold price bears need to wait for acceptance below $2,300 before placing fresh bets From a technical perspective, the Gold price now seems to have found acceptance below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level of the February-April rally, albeit showing some resilience below the $2,300 mark earlier this week. Moreover, oscillators on the daily chart – though have been losing traction – are still holding in the positive territory. Hence, it will be prudent to wait for some follow-through selling below the $2,300-2,290 area, or over a two-week low touched on Tuesday, before positioning for an extension of the recent pullback from the all-time peak. The subsequent downfall has the potential to drag the XAU/USD to the $2,260-2,255 area, or the 38.2% Fibo. level, en route to the $2,225 intermediate support and the $2,200-2,190 confluence, comprising the 50% Fibo. level and the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA).  On the flip side, immediate resistance is pegged near the $2,325 area ahead of the overnight swing high, the $2,337-2,338 zone. A sustained move beyond could allow the Gold price to test the next relevant hurdle near the $2,350-2,355 region and climb further towards the $2,380 supply zone. This is closely followed by the $2,400 round figure and the all-time peak, near the $2,431-2,432 area, which if cleared will set the stage for an extension of the recent blowout rally witnessed over the past two months or so. Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.  

The Australian Dollar (AUD) edges higher for the fourth consecutive session on Thursday.

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The Australian Dollar (AUD) gained traction against the US Dollar (USD) following the release of robust Australian Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures on Wednesday. Additionally, the easing tensions in the Middle East have created a positive market sentiment, favoring risk-sensitive currencies like the AUD and consequently supporting the AUD/USD pair. The Australian Dollar gains ground following the higher 10-year yield on Australian government bonds, which has surged above 4.49%, approaching five-month highs. This increase in yield is attributed to the growing expectations of a more hawkish stance from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) regarding its interest rate trajectory.The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, downticks, possibly influenced by improved risk appetite. However, the modest gains in US Treasury yields could mitigate the losses of the Greenback. The preliminary Gross Domestic Product Annualized (Q1) from the United States (US) is scheduled to be released on Thursday, with expectations of a slowdown in the growth rate. The GDP figures will provide insights into the strength of the US economy and may indicate the Federal Reserve (Fed)'s future actions. If the report reveals higher-than-expected figures, it could spark speculation that the Fed will postpone its rate cut cycle. Daily Digest Market Movers: Australian Dollar appreciates after hotter CPI data Luci Ellis, the chief economist at Westpac and former Assistant Governor (Economic) at the Reserve Bank of Australia, notes that inflation slightly exceeded expectations in the March quarter. Westpac anticipates that the Board will keep interest rates unchanged in May and has adjusted their forecasted date for the first rate cut from September to November this year. Australia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.0% QoQ in the first quarter of 2024, against the expected 0.8% and 0.6% prior. CPI (YoY) increased by 3.6% compared to the forecast of 3.4% for Q1 and 4.1% prior. Australia’s Monthly Consumer Price Index (YoY) rose to 3.5% in March, against the market expectations and the previous reading of 3.4%. The S&P Global US Composite PMI decreased in April, indicating only a modest expansion in the nation's private sector. This was the weakest expansion since December. Activity saw slower growth rates in both the manufacturing and service sectors, with expansions easing to three- and five-month lows, respectively. In April 2024, the Judo Bank Australia Composite Output Index rose, marking the third consecutive month of expansion in the Australian private sector and the fastest pace since April 2022. Although the service sector primarily drove business activity growth, the rate of decline in manufacturing output slowed to its lowest level in eight months. The China Securities Journal indicated on Tuesday that the People's Bank of China (PBoC) plans to reduce the Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF) rate in an effort to decrease funding costs. The next MLF rate setting is scheduled for May 15. This move might potentially benefit Australian exports to China, considering the strong trade ties between the two nations. Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar hovers above the psychological level of 0.6500 The Australian Dollar trades around 0.6510 on Thursday. The pair is hovering above the lower boundary of a symmetrical triangle pattern. A further gain could lead to a bullish sentiment, with the pair potentially targeting the psychological level of 0.6600 and aiming for the upper boundary of the triangle near 0.6639. Additionally, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is above the 50-level, supporting this bullish outlook. On the downside, immediate support is expected around the psychological level of 0.6500. A break below this level may lead to further downside momentum, with the next significant support region around 0.6456. The AUD/USD pair may find further support at April’s low of 0.6362. AUD/USD: Daily ChartAustralian Dollar price today The table below shows the percentage change of the Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. The Australian Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.05% -0.03% -0.04% -0.04% 0.14% -0.01% 0.02%EUR0.05%   0.05% 0.01% 0.00% 0.18% 0.03% 0.07%GBP0.02% -0.04%   -0.04% -0.04% 0.16% -0.02% 0.03%CAD0.06% 0.00% 0.05%   0.01% 0.19% 0.04% 0.07%AUD0.04% 0.00% 0.03% 0.00%   0.18% 0.02% 0.07%JPY-0.13% -0.19% -0.15% -0.19% -0.16%   -0.16% -0.12%NZD0.03% -0.03% 0.00% -0.04% -0.03% 0.16%   0.08%CHF-0.02% -0.07% -0.04% -0.07% -0.07% 0.12% -0.05%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote). Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate, and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.  

Indian Rupee (INR) extends its downside on Thursday despite the decline of the US Dollar (USD).

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Investors will closely monitor the US preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Annualized for the first quarter (Q1). The report could offer a clue of how strongly the US economy is growing and point to the Fed's next move. On Friday, the final reading of the US March Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) will be a closely watched event. Apart from this, India’s general election, which started on 19 April and will run until 1 June, will be in the spotlight. Daily Digest Market Movers: The Indian Rupee remains vulnerable at the start of the electionIn mid-April, India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 564.5 billion (+48 billion over a year), equating to more than 7.6 months of goods and services imports. The Indian rupee remains stable at the start of the election period, holding up better than other Asian currencies so far. Since the start of April, it has only depreciated by 0.6% against the US Dollar. The Indian economy needs to grow at a rate of 8–10% per annum over the next decade to reap the demographic dividend, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) monthly bulletin. The main economic challenge for the Indian government after the election is unemployment, according to economists polled by Reuters, who forecast India to expand at a solid 6.5% this fiscal year. The US Durable Goods Orders improved 2.6% MoM or $7.3 billion, to $283.4 billion in March, compared to the 0.7% increase (revised from 1.4%) in February. The increase in overall orders was the biggest since November 2023 Durable Goods Orders ex Transportation rose by 0.2% MoM in March, while new orders excluding defense rose 2.3% MoM in the same period. Both figures came in below the consensus. Technical analysis: USD/INR keeps the bullish vibe in the longer termThe Indian Rupee trades on a softer note on the day. USD/INR maintains the positive outlook unchanged on the daily timeframe as the pair is above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). Nonetheless, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers around the 50.00 midlines, suggesting that further consolidation is favorable for the time being. 

The first upside barrier for USD/INR will emerge at 83.50 (high of April 15). Any follow-through buying above this level will expose 83.72 (an all-time high), en route to 84.00 (round figure). On the other hand, the confluence of the 100-day EMA and a low of April 10 near the 83.10–83.15 zone. The additional downside filter to watch is 82.78 (low of January 15), followed by 82.65 (low of March 16).  US Dollar price todayThe table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.06% -0.06% -0.06% -0.13% 0.11% -0.12% -0.01%EUR0.06%   -0.01% 0.00% -0.07% 0.17% -0.07% 0.03%GBP0.07% -0.02%   0.01% -0.08% 0.17% -0.07% 0.02%CAD0.08% 0.00% 0.00%   -0.06% 0.16% -0.04% 0.05%AUD0.13% 0.05% 0.07% 0.05%   0.21% 0.00% 0.12%JPY-0.11% -0.16% -0.17% -0.18% -0.23%   -0.25% -0.12%NZD0.11% 0.04% 0.06% 0.02% -0.02% 0.21%   0.13%CHF0.01% -0.04% -0.06% -0.06% -0.11% 0.12% -0.09%   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) extends its weakening trend further below the 155.00 psychological mark and drops to the lowest level since June 1990 against its American counterpart during the Asian session on Thursday.

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Japanese officials have repeatedly warned that they will take necessary action to address excessive moves in the yen if needed and have emphasized a focus on the pace of the currency’s depreciation rather than a precise price level. 
Moreover, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda has said the central bank may hike rates again if the fall in the domestic currency significantly pushes up inflation, which might hold back the JPY bears from placing fresh bets.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) executive, Takao Ochi, said on Wednesday that the JPY's fall towards the 160 against its American counterpart may be deemed excessive and could prompt policymakers to consider some action. 
Japan's Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki refrained from commenting on specific FX levels, while Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reiterated that it is important for currencies to move in a stable manner reflecting fundamentals.
Investors keenly await the outcome of the highly-anticipated two-day BoJ policy meeting on Friday for cues on when the central bank will raise interest rates again, which, in turn, will determine the near-term trajectory for the JPY.
The US Census Bureau reported on Wednesday that Durable Goods Orders increased by 2.6% in March as compared to the previous month's downwardly revised 0.7% rise, while new orders excluding transportation rose 0.2%
This comes on the back of strong US consumer inflation figures and reaffirmed expectations that the Federal Reserve will not begin its rate-cutting cycle before September, which acts as a tailwind for the US Dollar and the USD/JPY pair. 
Traders now look forward to the release of the Advance US GDP report, which is expected to show that growth in the world's largest economy slowed to a 2.5% annualized pace during the first quarter of 2024 from the 3.4% previous. 
Apart from this, the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index on Friday will be looked upon for cues about the Fed's rate-cut path and determining the next leg of a directional move for the buck and the currency pair.  Technical Analysis: USD/JPY could consolidate before the next leg up towards the 156.00 mark From a technical perspective, the overnight breakout through a short-term trading range and a subsequent strength beyond the 155.00 mark could be seen as a fresh trigger for bullish traders. That said, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily chart remains in the overbought territory, warranting some caution amid intervention fears and ahead of the BoJ event risk. Hence, it will be prudent to wait for some near-term consolidation or a modest pullback before positioning for the next leg of a positive move. Nevertheless, the USD/JPY pair seems poised to prolong its recent well-established uptrend from the March swing low and aim to conquer the 156.00 round figure. On the flip side, any meaningful corrective slide is likely to attract fresh buyers and remain limited near the 154.90-154.85 region. This is followed by the 154.55-154.45 support zone, which, if broken, might prompt some technical selling and drag the USD/JPY pair to the 154.00 round-figure mark. The downward trajectory could extend further towards last Friday's low, around the 153.60-153.55 area. 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.  

Japan's Hayashi Won't comment on forex levels or forex intervention.

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AUD/JPY edges higher for the fourth consecutive session on Thursday.

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The Australian Dollar (AUD) found support following the release of Australian Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Wednesday, which exceeded expectations. This development hints at a potentially hawkish stance for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) monetary policy, bolstering the AUD and subsequently supporting the AUD/JPY pair. Australia’s 10-year government bond yield has surged above 4.49%, nearing five-month highs, as robust domestic inflation figures have strengthened expectations of the RBA delaying interest rate cuts. Moreover, easing tensions in the Middle East has fostered a positive market sentiment, benefiting risk-sensitive currencies like the AUD. The Japanese Yen (JPY) continues to depreciate ahead of the upcoming release of the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) Monetary Policy Statement scheduled for Friday. It's widely anticipated that the BoJ will abstain from implementing rate hikes in this meeting. According to reports from Nikkei, the BoJ is likely to deliberate on the "impact of accelerating Yen depreciation," indicating that the central bank may intervene in the foreign exchange markets if the JPY weakens. Daily Digest Market Movers: AUD/JPY appreciates on hawkish sentiment surrounding RBA According to Luci Ellis, Westpac's chief economist and former Assistant Governor (Economic) at the Reserve Bank of Australia, inflation slightly surpassed expectations in the March quarter. They anticipate the Board will maintain interest rates in May and have revised the projected date for the initial rate reduction from September to November this year. Australia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.0% QoQ in the first quarter of 2024, against the expected 0.8% and 0.6% prior. CPI (YoY) increased by 3.6% compared to the forecasted 3.4% for Q1 and 4.1% prior. Australia’s Monthly Consumer Price Index (YoY) rose by 3.5% in March, against the market expectations and the previous reading of 3.4%. On Tuesday, Australia's Judo Bank Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) surged to a 24-month high, indicating an improvement from the previous month. While the Manufacturing PMI reached an eight-month high, the Services PMI declined to a two-month low. This has bolstered the hawkish sentiment for the RBA’s stance on its interest rate trajectory. According to the Japan Times, the proportion of Japanese companies intending to increase their pay scales reached 70.7%, marking a rise of 6.3 percentage points from the previous year. Additionally, the number of companies planning to implement pay-scale hikes and regular pay increases totaling 5% or more amounted to 36.5%, nearly doubling from the previous year. This could provide support for the Yen. Reuters reported that Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated on Tuesday that the central bank would raise interest rates again if trend inflation accelerates toward its 2% target, in line with its forecast. Ueda also said that it is hard to predict in advance the ideal timeframe for the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to gather sufficient data before considering a policy change. The Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year ended April is scheduled to be released during the early Friday session in Japan. Technical Analysis: AUD/JPY moves above the psychological level of 101.00 The AUD/JPY trades around 101.10 on Thursday, edging towards the upper boundary of the daily ascending channel after surpassing April’s high of 100.81. Moreover, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is trending above the 50-level, indicating a bullish sentiment. The immediate resistance is seen at the major level of 101.50. In case of a downside movement, immediate support for the AUD/JPY pair could be found at the psychological level of 101.00, followed by the major support level of 100.81. A breach below this level might lead to a further decline toward the support level of 99.65, followed by the lower boundary of the ascending channel around the level of 99.00. AUD/JPY: Daily ChartAustralian Dollar price this week The table below shows the percentage change of the Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies this week. The Australian Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.  USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHFUSD  -0.46% -0.71% -0.29% -1.22% 0.49% -0.70% 0.35%EUR0.46%   -0.24% 0.17% -0.74% 0.94% -0.22% 0.80%GBP0.70% 0.24%   0.40% -0.50% 1.18% 0.01% 1.05%CAD0.29% -0.17% -0.40%   -0.92% 0.78% -0.41% 0.64%AUD1.20% 0.75% 0.50% 0.91%   1.68% 0.51% 1.55%JPY-0.49% -0.95% -1.20% -0.77% -1.70%   -1.19% -0.14%NZD0.68% 0.23% -0.03% 0.39% -0.52% 1.17%   1.04%CHF-0.35% -0.81% -1.06% -0.64% -1.56% 0.14% -1.04%   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.  

Western Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $82.45 on Thursday.

WTI edges lower to $82.45 on Thursday as the fear of wider war in the Middle East eased. Higher bets that the US Fed will delay rate cuts support the Greenback. US commercial crude stockpiles last week fell by 6.368 million barrels, the largest drawdown since mid-January. Western Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $82.45 on Thursday. The black gold edges lower as the fear over wider conflict in the Middle East fades. Additionally, the hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve (Fed) boosts the US dollar (USD) and caps the upside of black gold

Perceived de-escalation between Iran and Israel, and the flow of oil from the Middle East, which has not been interrupted by conflict in the region, dragged the WTI prices lower in the last few sessions. However, any sign of rising tensions in the Middle East and stricter sanctions against Iran might cap the downside of the WTI price. 
 
Furthermore, the growing speculation that the US Federal Reserve (Fed will delay the interest rate provides some support to the Greenback and acts as a headwind for the black gold price. It’s worth noting that a strong dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies. Several US Fed officials noted that rate cuts aren’t coming in the coming months as inflation remains stickier than expected. 

On the other hand. The US commercial crude stockpiles for the week ending April 19 fell by 6.368 million barrels from the previous reading of 2.735 million barrels built. This reading registered the largest drawdown since mid-January, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.  WTI US OIL Overview Today last price 82.43 Today Daily Change -0.21 Today Daily Change % -0.25 Today daily open 82.64   Trends Daily SMA20 84.06 Daily SMA50 80.99 Daily SMA100 77.2 Daily SMA200 79.71   Levels Previous Daily High 83.5 Previous Daily Low 82.26 Previous Weekly High 85.67 Previous Weekly Low 81.05 Previous Monthly High 83.05 Previous Monthly Low 76.5 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 82.73 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 83.03 Daily Pivot Point S1 82.1 Daily Pivot Point S2 81.56 Daily Pivot Point S3 80.87 Daily Pivot Point R1 83.34 Daily Pivot Point R2 84.04 Daily Pivot Point R3 84.57    

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Thursday at 7.1058 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.1048 and 7.2472 Reuters estimates.

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Thursday at 7.1058 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.1048 and 7.2472 Reuters estimates.

The EUR/USD pair hovers around the 1.0700 psychological level on Thursday during the early Asian session.

EUR/USD posts modest gains near 1.0700 on the weaker USD on Thursday. US Durable Goods Orders increased by 2.6% MoM in March vs. 0.7% prior; Core Goods rose by 0.2% MoM, worse than expected. The dovish stance of the ECB, which sticks to plans to cut interest rates this year, weighs on the Euro.Traders will monitor the release of US Q1 GDP growth number data.The EUR/USD pair hovers around the 1.0700 psychological level on Thursday during the early Asian session. The modest uptick of the major pair is supported by the softer US Dollar (USD). Later in the day, Germany’s GfK Consumer Confidence Survey for April will be released. Additionally, the US preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth number will be due. 

The US Department of Commerce revealed on Wednesday that Durable Goods Orders in the United States increased 2.6% MoM in March from a 0.7% rise in the previous reading, beating the estimation of 2.5%. Core goods, which excluded transportation, rose by 0.2% MoM, missing the expectation of 0.3%. 

The release of US GDP for the first quarter could offer clues of how strong the economy is growing and point to the Fed's next move. If the report shows stronger-than-expected data, this might trigger speculation that the Fed will delay the rate cut cycle and boost the Greenback. Markets have priced in nearly 70% odds that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut its benchmark rate in September, according to the CME FedWatch tool,

Across the pond, the European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers stick to plans to cut interest rates this year, even though elevated US inflation might delay a pivot to looser policy by the Fed. The ECB President Christine Lagarde suggested that the central bank may cut its deposit rate from a record-high 4% in June, but has kept its options open for further action. The dovish stance of the ECB exerts some selling pressure on the Euro (EUR) and creates a headwind for the EUR/USD pair.  EUR/USD Overview Today last price 1.07 Today Daily Change 0.0001 Today Daily Change % 0.01 Today daily open 1.0699   Trends Daily SMA20 1.0735 Daily SMA50 1.0808 Daily SMA100 1.0849 Daily SMA200 1.081   Levels Previous Daily High 1.0714 Previous Daily Low 1.0678 Previous Weekly High 1.069 Previous Weekly Low 1.0601 Previous Monthly High 1.0981 Previous Monthly Low 1.0768 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.0692 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.07 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.068 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.0661 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.0643 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.0716 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.0733 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.0752  

 

Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks fell from previous ¥1740B to ¥-492.4B in April 19

The USD/CAD pair extends its recovery around 1.3705 during the early Asian trading hours on Thursday.

USD/CAD holds positive ground near 1.3705 on Thursday. US Durable Goods Orders rose by 2.6% MoM in March from the previous reading of a 0.7% increase.Canada’s February Retail Sales data supports the outlook for the BoC rate cut as soon as June. The USD/CAD pair extends its recovery around 1.3705 during the early Asian trading hours on Thursday. The weaker-than-expected Canada’s Retail Sales weigh on the Canadian Dollar (USD). Later on Thursday, investors will closely monitor the US preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Annualized, which is projected to grow 2.5% in Q1. 

Investors anticipate that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will lower its Fed Funds Rate in September 2024, with a chance of nearly 70%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Last week, the Fed policymaker stated that the central bank’s current restrictive policy is appropriate and that the Fed wouldn’t cut rates until the end of the year. The higher-for-longer US rate narrative provides some support for the Greenback against the CAD. 

About the data, the US Census Bureau showed on Wednesday that Durable Goods Orders in the United States rose by 2.6% MoM in March from the previous reading of a 0.7% increase. Excluding transportation, Durable Goods Orders gained by 0.2% MoM, below the market consensus of 0.3%

On the Loonie front, the recent Canadian Retail Sales data has triggered speculation that the Bank of Canada (BoC) might cut interest rates at its next meeting in June. Retail Sales in Canada decreased 0.1% MoM in February, worse than the estimation of a 0.1% increase. Excluding autos, Retail Sales fell 0.3% MoM in the same period, compared to the forecast of 0.0%. Additionally, the decline in crude oil prices exerts some selling pressure on the commodity-linked Loonie, as Canada is the largest crude oil exporter to the United States (US).  USD/CAD Overview Today last price 1.3704 Today Daily Change 0.0041 Today Daily Change % 0.30 Today daily open 1.3663   Trends Daily SMA20 1.365 Daily SMA50 1.3576 Daily SMA100 1.3497 Daily SMA200 1.3534   Levels Previous Daily High 1.3714 Previous Daily Low 1.3656 Previous Weekly High 1.3846 Previous Weekly Low 1.3724 Previous Monthly High 1.3614 Previous Monthly Low 1.342 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.3678 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.3692 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.3641 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.362 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.3583 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.37 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.3736 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.3758    

The Aussie Dollar finished Wednesday’s session with decent gains of 0.15% against the US Dollar, yet it retreated from weekly highs of 0.6529, which it hit after a hotter-than-expected inflation report.

AUD/USD retreats from a peak of 0.6529 following an unexpected surge in Australian inflation figures.The US Dollar Index edges higher, influenced by solid US economic indicators and investor caution ahead of key GDP report.Despite a strong Q1 inflation report suggesting robust Australian economic activity, expectations for an RBA rate cut linger among analysts.The Aussie Dollar finished Wednesday’s session with decent gains of 0.15% against the US Dollar, yet it retreated from weekly highs of 0.6529, which it hit after a hotter-than-expected inflation report. Economic data from the United States (US) boosted the Greenback, which, according to the US Dollar Index (DXY), gained 0.13%, up to 105.82. As the Asian session begins, the AUD/USD trades at 0.6495. down 0.02%. AUD/USD retreats below 0.6500 amid strong US data Wall Street was mixed on Wednesday after META reported earnings, which were better than expected but weighed on the US equity markets. Investors remain cautious ahead of the release of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report on Thursday, which is expected to show the largest economy in the world grew 2.5% QoQ in the first quarter this year. At the same time, Initial Jobless Claims are expected to increase from 212K to 214K. Aside from this, past data revealed on Wednesday suggested the US economy remains solid. Mach’s Durable Goods Orders increased 2.6% MoM, up from a 0.7% rise previously and surpassing 2.5% estimates. Core goods, which excluded transportation, increased by 0.2% MoM, an improvement over February's 0.1% increase but falling short of the 0.3% projected. On Wednesday, during the Asian session, Australia’s Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed that inflation for Q1 2024 exceeded estimates by far of 0.6%, increasing QoQ by 1%. Annually based, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) expanded 3.6% YoY, down from 4.1% but above projections of 3.4%. Traders sent the AUD/USD rallying above 0.6500 as they priced out a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in 2024. Despite this red-hot report, ANZ Bank analysts expect the RBA to cut rates in November. They added, "We think the RBA will want to see a couple of quarters of lower non-tradables and services inflation to be convinced that overall inflation will not only return to the 2–3% target band but remain there.” AUD/USD Price Analysis: Technical outlook Given the fundamental backdrop, the AUD/USD rallied toward the confluence of the 200 and 50-day moving averages (DMAs), though buyers lacked the strength to pierce that strong resistance level at 0.6526/32, retreating sharply back below the 0.6500 mark. That said, if the pair drops below the April 24 low of 0.6483, the AUD/USD could dive toward the February 13 low at 0.6442. Once cleared, up next would be 0.6400.AUD/USD Overview Today last price 0.6496 Today Daily Change 0.0009 Today Daily Change % 0.14 Today daily open 0.6487   Trends Daily SMA20 0.6505 Daily SMA50 0.6533 Daily SMA100 0.6589 Daily SMA200 0.653   Levels Previous Daily High 0.649 Previous Daily Low 0.6441 Previous Weekly High 0.6493 Previous Weekly Low 0.6362 Previous Monthly High 0.6667 Previous Monthly Low 0.6478 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.6472 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.646 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.6455 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.6424 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.6406 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.6504 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.6522 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6554    

USD/JPY broke into its highest chart territory since June of 1990 on Wednesday, peaking near 155.40 for the first time in 34 years as the Japanese Yen continues to tumble across the broad fx market.

US Dollar tips into a fresh 34-year high against Japanese Yen on Wednesday.BoJ policy statement is expected as markets await Yen intervention.US data sends mixed shocks through markets as Fed watchers look on.USD/JPY broke into its highest chart territory since June of 1990 on Wednesday, peaking near 155.40 for the first time in 34 years as the Japanese Yen continues to tumble across the broad fx market. According to reporting from Nikkei, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is expected to discuss “impact of accelerating Yen depreciation”, a clear sign to market participants that BoJ intervention in the fx markets could be impending if the JPY continues to soften. Key US data is due in the back half of the trading week with US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and US Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Price Index inflation slated for Thursday and Friday, respectively. US GDP is expected to ease to 2.5% for the annualized first quarter compared to the previous 3.4%. US Core PCE inflation in March is forecast to hold steady in March. Investors hoping for signs of rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will continue to celebrate downside economic indicators from the US, and will be hoping for slowing GDP growth and easing PCE inflation prints. The BoJ will be releasing its latest Monetary Policy Statement early Friday, and a press conference from BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda is expected to follow at an unspecified time. Before the BoJ, Japan’s Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year ended April will print in the early Friday market session. Headline Tokyo YoY CPI is expected to hold steady at 2.6% in April, with Core-core Tokyo CPI inflation (headline inflation less volatile food and energy prices) expected to tick down slightly to 2.7% from 2.9%. USD/JPY technical outlook With the pair hitting its highest bids in over three decades, USD/JPY is on pace to close in the green for a fourth consecutive month. The pair is up nearly 6% from the last swing low near 146.50 in March, and USD/JPY has climbed almost 8% since crossing the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at the beginning of 2024. USD/JPY daily chart

The GBP/USD pair snaps the two-day winning streak near 1.2460 amid the modest rebound of the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday during the early Asian session.

GBP/USD trades on a weaker note around 1.2460 in Thursday’s early Asian session.The US Durable Goods Orders rose 2.6% in March, compared to the 0.7% increase (revised from 1.4%) in February.The BoE is expected to wait until next quarter to lower borrowing costs, according to analysts from a Reuters poll.The US advanced Q1 GDP growth numbers will be in the spotlight on Thursday. The GBP/USD pair snaps the two-day winning streak near 1.2460 amid the modest rebound of the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday during the early Asian session. The release of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter (Q1) will take center stage on the day. Also, the usual weekly Initial Jobless Claims and Pending Home Sales will be due. 

On Wednesday, US Durable Goods Orders improved by 2.6%, or $7.3 billion, to $283.4 billion in March, compared to the 0.7% increase (revised from 1.4%) in February. The increase in overall orders was the biggest since November 2023, according to the US Census Bureau. Meanwhile, Durable Goods Orders ex-transportation increased by 0.2%, while new orders excluding defense rose 2.3% in March. Both figures came in weaker than expected. Nonetheless, these reports did not have a significant impact on the US Dollar Index (DXY). 

Several US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials and Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that rate cuts aren’t coming in the coming months as inflation remains stickier than expected. The hawkish comments and the higher-for-longer stance from US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials have boosted the Greenback and created a headwind for the GBP/USD pair. 

On the other hand, the markets anticipate that the Bank of England (BoE) will wait until next quarter to lower borrowing costs, according to median forecasts in a Reuters poll. The BoE Governor Andrew Bailey and other BoE officials stated that inflation in the United Kingdom declined in line with the central bank's expectations and the risk of elevated inflation had reduced, paving the way for a rate cut. The speculation is that the UK Central Bank will begin its easing cycle before the US Fed drags the Pound Sterling (GBP) lower and caps the downside of the major pair.  GBP/USD Overview Today last price 1.2459 Today Daily Change 0.0010 Today Daily Change % 0.08 Today daily open 1.2449   Trends Daily SMA20 1.2538 Daily SMA50 1.2629 Daily SMA100 1.2652 Daily SMA200 1.2563   Levels Previous Daily High 1.2459 Previous Daily Low 1.2332 Previous Weekly High 1.2499 Previous Weekly Low 1.2367 Previous Monthly High 1.2894 Previous Monthly Low 1.2575 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.241 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.238 Daily Pivot Point S1 1.2368 Daily Pivot Point S2 1.2287 Daily Pivot Point S3 1.2241 Daily Pivot Point R1 1.2495 Daily Pivot Point R2 1.254 Daily Pivot Point R3 1.2621    

South Korea Gross Domestic Product Growth (YoY) came in at 34%, above forecasts (2.4%) in 1Q

South Korea Gross Domestic Product Growth (QoQ) registered at 1.3% above expectations (0.6%) in 1Q

The GBP/JPY broke into a fresh nine-year high above 193.60 on Wednesday as the Pound Sterling (GBP) sees recovery bidding and the Japanese Yen (JPY) continues to weaken despite increasingly interventionist rhetoric from the Bank of Japan (BoJ).

The Guppy breaks into new chart territory above 193.60, a nine-year high.Deflating JPY is rapidly approaching standoff territory with nervous BoJ.Japanese inflation figures, BoJ rate call loom ahead on Friday.The GBP/JPY broke into a fresh nine-year high above 193.60 on Wednesday as the Pound Sterling (GBP) sees recovery bidding and the Japanese Yen (JPY) continues to weaken despite increasingly interventionist rhetoric from the Bank of Japan (BoJ).  According to reporting from Nikkei, the BoJ is set to discuss the “impact of accelerating Yen depreciation”, a clear warning shot that the Japanese central bank could be weighing market operations to bring current Yen moves under heel. The BoJ is slated to deliver its latest Monetary Policy Report and rate call early Friday. The Pound Sterling is enjoying a reprieve from recent selling pressure after Tuesday’s UK Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) recovered significant ground, bounding to 54.9 from the previous 53.1 and vaulting over the forecast downtick to 53.0. The only thing left of note on the economic docket for the UK this week will be Thursday’s GfK Consumer Confidence for April, which is expected to improve, albeit slightly, to -20 from the current -21. Early Friday will also see the latest print of Japan’s Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation. Tokyo CPI inflation is expected to hold steady at 2.6% for the year ended April, while Core-core Tokyo CPI (headline inflation less volatile food and energy prices) is expected to ease slightly to 2.7% from 2.9% YoY. GBP/JPY technical outlook The Guppy broke through a recent technical barrier to squeeze out a fresh nine-year high just above the 193.60 level as the pair continues to price in technical support from the 190.40 region.  GBP/JPY has been trending firmly bullish as the Yen continues to soften. The pair is up around 8% after a bullish bounce from the 200-day Exponential Moving Average near 179.00 at the start of 2024. The 200-day EMA is now breaking through the 185.00 handle as the bullish Guppy runs deeper into bull country. GBP/JPY hourly chart GBP/JPY daily chart

The NZD/USD rose to 0.5937 on Wednesday’s session, presenting subtle gains.

The daily RSI reveals potential minor correction, indicating latent buying momentum.The hourly indicators show fluctuating momentum, indicating a possible pause in the bearish impulse.For bulls to make ground, they would need to assert above the 20-day SMAs.The NZD/USD rose to 0.5937 on Wednesday’s session, presenting subtle gains. Long-term bearish forces maintain overall control of the pair's course. However, there are signals that the bulls may be waking up and as sellers lose traction, it might be the buyer's turn now. The daily chart Relative Strength Index (RSI) languishes in negative territory. However, an uptick suggests a potential minor correction following many days of depressed readings. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reveals a fresh green bar, signaling that positive momentum is starting to build, albeit the prevailing trend remains bearish. NZD/USD daily chart Zooming in, the hourly RSI readings display more fluctuations, swinging between the 40 and 55 marks within Wednesday's timeframe. Furthermore, the hourly MACD shows decreasing red bars, indicating a decline in the pair's downward momentum on this shorter-term chart. NZD/USD hourly chart Taking a broader view, the NZD/USD has stayed below its 20, 100, and 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs). This positioning below the SMAs reveals a bearish trend prevailing in short- and long-term frames. Wednesday's rejection of buyers at 0.5960, at the 20-day SMA, reinforces the dominance of sellers in the market and suggests that the downward trend may continue. This situation implies that the current buying momentum isn’t strong enough to be considered a bullish signal. However, the tables would change if the buyers manage to conquer that level in the next sessions.   NZD/USD Overview Today last price 0.5936 Today Daily Change 0.0003 Today Daily Change % 0.05 Today daily open 0.5933   Trends Daily SMA20 0.5965 Daily SMA50 0.6055 Daily SMA100 0.6119 Daily SMA200 0.6051   Levels Previous Daily High 0.5949 Previous Daily Low 0.5902 Previous Weekly High 0.5954 Previous Weekly Low 0.5851 Previous Monthly High 0.6218 Previous Monthly Low 0.5956 Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 0.5931 Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 0.592 Daily Pivot Point S1 0.5907 Daily Pivot Point S2 0.5881 Daily Pivot Point S3 0.586 Daily Pivot Point R1 0.5954 Daily Pivot Point R2 0.5975 Daily Pivot Point R3 0.6001    

South Korea BOK Manufacturing BSI fell from previous 74 to 71 in May

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