Articles

Trade from an informed place. We cover news, political events and market analysis plus product updates.

Articles

Trade from an informed place. We cover news, political events and market analysis plus product updates.

FX Analysis – USD bounces, Hot CPI fails to lift AUD, JPY softer on rising US yields

The USD saw decent strength in Wednesdays session, with The US Dollar Index (DXY)  rising from an open of 104.67, pushing through the resistance at 105  to hit a high of 105.14 on the back of firmer US Treasury yields. Despite this rally DXY is heading into the end of the month looking to have its first monthly decline since December 2023. Ahead ...

May 30, 2024
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Reading between the lines for the USD

Last week I highlighted Governor Chris Waller’s speech – however the more I look into his talk the more it needs greater emphasis as it contained both hawkish and dovish elements.  The Hawk Waller indicated that he would need at least three more months of "good" inflation data before considering a rate cut. He was suggesting this might h...

May 28, 2024
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Moving forward – the volt revolution of transport 

The transportation of the world is becoming one of the most interesting trading places in markets as we clearly have a structural long-term change coming as the world moves from the black stuff (oil) to electricity.  But the trader question is – what’s happening in these markets now? The black stuff - Oil Oil prices have softened due ...

May 23, 2024
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FX Analysis – USD boosted by FOMC minutes

Mays FOMC minutes released on Wednesday surprised on the hawkish side, bolstering USD and seeing the Dollar Index (DXY) retake the psychological 105 level. While the general view of FOMC members was that policy was “well positioned”, there were a few more than expected who were open to more hikes if needed, questioning whether policy was restri...

May 23, 2024
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Where’s the Federal Reserve at?

Slowing Growth and Potential Rate Cuts: Recent economic data suggests a slowdown in growth, contrary to earlier expectations of reaccelerating growth and inflation. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's statements and recent economic indicators point towards the possibility of lower policy rates in the near future. Key indicators, such as the so...

May 22, 2024
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Economic versus the Federal Reserve Policy Implications

Where’s the Federal Reserve at? Slowing Growth and Potential Rate Cuts: Recent economic data suggests a slowdown in growth, contrary to earlier expectations of reaccelerating growth and inflation. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's statements and recent economic indicators point towards the possibility of lower policy rates in the near f...

May 21, 2024
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FX Analysis – USD halts decline, GBP downside risks ahead

The recent USD decline stalled in yesterday’s session  with FX traders seemingly taking the view that there is not enough thrust from US data to justify a significantly weaker USD just yet. Aside from the inflation aspect – and markets may have reacted a bit too optimistically to the CPI and PPI – jobless claims also eased back yesterday to ...

May 17, 2024
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What a difference a (CPI) Day makes

We often talk about, ‘one piece of data does not make a trend,’ that ‘a headline is just a headline’ and that ‘assumptions are not facts.’ We feel this timeless market lesson has been slightly forgotten of late and the latest US CPI data may be case-in-point judging by the market’s reaction to the read. Let have a dive into the ...

May 16, 2024
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Banking it – Where are we after the May Central Bank deluge?

What a week and a half we have had - Central Banks the world over have delivered their May decisions for their respective interest rate moves (or non-moves).  Thus, we need to review the FX reactions and the outlook for rates for the rest of 2024. Let’s start at home: RBA and the AUD First, as expected the Reserve Bank of Australia (...

May 14, 2024
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FX Analysis – USD looking vulnerable after soft data

The negative dollar reaction to a modest tick-up in US jobless claims yesterday (231k versus consensus 212k) where the US Dollar Index (DXY) dropped from session highs at 105.74 to close at session lows of 105.20 seems to be telling FX traders that tells us that: a) markets are probably lacking some sense of direction in the period between pay...

May 10, 2024
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Future metals: are we seeing the 2000s again?

Plenty has been made of the drive towards nickel and lithium as “future metals” as the world's “electrification” takes hold. This “electrification” has been nicknamed the “volt revolution” and when you get these kinds of technological leaps - what's appearing to be the “winner” now doesn't necessarily mean it will be the overall...

May 7, 2024
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FX analysis – USD decline continues post FOMC, JPY outperforms on probable BoJ intervention

USD continued the move lower sparked by a somewhat dovish Powell in Wednesdays FOMC meeting. And ahead of today’s key NFP print. DXY did hit highs after hot labour costs data, though quickly reversed to hit 3-week lows of 105.29, closing at session lows and looking to test the major support at 105. JPY was the clear outperformer of G10 cur...

May 3, 2024
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Inside the Fed

Let us open with this:  “It’s unlikely that the next policy rate move will be a hike. I’d say it’s unlikely,” – US Chair Jay Powell This verbatim quote puts a lid on the movements seen in bond and interbank markets that might have overacted to recent data that has been above expectations and has led some to price hikes. The let u...

May 2, 2024
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FX – The Uncertain Peak: Assessing the Current State of Inflation and Interest Rates

As April draws to a close, the global economy stands at a pivotal juncture, grappling with the resurgence of inflationary pressures that refuse to retreat. In fact, it feels as though the inflation genie has re-emerged, asking, "Oh, you want more?" This resurgence prompts a crucial question: have we truly witnessed the peak of inflation, and con...

April 30, 2024
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FX Analysis – EUR Rate divergence rhetoric fading?

With an ECB June cut looking likely, FX traders will start looking at the policy path beyond June. Most analysists are calling that the European Central Bank will not cut rates at consecutive meetings and deliver only 75bp of total easing in 2024 based on current data and recent comments from ECB members, the latest being Governing Council member M...

April 26, 2024
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