ไทม์ไลน์ข่าวสาร forex

พุธ, มีนาคม 19, 2025

AUD/JPY extended its decline on Wednesday ahead of the Asian session, slipping toward the 94.50 area after a second consecutive day in the red.

AUD/JPY was seen trading around the 94.50 zone ahead of the Asian session, marking its second consecutive decline.The 20-day SMA near 94.00 is coming into focus, with a break below signaling a potential shift in sentiment.Traders should monitor the RSI as it approaches the 50 mark, as a drop below could reinforce bearish momentum. AUD/JPY extended its decline on Wednesday ahead of the Asian session, slipping toward the 94.50 area after a second consecutive day in the red. The retreat comes after the pair struggled to maintain momentum above recent highs, suggesting a cooling of bullish sentiment. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is declining, now hovering near the neutral 50 mark. A move below this threshold could indicate growing bearish pressure. Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is printing flat green bars, signaling waning upside momentum. The immediate support level is located at the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) near 94.00, a key level that, if breached, could open the door for further declines. Below that, additional support lies at 93.50. On the upside, resistance is seen at 95.00, followed by a more significant barrier near 96.00. AUD/JPY daily chart

New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) registered at 0.7% above expectations (0.4%) in 4Q

New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (YoY) above forecasts (-1.4%) in 4Q: Actual (-1.1%)

Brazil Interest Rate Decision meets forecasts (14.25%)

Silver price finished the day with a loss of over 0.55% on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve (Fed) held rates unchanged while acknowledging the economic outlook is uncertain due to US trade policies implemented by President Donald Trump.

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Resistance at $34.51 and $35.00 if bulls rally.Silver price finished the day with a loss of over 0.55% on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve (Fed) held rates unchanged while acknowledging the economic outlook is uncertain due to US trade policies implemented by President Donald Trump. At the time of writing, the XAG/USD trades at $33.78 after hitting a daily high of $34.09. XAG/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook Price action during the last couple of days opened the door for further downside on Silver prices. A ‘quasi-shooting star’ followed by a ‘hanging man’ indicates that sellers are driving XAG/USD beneath the $34.00 figure. This could sponsor a retracement if the grey metal drops below the February 14 daily peak of $33.39. A breach of the latter will expose the $33.00 figure. If XAG/USD rises past $34.00, the following key resistance would be October 30, 2024, peaking at $34.51, followed by the $35.00 mark. XAG/USD Price Chart – Daily Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.  

The Greenback managed to regain some balance and set aside three consecutive daily pullbacks after the Fed maintained its interest rates at its meeting, as widely anticipated.

The Greenback managed to regain some balance and set aside three consecutive daily pullbacks after the Fed maintained its interest rates at its meeting, as widely anticipated.Here is what you need to know on Thursday, March 20: The US Dollar Index (DXY) regain some buying traction and bounced off the area of multi-month lows despite a post-Fed pullback in US yields across the curve. The usual weekly Initial Jobless Claims are due, seconded by the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, Existing Home Sales, and the CB Leading Index. EUR/USD retreated markedly and returned to the sub-1.0900 region in response to the improved sentiment around the Greenback. Producer Prices in Germany will be released along with the Construction Output in the broader euro area. In addition,   the ECB’s Lagarde and Lane are due to speak. GBP/USD came under renewed selling pressure and retested the area of two-day lows near 1.2960, just to bounce afterwards. A very interesting UK calendar will see the BoE’s interest rate decision, seconded by the release of the labour market report and the CBI Industrial Trends Orders. USD/JPY gave away the initial move past 150.00 and retreated to the 148.80 zone following the Fed’s decision. Next on tap on the Japanese calendar will be the release of the Inflation Rate and weekly Foreign Bond Investment figures. AUD/USD kept the offered stance in place and dropped to the low-0.6300s, approaching three-day lows at the same time. The Australian labour market report will be the sole release in Oz. WTI prices advanced modestly above the $67.00 mark per barrel amid traders’ assessment of the ongoing US trade policy as well as geopolitical news from the Russia-Ukraine war. Gold prices advanced to a record peak past the $3,050 mark per troy ounce after the Fed hinted at two rate cuts this year and US yields receded across the board. Silver prices faced some downside pressure after climbing to yearly peaks past the $34.00 mark per ounce in the previous day.

Gold prices rallied sharply and hit a new all-time high of $3,052 on Wednesday as US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell spoke following the Fed’s decision to hold rates unchanged.

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At the time of writing, the XAU/USD trades volatile within the $3,035-$3,050 range, up more than 0.20%. The Fed decided to keep rates unchanged at the 4.25%-4.50% range and tweaked its balance sheet, which is expected to run off in April. The Fed acknowledged that labor market conditions remain solid but noted that inflation remains "somewhat" elevated, reaffirming its commitment to monitoring risks to both sides of its dual mandate. Fed economic projections hinted that officials expect two rate cuts this year. The fed funds rate is forecast to remain at 3.9%, unchanged from December’s projections. Other projections, like inflation and the Unemployment Rate, were upwardly revised. On the other hand, the US economy is expected to slow below the 2% threshold, indicating that it became slightly fragile amid US President Donald Trump's trade policies. Following the US central bank decision, Jerome Powell took the stand. He said that “uncertainty around the (economic) outlook has increased,” adding that some tariff inflation has been passed on to consumers. Powell commented, "Our current policy stance is well positioned to deal with the risk and uncertainties we face.” Turning to geopolitics, hostilities between Russia and Ukraine continued despite talks to achieve a 30-day ceasefire from attacking energy facilities. In the meantime, the Middle East conflict escalated, with Israeli airstrikes killing 400 people on Tuesday, according to Reuters. Daily digest market movers: Gold price poised to extend rally as real yields plunge The US 10-year T-note yield drops three basis points (bps) to 4.254%. At the same time, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the buck’s performance against a basket of six currencies, rises 0.27% up to 103.54. US real yields, as measured by the US 10-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) yield, which correlates inversely to Gold prices, dropped five-and-a-half bps to 1.935% via Reuters. The Federal Reserve’s Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) includes forecasts of interest rates, growth, the labor market and inflation. The fed funds rate is expected at 3.9%, unchanged in 2025, at 3.4% in 2026 and 3.1% for 2027. The US economy is projected to grow 1.7% in 2025, down from 2.1%. For 2026 and 2027 it is projected to remain at 1.8%. The Unemployment Rate is expected to hover near the 4.3%-4.4% range from 2025 to 2027, while PCE inflation would end 2025 at 2.7%, at 2.2% in 2026, and 2% in 2027. Lastly, the core PCE is foreseen to end at 2.8% this year, up from 2.5%. It would dip toward the Fed’s target of 2% until 2027. The money market has priced in 65.5 basis points of Fed easing in 2025, which has sent US Treasury yields plunging alongside the American currency. XAU/USD technical outlook: Gold price conquers $3,000 and is set to end above that level Gold’s uptrend remains intact, and it is poised to extend its gain and challenge the $3,100 figure. The precious metal already printed a record high of $3,052, clearing the psychological $3,050 mark, but it has lacked the strength to aim decisively to reach a new milestone. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) turned overbought, but due to the strength of the uptrend it remains shy of reaching the 80 level. Conversely, if XAU/USD tumbles below $3,000, the first support would be the February 20 daily high at $2,954, followed by the $2,900 mark. 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.  

United States Net Long-Term TIC Flows came in at $-45.2B below forecasts ($101.1B) in January

United States Total Net TIC Flows declined to $-48.8B in January from previous $87.1B

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained ground on Wednesday, adding around 540 points at its peaks with equities climbing higher after the Federal Reserve (Fed) gave a nod to still expecting around two rate cuts through the remainder of the year.

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Despite growing headwinds from ham-handed policy from the Trump administration, Fed policymakers continue to lean on signs of still-strong growth and strength within the US labor market, even as growth forecasts get another haircut. The Dow Jones climbed back over the 42,000 major price handle and the Standard and Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) rose around 1.5% as equities tilted back into the bullish side following the latest rate call from the Fed. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that growth projections for 2025 have been significantly hindered by the Trump administration's erratic policy of announcing trade tariffs on social media only to later retract them. As a result, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) revised its end-2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to 1.7%, a sharp decline from the 2.1% estimate shared in December.Fed's Powell: We are not going to be in any hurry to move on rate cutsAdditionally, the median dot plot suggests that the end-2025 interest rate will remain at 3.9%, indicating little change since the last policy meeting. The FOMC plans to begin slowing down its balance sheet runoff starting in April. Rate markets continue to signal a greater than 50% chance of a quarter-point rate cut in June, with most rate traders assigning a 65% probability of a quarter-point or larger cut on June 18. Despite rising risks to the US economy from lagging growth metrics and increasing concerns that the US's erratic tariff policy could trigger both new inflation and an economic recession simultaneously, Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated on Wednesday that the current economic outlook remains generally healthy, and the Fed is not in a hurry to alter its expectations of at least two more rate cuts later in the year. This policy outlook aligns with the aggregate score of Fed policymaker speeches, evaluated by FXStreet's internal Fed Sentiment Index, which indicates that Fed speakers have been vocal about the increasing risks and concerns facing the US economy. However, the overall sentiment remains slightly toward the dovish side, though close to neutral, as the Fed awaits clearer data direction. In other stock news, Boeing is back on the rise as order filling for 737 jets take off.Dow Jones price forecast Despite Wednesday’s bullish print, the Dow remains hindered by the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near the 42,000 key handle. Price action has gathered its feet back under it following a near-term plunge that saw major equity indexes test into correction territory, but bids remain on the hopeful side as technical barriers weigh. Dow Jones daily chart Dow Jones FAQs What is the Dow Jones? The Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the oldest stock market indices in the world, is compiled of the 30 most traded stocks in the US. The index is price-weighted rather than weighted by capitalization. It is calculated by summing the prices of the constituent stocks and dividing them by a factor, currently 0.152. The index was founded by Charles Dow, who also founded the Wall Street Journal. In later years it has been criticized for not being broadly representative enough because it only tracks 30 conglomerates, unlike broader indices such as the S&P 500. What factors impact the Dow Jones Industrial Average? Many different factors drive the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). The aggregate performance of the component companies revealed in quarterly company earnings reports is the main one. US and global macroeconomic data also contributes as it impacts on investor sentiment. The level of interest rates, set by the Federal Reserve (Fed), also influences the DJIA as it affects the cost of credit, on which many corporations are heavily reliant. Therefore, inflation can be a major driver as well as other metrics which impact the Fed decisions. What is Dow Theory? Dow Theory is a method for identifying the primary trend of the stock market developed by Charles Dow. A key step is to compare the direction of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Dow Jones Transportation Average (DJTA) and only follow trends where both are moving in the same direction. Volume is a confirmatory criteria. The theory uses elements of peak and trough analysis. Dow’s theory posits three trend phases: accumulation, when smart money starts buying or selling; public participation, when the wider public joins in; and distribution, when the smart money exits. How can I trade the DJIA? There are a number of ways to trade the DJIA. One is to use ETFs which allow investors to trade the DJIA as a single security, rather than having to buy shares in all 30 constituent companies. A leading example is the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA). DJIA futures contracts enable traders to speculate on the future value of the index and Options provide the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the index at a predetermined price in the future. Mutual funds enable investors to buy a share of a diversified portfolio of DJIA stocks thus providing exposure to the overall index.  

Argentina Gross Domestic Product (YoY) registered at 2.1% above expectations (1.7%) in 4Q

Argentina Trade Balance (MoM) below expectations ($662M) in February: Actual ($227M)

The Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) latest dot plot indicates that interest rates will average 3.9% by the end of 2025, matching the December projection.

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If this forecast comes true, the Federal Reserve (Fed) could implement see two 25 basis points (bps) rate cuts or a single 50 bps cut in 2025. In 2026, rates are projected to fall to 3.4% and 3.1% in 2027, as projected in the December dot plot. The longer-term forecast remains at 3.0%. The Fed also revised its economic projections. US GDP is now projected to reach 1.7% this year, down from the previous forecast of 2.1%. For 2026, the economy is expected to grow by 1.8%, below the 2.0% estimated in December. The unemployment rate is expected to rise to 4.4% by the end of 2025, compared to the 4.3% previously estimated. For 2026 and 2027, it remains unchanged at 4.3%, in line with the December forecast. Finally, PCE inflation is estimated to rise to 2.7% by the end of the year, up from the 2.5% previously forecast. In 2026, inflation is expected to ease to 2.2%, slightly higher than the 2.1% projected in December. By 2027, the PCE index is expected to reach 2.0%, meeting December's expectations. Fed FAQs What does the Federal Reserve do, how does it impact the US Dollar? Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback. How often does the Fed hold monetary policy meetings? The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it impact USD? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening (QT) and how does it impact the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.  

The USD/JPY climbs in Wednesday after the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) decision to keep rates unchanged.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}USD/JPY hovers near 149.37, little changed after the Fed keeps rates unchanged but slows balance sheet reduction.Inflation remains “somewhat” elevated, with the Fed revising PCE and Core PCE higher, while GDP and unemployment estimates were lowered.Fed Governor Waller dissents, favoring an unchanged pace of balance sheet reduction, as markets digest mixed policy signals.The USD/JPY climbs in Wednesday after the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) decision to keep rates unchanged. Even though officials turned cautious on rates, the US Dollar failed to rally sharply. The pair hovers near 149.37, virtually unchanged. Dollar struggles to rally despite Fed’s cautious stance on inflation and policy In its monetary policy statement, the Federal Reserve acknowledged that labor market conditions remain solid but noted that inflation remains "somewhat" elevated. The FOMC reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring risks to both sides of its dual mandate and announced plans to slow the pace of balance sheet reduction starting in April. The decision was unanimous, except for Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who preferred to keep the pace of balance sheet reduction unchanged. In the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), the Fed funds rate projection remained at 3.9%, unchanged from December's forecast. Officials' projections for inflation remained upwardly revised, both PCE and Core PCE figures. The US economy is expected to slow down below the 2% threshold, an indication that the economy shifted fragile amid US President Donald Trump's trade policies. USD/JPY Rection to Fed’s decision Japanese Yen PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies today. Japanese Yen was the strongest against the Euro.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.54% 0.16% 0.04% 0.20% 0.35% 0.49% 0.24% EUR -0.54%   -0.39% -0.49% -0.34% -0.18% -0.05% -0.30% GBP -0.16% 0.39%   -0.10% 0.05% 0.22% 0.34% 0.08% JPY -0.04% 0.49% 0.10%   0.13% 0.30% 0.41% 0.17% CAD -0.20% 0.34% -0.05% -0.13%   0.17% 0.30% 0.02% AUD -0.35% 0.18% -0.22% -0.30% -0.17%   0.13% -0.10% NZD -0.49% 0.05% -0.34% -0.41% -0.30% -0.13%   -0.26% CHF -0.24% 0.30% -0.08% -0.17% -0.02% 0.10% 0.26%   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 Japanese Yen from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent JPY (base)/USD (quote).  

On Wednesday, Gold surged, reaching $3,040 during intraday trading as the Federal Reserve (Fed) made its latest interest rate decision, keeping rates unchanged at 4.5%.

Gold bids jump after Fed releases latest rate call and dot plot.Growth expectations in 2025 are getting hampered by lopsided US policy calls.Markets await Fed Chair Powell's latest press conference.On Wednesday, Gold surged, reaching $3,040 during intraday trading as the Federal Reserve (Fed) made its latest interest rate decision, keeping rates unchanged at 4.5%. While markets generally anticipated this hold, any modifications to the Fed's outlook could unsettle investors who are awaiting comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The Fed noted that growth projections for 2025 have been significantly hindered by the Trump administration's erratic policy of announcing trade tariffs on social media only to later retract them. As a result, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) revised its end-2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to 1.7%, a sharp decline from the 2.1% estimate shared in December. Additionally, the median dot plot suggests the end-2025 interest rate will remain at 3.9%, showing little change since the last policy meeting. The FOMC plans to slow down its balance sheet runoff starting in April. Rate markets still indicate a greater than 50% chance of a quarter-point rate cut in June, although the likelihood has slightly decreased, with 42% of traders expecting rates to stay the same.More to come...

The AUD/USD pair retreats toward 0.6340 in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision, as the US Dollar (USD) remains firm.

AUD/USD dips to 0.6340 as the US Dollar remains resilient post-Fed decision.The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged at 4.5%, aligning with market expectations.FOMC dot plot signals rate cuts ahead, with 2025 median forecast revised lower to 3.375%.The AUD/USD pair retreats toward 0.6340 in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision, as the US Dollar (USD) remains firm. The Fed held interest rates steady at 4.5%, in line with expectations, while signaling a cautious outlook amid inflation and economic uncertainties. The latest FOMC dot plot revealed that policymakers project a median rate of 3.875% for the current period, down from the previous 4.375%, reinforcing expectations of a policy easing cycle. The 2025 rate forecast was also revised down to 3.375%, while GDP projections for next year were cut to 1.7% from 2.1%, suggesting a slowdown in economic growth. Despite the dovish long-term outlook, the US Dollar Index remains stable near 104.00, limiting the Aussie’s upside. The Fed also announced a slower pace of balance sheet runoff starting in April, adjusting its quantitative tightening strategy. In addition, the Fed's sentiment index on the daily chart holds in dovish terrain meaninig that markets are taking the bank's stance as dovish.   AUD/USD daily chart   

GBP/USD lurched higher on Wednesday, tapping 1.2985 in intraday trading after the Federal Reserve's (Fed) latest rate call came in broadly as expected, with the Fed keeping rates steady at 4.5%.

GBP/USD jumped after Fed scrubs growth projections on policy concerns.Fed long-run inflation expectations stuck at 3.0%, Fed funds rate expectations pinned at 3.9%.Rate markets still see odds of a rate cut in June, but hope is dwindling fast.GBP/USD lurched higher on Wednesday, tapping 1.2985 in intraday trading after the Federal Reserve's (Fed) latest rate call came in broadly as expected, with the Fed keeping rates steady at 4.5%. Markets broadly anticipated another hold from the Fed, but adjustments to the Fed's expectations could throw markets for a loop as investors await Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference. According to the Fed, growth expectations for 2025 have been severely hampered by the Trump administration's policy approach of announcing then walking back trade tariffs via social media post. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) trimmed its end-2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast at just 1.7%, down sharply from the 2.1% forecast posted in December. The median dot plot of interest rates also sees the end-2025 interest rate stuck at 3.9%, remaining largely unchanged from the previous policy meeting. The FOMC has also decided to slow its balance sheet runoff beginning in April. Rate markets are still pricing in better-than-even odds that the Fed will still deliver a quarter-point rate cut in June, but the margin has shrunk slightly with 42% of rate traders expecting no change at all.More to come...

The EUR/USD rallied on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged despite adopting a slightly hawkish approach to the future path of interest rates.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}EUR/USD climbs post-Fed, as policymakers keep rates unchanged but hint at a slower balance sheet runoff starting in April.Inflation remains “somewhat” elevated, with the Fed revising PCE and Core PCE higher, while GDP and unemployment estimates were lowered.Fed Governor Waller dissents, favoring an unchanged pace of balance sheet reduction, as markets digest mixed policy signals.The EUR/USD spkied on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged despite adopting a slightly hawkish approach to the future path of interest rates. At the time of writing, the pair trades volatile within the 1.0860 – 1.0900 mark, down 0.49% on the day. Pair trades volatile near 1.0860–1.0900 amid hawkish Fed outlook In its monetary policy statement, the Fed commented that labor market conditions remain solid but emphasized that inflation remains “somewhat” elevated. The Committee mentioned that it would remain attentive to the risk of both dual mandates and will begin to reduce the pace of the balance sheet runoff in April. The decision was unanimously approved, except for Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who favored keeping the balance sheet pace unchanged. Regarding the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), officials expect the fed funds rate to remain unchanged at 3.9% from December’s SEP while upwardly reviewing expectations on PCE inflation and Core PCE. On the other hand, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Unemployment Rate were downwardly revised. EUR/USD reaction to Fed’s decision The EUR/USD dropped to 1.0862, before resuming to the upside, reaching 1.0892, but meanders within that range. Traders await the Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference at 18:30 GMT. Euro PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.45% 0.12% 0.15% 0.18% 0.34% 0.48% 0.22% EUR -0.45%   -0.34% -0.33% -0.28% -0.10% 0.03% -0.23% GBP -0.12% 0.34%   0.04% 0.07% 0.25% 0.37% 0.10% JPY -0.15% 0.33% -0.04%   0.04% 0.22% 0.33% 0.08% CAD -0.18% 0.28% -0.07% -0.04%   0.18% 0.32% 0.03% AUD -0.34% 0.10% -0.25% -0.22% -0.18%   0.12% -0.10% NZD -0.48% -0.03% -0.37% -0.33% -0.32% -0.12%   -0.27% CHF -0.22% 0.23% -0.10% -0.08% -0.03% 0.10% 0.27%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).    

The US Dollar Index (DXY) is gaining traction near 104.00 after the Federal Reserve decided to keep its benchmark interest rate at 4.5%, maintaining a cautious stance amid evolving inflation and economic conditions.

The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged at 4.5%, aligning with market expectations.FOMC dot plot signals rate cuts, with the median forecast for 2025 revised down to 3.375%.US Dollar Index (DXY) gains around 104.00 despite dovish sentiment on future policy easing.The US Dollar Index (DXY) is gaining traction near 104.00 after the Federal Reserve decided to keep its benchmark interest rate at 4.5%, maintaining a cautious stance amid evolving inflation and economic conditions. The latest FOMC dot plot revealed that policymakers expect a median rate of 3.875% for the current period, down from the prior 4.375%, reinforcing expectations of future rate cuts. Looking ahead, the Fed revised its 2025 rate forecast lower to 3.375%, a signal of potential policy easing in response to slower economic growth and elevated inflation projections. GDP expectations for 2025 have been downgraded to 1.7% from 2.1%, while unemployment is now forecasted at 4.4%, suggesting a softer labor market outlook. Despite the dovish forward guidance, the US Dollar Index remains resilient, reflecting cautious optimism among investors. The Fed also announced a slower balance sheet runoff starting in April, adjusting its quantitative tightening approach. Market participants now turn their focus to upcoming economic data and Fed communications for further policy clarity.   DXY daily chart  

United States Fed Interest Rate Decision in line with expectations (4.5%)

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) held steady within familiar territory on Wednesday, but holding a bullish stance as investors gear up for another showing from the Federal Reserve (Fed).

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The Fed’s latest rate call is broadly expected to be another hold on interest rates, but an update to the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) will be drawing all market eyes. The Fed’s SEP, or “dot plot” of interest rate expectations, could have huge ramifications for markets that have, up until this point, continued to tilt into hopes of continued rate cuts during the latter months of 2025. Fed policymakers tend to have a more accurate track record of estimating upcoming changes in policy rates, and the median of the dot plot will drive interest rate expectations accordingly. Dow Jones price forecast The Dow Jones is treading water just beneath the key 42,000 handle, and price action is being kept under a tight lid by the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). Chart watchers have seen the Dow take a sharp tumble in recent weeks, and candles could be due for another topside run as technical oscillators begin to climb out of oversold territory. Dow Jones daily chart Dow Jones FAQs What is the Dow Jones? The Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the oldest stock market indices in the world, is compiled of the 30 most traded stocks in the US. The index is price-weighted rather than weighted by capitalization. It is calculated by summing the prices of the constituent stocks and dividing them by a factor, currently 0.152. The index was founded by Charles Dow, who also founded the Wall Street Journal. In later years it has been criticized for not being broadly representative enough because it only tracks 30 conglomerates, unlike broader indices such as the S&P 500. What factors impact the Dow Jones Industrial Average? Many different factors drive the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). The aggregate performance of the component companies revealed in quarterly company earnings reports is the main one. US and global macroeconomic data also contributes as it impacts on investor sentiment. The level of interest rates, set by the Federal Reserve (Fed), also influences the DJIA as it affects the cost of credit, on which many corporations are heavily reliant. Therefore, inflation can be a major driver as well as other metrics which impact the Fed decisions. What is Dow Theory? Dow Theory is a method for identifying the primary trend of the stock market developed by Charles Dow. A key step is to compare the direction of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Dow Jones Transportation Average (DJTA) and only follow trends where both are moving in the same direction. Volume is a confirmatory criteria. The theory uses elements of peak and trough analysis. Dow’s theory posits three trend phases: accumulation, when smart money starts buying or selling; public participation, when the wider public joins in; and distribution, when the smart money exits. How can I trade the DJIA? There are a number of ways to trade the DJIA. One is to use ETFs which allow investors to trade the DJIA as a single security, rather than having to buy shares in all 30 constituent companies. A leading example is the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA). DJIA futures contracts enable traders to speculate on the future value of the index and Options provide the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the index at a predetermined price in the future. Mutual funds enable investors to buy a share of a diversified portfolio of DJIA stocks thus providing exposure to the overall index.  

The Mexican Peso (MXN) lost some ground against the US Dollar (USD) in early trading on Wednesday as market players awaited the US Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) monetary policy decision, hence reducing their exposure to high-beta currencies like the Peso.

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The USD/MXN trades back above 20.00, up 0.53%. Global equities register gains, unusual on a Fed decision day, while the Greenback recovers some ground as depicted by the US Dollar Index (DXY) rising 0.47% to 103.72. Aside from the Fed, the Mexico and US economic dockets are absent. USD/MXN traders will pay attention to the Fed, which is expected to hold rates unchanged at the 4.25%-4.50% range. In the latest Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), officials projected just two rate cuts in the year. Still, doubts linger after Fed policymakers emphasized that policy is well positioned and that they’re not in a rush to resume interest rate cuts. On Thursday, Mexico’s economic docket will feature the release of Aggregate Demand and Private Spending data. The data could shed some light on current economic conditions and give some cues about Banco de Mexico’s (Banxico) next policy move in the March 27 monetary policy meeting. Dail digest market movers: Mexican Peso on the defensive amid strong US Dollar The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed earlier this week that US tariffs on Mexican products could spur a recession in Mexico. If duties remain unchanged, the OECD projects Mexico’s economy would shrink -1.3% in 2025 and -0.6% in 2026. Last Wednesday, Mexican Finance Minister Edgar Amador Zamora said the national economy is expanding but is showing signs of slowing down due to trade tensions with the US. Traders had priced the Fed to ease policy by 57 basis points (bps) throughout the year. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump's inflation-prone US trade policies could prevent the US central bank from continuing its cutting rates cycle and waiting to assess the impact on the economy. So far, an Atlanta Fed model updated on March 18 shows that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to contract -1.8% in Q1 2025. USD/MXN technical outlook: Mexican Peso retreats as USD/MXN climbs above 20.00 USD/MXN seems to have bottomed near the 19.89–20.00 range as traders await a fresh catalyst. A hawkish tilt by the Fed could refresh weekly highs and clear the path to challenging the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 20.35. If surpassed, the next stop would be the 50-day SMA at 20.42. Conversely, if USD/MXN tumbles beneath 19.90, traders could expect a fall to test the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 19.65. Once hurdled, the next key support levels would be 19.50, 19.00, and the August 20, 2024 low at 18.64. Mexican Peso FAQs What key factors drive the Mexican Peso? The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the most traded currency among its Latin American peers. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Mexican economy, the country’s central bank’s policy, the amount of foreign investment in the country and even the levels of remittances sent by Mexicans who live abroad, particularly in the United States. Geopolitical trends can also move MXN: for example, the process of nearshoring – or the decision by some firms to relocate manufacturing capacity and supply chains closer to their home countries – is also seen as a catalyst for the Mexican currency as the country is considered a key manufacturing hub in the American continent. Another catalyst for MXN is Oil prices as Mexico is a key exporter of the commodity. How do decisions of the Banxico impact the Mexican Peso? The main objective of Mexico’s central bank, also known as Banxico, is to maintain inflation at low and stable levels (at or close to its target of 3%, the midpoint in a tolerance band of between 2% and 4%). To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, Banxico will attempt to tame it by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money, thus cooling demand and the overall economy. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Mexican Peso (MXN) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken MXN. How does economic data influence the value of the Mexican Peso? Macroeconomic data releases are key to assess the state of the economy and can have an impact on the Mexican Peso (MXN) valuation. A strong Mexican economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for MXN. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) to increase interest rates, particularly if this strength comes together with elevated inflation. However, if economic data is weak, MXN is likely to depreciate. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Mexican Peso? As an emerging-market currency, the Mexican Peso (MXN) tends to strive during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and thus are eager to engage with investments that carry a higher risk. Conversely, MXN tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.  

EUR/USD moved lower on Wednesday after the European session, retreating toward the 1.0895 zone following recent strong gains.

EUR/USD was seen trading around the 1.0895 area after the European session, posting a moderate decline.The pair confirms a corrective phase as buyers lose grip, with the recent price action suggesting further downside.RSI is escaping the overbought zone, signaling the potential for extended losses if bearish momentum builds.EUR/USD moved lower on Wednesday after the European session, retreating toward the 1.0895 zone following recent strong gains. The pair’s correction was largely anticipated as momentum indicators flashed overbought signals earlier in the week. From a technical perspective, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is moving sharply lower, now exiting overbought conditions. This suggests that selling pressure may persist in the near term. Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is printing flat green bars, signaling a potential loss of bullish momentum. Support is now seen at the 1.0850 zone, with stronger demand likely emerging around 1.0800. On the upside, resistance stands at 1.0950, followed by 1.1000, which remains a key hurdle for buyers. EUR/USD daily chart With the RSI breaking out of overbought territory, traders should watch for further downside in the coming sessions. If selling pressure intensifies, EUR/USD could extend losses toward the 1.0800 region, while a recovery above 1.0950 would be needed to reignite bullish momentum.

Russia Producer Price Index (MoM) increased to 0.9% in February from previous 0.5%

Russia Producer Price Index (YoY): 9.8% (February) vs 9.7%

The Pound Sterling dropped 0.20% against the Greenback during the North American session as traders await the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}GBP/USD drops 0.20% to 1.2971, retreating from a daily high above 1.30 as the US Dollar strengthens.Markets price in 57 bps of Fed rate cuts, but Trump’s trade policies could delay the easing cycle.BoE expected to hold rates at 4.5%, while UK labor data remains in focus for future monetary policy shifts.The Pound Sterling dropped 0.20% against the Greenback during the North American session as traders await the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision. Investors are also looking for an update on economic projections, which could lay the blueprint for what the Fed might do in the upcoming months. The GBP/USD trades at 1.2971 after hitting a daily high above 1.30. Greenback strength and Fed uncertainty weigh on Sterling ahead of key policy updates Market mood is mixed, with US equities trading in the green while European ones are not doing so well. The US economic schedule is absent, and market players are awaiting the Fed’s decision at 18:00 GMT. Traders had priced the Fed to ease policy by 57 basis points (bps) throughout the year. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump's inflation-prone US trade policies could prevent the US Central Bank from continuing its cutting rates cycle and waiting to assess the impact on the economy. So far, an Atlanta Fed model updated on March 18 shows that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to contract -1.8% in QQ 2025. Aside from this, the recovery of the Greenback halted Cable’s gains above 1.30. As of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the buck’s performance versus a basket of six other currencies, posted gains of 0.40%, up at 103.65. Across the pond, UK labor market data will be cautiously dissected by market players ahead of the Bank of England (BoE) monetary policy decision. The BoE is expected to hold rates at 4.5%, according to money market futures data. GBP/USD Price Chart: Technical outlook GBP/USD continued to trend up steadily, with no volatile movements so far, as traders await the Fed’s decision. On the upside, key resistance levels lie at 1.3009, the current year-to-date (YTD) peak, followed by November’s 6 high at 1.3047 and 1.31. Momentum shows that neither buyers nor sellers are in charge, as depicted by a flat Relative Strength Index (RSI) near overbought territory. Conversely, the pair could extend its losses toward 1.2911, the March 17 swing low, ahead of the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.2795. British Pound PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies today. British Pound was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.55% 0.28% 0.39% 0.17% 0.44% 0.58% 0.42% EUR -0.55%   -0.28% -0.18% -0.38% -0.10% 0.03% -0.13% GBP -0.28% 0.28%   0.10% -0.10% 0.18% 0.30% 0.13% JPY -0.39% 0.18% -0.10%   -0.23% 0.05% 0.16% 0.02% CAD -0.17% 0.38% 0.10% 0.23%   0.29% 0.43% 0.23% AUD -0.44% 0.10% -0.18% -0.05% -0.29%   0.12% -0.00% NZD -0.58% -0.03% -0.30% -0.16% -0.43% -0.12%   -0.17% CHF -0.42% 0.13% -0.13% -0.02% -0.23% 0.00% 0.17%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).  

United States EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change above expectations (1.17M) in March 14: Actual (1.745M)

The USD/JPY pair jumps to near the psychological level of 150.00 in North American trading hours on Wednesday.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a} .fxs-related-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-related-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-related-module-related-link a{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a{text-decoration:none;color:#1b1c23;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;line-height:20px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a:hover,.fxs-related-module-related-link:hover,.fxs-related-module-related-link:hover a{color:#e4871b}.fxs-related-module-related-link a:hover{text-decoration:none}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-related-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}}USD/JPY rises to near 150.00 ahead of the Fed’s monetary policy outcome at 18:00 GMT.Investors will pay close attention to Fed’s dot ploy as the central bank is expected to leave interest rates steady.The Japanese administration sees downside economic risks due to accelerating inflationary pressures and trade war.The USD/JPY pair jumps to near the psychological level of 150.00 in North American trading hours on Wednesday. The asset strengthens as the US Dollar (USD) bounces back ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy decision at 18:00 GMT. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, recovers more than 0.4% from the five-month low of 103.20. US Dollar PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.43% 0.26% 0.51% 0.13% 0.46% 0.62% 0.35% EUR -0.43%   -0.18% 0.10% -0.30% 0.05% 0.18% -0.08% GBP -0.26% 0.18%   0.27% -0.12% 0.23% 0.36% 0.09% JPY -0.51% -0.10% -0.27%   -0.41% -0.05% 0.07% -0.17% CAD -0.13% 0.30% 0.12% 0.41%   0.35% 0.50% 0.21% AUD -0.46% -0.05% -0.23% 0.05% -0.35%   0.13% -0.09% NZD -0.62% -0.18% -0.36% -0.07% -0.50% -0.13%   -0.27% CHF -0.35% 0.08% -0.09% 0.17% -0.21% 0.09% 0.27%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote). The Fed is almost certain to keep interest rates steady in the range of 4.25%-4.50% for the second time in a row. Therefore, investors will focus majorly on the Fed’s dot plot and economic projections. Investors are mixed over whether Fed officials will guide a dovish interest rate outlook amid easing inflationary pressures or a hawkish one due to accelerating consumer inflation expectations. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for February showed that the core inflation – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – rose by 3.1%, the lowest level seen since April 2021. Meanwhile, the preliminary University of Michigan (UoM) five-year Consumer Inflation Expectations for March accelerated to 3.9% from 3.5% in February. Meanwhile, the Japanese Yen (JPY) weakens as Japan’s government has warned of downside risks to the economy due to accelerating inflationary pressures and the United States (US) President Donald Trump-led-tariff war. Japan’s Cabinet Office reported in its monthly March report, released during European trading hours on Wednesday, that Trump’s trade war and Chinese economic uncertainty could result in a decline in exports. However, officials were confident that the economy will continue recovering at a “moderate pace” with the improving “employment and income” conditions. Earlier in the day, the Yen remained volatile as Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda guided that uncertainty surrounding Japan's economy, prices remain high after the central bank decided to keep interest rates steady at 0.5%, as expected. Related news Federal Reserve set to hold interest rate steady as US economic worries and Trump policies weigh on outlook Japanese Yen extends its intraday descent after BoJ Governor Ueda's remarks Bank of Japan holds rates with a hike likely in May  

Pound Sterling (GBP) is softer on the session, in line with its G10 peers, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.

Pound Sterling (GBP) is softer on the session, in line with its G10 peers, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  Short-term price patterns may be tilting negative "There were no UK data reports today, leaving the pound to essentially track the general trend in the USD once again. UK pay and employment data tomorrow are, however, likely to bolster the case for only cautious easing steps from the BoE in the coming months, proving something of a cushion for the pound." "GBP gains may be slowing. The broader bull trend looks solid but short-term price action suggests Cable has reached a minor peak at least just above 1.30. Loss of support at 1.2955 will trigger a little more weakness intraday and tilt the daily pattern of price action a little more negative potentially."
 

Spot has drifted a little lower through the overnight session after failing to progress through the mid-1.09s.

Spot has drifted a little lower through the overnight session after failing to progress through the mid-1.09s. Intraday volatility may have been accentuated by the sharp swings in Turkish markets earlier, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  Bull trend is consolidating and still prone to pushing higher "Eurozone data showed a slowdown in Q4 Labour Costs (to 3.7% in the year, from 4.5%). Eurozone Feb CPI was revised a tenth lower (0.3% m/m, 2.3% y/y). Little substantive progress emerged from US/Russia talks on Ukraine yesterday—underscoring perhaps how hard it may be to get a lasting agreement."  "The EUR has drifted a little lower after again failing to progress above the mid-1.09 point. There is some technical jeopardy for the EUR here, but only if spot losses extend below key short-term support at 1.0830 (double top trigger). Otherwise, the bull trend is consolidating and still prone to pushing higher. Minor dips are still likely to find willing buyers."

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) rebound petered out below 1.43 yesterday.

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) rebound petered out below 1.43 yesterday. A slightly firmer USD ahead of the Fed has added to the lift in funds today but investors will be reluctant to bid up the CAD too far ahead of more clarity on tariff risks facing Canada, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  USD/CAD gains may extend to the 1.4350/80 zone "The USD still looks overvalued relative to what tariff action has been deployed—and what might yet emerge. But there is unlikely to be a significant recovery in the CAD ahead of April 2’s tariff update and even then, wide short-term, rate spreads really do need to narrow significantly to drive the CAD sustainably higher."  "A firm rebound from yesterday’s intraday low around 1.4270 set a bullish, short-term reversal signal on the 6-hour chart (outside range higher). The rebound coincided with spot testing trend support for the USD off the September low."  "USD/CAD gains may extend to the 1.4350/80 zone in the near term. A break above the upper 1.43s would pave the way for a return to the low/mid-1.44s. Support is 1.4250/70."

Markets are settling into ranges as investors curb risk-taking ahead of the FOMC.

Markets are settling into ranges as investors curb risk-taking ahead of the FOMC. Stocks are trading narrowly after yesterday’s US market declines. Bonds are a little softer in Europe while Treasurys are steady. Caution has given the USD a broad— short-covering—lift versus the majors. The main market mover is Turkey where the TRY and local bonds plunged on renewed domestic political risk, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  USD firmer as markets trade cautiously into Fed decision "There does appear to be a lot of uncertainty about what the Fed will deliver today. No change in policy is expected but rather more interest will be in how Fed Chair Powell articulates the risks around the outlook as the economy appears at risk of weakening sharply in Q1 amid uncertainty over US trade policy while core PCE remains sticky and inflation expectations have jumped as consumers fret about the impact of tariffs."  "Swaps reflect a little more than 50bps of anticipated easing this year so what the dot plot implies in this respect will be key to how the USD reacts. It’s hard seeing the Fed sound more hawkish at this point but that might be what the USD needs to stage any sort of major turnaround. The Fed is the main event today but the late afternoon release of the January Treasury International Capital (TIC) flows data may warrant some attention."  "Net inflows have been positive, if slowing after a sharp increase in net inflows last September, but December’s data reflected the largest ever one-month net outflow but official (i.e., central banks etc.) accounts from US assets. Earlier, the BoJ left policy unchanged, as expected. More tightening seems likely (possibly at the next policy decision), given rising wages and upside risks to the inflation outlook."

AUD/USD corrects further to near 0.6330 as the US Dollar bounces back ahead of the Fed’s monetary policy decision and dot plot.

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The Aussie pair faces selling pressure as the US Dollar (USD) rebounds ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy decision at 18:00 GMT. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, recovers to near 103.70 after attracting bids near the five-month low of 103.20. S&P 500 futures have posted nominal gains ahead of the opening of the United States (US), indicating a slight improvement in the risk appetite of investors. Investors expect the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged in the range of 4.25%-4.50% for the second time in a row. Fed officials have been guiding that borrowing rates should remain at their current levels until they get clarity over the policies by US President Donald Trump. Market participants expect Trump’s tariff policies will be inflationary for the economy and could lead to a recession. Apart from the Fed’s policy decision, investors will also focus on the doty plot, which shows where officials see the Federal funds rate heading in the medium and longer term. In the December meeting, Fed officials forecasted two interest rate cuts for 2025. Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar (AUD) will be influenced by the Aussie employment data for February, which will be released on Thursday. Investors will pay close attention to the labor market data as it will influence market expectations for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) monetary policy outlook. The employment report is expected to show that the economy added 30K fresh workers last month, lower than 44K in January. The Unemployment Rate is expected to remain steady at 4.1%. 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.  

European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Wednesday that the timing and the size of the ECB rate cuts will depend on data.

European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Wednesday that the timing and the size of the ECB rate cuts will depend on data.  Villeroy further reiterated that they will be at the 2% inflation target in the coming year. Earlier in the day, ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos said that while increasing defense spending across Europe was the "number one priority", he noted that there is a need to guarantee budget stability in accordance with the bloc's fiscal rules, per Reuters. Market reaction EUR/USD showed no immediate reaction to these comments and was last seen losing 0.4% on the day near 1.0900.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, ticks up and recovers above 103.50 at the time of writing on Wednesday as the US Dollar (USD) strengthens against most major currencies.

.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 US Dollar trades in the green against most of its major peers, with a big surge against the Turkish Lira. Traders assess the impact of the upcoming Federal Reserve rate decision. The US Dollar Index is still stuck between 103.00 and 104.00 for now. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, ticks up and recovers above 103.50 at the time of writing on Wednesday as the US Dollar (USD) strengthens against most major currencies. The surge in the Greenback comes on the back of a steep pop of over 5% in the USD against the Turkish Lira (TRY) after headlines emerged that authorities detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, on charges including corruption and aiding a terrorist group.  On the economic data front, it is a very calm day in the runup towards the Federal Reserve (Fed) decision on interest rates later in the day. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set to announce its policy rate decision and publish the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) update. After the meeting, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will comment in a press conference. With the Trump policy in the backdrop, markets will want to know how many, if any, rate cuts the Fed members have penciled in for 2025 and beyond.Daily digest market movers: Fed’s silence could be deafening At 18:00 GMT, the Fed will release its Interest Rate Decision and Monetary Policy Statement, along with the Summary of Economic Projections.  The policy rate is expected to remain unchanged in the 4.25%-4.50% range.  Besides that, the Interest Rate Projections in the SEP update might suggest how many rate cuts the Fed expects for 2025 and 2026. At 18:30 GMT, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will deliver a statement and take questions in a press conference.  Equities show signs of some risk-on sentiment, with European indices and US futures trading in the green, though less than 0.50% on average.  According to the CME Fedwatch Tool, the probability of interest rates being lower than current levels in May currently stands at 16.8%, compared to 21.5% on Tuesday. For June, the odds for borrowing costs being lower stand at 62.6%. The US 10-year yield trades around 4.28%, off its near five-month low of 4.10% printed on March 4.US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Not going that easyThe US Dollar Index (DXY) withstood another firm pressure on its downside support level near 103.18 on Tuesday. The fact that the support can refrain the DXY from hitting a new six-month low suggests that markets are awaiting more clarity on tariffs, the US economy, inflation and geopolitics. The DXY is at a crossroads where, once the 103.18 level gets broken, might not come back for a long time now that several banks are starting to call for more US Dollar devaluation in the coming years, according to Bloomberg.  A return to 104.00 would mean the DXY simply stays loyal to its range for March. If bulls can avoid a technical rejection there, look for a large sprint higher towards the 105.00 round level, with the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) converging at that point and reinforcing this area as a strong resistance. Once broken through that zone, a string of pivotal levels, such as 105.53 and 105.89, will present as caps.  On the downside, the 103.00 round level could be considered a bearish target in case US yields roll off on the back of the Fed communication later this Wednesday, with even 101.90 not unthinkable if markets further capitulate on their long-term US Dollar holdings.  US Dollar Index: Daily Chart US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.  

The USD/CAD pair rises to near 1.4330 in European trading hours on Wednesday.

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The Loonie pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) rebounds ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy decision at 18:00 GMT. The US Dollar Index (DXY) advances 0.4% to near 103.70 after revisiting the five-month low of 103.20. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the Fed is certain to keep interest rates unchanged in the range of 4.25%-4.50%. Therefore, investors will pay close attention to the Fed’s dot plot and economic projections. In the December policy meeting, Fed officials collectively guided two interest rate cuts for 2025. Investors will also focus on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference after the policy decision to get cues about the impact of United States (US) Donald Trump’s policies on the economic outlook. Lately, comments from a slew of US officials, including Trump, indicated that Trump’s economic policies could lead to economic turbulence in the near term. Meanwhile, the Canadian Dollar (CAD) is expected to face pressure from tariffs slapped by the US. Donald Trump has imposed a 25% levy on Canadian goods imported to the US but has provided some extension on those products that come under the purview of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). On the domestic front, Canadian inflation has accelerated significantly in February, forcing traders to reassess their expectations for the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) monetary policy outlook. On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reported that the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose at a faster pace of 2.6%, compared to 1.9% growth seen in January. USD/CAD holds above the 100-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which is around 1.4222, suggesting that the overall trend is bullish. The 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillates in the 40.00-60.00 range, suggesting a sideways trend. Going forward, an upside move above the March 10 high of 1.4470 will open the door toward the psychological resistance of 1.4500 and the January 30 high of 1.4595. On the contrary, a breakdown below the February 14 low of 1.4151 by the pair would expose it to the December 9 low of 1.4094, followed by the December 6 low of 1.4020. USD/CAD daily chart Canadian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar? The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar. How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar? The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive. How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar? The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD. How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.  

South Africa Retail Sales (YoY) climbed from previous 3.1% to 7% in January

United States MBA Mortgage Applications: -6.2% (March 14) vs previous 11.2%

USD/CAD is holding above its 100-day moving average at 1.4247, BBH's FX analysts report.

USD/CAD is holding above its 100-day moving average at 1.4247, BBH's FX analysts report. High inflation and negative growth prospect are a drag for CAD "Canada inflation ran hot in February. Headline inflation rose to 2.6%y/y (consensus: 2.2%) vs. 1.9% in January. Core inflation (average of trim and median CPI) quickened to 2.9% y/y (consensus: 2.75%) vs. 2.7% in January. Sales taxes were reapplied to eligible products mid-February which put upward pressure on consumer prices as taxes paid by consumers are included in the CPI." "Headline and core CPI inflation are tracking above the Bank of Canada’s (BOC) Q1 projection of 2.1% and 2.5%, respectively. The implication is the BOC has limited room to ease policy further to offset the drag to growth from heightened trade policy uncertainty. The combination of high inflation and unfavorable growth prospect is a drag for CAD."

NZD/USD retraced some of this week’s gains on USD strength, BBH's FX analysts report.

NZD/USD retraced some of this week’s gains on USD strength, BBH's FX analysts report. Long-term fundamental equilibrium for NZD/USD is at 0.6700 "New Zealand’s annual current account deficit narrowed to -6.2% of GDP in Q4 from -6.5% in Q3. The current account deficit remains large by historical standards, suggesting NZD needs to keep trading at a deep discount to fundamental equilibrium to attract foreign investments and finance this deficit. We estimate long-term fundamental equilibrium for NZD/USD at around 0.6700."

US Dollar (USD) is expected to trade between 7.2200 and 7.2430 vs Chinese Yuan (CNH).

US Dollar (USD) is expected to trade between 7.2200 and 7.2430 vs Chinese Yuan (CNH). In the longer run, сurrent price movements are likely part of a 7.2100/7.2800 consolidation range, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note. Current price movements are likely part of a consolidation range 24-HOUR VIEW: "We expected USD to 'trade between 7.2200 and 7.2430 yesterday.' USD then traded in a narrower range of 7.2215/7.2371, ending the day little changed at 7.2274 (+0.02%). The price action provides no fresh clues, and we continue to expect USD to trade between 7.2200 and 7.2430." 1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "Our most recent narrative was from last Friday (14 Mar, spot at 7.2490), wherein 'the current price movements are likely part of a 7.2100/7.2800 consolidation range.' USD traded in a relatively quiet manner over the past few days and there is no change in our view."

The USD/CHF pair attracts bids near the three-month low of 0.8750 during European trading hours on Wednesday.

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The Swiss Franc pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) rebounds ahead of the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) two-day monetary policy meeting at 18:00 GMT. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, recovers to near 103.70 from the five-month low of 103.20 posted the previous day. Investors expect the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged in the range of 4.25%-4.50% for the second time in a row as officials need time to get clarity over United States (US) President Donald Trump’s economic policies. The Fed will also release the dot plot, which shows where policymakers see the Federal funds rate heading in the medium and long term, and the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP). Meanwhile, the Swiss Franc (CHF) underperforms as investors expect the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to follow an ultra-dovish policy-easing approach amid deepening risks of inflation remaining persistently lower. Swiss Consumer Price Index (CPI) decelerated to 0.3% in 12 months to February. USD/CHF is inching closer to revisiting the four-month low of 0.8736 plotted from the December 6 low. The outlook of the pair is broadly bearish as it trades below the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which is around 0.8882. The momentum is on the bearish side as the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillates in the 20.00-40.00 range. The asset could face more downside towards the November 8 low of 0.8700 and the November 6 low of 0.8620 if it falls below the December 6 low of 0.8736. On the flip side, a recovery move above the psychological support of 0.9000 would drive the asset towards the February 28 high of 0.9036, followed by the round-level resistance of 0.9100. USD/CHF daily chart US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.  

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) delivered a cautious hold and warns against a weaker Japanese Yen (JPY), BBH's FX analysts report.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) delivered a cautious hold and warns against a weaker Japanese Yen (JPY), BBH's FX analysts report. BOJ signals little tolerance for a weaker currency "USD/JPY rallied briefly above 150.00 before paring back gains to 149.20. As was widely expected, the BOJ left the policy rate unchanged at 0.50%. The decision was unanimous. BOJ Governor Ueda reiterated the bank’s guidance that it would continue to raise the policy interest rate if the outlook for economic activity and prices will be realized, adding real interest rate is very low." "However, the BOJ cautioned 'there remain high uncertainties surrounding Japan's economic activity and prices, including the evolving situation regarding trade…' The comments reinforce market pricing for a BOJ terminal rate of 1.00% to 1.25% over the next two years with the next full 25bps hike in September." "The limited room for a further upward adjustment to BOJ rate expectations curtails JPY upside. Meanwhile, JPY downside is contained as the BOJ signaled little tolerance for a weaker currency. 'With firms' behavior shifting more toward raising wages and prices recently, exchange rate developments are, compared to the past, more likely to affect prices.' USD/JPY faces important resistance at the 200-day moving average around 152.00."

US Dollar (USD) has likely entered a 148.80/149.90 range trading phase vs Japanese Yen (JPY).

US Dollar (USD) has likely entered a 148.80/149.90 range trading phase vs Japanese Yen (JPY). In the longer run, increase in momentum indicates USD could strengthen toward 150.30, UOB Group’s FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note. USD can strengthen toward 150.30 24-HOUR VIEW: "Following Monday’s price action, we indicated yesterday (Tuesday), when USD was at 149.30, that 'The price movements have resulted in an increase in momentum.' While we expected USD to rise, we highlighted that 'the major resistance at 150.30 is likely out of reach for now' and we noted that 'support levels are at 149.00 and 148.70.' Our view was not wrong, as USD rose to 149.93, pulled to 149.07 before closing largely unchanged at 149.26 (+0.03%). USD has likely entered a range trading phase. Today, we expect it to trade in a 148.80/149.90 range." 1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "We continue to hold the same view as yesterday (18 Mar, spot at 149.30). As highlighted, the recent increase in momentum indicates USD could strengthen toward 150.30. The upward momentum will remain intact as long as USD holds above 148.30."

EUR/USD falls sharply to slightly below 1.0900 in Wednesday’s European session after posting a fresh five-month high near 1.0955 the previous day.

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The major currency pair weakens as the US Dollar (USD) performs strongly ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision at 18:00 GMT. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, jumps to near 103.70 after revisiting a five-month low around 103.20 on Tuesday. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the Fed is almost certain to keep borrowing rates steady in the range of 4.25%-4.50%. This would be the second straight policy meeting in which the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged.  Traders have remained increasingly confident about the Fed maintaining a status quo on Wednesday as officials have been arguing in favor of maintaining a “wait and see” approach until they get clarity over the United States (US) economic outlook under the leadership of President Donald Trump. Market participants expect that Donald Trump’s tariff policies could result in a resurgence in inflationary pressures in the near term as the impact of higher import duties will be borne by US importers who will pass on the impact to consumers. Apart from the interest rate decision, investors will also focus on the Fed’s dot plot, which shows policymakers’ collective forecast for the interest rate outlook in the medium and longer term. In the December meeting, Fed officials projected two interest rate cuts in 2025. Daily digest market movers: EUR/USD drops as Euro underperforms A sharp decline in the EUR/USD pair from the five-month high is also driven by the Euro’s (EUR) underperformance across the board on Wednesday. The Euro drops even though German leaders approved likely Chancellor Frederich Merz’s debt restructuring plan on Tuesday at Bundestag lower house Parliament, aiming to stimulate economic growth and boost defense spending. Market participants expect that an end to German fiscal conservatism after over a decade will be inflationary and pro-growth for the economy. Such a scenario will force the European Central Bank (ECB) to turn cautious about the current monetary expansion cycle. The ECB has reduced interest rates six times since June 2024. Also, investors expect that US President Trump’s tariff agenda could accelerate price pressures in the Eurozone. On Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed in an interview with Fox Business that each country will receive a number on “April 2” that we believe represents their “tariffs”. On the geopolitical front, US President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin agreed to seek an inmediate 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on energy and infrastructure targets. "We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday.  Technical Analysis: EUR/USD struggles around 1.0950 EUR/USD struggles to extend its upside above 1.0950. However, the long-term outlook of the major currency pair remains firm as it holds above the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which trades around 1.0660. The pair strengthened after a decisive breakout above the December 6 high of 1.0630 on March 5.  The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) wobbles near 70.00, suggesting that a strong bullish momentum is intact. Looking down, the December 6 high of 1.0630 will act as the major support zone for the pair. Conversely, the psychological level of 1.1000 will be the key barrier for the Euro bulls. Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 19 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

Eurozone Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY) in line with forecasts (2.6%) in February

Eurozone Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) declined to 0.5% in February from previous 0.6%

Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY) below forecasts (2.4%) in February: Actual (2.3%)

Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (MoM) registered at 0.4%, below expectations (0.5%) in February

Eurozone Labor Cost down to 3.7% in 4Q from previous 4.6%

The United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) will announce monetary policy decisions and publish the revised Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), the so-called dot plot, following the March policy meeting on Wednesday.

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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 Federal Reserve is expected to leave the policy rate unchanged for the second consecutive meeting.The revised Summary of Economic Projections could offer key clues about the policy outlook.The US Dollar could recover if the Fed downplays growth concerns.  The United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) will announce monetary policy decisions and publish the revised Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), the so-called dot plot, following the March policy meeting on Wednesday. Market participants widely anticipate the US central bank to leave policy settings unchanged for the second consecutive meeting, after cutting the interest rate by 25 basis points (bps) to the 4.25%-4.5% range in December. The CME FedWatch Tool shows that investors virtually see no chance of a rate cut in March while pricing in about a 30% probability of a 25 bps reduction in May. Hence, revised forecasts and comments from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell could drive the US Dollar’s (USD) valuation rather than the interest rate decision itself.  In December, the dot plot showed that policymakers were projecting a total of 50 bps reduction in the policy rate in 2025, while forecasting an annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 2.1% and seeing an annual Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation of 2.5% at year-end.  “The FOMC is broadly expected to keep its police stance unchanged for a second consecutive meeting,” said TD Securities analysts previewing the Fed event. “Based on the still steady signal provided by the labor market amid still sticky inflation, we expect Chair Powell to double-down on his message of patience regarding policy decisions. We also do not anticipate significant changes to the Fed's SEP or to QT plans for now,” they added. Economic Indicator FOMC Economic Projections At four of its eight scheduled annual meetings, the Federal Reserve (Fed) releases a report detailing its projections for inflation, the unemployment rate and economic growth over the next two years and, more importantly, a breakdown of each Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) member's individual interest rate forecasts. Read more. Next release: Wed Mar 19, 2025 18:00 Frequency: IrregularConsensus: -Previous: -Source: Federal Reserve When will the Fed announce its interest rate decision and how could it affect EUR/USD? The US Federal Reserve is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision and publish the monetary policy statement with the revised SEP on Wednesday at 18:00 GMT. This will be followed by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's press conference starting at 18:30 GMT.  Disappointing macroeconomic data releases from the US, combined with US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements, revived fears over the US economy tipping into recession. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s GDPNow model, the US economy is projected to contract at an annual rate of 2.4% in the first quarter.    In case the dot plot shows a rate cut projection of 75 bps in 2025, this could be seen as a dovish shift in the rate outlook and trigger another leg of the USD selloff. On the flip side, a hawkish revision in the SEP, with officials forecasting a single 25 bps cut, could boost the currency. If the interest rate projection remains unchanged, investors will scrutinize inflation and growth forecasts. A downward revision to growth expectations could hurt the USD, while an upward revision to inflation forecasts, without a noticeable change in the GDP estimates, could support the USD in the near term. Powell’s comments could also impact the USD’s performance. If he downplays concerns over an economic downturn and puts more emphasis on the uncertainty surrounding the inflation outlook, citing Trump’s administration’s tariffs, the USD is likely to outperform its rivals in the near term. On the contrary, if Powell acknowledges signs of a worsening growth outlook, the USD is likely to have a difficult time finding demand. Eren Sengezer, European Session Lead Analyst at FXStreet, provides a short-term technical outlook for EUR/USD: “EUR/USD remains technically bullish in the near term as it stays in the upper half of the two-month-old ascending regression channel. Additionally, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the daily chart holds near 70, reaffirming the bullish stance.” “On the upside, 1.1000 (upper limit of the ascending channel, round level) aligns as a key resistance level before 1.1100 (static level, round level) and 1.1180 (static level from October 2024). Looking south, the first support level could be spotted at 1.0770 (mid-point of the ascending channel) before 1.0720, where the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) is located. A daily close below the latter support could attract technical sellers and open the door for an extended slide toward 1.0645 (20-day SMA).” Dot Plot FAQs What is the Federal Reserve “Dot Plot”? The “Dot Plot” is the popular name of the interest-rate projections by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the US Federal Reserve (Fed), which implements monetary policy. These are published in the Summary of Economic Projections, a report in which FOMC members also release their individual projections on economic growth, the unemployment rate and inflation for the current year and the next few ones. The document consists of a chart plotting interest-rate projections, with each FOMC member’s forecast represented by a dot. The Fed also adds a table summarizing the range of forecasts and the median for each indicator. This makes it easier for market participants to see how policymakers expect the US economy to perform in the near, medium and long term. When does the Federal Reserve publish the “Dot Plot”? The US Federal Reserve publishes the “Dot Plot” once every other meeting, or in four of the eight yearly scheduled meetings. The Summary of Economic Projections report is published along with the monetary policy decision. Why is the “Dot Plot” important for markets? The “Dot Plot” gives a comprehensive insight into the expectations from Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers. As projections reflect each official’s projection for interest rates at the end of each year, it is considered a key forward-looking indicator. By looking at the “Dot Plot” and comparing the data to current interest-rate levels, market participants can see where policymakers expect rates to head to and the overall direction of monetary policy. As projections are released quarterly, the “Dot Plot” is widely used as a guide to figure out the terminal rate and the possible timing of a policy pivot. How does data in the “Dot Plot” affect the US Dollar? The most market-moving data in the “Dot Plot” is the projection of the federal funds rate. Any change compared with previous projections is likely to influence the US Dollar (USD) valuation. Generally, if the “Dot Plot” shows that policymakers expect higher interest rates in the near term, this tends to be bullish for USD. Likewise, if projections point to lower rates ahead, the USD is likely to weaken.
 

Silver prices (XAG/USD) fell on Wednesday, according to FXStreet data.

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The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, stood at 89.75 on Wednesday, up from 89.23 on Tuesday. Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver. (An automation tool was used in creating this post.)

Gold’s price (XAU/USD) corrects slightly lower to near $3,030 at the time of writing on Wednesday after stretching higher and hitting a new all-time high at $3,045 earlier in the day.

.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 advances to a fresh all-time high at $3,045 on Wednesday. Traders sent Gold higher on top of geopolitical news from Turkey and Ukraine. Gold’s rally starts to look a bit overdone and might see a pullback soon. Gold’s price (XAU/USD) corrects slightly lower to near $3,030 at the time of writing on Wednesday after stretching higher and hitting a new all-time high at $3,045 earlier in the day. The positive move came after headlines emerged that authorities detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, on charges including corruption and aiding a terrorist group.  This headline adds to the geopolitical drivers in Gold after Tuesday’s phone call between United States (US) President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which did not lead to a ceasefire deal or a major breakthrough. President Trump and President Putin agreed to an immediate pause in strikes against energy infrastructure in the Ukraine war. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Tuesday that talks about Ukraine without Ukraine will not bring about results. Nevertheless, traders in the precious metal might face some headwinds later this Wednesday as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set to announce its policy rate decision and publish the Summary of Economic Projections update. After the meeting, Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell will comment in a press conference. With the Trump policy in the backdrop, markets will want to know how many, if any, rate cuts the Fed members have penciled in for 2025 and beyond. Daily digest market movers: All eyes on the FedDespite almost euphoric comments from US President Trump and Russian President Putin, several analysts see the recent ‘slim’ ceasefire deal as a small victory, not a step forward to peace. Putin and Trump agreed that there will be no attacks on energy objects for 30 days, Bloomberg reports.  According to the CME Fedwatch tool, the odds that the Fed will keep interest rates at the current range of 4.25-4.50% on Wednesday are 99%. Meanwhile, rate cut odds for June’s meeting are 64.8%.  Traders are paring back their bets on further monetary policy easing this year, which would weigh on the precious metal as higher yields are bearish for Gold. On the other hand, there are still concerns about a US slowdown as President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda weighs on consumer sentiment. Investors have been slashing holdings of US equities by the most on record, according to Bank of America's latest survey, underscoring a massive rotation underway in markets, Bloomberg reports. Technical Analysis: It could get nastyGold ekes out another fresh all-time high in early Wednesday ahead of the Fed’s interest rate decision. The tail risk in the event is if the Fed’s dot plot (a chart where every voting FOMC member pencils in where they see the monetary policy rate for 2025 and beyond) pencils in fewer rate cuts than markets anticipate. That would boost the fear of a recession or stagflation in the US, with rates remaining elevated to fight the surging inflation caused by a trade war amid tariffs, and would be negative for Gold.  Regarding technical levels, the new all-time high at $3,045 is the first level to beat. Next for this Wednesday is the R1 resistance at $3,048, just below the $3,050 round number. Once through there, the R2 resistance comes in at $3,063.  On the downside, the intraday Pivot Point at $3,024 is the first line of defense, followed by the S1 support near $3,010 ahead of the $3,000 level. In case the $3,000 mark snaps, look for $2,985 as big support.  XAU/USD: Daily Chart 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.  

EUR/USD is down near 1.0900, reflecting the broad bounce in USD, BBH FX analysts report.

EUR/USD is down near 1.0900, reflecting the broad bounce in USD, BBH FX analysts report.   Eurozone disinflationary process remains well on track "The Eurozone Q4 labor costs print is today’s domestic focus. The ECB projects labor costs growth to slow to 4.1% y/y in Q4 vs. 4.6% in Q3 and drift down to its historical average of 1.7% by 2027." "The Eurozone disinflationary process remains well on track. Markets price-in about 50% odds of a 25bps ECB cut to 2.25% at the April 17 meeting and a total of 50bps of easing over the next 12 months. Looser fiscal policy in Germany and the EU’s military build-up plan lessens the need for the ECB to slash rates more than is currently priced-in which is EUR supportive."

USD/JPY has embarked on a rebound after forming a trough at 146.50 recently, Société Générale's FX analysts note.

USD/JPY has embarked on a rebound after forming a trough at 146.50 recently, Société Générale's FX analysts note.  Below 148.30, the phase of decline can resume "It is inching towards the descending trend line drawn since January. Recent pivot high of 151.30/152.00, which is also the 200-DMA is a potential hurdle. Cross above this will be crucial to confirm a larger up move. If the pair fails to defend the low achieved earlier this week at 148.30, the phase of decline could resume."

Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade with a negative tone at the beginning of Wednesday, according to FXStreet data.

.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}} Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) trade with a negative tone at the beginning of Wednesday, according to FXStreet data. Palladium (XPD) changes hands at $959.87 a troy ounce, with the XPD/USD pair easing from its previous close at $969.00. In the meantime, Platinum (XPT) trades at $988.51 against the United States Dollar (USD) early in the European session, also under pressure after the XPT/USD pair settled at $1003.45 at the previous close.   Palladium FAQs Why do people buy Palladium? Palladium is a rare and valuable precious metal with strong industrial demand, particularly in the automotive sector. It is widely used in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions, making it essential for global environmental regulations. Investors also see palladium as a store of value, similar to gold and silver, and a potential hedge against inflation. Given its supply constraints and high demand, palladium often attracts traders looking for price volatility and profit opportunities. What is Palladium in trading? In trading, palladium (XPD/USD) is considered both an industrial and a precious metal. It is traded on major commodity exchanges like the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the London Platinum and Palladium Market (LPPM). Traders speculate on palladium prices through futures contracts, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and spot markets. Since palladium supply is concentrated in a few countries, particularly Russia and South Africa, geopolitical and mining disruptions can lead to significant price swings, making it an attractive asset for short-term traders and long-term investors alike. Is Palladium more expensive than Gold? Palladium has historically been less expensive than gold, but in recent years, it has traded at a premium due to rising demand and tight supply. Prices fluctuate based on market conditions, but palladium has, at times, outperformed gold due to its critical role in the automotive industry. However, as markets shift and industrial demand changes, the price relationship between the two metals can vary. What does the price of Palladium depend on? Palladium prices are influenced by several factors, including industrial demand, supply constraints, and macroeconomic conditions. The automotive industry is the biggest driver of demand, as stricter emissions regulations increase the need for palladium-based catalytic converters. Supply is heavily dependent on mining output from Russia and South Africa, making the metal vulnerable to geopolitical risks and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, broader market trends, such as the strength of the US dollar, interest rates, and economic growth, can impact palladium prices, as they do with other precious metals. Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) prices mentioned above are based on the FXStreet data feed for Contracts for Differences (CFDs). (An automation tool was used in creating this post.)

Silver price (XAG/USD) retreated after reaching a five-month high of $34.23 on Tuesday, trading around $33.70 per troy ounce during European hours on Wednesday.

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The decline comes as Silver bulls take a breather ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision later in the day. Traders will likely monitor the Fed’s updated economic projections for insights into the future trajectory of US interest rates. Higher interest rates tend to weigh on demand for non-interest-bearing assets like Silver, limiting its upside potential. Any hawkish signals from Fed policymakers could strengthen the US Dollar (USD), making dollar-denominated Silver more expensive for buyers using foreign currencies. This could create additional headwinds for the precious grey metal. However, downside risks for Silver price appear limited due to increased safe-haven demand driven by escalating geopolitical tensions. US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his administration's commitment to military action against Yemen’s Houthis and warned that Iran would be held accountable for any further disruptions to Red Sea shipping. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which ended a week-long ceasefire, resulted in at least 200 casualties, according to Palestinian health authorities, as reported by Reuters. That said, geopolitical tensions have slightly eased after President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to an immediate pause in strikes on energy infrastructure amid the Ukraine war. However, Putin declined to support a broader, month-long ceasefire negotiated by Trump’s team with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.  

New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is likely to trade in a range between 0.5790 and 0.5840.

New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is likely to trade in a range between 0.5790 and 0.5840. In the longer run, rapid buildup in momentum continues to suggest NZD strength; the level to watch is 0.5870, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.   The level to watch is 0.5870 24-HOUR VIEW: "On Monday, NZD surged to a high of 0.5826. Yesterday (Tuesday), when NZD was at 0.5820, we indicated that 'While further NZD strength is not ruled out, any advance is likely part of a higher 0.5785/0.5845 range. In other words, NZD is unlikely to break clearly above 0.5845 today.' NZD then traded in a narrower range than expected (0.5798/0.5831), closing marginally lower by 0.02% at 0.5821. We continue to expect range trading today, probably between 0.5790 and 0.5840."  1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "There is not much to add to our update from yesterday (18 Mar, spot at 0.5820). As highlighted, the recent 'rapid buildup in momentum continues to suggest NZD strength, and the level to watch on the upside is 0.5870.' We will continue to hold the same view as long as the ‘strong support’ at 0.5755 (level was at 0.5740 yesterday) is intact."

EUR/USD consolidated above the 1.09 mark after the German Bundestag approved the large fiscal package with a 2/3 majority, Danske Bank's FX analyst Jens Nærvig Pedersen reports.

EUR/USD consolidated above the 1.09 mark after the German Bundestag approved the large fiscal package with a 2/3 majority, Danske Bank's FX analyst Jens Nærvig Pedersen reports.  Risks still skewed to the upside "This was largely expected by markets and the reaction in EUR/USD was muted. The package must now also pass the Bundesrat, which is the upper chamber of the parliament, in a vote on Friday. Here the bill is also expected to pass. " "Today, focus turns to the FOMC meeting where we do not anticipate strong market reactions. We do not expect Powell to guide explicitly towards a cut in May, but we do still anticipate three 25bp reductions later in the year starting from June.  "We expect EUR/USD to consolidate around current levels in the near term, with risks still skewed to the upside. The key risk to further EUR/USD upside is that if upcoming data fails to validate market concerns about the US economy, the USD could rebound quickly."

Australian Dollar (AUD) is likely to consolidate between 0.6340 and 0.6385.

Australian Dollar (AUD) is likely to consolidate between 0.6340 and 0.6385. In the longer run, chance for AUD to break above 0.6410; a break of this significant resistance level could potentially trigger a rapid rise, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.  A clear break above 0.6410 can potentially trigger a rise 24-HOUR VIEW: "We expected AUD to 'test 0.6410' yesterday, but we pointed out that 'due to the deeply overbought conditions, it is unclear whether AUD can break clearly above this level.' Our expectation did not turn out, as AUD dropped from 0.6391 to 0.6344 before closing at 0.6361 (- 0.38%). The price action is likely part of a consolidation phase. Today, we expect AUD to trade between 0.6340 and 0.6385."  1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "Yesterday (18 Mar, spot at 0.6385), we revised our outlook to positive, indicating that 'there is a chance for AUD to break above 0.6410.' We also indicated the following: 'The chance of AUD breaking above 0.6410 will remain intact as long as the ‘strong support’ level, currently at 0.6320, is not breached. Note that 0.6410 is a significant resistance, and a clear break above this level could potentially trigger a sharp and rapid rise.' Our update remains valid."

The NZD/USD pair meets with some supply on Wednesday and moves away from the year-to-date (YTD) top, around the 0.5830 region touched the previous day.

.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}}NZD/USD attracts some sellers amid a modest USD bounce from a multi-month low.Fed rate cut bets should cap any meaningful USD gains and lend support to the pair.Traders might also opt to wait for the outcome of a two-day FOMC policy meeting.The NZD/USD pair meets with some supply on Wednesday and moves away from the year-to-date (YTD) top, around the 0.5830 region touched the previous day. The selling bias picks up pace during the early European session and drags spot prices below the 0.5800 mark in the last hour. The US Dollar (USD) gains some positive traction and for now, seems to have snapped a three-day losing streak to a five-month low, which, in turn, is seen as a key factor exerting downward pressure on the NZD/USD pair. The intraday USD uptick could be attributed to some repositioning trade ahead of the key central bank event risk – the outcome of a two-day FOMC meeting. Adding to this, the risk of a further escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East further benefits the safe-haven buck and contributes to driving flows away from the perceived riskier Kiwi. Any meaningful USD appreciation, however, seems elusive in the wake of the growing acceptance that the Fed would lower borrowing costs several times this year amid concerns over a tariff-driven US economic slowdown. Hence, the market focus will remain glued to the Fed's updated economic projections, which include the so-called do pot. Apart from this, Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks would be scrutinized for cues about the future rate-cut path, which, in turn, will influence the USD price dynamics and help in determining the near-term trajectory for the NZD/USD pair.  Hence, it will be prudent to wait for strong follow-through selling before confirming that the currency pair's recent move-up witnessed over the past two weeks or so has run its course and positioning for deeper losses. Even from a technical perspective, this week's sustained breakout above the 0.5760 strong horizontal barrier favors bullish traders and supports prospects for the emergence of some dip-buying. This, in turn, should help limit the downside for the NZD/USD pair.  New Zealand Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD. How do decisions of the RBNZ impact the New Zealand Dollar? The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair. How does economic data influence the value of the New Zealand Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate. How does broader risk sentiment impact the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.  

GBP/USD broke the key 1.300 resistance yesterday on the back of USD weakness, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes.

GBP/USD broke the key 1.300 resistance yesterday on the back of USD weakness, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes. EUR/GBP remains close to its January 2025 high of 0.846 "In the crosses, the GBP is not showing particular strength, and EUR/GBP remains close to its January 2025 high of 0.846." "We don’t expect tomorrow’s Bank of England meeting to be a major event for sterling. As discussed here, we expect a consensus hold with only two members voting for a cut." "The UK budget event later this month is the biggest risk event for the pound. GBP negative scenarios are predominant as Chancellor Rachel Reeves may either slash spending, raise taxes or risk unnerving the gilt market. We see upside risks to 0.85 in EUR/GBP near term."

Pound Sterling (GBP) is expected to rachet higher in an uneven manner between 1.2955 and 1.3030.

Pound Sterling (GBP) is expected to rachet higher in an uneven manner between 1.2955 and 1.3030. In the longer run, further rise in GBP seems likely; modest increase in momentum suggests 1.3050 may not come into view so soon, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.  Further rise in GBP seems likely 24-HOUR VIEW: "GBP rose and tested the 1.3000 level two days ago. Yesterday, we highlighted the following: 'While the rapid rise appears overstretched, as long as 1.2955 (minor support is at 1.2970) is not breached, there is a chance for GBP to break above 1.3000. Given the overbought conditions, it might not be able to maintain a foothold above this level. The next resistance at 1.3050 is unlikely to come under threat.' GBP subsequently rose to 1.3005, pulled back sharply to 1.2953 and then rose back up to 1.3010. GBP closed at 1.3003, slightly higher by 0.10%. While the outlook for today is mixed after the sharp swings. That said, having breached 1.3000, the underlying tone seems firm. Today, we expect GBP to ratchet higher in an uneven manner between 1.2955 and 1.3030."  1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "Tracking the strong rise in GBP since early this month, in our most recent narrative from last Thursday (13 Mar, spot at 1.2955), we indicated that 'to continue to rise, GBP must break and remain above 1.3000.' Yesterday (18 Mar), GBP rose to 1.3010, closing marginally above 1.3000 (1.3003, +0.10%). While further rise in GBP seems likely, the modest increase in momentum suggests the next resistance at 1.3050 may not come into view so soon. Overall, only a breach of 1.2930 (no change in ‘strong support’ level from yesterday) would mean that GBP is not rising further."

The US Dollar (USD) enters FOMC day with a good deal of bearish momentum.

The US Dollar (USD) enters FOMC day with a good deal of bearish momentum. Despite Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s attempts to quell recessionary fears, high-frequency indicators have kept pointing down and still favour a rotation away from US assets. The latest Fund Manager Survey from Bank of America showed a record gyration from US to European equities and 69% of respondents believed US exceptionalism is over. One positive takeaway for the dollar is the radical increase in pessimistic views on global growth too, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes. DXY rebounds may be capped around 104.0 "For the near term, the best chance at a rebound for the greenback is probably today’s FOMC announcement. The chances of a cut are none, but the recent repricing in the USD curve suggests some dovish tweaks to forward guidance are expected by the market. We are not convinced. The Fed has an inflation and employment mandate, and neither of those has declined enough to warrant a dovish shift."  "Growing pessimism on growth and consumption still needs to face the hard data test, and if the US administration can stomach the equity correction, the Fed probably can too. Things should change in the coming months as the US slowdown (but not a recession, in our view) unfolds, and we expect two cuts in 2H25. However, the FOMC median dot plot may not be revised lower today, so still signals only one cut in 2025." "Markets will be sensitive to growth and inflation forecasts too, but if we are right with our dot plot call and Fed Chair Jay Powell retains a cautious tone on easing, the dollar should be able to rebound. Still, to have a sustained USD recovery, US macro sentiment must start to stabilise. Until that happens, DXY rebounds may be capped around 104.0."

USD/TRY retreats from its record high of 41.70, reached during early European trading hours on Wednesday, hovering around 38.70 at the time of writing.

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The pair surged as the Turkish Lira weakened sharply amid escalating political risks in Turkey. State broadcaster TRT, citing the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office, reported that Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, was detained this morning as part of corruption and terror investigations. Additionally, the state-run Anadolu Agency stated that detention orders were issued for approximately 100 others linked to Imamoglu, including his press adviser Murat Ongun, who was expected to be the Republican People’s Party (CHP) presidential candidate. This move is widely seen as Erdogan consolidating his power by sidelining potential challengers, causing turbulence in Turkish financial markets. Meanwhile, the USD/TRY pair also gains support from a strengthening US Dollar (USD), backed by stable Treasury yields as investors await the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision later in the day. The Fed is expected to keep rates steady amid persistent inflation concerns and economic uncertainty. Traders are watching the Fed’s updated economic projections for clues on future US interest rate policy. Any hawkish signals could further bolster the USD against its peers. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reports that US President Donald Trump has dismissed two Democratic Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioners. However, questions remain over his authority to do so, sparking speculation about whether this move sets a precedent for potential dismissals of Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell and other Federal Reserve members. Risk sentiment FAQs What do the terms"risk-on" and "risk-off" mean when referring to sentiment in financial markets? In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off'' refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced. In a “risk-on” market, investors are optimistic about the future and more willing to buy risky assets. In a “risk-off” market investors start to ‘play it safe’ because they are worried about the future, and therefore buy less risky assets that are more certain of bringing a return, even if it is relatively modest. What are the key assets to track to understand risk sentiment dynamics? Typically, during periods of “risk-on”, stock markets will rise, most commodities – except Gold – will also gain in value, since they benefit from a positive growth outlook. The currencies of nations that are heavy commodity exporters strengthen because of increased demand, and Cryptocurrencies rise. In a “risk-off” market, Bonds go up – especially major government Bonds – Gold shines, and safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and US Dollar all benefit. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-on"? The Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and minor FX like the Ruble (RUB) and the South African Rand (ZAR), all tend to rise in markets that are “risk-on”. This is because the economies of these currencies are heavily reliant on commodity exports for growth, and commodities tend to rise in price during risk-on periods. This is because investors foresee greater demand for raw materials in the future due to heightened economic activity. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-off"? The major currencies that tend to rise during periods of “risk-off” are the US Dollar (USD), the Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Swiss Franc (CHF). The US Dollar, because it is the world’s reserve currency, and because in times of crisis investors buy US government debt, which is seen as safe because the largest economy in the world is unlikely to default. The Yen, from increased demand for Japanese government bonds, because a high proportion are held by domestic investors who are unlikely to dump them – even in a crisis. The Swiss Franc, because strict Swiss banking laws offer investors enhanced capital protection.  

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price falls on Wednesday, early in the European session.

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Euro (EUR) could trade in a choppy manner between 1.0905 and 1.0970 vs US Dollar (USD).

Euro (EUR) could trade in a choppy manner between 1.0905 and 1.0970 vs US Dollar (USD). In the longer run, EUR must break and close above 1.0950 before resuming its rally, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Peter Chia note.  Chance for EUR to break clearly above 1.0950 24-HOUR VIEW: "Following the rise in EUR to 1.0929 two days, we indicated the following yesterday: 'Despite the relatively strong advance, upward momentum has not increased significantly. That said, there is no sign of an imminent pullback just yet. Today, EUR could test last week’s high, near 1.0950. Currently, it does not appear to possess enough momentum to break clearly above this level. The next major resistance at 1.1000 is unlikely to come under threat. Support is at 1.0905; a breach of 1.0885 would suggest the current upward pressure has eased.' In the London session, EUR rose to 1.0954, pulling back quickly to 1.0891. It then rebounded to close slightly higher at 1.0940 (+0.20%). The choppy price action has resulted in a mixed outlook. Today, EUR could continue to trade in a choppy manner, but the firmed underlying tone suggests a higher range of 1.0905/1.0970."  1-3 WEEKS VIEW: "Yesterday (18 Mar, spot at 1.0920), we highlighted that the recent increase in short-term momentum 'is not sufficient to indicate that EUR is ready to resume its rally.' We added, “For that to happen, EUR 'must break and close above 1.0950.' EUR then rose to 1.0954 before closing at 1.0943 (+0.20%). The slight increase in momentum is still not enough to indicate a sustained rise. However, there is still a chance for EUR to break clearly above 1.0950 as long as it holds above 1.0855 (no change in ‘strong support’ level)."

As widely expected, the German Bundestag approved the debt break constitutional change yesterday.

As widely expected, the German Bundestag approved the debt break constitutional change yesterday. There are few doubts that fiscal reform will also make it through the Upper House (Bundesrat) and ultimately be signed into law. The euro has fully priced in the success of the spending reform and appears close to peak market optimism on the fiscal boost, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes. EUR/USD to inch back below 1.090 "We must consider that Germany still doesn’t have a government, and coalition talks may prove tricky. Incidentally, while the debt break reform unlocks long-term fiscal spending opportunities, structural woes (competitiveness, innovation) are still to be addressed. Our view remains that the second quarter will bring a reality check for European optimism. With US tariffs likely to hit from the start of April, euro bullish momentum may well fade." "The other key theme for the euro remains the direction of Ukraine-Russia peace talks. Yesterday, Russian President Putin agreed to reduce the number of attacks on Ukraine in a phone call with Trump. However, Putin is still requiring a complete halt to US armaments to Ukraine, and refusing to agree to a 30-day truce for now. Also on this topic, the euro is pricing in a good deal of optimism."  "Should we see a truce finally being agreed, the extra support to the euro may not be substantial and probably quite conditional on the agreed terms. As we are bullish on the dollar ahead of today’s FOMC risk event, we renew our call for EUR/USD to fail a break above 1.100 and instead inch back below 1.090."

As widely expected, the German Bundestag approved the debt break constitutional change yesterday.

As widely expected, the German Bundestag approved the debt break constitutional change yesterday. There are few doubts that fiscal reform will also make it through the Upper House (Bundesrat) and ultimately be signed into law. The euro has fully priced in the success of the spending reform and appears close to peak market optimism on the fiscal boost, ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes. EUR/USD to inch back below 1.090 "We must consider that Germany still doesn’t have a government, and coalition talks may prove tricky. Incidentally, while the debt break reform unlocks long-term fiscal spending opportunities, structural woes (competitiveness, innovation) are still to be addressed. Our view remains that the second quarter will bring a reality check for European optimism. With US tariffs likely to hit from the start of April, euro bullish momentum may well fade." "The other key theme for the euro remains the direction of Ukraine-Russia peace talks. Yesterday, Russian President Putin agreed to reduce the number of attacks on Ukraine in a phone call with Trump. However, Putin is still requiring a complete halt to US armaments to Ukraine, and refusing to agree to a 30-day truce for now. Also on this topic, the euro is pricing in a good deal of optimism."  "Should we see a truce finally being agreed, the extra support to the euro may not be substantial and probably quite conditional on the agreed terms. As we are bullish on the dollar ahead of today’s FOMC risk event, we renew our call for EUR/USD to fail a break above 1.100 and instead inch back below 1.090."

Austria HICP (YoY) came in at 3.4%, below expectations (3.5%) in February

Austria HICP (MoM) came in at 0.5% below forecasts (0.6%) in February

South Africa Consumer Price Index (MoM) increased to 0.9% in February from previous 0.3%

South Africa Consumer Price Index (YoY): 3.2% (February)

EUR/JPY pauses its three-day winning streak, hovering around 162.60 during early European trading on Wednesday.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}EUR/JPY may face key resistance at the upper boundary of the ascending channel near 164.50. The 14-day Relative Strength Index stays above 50, strengthening the bullish outlook. Initial support is seen at the nine-day EMA around 161.57.EUR/JPY pauses its three-day winning streak, hovering around 162.60 during early European trading on Wednesday. Technical analysis of the daily chart suggested that the currency cross is trending higher within an ascending channel, indicating a continued bullish bias. Additionally, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains above 50, reinforcing the bullish outlook for the EUR/JPY cross. Furthermore, the currency cross's position above the nine- and 50-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) underscores strong short- and medium-term price momentum, supporting the potential for further gains. On the upside, the EUR/JPY cross may encounter its first key resistance at the upper boundary of the ascending channel near 164.50, followed by the four-month high of 164.90, recorded on December 30. A decisive break above this critical zone could strengthen the bullish bias, paving the way for a potential test of the eight-month high at 166.69. The EUR/JPY cross may find initial support at the nine-day EMA of 161.57. A break below this level could weaken short-term price momentum, leading the currency cross toward the 50-day EMA at 160.13, followed by the lower boundary of the ascending channel at 159.30. A further decline below this critical support zone could erode medium-term momentum, increasing downward pressure on the currency cross. This could push the EUR/JPY cross toward its monthly low of 155.59, recorded on March 4, and potentially to 154.41, the lowest level last seen in December 2023. EUR/JPY: Daily Chart Euro PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the weakest against the US Dollar.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.50% 0.25% -0.01% 0.19% 0.48% 0.54% 0.06% EUR -0.50%   -0.25% -0.49% -0.31% 0.00% 0.04% -0.43% GBP -0.25% 0.25%   -0.25% -0.06% 0.25% 0.29% -0.20% JPY 0.01% 0.49% 0.25%   0.17% 0.50% 0.51% 0.06% CAD -0.19% 0.31% 0.06% -0.17%   0.32% 0.37% -0.14% AUD -0.48% -0.00% -0.25% -0.50% -0.32%   0.04% -0.40% NZD -0.54% -0.04% -0.29% -0.51% -0.37% -0.04%   -0.48% CHF -0.06% 0.43% 0.20% -0.06% 0.14% 0.40% 0.48%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).  

The Pound Sterling (GBP) struggles to extend the rally above the key level of 1.3000 against the US Dollar (USD) in European trading hours on Wednesday.

.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 struggles around 1.3000 against the US Dollar ahead of the Fed’s monetary policy decision, dot plot, and economic projections.Investors expect the Fed and BoE to keep interest rates steady this week.Market sentiment remains cautious as US President Trump is poised to impose reciprocal tariffs on April 2.The Pound Sterling (GBP) struggles to extend the rally above the key level of 1.3000 against the US Dollar (USD) in European trading hours on Wednesday. The GBP/USD pair trades cautiously ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy decision at 18:00 GMT. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the Fed is certain to keep interest rates unchanged in the range of 4.25%-4.50% for the second time in a row. Therefore, the major catalyst for the US Dollar will be the Fed’s dot plot, which shows where policymakers see the Federal funds rate heading in the medium and longer term, and the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) Summary of Economic Projections (SEP). It would be interesting to know whether Fed officials will see easing inflationary pressures and declining consumer confidence in the current scenario or accelerating consumer inflation expectations due to United States (US) President Donald Trump’s economic policies while forecasting the monetary policy outlook. In February, the annual core Consumer Price Index (CPI) – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – rose by 3.1%, the lowest level seen since April 2021. According to analysts at Fitch, tariff shocks are estimated to “accelerate inflationary pressures by one point percent” in the near term. This scenario will discourage Fed officials from cutting interest rates before the last quarter of the year. Meanwhile, the CME FedWatch tool shows that the Fed will cut interest rates in the June meeting. Daily digest market movers: Pound Sterling turns cautious ahead of UK employment, BoE policy The Pound Sterling trades with caution against its peers ahead of the United Kingdom (UK) labor market data for the three months ending January and the Bank of England’s (BoE) monetary policy decision, scheduled for Thursday. Investors will pay close attention to the Average Earnings data, a key measure of wage growth that has contributed significantly to the high inflation in the services sector. UK’s leading global provider of people data, analytics, and insight firm Brightmine showed on Tuesday that the pay growth has slowed as business owners are cautious before the implementation of an increase in payroll taxes from April. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced an increase in employers’ contribution to National Insurance (NI) from 13.8% to 15% in the Autumn Budget.  Brightmine also said that a significant number of firms have planned a hiring freeze or team restructuring in response to the government’s decision to increase employers’ social security contributions, with some considering pay freezes and delays to increases, Reuters report. Meanwhile, economists expect Average Earnings (Excluding and Including) bonuses to have grown almost steadily by 5.9%. The BoE is expected to keep interest rates steady at 4.5%, with a 7-2 vote split. BoE Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members Catherine Mann and Swati Dhingra are expected to support an interest rate cut, while the other seven policymakers will vote to keep rates unchanged. Investors will pay close attention to BoE Governor Andrew Bailey’s commentary on the UK economic outlook amidst US President Trump’s tariff policies. On Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed in an interview with Fox Business that reciprocal tariffs would become effective on April 2. Bessent added that he is optimistic some of the tariffs may not have to go on because a deal can be “pre-negotiated” or that once countries receive their “reciprocal tariff number”, they will come to us and want to “negotiate it down”. Technical Analysis: Pound Sterling sees upside above 1.3000 The Pound Sterling looks for a fresh trigger to extend its two-month rally above the key level of 1.3000 against the US Dollar on Wednesday. GBP/USD bulls take a breather as the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) reached overbought levels above 70.00. However, this doesn’t reflect that the bullish trend is over. The upside trend could resume once the momentum oscillator cools down to near 60.00. Advancing 20-day and 50-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) near 1.2830 and 1.2690, respectively, suggest that the overall trend is bullish. Looking down, the 50% Fibo retracement at 1.2770 and the 38.2% Fibo retracement at 1.2614 will act as key support zones for the pair. On the upside, the October 15 high of 1.3100 will act as a key resistance zone. 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, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). 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.  

Indonesia Bank Indonesia Rate in line with forecasts (5.75%)

The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, attracts some buyers to around 103.50 during the early European session on Wednesday.

.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 US Dollar Index recovers some lost ground to near 103.50 in Wednesday’s early European session, adding 0.21% on the day. The negative outlook of the index remains intact below the 100-day EMA with a bearish RSI indicator. The initial downside target to watch is 103.20; the first upside barrier is seen at 104.10. The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, attracts some buyers to around 103.50 during the early European session on Wednesday. Traders brace for the Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision later on Wednesday, with no change in rate expected.

The new economic projections from Fed officials will be closely watched as they might offer some hints about how policymakers view the likely impact of US President Donald Trump administration policies.

Technically, the bearish outlook of the DXY remains in place, characterized by the index holding below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily timeframe. The path of least resistance is to the downside as the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which stands below the midline near 31.15, supporting the sellers in the near term. 

In the bearish event, the low of March 18 at 103.20 acts as an initial support level for the USD index. The crucial contention level to watch is 102.00, representing the psychological level and the lower limit of the Bollinger Band. Extended losses could see a drop to 100.53, the low of August 28, 2024. 

On the bright side, the immediate resistance level for the DXY emerges at 104.10, the high of March 14. Further north, the next hurdle is seen at 105.45, the high of November 6, 2024. Any follow-through buying above this level could see a rally to 106.10, the 100-day EMA. US Dollar Index (DXY) daily chart US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.    

Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, March 19: Investors opt to remain on the sidelines while waiting for the Federal Reserve (Fed) to announce monetary policy decisions following the March meeting.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a} .fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, March 19: Investors opt to remain on the sidelines while waiting for the Federal Reserve (Fed) to announce monetary policy decisions following the March meeting. The US central bank will also publish the revised Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), the so-called dot plot.  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 New Zealand Dollar.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   -0.45% -0.33% 0.69% -0.50% -0.42% -1.17% -0.91% EUR 0.45%   0.00% 0.72% -0.05% -0.10% -0.73% -0.47% GBP 0.33% -0.00%   1.05% -0.26% -0.12% -0.74% -0.54% JPY -0.69% -0.72% -1.05%   -1.19% -1.31% -1.79% -1.73% CAD 0.50% 0.05% 0.26% 1.19%   -0.13% -0.66% -0.94% AUD 0.42% 0.10% 0.12% 1.31% 0.13%   -0.59% -0.35% NZD 1.17% 0.73% 0.74% 1.79% 0.66% 0.59%   0.26% CHF 0.91% 0.47% 0.54% 1.73% 0.94% 0.35% -0.26%   The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote). The US Dollar (USD) failed to benefit from the risk-averse market atmosphere on Tuesday, and the USD Index closed the third consecutive day in negative territory. Early Wednesday, the index moves sideways, slightly below 103.50. Meanwhile, US stock index futures trade marginally higher after Wall Street's main indexes suffered large losses on Tuesday. The Fed is widely expected to leave the interest rate unchanged at 4.25%-4.5%. Market participants will scrutinize the revised inflation and growth projections, and pay close attention to comments from Chairman Jerome Powell in the post-meeting press conference starting at 18:30 GMT. During the Asian trading hours on Wednesday, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced that it maintained the short-term interest rate in the range of 0.40%- 0.50% after concluding its two-day monetary policy review meeting, as anticipated. BoJ Governor Kazua Ueda said that they will keep adjusting the degree of monetary easing and added that the underlying inflation is still below 2%. USD/JPY gains traction in the European morning and trades at a fresh two-week high near 150.00.Gold benefited from escalating geopolitical tensions and gained more than 1% on Tuesday. XAU/USD continues to stretch higher early Wednesday and was last seen trading at a fresh record-high above $3,040.EUR/USD posted daily gains on Tuesday and touched its highest level since early October above 1.0950. The pair stays in a consolidation phase but manages to hold comfortably above 1.0900 in the European morning. Later in the session, Eurostat will release revisions to February inflation data. Several European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers are scheduled to deliver speeches as well.GBP/USD corrects lower and trades below 1.3000 after closing marginally higher on Tuesday. The Bank of England will announce monetary policy decisions on Thursday.  Fed FAQs What does the Federal Reserve do, how does it impact the US Dollar? Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback. How often does the Fed hold monetary policy meetings? The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it impact USD? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening (QT) and how does it impact the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.  

Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo speaks at the post-policy meeting press conference on Wednesday, explaining the Bank’s decision to keep the interest rate steady at 0.50%.

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Additional quotes Japan's economy is recovering moderately, although some weak moves are seen. Uncertainties surrounding Japan's economy and prices, including global trade policy trends, remain high. Must pay due attention to FX markets, their impact on Japan's economy, and prices. FX impact on prices has become larger than in past, as firms are more eager to wage, price hikes. Will keep adjusting degree of easing if our economic, price outlook is to be realised. Will guide policy from the standpoint of sustainably, stably achieving price target. This Shunto result largely in line with our January view. Must scrutinise wage trends. Strong momentum of wage hikes spreading to smaller companies. Need to carefully monitor developments in wages.   developing story ... Market reactionUSD/JPY remains strongly bid following these comments. The pair was last seen trading 0.27% higher on the day near 149.75. Bank of Japan FAQs What is the Bank of Japan? The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the Japanese central bank, which sets monetary policy in the country. Its mandate is to issue banknotes and carry out currency and monetary control to ensure price stability, which means an inflation target of around 2%. What has been the Bank of Japan’s policy? The Bank of Japan embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy in 2013 in order to stimulate the economy and fuel inflation amid a low-inflationary environment. The bank’s policy is based on Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE), or printing notes to buy assets such as government or corporate bonds to provide liquidity. In 2016, the bank doubled down on its strategy and further loosened policy by first introducing negative interest rates and then directly controlling the yield of its 10-year government bonds. In March 2024, the BoJ lifted interest rates, effectively retreating from the ultra-loose monetary policy stance. How do Bank of Japan’s decisions influence the Japanese Yen? The Bank’s massive stimulus caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process exacerbated in 2022 and 2023 due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. This trend partly reversed in 2024, when the BoJ decided to abandon its ultra-loose policy stance. Why did the Bank of Japan decide to start unwinding its ultra-loose policy? A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. The prospect of rising salaries in the country – a key element fuelling inflation – also contributed to the move.  

The GBP/JPY cross extends its upside to 194.40 during the early European session on Wednesday.

.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}}GBP/JPY gains momentum to near 194.40 in Wednesday's early European session, adding 0.20% on the day. BoJ kept interest rates steady amid Trump’s tariff threats. BoE is likely to keep interest rates on hold at 4.5% on Thursday. The GBP/JPY cross extends its upside to 194.40 during the early European session on Wednesday. The (JPY) trades slightly weaker after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) decided to keep its policy rate unchanged at its March meeting on Wednesday. The attention will shift to the Bank of England (BoE) interest rate decision on Thursday. The BoJ kept interest rates steady on Wednesday, as widely expected. The Japanese central bank noted in the statement that "Concerning risks to the outlook, there remain high uncertainties surrounding Japan’s economy and prices, including the evolving situation regarding trade and other policies in each jurisdiction.”

Market players will closely monitor the press conference by BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda, which might offer some hints about the interest rate path in Japan. The swaps market is now pricing in nearly 71% chance of a hike by July and certainty by October.

The BoE is expected to keep interest rates on hold on Thursday and stick to its mantra of gradual moves amid the heightened economic uncertainty and mixed news on the UK's economy. The markets anticipate the UK central bank to leave its benchmark interest rate on hold at 4.5%, with the next cut likely in May, followed by further reductions in August and November, according to the majority of economists polled by Reuters last week. 

Policymakers will have to wait until the May meeting to discuss the measures taken by Finance Minister Rachel Reeves on March 26 to defend her fiscal rules, which are now under threat due to weaker-than-expected growth and higher borrowing costs. 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 BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. 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.
 

 

EUR/GBP remains steady after gaining in the previous session, hovering around 0.8420 during Asian trading hours on Wednesday.

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The cross strengthened as the Euro (EUR) found support amid rising demand for increased deficit spending among the Eurozone’s largest economies. In Germany, major political parties—including the CDU/CSU bloc, SPD, and Greens—approved a historic €500 billion spending package for defense and infrastructure, significantly increasing national debt. Additionally, the Euro may benefit from improved risk sentiment amid hopes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to an immediate pause in strikes on energy infrastructure. However, Putin refused to endorse a broader, month-long ceasefire negotiated by Trump’s team with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. On the monetary policy front, traders have scaled back expectations for European Central Bank (ECB) rate cuts this year, now pricing in only two reductions—likely in April and June. Additionally, interest rates are no longer expected to drop below 2%. The Pound Sterling (GBP) trades cautiously as investors focus on the Bank of England’s (BoE) interest rate decision on Thursday. Markets widely anticipate the BoE will maintain borrowing costs at 4.5%, with a likely 7-2 vote split. BoE Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members Catherine Mann and Swati Dhingra are expected to advocate for a rate cut. In February, both pushed for a larger-than-usual 50 basis-point (bps) reduction, while the majority favored a more conventional 25 bps cut. Interest rates FAQs What are interest rates? Interest rates are charged by financial institutions on loans to borrowers and are paid as interest to savers and depositors. They are influenced by base lending rates, which are set by central banks in response to changes in the economy. Central banks normally have a mandate to ensure price stability, which in most cases means targeting a core inflation rate of around 2%. If inflation falls below target the central bank may cut base lending rates, with a view to stimulating lending and boosting the economy. If inflation rises substantially above 2% it normally results in the central bank raising base lending rates in an attempt to lower inflation. How do interest rates impact currencies? Higher interest rates generally help strengthen a country’s currency as they make it a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. How do interest rates influence the price of Gold? Higher interest rates overall weigh on the price of Gold because they increase the opportunity cost of holding Gold instead of investing in an interest-bearing asset or placing cash in the bank. If interest rates are high that usually pushes up the price of the US Dollar (USD), and since Gold is priced in Dollars, this has the effect of lowering the price of Gold. What is the Fed Funds rate? The Fed funds rate is the overnight rate at which US banks lend to each other. It is the oft-quoted headline rate set by the Federal Reserve at its FOMC meetings. It is set as a range, for example 4.75%-5.00%, though the upper limit (in that case 5.00%) is the quoted figure. Market expectations for future Fed funds rate are tracked by the CME FedWatch tool, which shapes how many financial markets behave in anticipation of future Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.  

The USD/CAD pair is seen building on the overnight bounce from the 1.4260 area, or a nearly two-week low, and gaining some follow-through positive traction for the second straight day on Wednesday.

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Spot prices climb back above the 1.4300 mark during the Asian session, though the upside seems limited as traders might opt to wait for the outcome of the highly-anticipated FOMC policy meeting. Market consensus strongly suggests that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will keep the federal funds rate unchanged at the current range of 4.25% to 4.50%. Hence, the focus will be on updated economic projections and the post-meeting press conference, where comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be scrutinized for cues about the future rate-cut path. This, in turn, will play a key role in influencing the US Dollar (USD) price dynamics and provide some meaningful impetus to the USD/CAD pair. Heading into the key central bank event risk, some repositioning trade assists the USD to recover slightly from its lowest level since October touched on Tuesday. Apart from this, subdued Crude Oil prices, following the previous day's late pullback from over a two-week high, undermine the commodity-linked Loonie and support the USD/CAD pair. However, the risk of a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which could impact supply, helps limit the downside for the black liquid. Furthermore, a surprise jump in Canada's annual inflation rate, to  2.6% in February or the highest in eight months, might hold back traders from placing aggressive bearish bets around the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and cap the USD/CAD pair. However, the fact that spot prices are holding comfortably above the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) warrants some caution before positioning for an extension of the pair's recent downfall witnessed over the past week or so.  Canadian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar? The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar. How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar? The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive. How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar? The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD. How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.  

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

FX option expiries for Mar 19 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time via DTCC can be found below. EUR/USD: EUR amounts 1.0750 1.9b 1.0800 2b 1.0850 1.2b 1.0900 1.8b 1.0950 2.1b 1.1150 1.2b GBP/USD: GBP amounts      1.2920 410m 1.3025 642m USD/JPY: USD amounts                                  147.50 452m USD/CHF: USD amounts      0.8910 450m AUD/USD: AUD amounts 0.6230 1.6b 0.6340 1.4b 0.6350 666m USD/CAD: USD amounts        1.4295 634m 1.4325 779m 1.4565 1.6b EUR/GBP: EUR amounts         0.8375 425m

The USD/CHF pair gains ground to around 0.8770 during the Asian session on Wednesday, bolstered by the renewed Greenback demand.

.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}}USD/CHF drifts higher to near 0.8770 in Wednesday’s Asian session. Investors await policy announcements from the Fed on Wednesday.The SNB is likely to cut its key interest rate by 25 bps on Thursday to 0.25%.The USD/CHF pair gains ground to around 0.8770 during the Asian session on Wednesday, bolstered by the renewed Greenback demand. The US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision will take center stage on Wednesday, with no change in rate expected. The attention will shift to the Swiss National Bank (SNB) policy meeting later on Thursday. 

Market consensus suggests that the Fed will keep its federal funds rate unchanged at the current range of 4.25% to 4.50%. Traders will focus on the Press Conference and Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), or ‘dot-plot,’ for more cues about the future interest rate path and the economic outlook. Any hawkish comments from the Fed officials could lift the Greenback against the Swiss Franc (CHF) in the near term. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the possibility of a rate reduction at the May meeting has risen to 25% from 18% a month ago. 

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is anticipated to cut its main policy rate by a quarter percentage point on Thursday to 0.25% and hold it there until at least 2026, according to most economists polled by Reuters. “The only significant uncertainty to the view of the SNB holding rates steady at this meeting, for me, stems from a certain dimming of the global growth picture,” said Claude Maurer, chief economist of Basel-based BAK Economics.  

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday agreed to an immediate pause in strikes against energy infrastructure in the Ukraine war. However, Putin declined to sign up for the comprehensive month-long ceasefire that Trump's team recently worked out with Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia. Traders will watch the developments surrounding the full ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict could boost the safe-haven flows, benefiting the CHF.  Swiss Franc FAQs What key factors drive the Swiss Franc? The Swiss Franc (CHF) is Switzerland’s official currency. It is among the top ten most traded currencies globally, reaching volumes that well exceed the size of the Swiss economy. Its value is determined by the broad market sentiment, the country’s economic health or action taken by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), among other factors. Between 2011 and 2015, the Swiss Franc was pegged to the Euro (EUR). The peg was abruptly removed, resulting in a more than 20% increase in the Franc’s value, causing a turmoil in markets. Even though the peg isn’t in force anymore, CHF fortunes tend to be highly correlated with the Euro ones due to the high dependency of the Swiss economy on the neighboring Eurozone. Why is the Swiss Franc considered a safe-haven currency? The Swiss Franc (CHF) is considered a safe-haven asset, or a currency that investors tend to buy in times of market stress. This is due to the perceived status of Switzerland in the world: a stable economy, a strong export sector, big central bank reserves or a longstanding political stance towards neutrality in global conflicts make the country’s currency a good choice for investors fleeing from risks. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen CHF value against other currencies that are seen as more risky to invest in. How do decisions of the Swiss National Bank impact the Swiss Franc? The Swiss National Bank (SNB) meets four times a year – once every quarter, less than other major central banks – to decide on monetary policy. The bank aims for an annual inflation rate of less than 2%. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF. How does economic data influence the value of the Swiss Franc? Macroeconomic data releases in Switzerland are key to assessing the state of the economy and can impact the Swiss Franc’s (CHF) valuation. The Swiss economy is broadly stable, but any sudden change in economic growth, inflation, current account or the central bank’s currency reserves have the potential to trigger moves in CHF. Generally, high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence are good for CHF. Conversely, if economic data points to weakening momentum, CHF is likely to depreciate. How does the Eurozone monetary policy affect the Swiss Franc? As a small and open economy, Switzerland is heavily dependent on the health of the neighboring Eurozone economies. The broader European Union is Switzerland’s main economic partner and a key political ally, so macroeconomic and monetary policy stability in the Eurozone is essential for Switzerland and, thus, for the Swiss Franc (CHF). With such dependency, some models suggest that the correlation between the fortunes of the Euro (EUR) and the CHF is more than 90%, or close to perfect.  

Gold prices remained broadly unchanged in India on Wednesday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.

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The price for Gold stood at 8,451.82 Indian Rupees (INR) per gram, broadly stable compared with the INR 8,445.86 it cost on Tuesday. The price for Gold was broadly steady at INR 98,580.41 per tola from INR 98,510.83 per tola a day earlier. Unit measure Gold Price in INR 1 Gram 8,451.82 10 Grams 84,518.23 Tola 98,580.41 Troy Ounce 262,881.30   2025 Gold Forecast Guide [PDF] Download your free copy of the 2025 Gold Forecast Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price bulls turn cautious ahead of the highly-anticipated FOMC decision Gold price shot to a fresh record high, around the $3,038-3,039 region on Tuesday as rising Middle East tensions and concerns about US President Donald Trump's tariff plans continue to fuel demand for the safe-haven asset. Israeli airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, killing more than 400 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered strikes because Hamas had rejected proposals to extend the ceasefire held since January.  Trump has threatened to impose reciprocal and sectoral tariffs, which he said will come into effect on April 2. This comes on top of a flat 25% duty on steel and aluminum since February, fueling global trade war fears. Traders ramp up their bets that the Federal Reserve will have to lower interest rates this year by more than expected amid the rising possibility of an economic downturn on the back of the Trump administration’s aggressive policies.  The current market pricing indicated the possibility that the Fed could lower borrowing costs by 25 basis points each at the June, July, and October monetary policy meetings, which further underpins the now-yielding yellow metal. The US Dollar stages a modest bounce from over a five-month low touched on Tuesday as traders opt to lighten their bearish bets ahead of the FOMC decision, scheduled to be announced later during the US session this Wednesday.  The accompanying monetary policy statement and comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be scrutinized closely for cues about the future rate cut path, which will drive the USD demand and influence the XAU/USD pair. FXStreet calculates Gold prices in India by adapting international prices (USD/INR) to the local currency and measurement units. Prices are updated daily based on the market rates taken at the time of publication. Prices are just for reference and local rates could diverge slightly. Gold 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. (An automation tool was used in creating this post.)

Silver (XAG/USD) consolidates in a range around the $34.00 mark during the Asian session on Wednesday and remains close to its highest level since late October touched the previous day.

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The technical setup, meanwhile, seems tilted in favor of bulls and suggests that the path of least resistance for the white metal remains to the upside. This week's bounce from the $33.40 resistance-turned support, along with positive oscillators on the daily chart, validates the constructive outlook and supports prospects for an extension of a nearly three-week-old uptrend. Some follow-through buying beyond the overnight swing high, around the $34.20-$34.25 region, will reaffirm the positive bias and lift the XAG/USD beyond the $34.50-$34.55 intermediate hurdle, towards the $35.00 neighborhood, or a multi-year high touched in October.  On the flip side, any corrective pullback might continue to find some support near the $33.40 region, below which the XAG/USD could accelerate the fall toward the $33.00 round figure. A convincing break below the latter could pave the way for a fall towards the 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) pivotal support, currently pegged near the $31.50-$31.45 zone. This is followed by the $31.25-$31.20 support, the $31.00 mark, and the late February low, around the $30.80 area.  Failure to defend the said support levels might shift the near-term bias in favor of bearish traders and make the XAG/USD vulnerable to accelerate the downfall towards the $30.45-$30.40 support en route to the $30.00 psychological mark. The white metal could eventually drop to the $29.55-$29.50 support and test sub-$29.00 levels, or the year-to-date low touched in January. XAG/USD daily chart Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.  

Japan Capacity Utilization climbed from previous -0.2% to 4.5% in January

Japan Industrial Production (YoY) declined to 2.2% in January from previous 2.6%

Japan Industrial Production (MoM) meets expectations (-1.1%) in January

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price remains under pressure for the second consecutive day, trading around $66.50 per barrel during Asian trading hours on Wednesday.

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The downward trend is driven by expectations of increased Russian supply. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to an immediate pause in strikes on energy infrastructure amid the Ukraine war. However, Putin declined to support a broader, month-long ceasefire negotiated by Trump’s team with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, indicating persistent tensions despite the temporary agreement on energy-related attacks. As one of the world’s largest Oil producers, Russia has seen its output decline since the war began, largely due to Western sanctions. A potential ceasefire could lead to an easing of these sanctions, potentially increasing Oil supply and further pressuring prices. Meanwhile, data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) on Tuesday showed a mixed picture for US crude inventories. Crude Oil stockpiles rose by 4.593 million barrels for the week ending March 14, while gasoline inventories declined by 1.71 million barrels and distillate stocks dropped by 2.15 million barrels. However, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to support Oil prices to some extent. Heightened violence threatens supply disruptions in key oil-producing regions. Trump reaffirmed his administration's commitment to military action against Yemen’s Houthis and warned that Iran would be held accountable for any further attacks disrupting Red Sea shipping. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which ended a week-long ceasefire, resulted in at least 200 casualties, according to Palestinian health authorities, reported by Reuters. WTI Oil FAQs What is WTI Oil? WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media. What factors drive the price of WTI Oil? Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa. How does inventory data impact the price of WTI Oil The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency. How does OPEC influence the price of WTI Oil? OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.  

The EUR/USD pair weakens to near 1.0935 during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday, pressured by a modest recovery in the US Dollar (USD).

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}EUR/USD edges lower to around 1.0935 in Wednesday’s Asian session. The Fed is expected to leave its interest rate unchanged and will update its rate projections on Wednesday. Germany's parliament approved plans for a massive spending surge on Tuesday.The EUR/USD pair weakens to near 1.0935 during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday, pressured by a modest recovery in the US Dollar (USD). Traders prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision on Wednesday. 

The stronger-than-expected US economic data on Tuesday has provided some support to the Greenback. Data released by the Fed showed that Industrial Production in the United States rose by 0.7% MoM in February, compared to 0.3% in January (revised from 0.5%). This reading came in above the market consensus of 0.2%.

Markets widely expect the US central bank to hold rates steady at its March meeting on Wednesday amid persistent inflation concerns and economic uncertainty. The Press Conference and Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), or ‘dot-plot,’ will be closely watched as it might offer more cues about the economic outlook and the path of US interest rates. Across the pond, Germany's parliament approved plans for a massive spending surge on Tuesday. This positive development could underpin the shared currency, as the approval of the plans in the Bundestag on Tuesday would provide the chancellor-in-waiting with a windfall of hundreds of billions of euros to boost investment after two years of contraction in Europe's largest economy. Fed FAQs What does the Federal Reserve do, how does it impact the US Dollar? Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback. How often does the Fed hold monetary policy meetings? The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it impact USD? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening (QT) and how does it impact the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.

 

NZD/USD remains subdued for the second consecutive day, hovering around 0.5810 during Wednesday’s Asian session.

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The pair faces downward pressure following the release of New Zealand’s Q1 2025 Westpac Consumer Survey, which indicated weakening consumer confidence. Westpac New Zealand reported that its confidence index dropped to 89.2 in Q1 from 97.5 in the previous period, the lowest level since Q2 2024. The decline reflects mounting trade tensions, persistent cost-of-living pressures, and financial market volatility. However, the NZD/USD pair may find support from market optimism ahead of New Zealand’s quarterly GDP data release on Thursday. Analysts expect a modest 0.4% rebound in Q4, following two consecutive quarters of contraction. Meanwhile, the US Dollar (USD) remains firm, underpinned by stable Treasury yields as investors await the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision later in the day. Markets widely anticipate the Fed will hold rates steady amid ongoing inflation concerns and economic uncertainty. The US Dollar Index (DXY) trades near 103.30, while US 2-year and 10-year Treasury yields stand at 4.04% and 4.29%, respectively. However, the Greenback faces pressure from weak US economic data and renewed tariff threats from President Donald Trump, adding to market uncertainty. Traders are closely monitoring the Fed’s updated economic projections for insights into the future path of US interest rates. Any hawkish signals could further strengthen the USD against its counterparts. New Zealand Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD. How do decisions of the RBNZ impact the New Zealand Dollar? The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair. How does economic data influence the value of the New Zealand Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate. How does broader risk sentiment impact the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.  

Gold price (XAU/USD) enters a bullish consolidation phase near the all-time peak as bulls pause for a breather and opt to wait for the outcome of a two-day FOMC policy meeting due later during the US session on Wednesday.

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Market consensus strongly suggests that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will keep the federal funds rate unchanged at the current range of 4.25% to 4.50%. Hence, the focus will be on updated economic projections and the post-meeting press conference, where comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be scrutinized for cues about the future rate-cut path. This, in turn, will play a key role in influencing the near-term US Dollar (USD) price dynamics and provide some meaningful impetus to the non-yielding yellow metal. Heading into the key central bank event risk, some repositioning trade assists the USD in recovering slightly from its lowest level since October touched on Tuesday and acts as a headwind for the Gold price. The downside, however, remains cushioned in the wake of the uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and their impact on the global economic outlook. Apart from this, the risk of a further escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continues to act as a tailwind for the safe-haven bullion and supports prospects for an extension of a multi-month-old uptrend. However, slightly overbought conditions on the daily chart might hold back traders from placing fresh bullish bets around the XAU/USD pair. Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price bulls turn cautious ahead of the highly-anticipated FOMC decision Gold price shot to a fresh record high, around the $3,038-3,039 region on Tuesday as rising Middle East tensions and concerns about US President Donald Trump's tariff plans continue to fuel demand for the safe-haven asset. Israeli airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, killing more than 400 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered strikes because Hamas had rejected proposals to extend the ceasefire held since January.  Trump has threatened to impose reciprocal and sectoral tariffs, which he said will come into effect on April 2. This comes on top of a flat 25% duty on steel and aluminum since February, fueling global trade war fears. Traders ramp up their bets that the Federal Reserve will have to lower interest rates this year by more than expected amid the rising possibility of an economic downturn on the back of the Trump administration’s aggressive policies.  The current market pricing indicated the possibility that the Fed could lower borrowing costs by 25 basis points each at the June, July, and October monetary policy meetings, which further underpins the now-yielding yellow metal. The US Dollar stages a modest bounce from over a five-month low touched on Tuesday as traders opt to lighten their bearish bets ahead of the FOMC decision, scheduled to be announced later during the US session this Wednesday.  The accompanying monetary policy statement and comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be scrutinized closely for cues about the future rate cut path, which will drive the USD demand and influence the XAU/USD pair. Gold price needs to consolidate before the next leg up amid slightly overbought RSI on the daily chart The daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) is holding above the 70 mark, suggesting slightly overbought conditions. Heading into the key central bank event risk, this makes it prudent to wait for some near-term consolidation or a modest pullback before traders start positioning for any further appreciating move. Meanwhile, the recent breakout and acceptance above the $3,000 psychological mark suggests that the path of least resistance for the Gold price remains to the upside.  Meanwhile, any corrective slide could be seen as a buying opportunity and remain limited near the $3,005-3,000 area. This is followed by support near the $2,980-2,978 region, which if broken might prompt some technical selling and drag the Gold price to the $2,956 zone. The downward trajectory could extend further towards the $2,930 intermediate support before the XAU/USD eventually drops to the $2,900 mark en route to last week's swing low, around the $2.880 region. 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 EUR/JPY cross extends the rally to around 163.45 during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday.

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The BoJ decided to keep the short-term interest rates target unchanged in the range of 0.40%- 0.50% at its March meeting on Wednesday. The decision aligned with the market expectations. The Japanese Yen (JPY) trades slightly weaker against the Euro (EUR) in an immediate reaction to the rate decision. The swaps markets are now pricing in nearly 71% odds of a hike by July and certainty by October.

Investors will keep an eye on the press conference by BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda, which might offer some hints about the interest rate path in Japan. Meanwhile, the heightened economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could boost the safe-haven flows, which might underpin the JPY. 

On the Euro front, the German parliament's approval of plans for a massive spending surge throws off decades of fiscal conservatism in hopes of boosting economic growth and scaling up military spending for a new era of European collective defence. This, in turn, lifts the shared currency against its rivals. "Germany, and by extension the euro zone, getting their fiscal act together is not only long overdue, but supports the bull case for the common currency over the medium-term," noted Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone. 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 BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. 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.  

AUD/JPY remains firm near 95.10 during Asian trading hours on Wednesday, following the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) interest rate decision.

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As widely expected, the BoJ kept its short-term interest rate target within the 0.40%-0.50% range after concluding its two-day monetary policy review. The BoJ’s BoJ Monetary Policy Statement noted that Japan's economy is recovering moderately, though some weak signs persist. Consumption is increasing gradually, and inflation expectations are rising at a measured pace. However, risks remain, particularly regarding global trade policies and their impact on overseas economies and prices. BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated the central bank’s readiness to raise interest rates further if inflation moves sustainably toward its 2% target. Speaking in parliament on March 12, Ueda emphasized that long-term interest rates are influenced by market expectations for the BoJ’s short-term policy stance, reinforcing the possibility of hikes later in the year. Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar (AUD) remains steady as traders adopt a cautious stance ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision later in the day. Markets expect the Fed to hold rates steady amid persistent inflation concerns and economic uncertainty. On the domestic front, Australia's Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index rose by 0.1% month-over-month in February 2025, maintaining the same pace as the previous month. The six-month annualized growth rate in the index, which provides insight into the economy’s future trajectory, climbed to 0.8% from 0.6%. This reflects continued domestic resilience despite waning support from currency and commodity markets. Economic Indicator BoJ Interest Rate Decision The Bank of Japan (BoJ) announces its interest rate decision after each of the Bank’s eight scheduled annual meetings. Generally, if the BoJ is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is bullish for the Japanese Yen (JPY). Likewise, if the BoJ has a dovish view on the Japanese economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is usually bearish for JPY. Read more. Last release: Wed Mar 19, 2025 02:25 Frequency: IrregularActual: 0.5%Consensus: 0.5%Previous: 0.5%Source: Bank of Japan  

Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision meets forecasts (0.5%)

GBP/USD edges lower, trading around 1.2990 during Asian hours on Wednesday after posting gains in the previous two sessions.

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The pair struggles as the US Dollar (USD) remains firm, supported by stable US Treasury yields ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision later in the day. Markets widely expect the Fed to hold rates steady amid persistent inflation concerns and economic uncertainty. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the USD against six major currencies, trades near 103.40. Meanwhile, yields on 2-year and 10-year US Treasury bonds stand at 4.04% and 4.29%, respectively, at the time of writing. However, the Greenback faced pressure from weak US economic data and renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump, adding to investor uncertainty. Traders are closely watching the Fed’s updated economic projections for further clues on the future path of US interest rates. Any hawkish signals from Fed policymakers could strengthen the USD against its counterparts. Adding to the political landscape, “The Wall Street Journal” reports that Trump has dismissed two Democratic Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioners. Uncertainty lingers over whether he has the authority to do so, fueling speculation about whether this move sets the stage for potential firings of Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Federal Reserve members. The Pound Sterling (GBP) trades cautiously as investors focus on the Bank of England’s (BoE) interest rate decision on Thursday. Markets widely expect the BoE to keep borrowing costs unchanged at 4.5%, with a likely 7-2 vote split. BoE Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members Catherine Mann and Swati Dhingra are expected to advocate for a rate cut. In the February meeting, both officials pushed for a larger-than-usual 50 basis-point (bps) reduction, while the majority favored a more conventional 25 bps cut. Economic Indicator Fed Interest Rate Decision The Federal Reserve (Fed) deliberates on monetary policy and makes a decision on interest rates at eight pre-scheduled meetings per year. It has two mandates: to keep inflation at 2%, and to maintain full employment. Its main tool for achieving this is by setting interest rates – both at which it lends to banks and banks lend to each other. If it decides to hike rates, the US Dollar (USD) tends to strengthen as it attracts more foreign capital inflows. If it cuts rates, it tends to weaken the USD as capital drains out to countries offering higher returns. If rates are left unchanged, attention turns to the tone of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement, and whether it is hawkish (expectant of higher future interest rates), or dovish (expectant of lower future rates). Read more. Next release: Wed Mar 19, 2025 18:00 Frequency: IrregularConsensus: 4.5%Previous: 4.5%Source: Federal Reserve  

The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges lower during the Asian session on Wednesday in reaction to weaker-than-expected domestic data, though it lacks follow-through selling as traders seem reluctant ahead of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) decision.

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The Japanese central bank is widely anticipated to keep the short-term interest rate steady at 0.50% amid the uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade policies and their impact on the economy. Hence, investors will look for signals on the timing and the scope of future rate hikes by the BoJ. The focus will then shift to the outcome of a two-day FOMC policy meeting due to be announced later during the US session. The US central bank is also expected to leave interest rates unchanged, though the markets are pricing in the possibility of three 25 basis points rate cuts by the end of this year. This marks a big divergence in comparison to the BoJ's hawkish stance, which has resulted in the recent sharp narrowing of the US-Japan rate differential and should continue to act as a tailwind for the lower-yielding JPY.  Japanese Yen bulls remain on the defensive in the wake of unimpressive domestic data, ahead of the BoJ  Data released earlier this Wednesday showed that Japan's Trade Balance shifted to a surplus of ¥584.5 billion in February from a deficit of ¥415.43 billion in the same month a year earlier. The reversal was driven by a surge in exports, which increased by 11.4% YoY, and a larger-than-expected fall of 0.7% in imports.  Meanwhile, Japan’s Machinery Orders fell 3.5% MoM in January 2025, significantly worse than the 1.2% decline registered in the previous month. On an annual basis, Machinery Orders rose 4.4% during the reported month, slightly above December’s 4.3% increase, though the reading was below the 6.9% forecast. Adding to this, a Reuters Tankan poll indicated that business sentiment among Japanese manufacturers worsened for the first time in three months during March amid concerns about US tariff policies and weakness in China’s economy. In fact, the manufacturers’ index came in at -1, down from +3 in February.  Investors now look forward to the crucial Bank of Japan decision. This, along with the accompanying policy statement and BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda's comments at the post-meeting press conference, could provide cues about the likely timing of the next interest rate hike and influence the Japanese Yen. The results of Japan's annual spring labor negotiations, which concluded on Friday, showed that firms largely agreed to union demands for strong wage growth for the third straight year. This could boost consumer spending and contribute to rising inflation, giving the BoJ headroom to keep hiking rates. Investors on Wednesday will also focus on the outcome of a two-day FOMC monetary policy meeting, due to be announced later during the US session. Heading into the key central bank event risks, a modest US Dollar recovery from a multi-month low pushes the USD/JPY pair back above mid-149.00s. USD/JPY needs to find acceptance above the 150.00 psychological mark to support prospects for further gains From a technical perspective, the recent breakout above the 100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart was seen as a key trigger for bulls. Moreover, oscillators on the said chart are holding comfortably in positive territory and support prospects for additional gains. That said, the overnight failure ahead of the 150.00 psychological mark warrants some caution. Hence, it will be prudent to wait for a sustained strength beyond the said handle before positioning for a move towards the 150.75-150.80 region, or the 200-period SMA on the 4-hour chart, en route to the 151.00 round figure.  On the flip side, the 149.20 area, followed by the 149.00 mark and the 148.80 region (100-period SMA on the 4-hour chart) should act as immediate support. A convincing break below the latter will suggest that the recent move-up witnessed over the past week or so has run out of steam and drag the USD/JPY pair to the 148.25-148.20 support en route to the 148.00 mark. The downward trajectory could extend further towards the 147.70 area, 147.20 region, and the 147.00 mark before spot prices eventually drop to retest a multi-month low, around the 146.55-146.50 region touched on March 11. Economic Indicator BoJ Monetary Policy Statement At the end of each of its eight policy meetings, the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) releases an official monetary policy statement explaining its policy decision. By communicating the committee's decision as well as its view on the economic outlook and the fall of the committee’s votes regarding whether interest rates or other policy tools should be adjusted, the statement gives clues as to future changes in monetary policy. The statement may influence the volatility of the Japanese Yen (JPY) and determine a short-term positive or negative trend. A hawkish view is considered bullish for JPY, whereas a dovish view is considered bearish. Read more. Next release: Wed Mar 19, 2025 03:00 Frequency: IrregularConsensus: -Previous: -Source: Bank of Japan  

The Australian Dollar (AUD) remains steady on Wednesday after experiencing losses in the previous session.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a} .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 Australian Dollar remains steady as traders exercise caution ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers criticized the Trump administration’s trade policies, calling them "self-defeating and self-sabotaging."The Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, citing persistent inflation concerns and ongoing economic uncertainty.The Australian Dollar (AUD) remains steady on Wednesday after experiencing losses in the previous session. The AUD/USD pair holds its ground as the US Dollar (USD) stays firm, supported by stable US yields ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision later in the day. No changes in rates are expected amid persistent inflation concerns and heightened economic uncertainty. Australia’s Westpac Leading Index rose to 0.8% in February, up from 0.6% in January, reflecting continued domestic resilience despite fading currency and commodity tailwinds. The impact of tariff shocks is beginning to surface, but domestically driven factors are providing solid support. Treasurer Jim Chalmers addressed trade tensions in a speech on Tuesday, rejecting a "race to the bottom" on tariffs. Chalmers criticized the Trump administration’s trade policies as "self-defeating and self-sabotaging," emphasizing Australia’s need to focus on economic resilience rather than retaliation. He also condemned the US decision to exclude Australia from steel and aluminum tariff exemptions, calling it "disappointing, unnecessary, senseless, and wrong." On Monday, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter reiterated the central bank’s cautious stance on rate cuts. The RBA’s February statement signaled a more conservative approach than market expectations, with a strong focus on monitoring US policy decisions and their potential impact on Australia’s inflation outlook.  Australian Dollar remains stable as traders adopt caution ahead of Fed policy decision The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the USD against six major currencies, is trading positively near 103.40 at the time of writing. However, the Greenback faces headwinds as weak US economic data and renewed tariff threats from President Donald Trump add to investor uncertainty. Market participants are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s updated economic projections for insights into the future path of US interest rates. Any hawkish signals from Fed policymakers could provide support for the USD against its peers. The US Census Bureau reported on Monday that Retail Sales increased by 0.2% month-over-month in February, falling short of the market expectation of 0.7%. This followed a revised decline of -1.2% in January (previously reported as -0.9%). On a yearly basis, Retail Sales grew by 3.1%, down from the revised 3.9% in January (previously 4.2%). On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to an immediate pause in strikes targeting energy infrastructure in the Ukraine war. In a Truth Social post following his call with Putin, Trump stated that both sides had committed to a 30-day halt on attacks against each other's energy infrastructure, mirroring statements from the Kremlin. However, Putin declined to endorse a broader month-long ceasefire negotiated by Trump’s team with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, signaling continued tensions despite the temporary agreement on energy targets. US President Donald Trump reaffirmed plans to impose reciprocal and sectoral tariffs on April 2. Trump confirmed that there would be no exemptions for steel and aluminum and mentioned that reciprocal tariffs on specific countries would be implemented alongside auto duties. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australia will not impose reciprocal tariffs on the US, emphasizing that retaliatory measures would only raise costs for Australian consumers and fuel inflation. China introduced a special action plan over the weekend aimed at boosting consumption and improving market sentiment across the region. The plan includes measures to raise wages, encourage household spending, and stabilize stock and real estate markets. Any positive developments related to the Chinese stimulus plan could further support the AUD, given China’s role as a key trading partner for Australia. China's retail sales grew by 4.0% year-over-year in January-February, improving from December’s 3.7% increase. Meanwhile, industrial production rose 5.9% YoY during the same period, exceeding the 5.3% forecast but slightly lower than the previous reading of 6.2%. Australian Dollar finds resistance at 0.6400 near three-month highs The AUD/USD pair is trading around 0.6360 on Wednesday, maintaining its bullish trajectory as it continues to climb within the ascending channel on the daily chart. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains above 50, reinforcing the positive momentum. On the upside, the AUD/USD pair may attempt to retest its three-month high of 0.6408, last reached on February 21. A breakout above this level could strengthen the bullish bias, potentially driving the pair toward the upper boundary of the ascending channel near 0.6490. Key support lies at the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) of 0.6334, aligned with the lower boundary of the ascending channel. Further support is seen at the 50-day EMA at 0.6311. A decisive break below this critical zone could weaken the bullish outlook, exposing the AUD/USD pair to further downside pressure toward the six-week low of 0.6187, recorded on March 5. AUD/USD: Daily Chart Australian Dollar PRICE Today The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   0.09% 0.05% 0.19% 0.02% -0.01% 0.08% 0.05% EUR -0.09%   -0.04% 0.13% -0.08% -0.08% -0.00% -0.03% GBP -0.05% 0.04%   0.16% -0.03% -0.04% 0.04% -0.01% JPY -0.19% -0.13% -0.16%   -0.18% -0.19% -0.13% -0.15% CAD -0.02% 0.08% 0.03% 0.18%   0.00% 0.09% 0.03% AUD 0.00% 0.08% 0.04% 0.19% -0.00%   0.08% 0.08% NZD -0.08% 0.00% -0.04% 0.13% -0.09% -0.08%   -0.04% CHF -0.05% 0.03% 0.00% 0.15% -0.03% -0.08% 0.04%   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 Australian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent AUD (base)/USD (quote). 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.  

The Indian Rupee (INR) loses ground on Wednesday after reaching over a three-week high in the previous session.

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However, a broadly weaker Greenback and an uptick in exporter US Dollar (USD) sales could provide some support to the local currency. Additionally, India’s latest current account data, which showed a surplus in February, might contribute to the INR’s upside.

All eyes will be on the Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision on Wednesday, which is expected to hold interest rates steady. Investors will closely monitor the Press Conference and Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), or ‘dot-plot’ as it might offer some hints about views on the economy and possibly the future path for interest rates. Indian Rupee softens ahead of Fed rate decision India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose to 2.38% in February from 2.31% in January, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported on Monday. This figure came in hotter than the estimation of 2.36%. A White House official said late Tuesday that reciprocal tariffs still intended to take effect from April 2 US Industrial Production rose by 0.7% MoM in February, versus 0.3% prior (revised from 0.5%), according to the Federal Reserve on Tuesday. This reading came in better than the market expectation for a growth of 0.2%. Building permits in the US fell by 1.2% to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 1.456 million in February, slightly higher than market expectations of 1.450 million. It was the biggest drop in five months. US Housing Starts jumps by 11.2% to an annual rate of 1.501 million in February after plunging by 11.5% to a revised rate of 1.350 million in January. The odds of a rate cut at the May meeting have risen to 25% from 18% a month ago, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.  USD/INR remains constructive in the longer term  The Indian Rupee weakens on the day. In the longer term, the USD/INR pair keeps the bullish vibe on the daily chart, with the price holding above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). However, in the near term, the pair has broken out of a symmetrical triangle, while the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands below the midline near 42.60, suggesting that further downside cannot be ruled out. 

The key resistance level for USD/INR is seen near the 87.00 psychological level. Consistent trading above this level could pave the way to 87.38, the high of March 11, en route to 87.53, the high of February 28.

On the flip side, the initial support level is located at 86.48, the low of March 18. A breach of the mentioned level could open the door for a move toward 86.14, the low of January 27, followed by 85.60, the low of January 6.  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.




 


 


 

 

On Wednesday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 7.1697 as compared to the previous day's fix of 7.1733 and 7.2330 Reuters estimate.

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Australia Westpac Leading Index (MoM) fell from previous 0.13% to 0.06% in February

Japan Adjusted Merchandise Trade Balance climbed from previous ¥-856.6B to ¥182.3B in February

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Tuesday that he would support a proposal to stop strikes on energy infrastructure.

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US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday agreed to a partial ceasefire on strikes against energy and infrastructure in their marathon call. Key quotes Zelensky hopes to speak to Trump to receive more details of Putin's call. Ukraine would support a proposal to stop strikes on energy infrastructure. Kyiv's partners would not agree to stop military aid, hope it will continue. Talks about Ukraine without Ukraine will not bring about results. Says he spoke with Scholz and Macron after the Trump-Putin call. Russia is preparing new offensives in the coming months. The unconditional or partially unconditional ceasefire would be a positive result, there are steps towards peace.  Market reaction  At the time of writing, the Gold price (XAU/USD) is trading 0.04% lower on the day to trade at $3,033.  Risk sentiment FAQs What do the terms"risk-on" and "risk-off" mean when referring to sentiment in financial markets? In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off'' refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced. In a “risk-on” market, investors are optimistic about the future and more willing to buy risky assets. In a “risk-off” market investors start to ‘play it safe’ because they are worried about the future, and therefore buy less risky assets that are more certain of bringing a return, even if it is relatively modest. What are the key assets to track to understand risk sentiment dynamics? Typically, during periods of “risk-on”, stock markets will rise, most commodities – except Gold – will also gain in value, since they benefit from a positive growth outlook. The currencies of nations that are heavy commodity exporters strengthen because of increased demand, and Cryptocurrencies rise. In a “risk-off” market, Bonds go up – especially major government Bonds – Gold shines, and safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and US Dollar all benefit. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-on"? The Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and minor FX like the Ruble (RUB) and the South African Rand (ZAR), all tend to rise in markets that are “risk-on”. This is because the economies of these currencies are heavily reliant on commodity exports for growth, and commodities tend to rise in price during risk-on periods. This is because investors foresee greater demand for raw materials in the future due to heightened economic activity. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-off"? The major currencies that tend to rise during periods of “risk-off” are the US Dollar (USD), the Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Swiss Franc (CHF). The US Dollar, because it is the world’s reserve currency, and because in times of crisis investors buy US government debt, which is seen as safe because the largest economy in the world is unlikely to default. The Yen, from increased demand for Japanese government bonds, because a high proportion are held by domestic investors who are unlikely to dump them – even in a crisis. The Swiss Franc, because strict Swiss banking laws offer investors enhanced capital protection.

 

Japan Machinery Orders (MoM) dipped from previous -1.2% to -3.5% in January

Japan Imports (YoY) came in at -0.7%, below expectations (0.1%) in February

Japan Machinery Orders (YoY) came in at 4.4% below forecasts (6.9%) in January

Japan Exports (YoY) came in at 11.4%, below expectations (12.1%) in February

Japan Merchandise Trade Balance Total below forecasts (¥722.8B) in February: Actual (¥584.5B)

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday agreed to an immediate pause in strikes against energy infrastructure in the Ukraine war.

.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}} US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday agreed to an immediate pause in strikes against energy infrastructure in the Ukraine war. Trump’s post echoed the Kremlin, stating that Putin promised to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days. However, the Russian leader declined to sign up for the comprehensive month-long ceasefire that Trump's team recently worked out with Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia.

“We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post after his call with Putin. Market reaction  At the time of writing, the Gold price (XAU/USD) is trading 0.07% lower on the day to trade at $3,032.  Risk sentiment FAQs What do the terms"risk-on" and "risk-off" mean when referring to sentiment in financial markets? In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off'' refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced. In a “risk-on” market, investors are optimistic about the future and more willing to buy risky assets. In a “risk-off” market investors start to ‘play it safe’ because they are worried about the future, and therefore buy less risky assets that are more certain of bringing a return, even if it is relatively modest. What are the key assets to track to understand risk sentiment dynamics? Typically, during periods of “risk-on”, stock markets will rise, most commodities – except Gold – will also gain in value, since they benefit from a positive growth outlook. The currencies of nations that are heavy commodity exporters strengthen because of increased demand, and Cryptocurrencies rise. In a “risk-off” market, Bonds go up – especially major government Bonds – Gold shines, and safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and US Dollar all benefit. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-on"? The Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and minor FX like the Ruble (RUB) and the South African Rand (ZAR), all tend to rise in markets that are “risk-on”. This is because the economies of these currencies are heavily reliant on commodity exports for growth, and commodities tend to rise in price during risk-on periods. This is because investors foresee greater demand for raw materials in the future due to heightened economic activity. Which currencies strengthen when sentiment is "risk-off"? The major currencies that tend to rise during periods of “risk-off” are the US Dollar (USD), the Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Swiss Franc (CHF). The US Dollar, because it is the world’s reserve currency, and because in times of crisis investors buy US government debt, which is seen as safe because the largest economy in the world is unlikely to default. The Yen, from increased demand for Japanese government bonds, because a high proportion are held by domestic investors who are unlikely to dump them – even in a crisis. The Swiss Franc, because strict Swiss banking laws offer investors enhanced capital protection.  

EUR/USD rose slightly on Tuesday, climbing one-fifth of one percent to continue testing the 1.0950 region.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}EUR/USD rose a scant 0.2% on Tuesday, testing 1.0950.Markets are tilted risk-on despite a high-impact Fed rate call on the cards.An update to the Fed’s own interest rate projections is due on Wednesday.EUR/USD rose slightly on Tuesday, climbing one-fifth of one percent to continue testing the 1.0950 region. Fiber clipped into a fresh 23-month high as broad-market risk appetite tilts firmly risk-on ahead of the Fed’s upcoming rate call on Wednesday. Final European Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) figures are also due on Wednesday, though the final print is expected to show no material change from the preliminary print. European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde will be making an appearance on Thursday, as the EU leaders’ summit gets underway during the back half of the trading week.Forex Today: Fed expected to keep rates unchangedThe Federal Reserve (Fed) is set to announce its latest interest rate decision on Wednesday. The CME’s FedWatch Tool indicates that market participants largely expect the Fed to maintain its current rate for the next two meetings, with a potential quarter-point rate reduction anticipated at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in June. This week, the FOMC will also release its updated interest rate forecasts, which could significantly alter expectations for rate cuts if the Fed policymakers’ outlook on interest rates diverges significantly from existing market predictions. EUR/USD price forecast From a technical viewpoint, the Stochastic Oscillator is currently in overbought territory above 80.00, though it is showing signs of flattening, indicating a reduction in bullish momentum. Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) displays flat green bars, suggesting a lack of strong trend conviction. Collectively, these indicators imply that the pair may enter a consolidation phase prior to making a definitive move. Looking ahead, resistance is positioned at the 1.1000 level, which has historically served as a significant barrier. On the downside, initial support can be found around 1.0850, with more substantial support near the 20-day moving average close to 1.0800. A decline below these thresholds could trigger a corrective reaction, while consistent trading above 1.0900 would maintain the overall bullish outlook. EUR/USD daily chart Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 19 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.  

Silver price rally halts for the second straight day, with bulls remaining unable to decisively clear the $34.00 figure for the second consecutive day despite registering a yearly peak of $34.23.

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At the time of writing, the XAG/USD trades at $33.97, virtually unchanged, as Wednesday’s Asian session commences. XAG/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook On Tuesday, Silver traded mostly sideways and printed a daily close below 50% of the candle's size, indicating that neither buyers nor sellers are in charge. Although the overall trend suggests the uptrend might continue, bulls seem to take a breather as depicted by the Relative Strength Index (RSI) turning flatlines near overbought territory. If XAG/USD rises past $34.20, the next key resistance would be the October 30, 2024, peak at $34.51, followed by the $35.00 mark. On the flip side, if Silver’s remains below $34.00, the first support would be the March 18 low of $33.75, followed by the March 17 through at $33.44. XAG/USD Price Chart – Daily Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.  

The USD/CAD pair loses traction to near 1.4300 during the late American session on Tuesday, pressured by the weaker US Dollar (USD) and lower US yields.

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The latest Canadian inflation data has added to the challenges faced by the Bank of Canada (BoC). The annual inflation rate, as measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), climbed to 2.6% in February from 1.9% in January, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday. This reading came in hotter than the market expectation of 2.1%.

The CPI rose 1.1% MoM in February, compared to 0.1% in January, hotter than the 0.6% expected. The core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.4% MoM in February, matching January's increase. 

Currency swaps put the chance of a pause on interest rate cuts at 59%, according to Reuters, while economists' forecasts are mixed. The Canadian Dollar (CAD) attracts some buyers in an immediate reaction to the hotter inflation data. 

The Greenback remains under selling pressure due to fears of an economic slowdown in the United States. The Fed is expected to hold its monetary policy stance at its March meeting on Wednesday amid persistent inflation concerns and heightened economic uncertainty. Traders will keep an eye on the new economic projections from Fed officials for more cues about the path of US interest rates. Any hawkish comments from the Fed policymakers could lift the USD against the CAD in the near term. 

"The SEP (Summary of Economic Projections) will be the most interesting aspect, I imagine, with near-term inflation expectations likely nudged higher, and growth projections marked down a touch, though conviction behind those forecasts is going to be lacking, amid the ever-changing macro outlook," said Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone. Canadian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar? The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar. How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar? The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive. How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar? The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD. How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.  

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is on track to keep the short-term interest rate steady at 0.50% following its two-day March monetary policy review on Wednesday.

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50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}The Bank of Japan is expected to hold interest rates at 0.50% on Wednesday.The focus will be on the BoJ’s hints on the timing and scope of future rate hikes.The Japanese Yen is set to rock on BoJ policy announcements-induced volatility.The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is on track to keep the short-term interest rate steady at 0.50% following its two-day March monetary policy review on Wednesday. Any signals on the timing and the scope of future rate hikes by the BoJ will likely infuse intense volatility around the Japanese Yen (JPY). What to expect from the BoJ interest rate decision? The BoJ is widely expected to pause its rate-hiking cycle this month after raising its policy rate to 0.50%, the highest level in 17 years, from 0.25% in January on the view that Japan was progressing toward achieving its 2% inflation target. Just before the BoJ’s January policy meeting, US President Donald Trump returned to the White House and proceeded with the proposed tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico. Trump’s protectionism has triggered a tariff war globally, throwing major central banks worldwide in a dilemma. Though rising inflationary pressures globally due to Trump’s tariff could be a boon for the BoJ hawks, policymakers remain wary of Japanese economic prospects after the final Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased 0.6% on a quarterly basis in the fourth quarter of 2024, a slower pace than the 0.7% expansion initially reported. Despite escalating trade war and economic slowdown fears, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda and his colleagues continued to hint at further rate hikes if inflation moves sustainably toward its 2% target. "Long-term interest rates move on various factors. But the biggest determinant is the market’s forecast on the outlook for our short-term policy rate," Ueda told parliament on March 12, emphasizing the Bank’s resolve to keep raising short-term interest rates. This narrative seems to be backed by Japan’s inflation remaining at its highest level since January 2023. The annual National Consumer Price Index (CPI) jumped 4% in January from December’s 3.6% print. The so-called “core-core” inflation rate, which strips out prices of fresh food and energy and is closely monitored by the BoJ, rose slightly to 2.5% in the same period from 2.4% in the month before. Further, the country’s 10-year government bond yields recently surged to their highest level since October 2008, anticipating higher inflationary pressures. At the same time, the Japanese Yen (JPY) reached five-month highs against the US Dollar (USD). More so, Japan's average monthly household spending rose 0.8% year-on-year (YoY) in inflation-adjusted real terms in January, marking the second consecutive month of growth. The elevated cost of living brings closer scrutiny to the initial result of the spring wage negotiations (Shunto) announced on Friday. Japan's largest trade union group Rengo’s first-round data shows an average wage hike of 5.46% for fiscal 2025, compared to the demand of a 6.09% hike. The results, however, came in above the last year’s 5.28% raise. These factors continue to raise expectations of rate hikes by the Japanese central bank in the upcoming months. The latest Bloomberg survey of economists showed that “July remained the favorite choice for the next hike with 48% expecting a move then, dropping from 56% in the previous survey.“ Analysts at BBH said: “The two-day Bank of Japan meeting ends Wednesday with a widely expected hold. The bank just hiked rates 25 bp at the last meeting in January.” “BoJ Governor Ueda has cautioned that the policy path will be guided by checking the impact of rate hikes already undertaken, which argues against back-to-back rate hikes. The swaps market is pricing in the next 25 bp rate increase for September,” the analysts added. How could the Bank of Japan's interest rate decision affect USD/JPY? If the BoJ reiterates that it will remain data-dependent and decides on a meeting-by-meeting basis, the Japanese Yen will likely resume its recent bearish momentum against the US Dollar (USD), driving USD/JPY back toward the March high of 151.31. On the contrary, USD/JPY could fall hard toward 146.50 on a fresh JPY rally if the BoJ debates the next rate hike as soon as May due to concerns about inflationary pressure from wage gains, stubborn rises in food costs, and the trade war's impact. Citing a source familiar with the BoJ's thinking, Reuters reported last week, "Japan's economy and price developments appear on track, but overseas risks have risen.” "The heightening global uncertainty is a concern and could affect the BoJ's rate-hike timing," the source said, a view echoed by two more sources. However, any knee-jerk reaction to the BoJ policy announcements could be reversed once Governor Ueda addresses the post-policy meeting press conference at 6:30 GMT. From a technical perspective, Dhwani Mehta, Asian Session Lead Analyst at FXStreet, notes: “USD/JPY appears at a critical juncture, exposed to two-way risks in the lead up to the BoJ’s decision. The pair has recaptured the 21-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 149.14, but the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains beneath 50 despite the recent upswing.” “A hawkish BoJ hold could revive the USD/JPY downtrend, targeting the March 13 low of 147.41. The next support is seen at the 147.00 threshold. A sustained break below that level would challenge the five-month low of 146.54. On the flip side, buyers need acceptance above the 150.00 psychological level to extend the uptrend toward the March high of 151.31. The 200-day SMA at 151.93 will act as a tough nut to crack thereafter,” Dhwani adds. Economic Indicator BoJ Interest Rate Decision The Bank of Japan (BoJ) announces its interest rate decision after each of the Bank’s eight scheduled annual meetings. Generally, if the BoJ is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is bullish for the Japanese Yen (JPY). Likewise, if the BoJ has a dovish view on the Japanese economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is usually bearish for JPY. Read more. Next release: Wed Mar 19, 2025 03:00 Frequency: IrregularConsensus: 0.5%Previous: 0.5%Source: Bank of Japan Central banks FAQs What does a central bank do? Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%. What does a central bank do when inflation undershoots or overshoots its projected target? A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing. Who decides on monetary policy and interest rates? A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%. Is there a president or head of a central bank? Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.  

The USD/jPY finished Tuesday’s session with anemic gains of 0.04%.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-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-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}USD/JPY ends flat at 149.38, erasing a 0.54% loss as safe-haven flows boost the Yen late in the session.‘Gravestone doji’ pattern forms, signaling momentum shift to the downside, with first support at 149.00.A break above 150.00 could trigger gains toward 150.67, but RSI flattening suggests limited upside potential.The USD/jPY finished Tuesday’s session with anemic gains of 0.04%. The session was characterized by overall Japanese Yen (JPY) weakness until its safe-haven status boosted the Yen to trim earlier losses of 0.54%. As Wednesday’s Asian session begins, the pair trades at 149,38, virtually unchanged. USD/JPY Price Forecast: Technical outlook The USD/JPY rallied over 2.32% since bottoming around March 11 low of 146.54 and hit a high of 149.93 on March 18 before pulling back to current spot prices. Sellers moved late in yesterday’s session, helping to overcome earlier buying pressure. Therefore a ‘gravestone doji’ formed, hinting that momentum has shifted to the downside. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) aims slightly up, but the slope flattened somewhat, which could indicate a bearish continuation. The USD/JPY first support would be the 149.00 figure. A breach of the latter will expose the Tenkan-sen at 148.20, closely followed by the March 14 low of 147.76. Conversely, if buyers push the pair above 150.00, this will expose the Kijun-sen at 150.67 before testing the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 151.91. USD/JPY Price Chart – Daily Japanese Yen PRICE This week The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies this week. Japanese Yen was the strongest against the US Dollar.   USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD   -0.58% -0.48% 0.42% -0.58% -0.44% -1.23% -0.90% EUR 0.58%   -0.02% 0.59% 0.00% 0.00% -0.67% -0.35% GBP 0.48% 0.02%   0.93% -0.20% 0.00% -0.67% -0.41% JPY -0.42% -0.59% -0.93%   -0.99% -1.07% -1.59% -1.48% CAD 0.58% -0.00% 0.20% 0.99%   -0.06% -0.65% -0.87% AUD 0.44% -0.00% -0.00% 1.07% 0.06%   -0.64% -0.34% NZD 1.23% 0.67% 0.67% 1.59% 0.65% 0.64%   0.32% CHF 0.90% 0.35% 0.41% 1.48% 0.87% 0.34% -0.32%   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 Japanese Yen from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent JPY (base)/USD (quote).  

GBP/USD traded thinly on Tuesday, but still inched back into the 1.3000 handle, chalking in a fresh 19-week high ahead of high-impact rate calls from both the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE).

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The Fed is widely expected to hold steady on rates this week, but a fresh update to the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) interest rate expectations will draw plenty of eyes. The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) latest rate call is due on Wednesday. According to the CME’s FedWatch Tool, rate markets broadly anticipate the Fed to stand pat on rates for the next two meetings, with the next quarter-point rate trim expected at the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) June meeting. However, the FOMC’s latest interest rate forecasts will be released this week. They could send rate cut expectations through the wringer if Fed policymaker’s expectations for interest rates deviate wildly from current market forecasts. The BoE’s upcoming rate call on Thursday will draw some Cable traders’ attention, but not nearly as much as the Fed’s showing during the midweek market session. After the BoE’s latest rate cut last month, the UK’s central bank is expected to vote 7-to-2 to keep rates unchanged at 4.5%, with two particularly dovish policymakers expected to vote for another quarter-point cut. GBP/USD price forecast GBP/USD is testing into its third straight week of gains, clipping back into the 1.3000 handle for the first time since last November. The pair is now trading 7.5% above January’s multi-month low of 1.2100. Near-term price action is still tilted firmly in favor of Cable bulls, however GBP/USD may have overextended itself as technical oscillators remain pinned deep in overbought territory. GBP/USD daily chart 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, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). 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.  
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การเตือนความเสี่ยง: การเทรดมีความเสี่ยง เงินทุนของคุณมีความเสี่ยง Exinity Limited มีการกำกับดูแลโดย FSC (มอริเชียส)