USD 

The US dollar advanced against the euro and the pound even as data from the US came in mixed. 

The CB consumer confidence index fell from a downgraded 103.5 figure to 98.6, worse than the estimated fall to 101.5, while the Richmond manufacturing index rose from 46.7 to 51.3. US flash services PMI and new home sales data are up for release today. 

EUR

The euro suffered a sharp selloff when ECB Governor Draghi reiterated that stimulus measures will stay in place until the region hits its inflation targets. Data from Germany was stronger than expected, as its Ifo business climate index jumped from 109.5 to 110.5, higher than the estimated rise to 109.6. Germany’s GfK consumer climate index is due, along with import prices and Italian retail sales data. 

GBP

The pound sold off in anticipation of dovish remarks from BOE Governor Carney but was able to bounce back when the central bank head acknowledged that the depreciating currency would be positive for inflation. This led market watchers to speculate that the UK central bank won’t need to adjust policy soon. UK preliminary GDP data is due today and a 0.3% growth figure is eyed, slower than the earlier 0.7% gain, but an upside surprise could be seen. 

CHF

The franc had a mixed performance as the lack of top-tier data from Switzerland kept it sensitive to country-specific data. The UBS consumption indicator is up for release today and an improvement from the earlier 1.53 reading could spark gains for the Swiss currency. 

JPY

The yen was mostly weaker against its peers as risk appetite kept higher-yielders supported. There were no major reports out of Japan then and none are due today so risk sentiment could keep pushing yen pairs around. 

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The Aussie got a boost from stronger than expected Australian CPI, with price levels picking up 0.7% versus the estimated 0.5% gain. The trimmed mean CPI came in line with estimates of a 0.4% increase, which might be enough to keep the RBA in its neutral stance. US crude oil inventories data is due and a draw in stockpiles could be positive for the oil-related Loonie, which has been weighed down by reports that Russia and Iraq are unwilling to participate in an output deal. 

By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way