Since most markets were still closed for the holidays, dollar action was relatively subdued throughout Monday.
There were no major reports released and US equities squeezed out modest gains. Markets reopen today and the US will print its CB consumer confidence index and Richmond manufacturing index.
European Currencies (EUR, GBP, CHF)
The euro was on slightly weaker footing as the ECB told Italian bank Monte dei Paschi it needs 8.8 billion EUR to recapitalize. There are no reports due from the euro zone today, although markets are set to reopen as well. The pound traded mostly sideways and could continue to do so for today, as UK banks are still closed for the holidays. Franc trading could be filled with consolidation also.
JPY
The yen seems to have shrugged off the downbeat figures printed from Japan as risk aversion is propping the lower-yielding currency up. Household spending sank 1.5% on a year-over-year basis instead of rising by 0.2% while the unemployment rate rose from 3.0% to 3.1%. The Tokyo core CPI showed a 0.6% drop, worse than the projected 0.4% decline, while the national core CPI was down 0.4% versus the estimated 0.3% dip. BOJ core CPI and Japanese housing starts data are due next.
Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)
The comdolls weakened for the day as risk aversion seemed to be lingering in the markets. Tensions between China and Taiwan have dampened investor sentiment in the Asian region while concerns about Trump’s trade renegotiation plans weighed on commodities as well. There are no reports due from the comdoll economies today.
