USD
The US dollar was in a weak spot as equities started the week on a positive note and traders seem wary of a cautious tone from new Fed Chair Powell’s testimony.
US new home sales also came in weaker than expected with a surprise fall. CB consumer confidence and US durable goods orders data are also due today.
EUR
The euro managed to score some gains when ECB head Draghi offered a few more optimistic remarks on the economy. He acknowledged that euro zone growth has been robust and that the labor market could see more improvements. However, he also warned that financial market volatility and currency movements warrant close monitoring. Flash CPI readings from Germany and Spain are due today and gains are eyed.
GBP
The pound was able to catch a bid as leaders continued to talk about a potential trade agreement with the EU even after Brexit. UK Labour leader Corbyn said that the government wants to negotiate a new customs union that could preserve a tariff-free arrangement. There are no reports due from the UK today so the focus could stay on Brexit headlines.
CHF
The franc gave up a bit of ground as risk appetite was in play. There were no reports out of the Swiss economy then and none are due today, which suggests that the franc could take its cue from sentiment or euro movements.
JPY
The yen gapped down over the weekend as market watchers are bracing for BOJ head Kuroda’s testimony. There are no other major reports due from Japan, leaving yen pairs to react to overall sentiment as well.
Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)
The Loonie was one of the weaker performers as falling crude oil and NAFTA jitters weighed on the currency. Word is that Mexico’s President Nieto called off a visit to the US after a phone call in which Trump refused to announce that Mexico won’t have to foot the bill for the border wall. New Zealand reported a trade deficit of 566 million NZD after the earlier 596 million NZD surplus, but this was still better compared to the estimated 2.71B NZD deficit.
By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way
