USD

The US dollar gave up ground against its forex peers earlier on in the week as risk appetite returned to the markets. 

However, traders seem to be booking profits off their recent dollar shorts. Data from the US economy came in mixed, as the JOLTS job openings report showed fewer than expected hiring opportunities while wholesale inventories suggested a rise in demand. FOMC member Bullard noted that he doesn’t see the risk of recession in the US and that stimulus might not be necessary. The Fed Beige Book is up for release next.

EUR

The euro had a mixed performance as it advanced to the yen but gave up ground to the dollar, pound, comdolls. Data from the euro zone was slightly better than expected but traders appear to be more focused on the Italian banking crisis and the possibility of contagion. French final CPI and euro zone industrial production reports are due today.

GBP

The pound continued to advance against most of its peers, thanks to the improving political landscape in the UK. BOE Governor Carney didn’t drop any dovish clues in his latest testimony, leading traders to lighten up on their pound shorts ahead of the central bank statement on Thursday.

CHF

The franc lost further ground to its peers despite the lack of data from Switzerland. Traders seem to have shifted to a short bias on the Swiss currency after the SNB confirmed that they had intervened in the currency markets recently. There are still no reports due from the Swiss economy today.

JPY

The yen carried on with another day of declines as traders continued to speculate about additional easing efforts from the central bank and government. Data from Japan was mostly in line with expectations as the PPI was down 4.2% year-over-year while tertiary industry activity fell 0.7%. Japan’s revised industrial production report is due next.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls took advantage of the pickup in risk-taking during recent trading sessions, advancing against the European currencies and the yen. Westpac consumer sentiment in Australia fell 3.0% this month, following the previous 1.0% decline. China’s trade balance is up for release next and the BOC will make its monetary policy decision in the upcoming US session. US crude oil inventories data is also due.

By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way