USD
The US dollar managed to hold on to its gains thanks to the return in risk aversion.
A few other policymakers gave testimonies but none sounded as hawkish as Dudley. The US current account balance widened to $117 billion but this was smaller than the projected $124 billion shortfall. US existing home sales data is due next.
EUR
The euro managed to hold its ground since it appears to be trading as the safe-haven in the region. The euro zone current account surplus was lower than expected at 22.2 billion EUR versus the 31.3 billion EUR consensus. There are no major reports due from the region today.
GBP
The pound was the weakest of the bunch as traders continued to price in Brexit uncertainties. PM May has yet to strike a coalition with the DUP and traders are looking to the Queen’s Speech for reassurance. BOE Governor Carney was not as hawkish as his other policymakers who voted for a hike in last week’s decision. UK public sector borrowing data is due next, along with a speech by MPC member Haldane.
CHF
The franc had a mixed run as it gained ground to the European currencies but tumbled against the commodity currencies. SNB head Jordan continued to jawbone the currency, threatening to intervene in the forex market if the franc keeps appreciating. The SNB Quarterly Bulletin is up for release next.
JPY
The yen regained some ground as risk-off flows were seen for the most part of the day. There were no reports out of Japan and today has the BOJ minutes lined up. Still, overall market sentiment could be the main driver of yen movements.
Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)
The Loonie paused from its climb when crude oil tumbled to its nine-month low on rising output from Libya. The country, which is exempted from the OPEC deal, struck a deal with Germany’s Wintershall to increase production and is likely to stay on track to meet its 1M bpd target for next month. In New Zealand, the GDT auction yielded a 0.8% drop in dairy prices and the RBNZ decision is due next.
By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way
