Daily Market News By FXNET

[FxNet]

Asian Session - Dollar regains some losses against yen

The US dollar rebounded against the yen to recover some losses made after a huge tumble following disappointing US nonfarm payrolls data on Friday.

The data raised concern about the health of the US economy and led to speculation that a Fed rate hike may be further delayed.

The weaker jobs number caused a sell-off in the dollar and investors were forced to unwind stretched short positions on the yen. This gave the Japanese currency a bit of a breather from recent weakening.

UDJPY climbed up to 103.48 yen in the Asian session, up 0.5 percent to recover some losses after its big drop on Monday, when the pair fell over 1 percent to a one-month low.

A trade report from Japan today showed that country’s current account recorded a larger deficit in November, weighing further on Japan’s balance of payments. This will dent sentiment on the yen.
In other currencies, the euro remained steady against the dollar, close to Friday’s highs when it rallied on the back of the US jobs report. EURUSD traded at $1.3666, off a one-month low of $1.3548 hit on Thursday.

The pound remains weak after falling on Monday against the dollar. Key risk for the sterling will be UK inflation data due later today. GBPUSD ended in Asia at $1.6387, rebounding slightly from yesterday’s low of $1.6346.

The Australian dollar, which has benefited from weakness in its US counterpart and hit a one-month high on Monday, has since retreated, down to $0.9034. AUDUSD is down 0.2percent from Monday’s high of $0.9087.

Key data to watch for in the European session will be UK CPI and Euro zone industrial production data. During the US session, US retail sales data are scheduled for release.

 

[FxNet]

Market report By Fxnet 15 Jan

Asian Session – Dollar broadly stronger after US retail sales

The dollar resumed strength after solid US retail sales data from Tuesday and managed to regain ground against the majors. Also buoying the greenback were hawkish comments from two Federal Reserve policymakers (Richard Fisher and Charles Plosser ) who signaled they are in favour of tapering and ending the Fed’s current bond buying program.

Plosser even downplayed the weak December US jobs report released on Friday.
As a result of investors’ expectations of a rate hike now being brought forward, this helped lift the dollar higher against most of its major counterparts.

December US retail sales edged up in December with a core spending index posting a big increase, a sign the US economy gathered steam at the end of last year and was poised for stronger growth in 2014.

The dollar built on Tuesday’s recovery against the yen, with USDJPY rising to highs of 104.46 in the Asian session. Yesterday the dollar rallied more than 1% against the yen to pull away from a near one-month low of 102.85 yen.

The Australian dollar was a currency that stood out as it slid nearly 1% to $0.8910, reversing a move towards $0.9100 cents early in the week.

The euro lost gains made from a rally yesterday against the dollar that was inspired by ECB Nowotny’s upbeat comments about the Eurozone growth outlook.

The EURUSD retreated from a two-week high just shy of $1.3700 hit on Tuesday to trade at $1.3626, down 0.3% from late US session levels.
The euro stayed close to yesterday’s high when EURJPY rose to 142.61 yen, slipping slightly to 142.37.

Sterling fell back moderately in line with broad dollar strength, with GBPUSD slipping from $1.6443 to $1.6412.

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 16 Jan

Asian Session - Aussie suffers big losses jobs data

The Australian dollar suffered heavy losses in the wake of the release of the December employment report. Jobs in Australia decreased by 22,600 last month, following November’s revised 15,400 gain, according to the country’s statistics bureau. This was a huge miss compared with a 10,000 increase predicted by economists. The unemployment rate remained at 5.8 percent.

AUDUSD tumbled over 100 pips after the data, falling to a low of $0.8794 from a pre-data level of $0.8903. On Monday the aussie hit a one-month high of $0.9085.

The US dollar continued to be the best performer as growing consensus in markets is that the Federal Reserve will continue with tapering on speculation the US economic recovery is strong enough.

Lending support to the dollar is stronger than expected manufacturing and PPI data and an upbeat Empire State manufacturing index from Tuesday.

The dollar rose for a third day against the yen, its longest advance this month, reaching a high of 104.91.

Initial jobless claims data in the US will be released today and will be the next risk event for the dollar. The figure for claims the previous week (period ending January 11) is forecast to fall by 328,000, which would be the fewest since November. The prior number was 330,000.

EURUSD opened in Asia at $1.3602 after trading as low as $1.3581 yesterday. The pair rose to $1.3627.

EURJPY rose in tandem with USDJPY, up from 142.23 early to highs of 142.90 yen.

GBPUSD trading was more muted however, as the pair traded a range between $1.6345 and $1.6373.

In the upcoming European session, a key risk event for the euro will be Eurozone inflation data (CPI).

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 17-01-2014

Asian Session - Tight ranges as mixed data keep markets subdued

There was limited movement during the Asian session as markets took on a risk-off tone, and major currency pairs merely consolidated prior moves. Mixed US data has resulted in a mixed dollar.
Soft US inflation data and disappointing US corporate results dampened investor sentiment, although an upbeat Philly Fed Manufacturing Index released on Thursday helped keep the US dollar steady. Also initial jobless claims beat economists’ forecasts, and this kept the Fed taper expectations alive.
USDJPY saw consolidation in Asia after a big reversal yesterday to lows of 104.15 yen. The pair was capped below 104.40 in Asia, trading a tight 20-pip range.
Other yen crosses were mostly range-bound too as risk aversion led to some yen strength due to safe haven flows into the Japanese currency.
EURJPY traded a tight 141.85-142.15 range around 142.00. AUDJPY consolidated losses following the plunge to 91.62 yesterday and traded between 91.75-92.10. GBPJPY traded between 170.11-69.
The euro is under pressure on deflation fears after not so spectacular Euro Zone inflation data yesterday. CPI came in at 0.8% m/m as expected while the core figure actually came in lower than expected at 0.7% versus 0.9% forecast.
EURUSD opened in Asia at $1.3618 and could only manage a $1.3610-20 range.
Sterling remains weak, with GBPUSD trading within a range all week, with support at $1.6313 and resistance at $1.6382. Key risk for the pound will be UK retail sales data due later today.
AUDUSD opened in Asia at $0.8820 and consolidated losses after a huge plunge to a 3-1/2 year low yesterday on the back of dismal Australian jobs data. Speculation is now growing that the Reserve Bank of Australia could cut interest rates.

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 20-01-2014

Asian Session - Yen bounces against US dollar

The yen recovered some losses against the US dollar during Asian trading hours. The Bank of Japan policy meeting will be a key risk event for the yen. Speculation that the central bank may hold off more easing is helping the currency rise against all its major peers today, while a decline in Asian stocks boosted its allure as a haven.
USDJPY saw weakness early in the session, dipping down to just below the key 104.00 yen level before moving back up to 104.15. EURJPY fell from 141.11 to 140.33 before bouncing to around 140.60.
The dollar however made gains versus the euro, reaching its strongest level since November. Lending support to the dollar is the fact that many expect the Federal Reserve to continue with tapering.

EURUSD drifted off early in Tokyo, but then there were small moves, as is often the case in this timezone. After a brief drop to 1.3506, the pair steadied above 1.3525.
The pound edged slightly lower against the dollar but remained buoyed following a good UK retail sales report on Friday. GBPUSD opened in Asia at 1.6416 and headed higher at the end of the session towards 1.6430.
AUDUSD opened in Asia at 0.8780 and traded heavy but sideways between 0.8756-80 initially. The relatively good China GDP data for the fourth quarter managed to give a leg up for the aussie, which rose to 0.8805. China is a major trading partner for Australia so any Chinese data are important for the AUD.
Today is a public holiday in the United States, so trading in USD especially in the US session will be quiet.

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 21-01-2014
Asian Session – USDJPY bounces on broad yen weakness

The US holiday on Monday and limited data releases kept volumes thin even in the Asian session. Most major currency pairs lacked clear direction although the yen pairs made some recovery in Asia this morning.
USDJPY rebounded to 104.68 in Asia from the US session low of 103.90. The US dollar is expected to improve as expectations grow for more Fed tapering and a more solid US economic recovery. Meanwhile a rising Tokyo Nikkei led to less flows into the yen.
Other yen crosses were bid, with EURJPY up from 141.07 to 141.823 and GBPJPY from 170.97 to 171.95.
EURUSD opened in Asia at 1.3550 after a very quiet North American session due to the US public holiday. The pair moved further off 2-month lows to a session high of 1.3560. This level proved to be strong resistance and due to the broadly stronger dollar, the euro was pressured down to the lower 1.3540s.
GBPUSD did not take any clear direction in Asia, continuing to trade sideways since it surged on strong UK retail sales data on Friday. Cable traded a range of 1.6410 and 1.6434.
AUDUSD edged slightly higher 0.8836, making a recovery from Monday’s more than 3-year low of 0.8755.
Looking ahead to the European session, German data will be in focus and could impact the euro. January’s ZEW economic sentiment index will be released, with a forecast of 64.0, compared to a previous 62.0.

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 22-01-2014

Asian Session - Yen weakens after Bank of Japan keeps monetary policy on hold

The main focus in the Asian session today was the Bank of Japan policy meeting. The yen briefly jumps higher after the BoJ kept policy unchanged, which was expected.

Disappointment arose as some investors had hoped for additional easing measures sooner rather than later ahead of a scheduled sales tax hike in April. As a result, the yen fell back down.

USDJPY had a choppy session. The pair traded above 104.15 before the BoJ announcement, then dipped to 103.95 before climbing back up to 104.56. EURJPY also see-sawed, and swung from lows of 141.04 to highs of 141.75.

The Australian dollar mostly stole the spotlight today, after a surprise surge on the back of domestic inflation data. Australian CPI rose 0.9% in the fourth quarter, the biggest pace of increase in over two years. Annual inflation rose 2.6%, the highest since 2011. The data now lessens the chance of a rate cut by the Reserve bank of Australia.

AUDUSD gained about 0.7% to $0.8863 after rising as high as $0.8873 from a session low of $0.8784. The pair has moved further away from a 3-1/2-year low of $0.8756 reached on Monday.

In other currencies, the euro was relatively steady against the dollar, as is typical in the Asian time zone. EURUSD briefly broke above $1.3600 before edging down to $1.3555.

Sterling will be in focus later today as key risk events could impact the currency. The UK will be releasing data on employment. GBPUSD opened in Asia at $1.6475 and traded a 20-pip range.

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 23-01-2014

Asian Session – Aussie back down after China PMI

Chinese PMI numbers were the main focus of the Asian session, which missed forecasts and dampened sentiment. The HSBC flash manufacturing PMI came in a 49.6 versus 50.3 that was expected and fell into contraction territory for the first time in 6 months.
China is the second largest economy in the world so any data released from there are closely watched by investors. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar typically tends to be impacted by Chinese data since China is a major export destination for Australia.
AUDUSD fell at a fast pace after the China PMI data, dipping to $0.8786, down from the session open of $0.8848. The pair erased all gains made yesterday when the aussie was boosted after data showed Australian inflation rose more-than-expected and lessened the likelihood of a rate cut by the RBA.
The yen strengthened on safe haven flows after the disappointing data from China today. Despite a broadly stronger US dollar, the USDJPY fell to 104.26 from an earlier session high of 104.82.
The dollar is expected to remain in demand as long as there are expectations that the Federal Reserve will continue with tapering.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on upcoming US jobless claims data later in the US session. Expectations are for a decline from 3 million to 2.9 million in the week ending January 11.
In other currencies, the euro was showed little movement, as is typical for this Asian session. EURUSD remained stuck in its recent 1.3500-1.3600 range.
However a key risk event for the euro will be today’s PMI data from the Eurozone.

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 24-01-2014

Asian Session – Dollar broadly lower after disappointing US data
Risk - off sentiment dominated the markets in Asia after disappointing US data in the prior session dampened the mood. As a result, the US dollar was broadly weaker against most of its major counterparts following a series of soft data.

USDJPY plunged to a low of 102.96 after the data late on Thursday, and was bought on the dip in Asia. The dollar attempted to recover some losses but the upside momentum was weak and it fell back to 103.22 yen.
The euro consolidated gains made yesterday when it was propelled to a four-week high against the dollar on the back of upbeat manufacturing and services activity data from the Eurozone. Other data indicated that consumer confidence in the region improved more than forecast in January, also helping buoy the euro.
EURUSD opened in Asia at 1.3696 just shy of last night’s 1.3699 high but remained above 1.3680 throughout the Asian session.
Sterling remains strong, buoyed by upbeat UK jobs data on Wednesday which showed the unemployment rate dropped to 7.1% from 7.4% the three months to December.

 

[FxNet]

Market Report 27-01-2014

Asian Session – Yen remains buoyed on safe haven demand as emerging markets tumble
Risk - off sentiment still lingered in at the start of the new trading week, as the turmoil in emerging markets continue to dominate the mood. The Japanese currency gained after being buoyed by safe haven demand in volatile markets as emerging markets tumbled.
An indication of how much volatility existed in markets last week, the Emerging Markets ETF VIX (Volatility Index) surged 40%, which was the largest jump in over 2-1/2 years.
USDJPY fell early in the Asian session, dipping over 45 pips to a low of 101.74 but recovered quickly to rise back above 102, ending at 102.4, back to around Friday’s levels.
Yen crosses traded similarly, with EURJPY down to 139.25 before bouncing to 140.25 while GBPJPY fell to 167.86 and then 169.11. AUDJPY saw lows of 88.40 before rising to 89.50.
It should be noted that trading volumes were thinner than normal today due to the holiday in Australia.
The US dollar will be the currency of focus this week as the Federal Reserve starts a two-day policy meeting tomorrow.

 

[FxNet]

Market report 28-01-2014

Asian Session - Pound rises as focus turns to UK GDP data

After much volatility in currency markets on Monday due to the emerging market turmoil, Tuesday was calmer.
While most major currency pairs were steady and range-bound, especially EURUSD, USDJPY, the most notable moves were made by the pound, as GBPUSD extended gains into the Asian session.
The pound climbed back to a near 3-year high against the dollar ahead of key UK data later today. GDP numbers will be released, with expectations for a confirmation of strong growth in the British economy in the last quarter.

GBPUSD rose to $1.6624 from $1.6582 at the open of Asian session trading. The pound’s strength may out some pressure on the dollar for now.
However the dollar could be expected to regain a firmer footing against the yen as the Federal Reserve meeting comes closer. The Fed begins its 2-day monthly monetary policy meeting today and will announce its policy decision tomorrow.
There are expectations that the Fed will scale back its stimulus further and this is helping pull the dollar off a 7-week low against the Japanese yen. USDJPY was steady in Asia and barely moved while trading sideways, ending the session at 102.61 yen.
The Australian has also proved to be resilient and was another currency that performed well in Asia today. AUDUSD rose to $0.8791, well above Friday’s low of $0.8659.

 

[FxNet]

Market report 30-01-2014

Asian Session – Yen stays firm after Fed tapers and China data disappoint

The big news overnight was the Federal Reserve’s announcement to continue tapering its economic stimulus. The Fed’s quantitative easing program was cut by $10 billion-a month, bringing the total bond buying plan down to $65 billion a-month. Rates were left unchanged at 0.25% and the Fed reiterated it will keep rates low as long as unemployment is above 6.5% and inflation below 2.5%.

While the Fed did what was widely expected, it failed to give those in yen-funded carry trades, particularly versus emerging market currencies, anything new to hope for, leading to damp market sentiment.

Risk appetite was also hit after soft China data. The HSBC final manufacturing PMI for January fell to 49.5, from the previous flash estimate of 49.6, recording the first decline since July, Dec 50.5. China is the world’s second largest economy, so the data is important to markets.

As safe-haven demand returned, the yen held firm versus the dollar. USDJPY managed to bounce a little from the post-Fed low of 101.83 to rise to the 102.10-30 window and then 102.46.

EURUSD has pretty much been trapped in a range since yesterday, trading between 1.3646-66. The pair did not show much reaction to the expected decision by the Fed to taper more.

 

[FxNet]

Asian session – Dollar strong on GDP data, yen up after Japan inflation numbers

The US dollar was higher after being lifted by US GDP data yesterday and traded at a one-week high against a basket of major currencies. The US economy grew at a 3.2% rate in the last three months to December, with exports and household spending playing a large role in contributing to the increase.

The euro was one of the worst performing G10 currencies, due to German inflation data raising drawing attention of the European Central Bank. A CPI report from Germany showed soft inflation in Europe’s largest economy, which does not bode well for Eurozone CPI data due later today. This raises concerns that the ECB may have to take action to prevent deflationary pressures in the region.

EURUSD tumbled over 100 pips on Thursday, and the pair mostly consolidated in the Asian session before heading lower just before the European session, down to 1.3538.

The yen strengthened today after some optimistic data from Japan. The country’s core consumer price inflation accelerated to 1.3 percent in January, the highest level in five years. This was good news for the Bank of Japan who has pursued aggressive monetary easing for more than a year to fight deflation.

The stronger yen pushed the USDJPY down from 102.70 to 102.31. EURJPY fell from139.20 to 138.65.

Aussie was knocked lower after some disappointing Australian PPI numbers (Producer Price Index). AUDUSD fell off an early session high of $0.8822 down to a low of $0.8751.

 

[FxNet]

Asian Session – Dollar broadly weaker ahead of Yellen testimony

After a quiet US session, currency markets saw more movement despite the holiday in Japan today. The US dollar was weak across the board ahead of an important risk event later today. Fed Chair Janet Yellen will make her first appearance at the House of Representatives.

Yellen will be answering questions from US lawmakers, some hostile to the central bank, who will want to know how committed she is to winding back exceptional stimulus measures.

The only economic data released during the Asian session was from Australia which showed that Australian business conditions rose to its highest in nearly three years in January.

AUDUSD rose to a one-month high of $0.9016, getting a boost after the data, up 0.6 percent from late US trade on Monday. The Aussie last fetched $0.9004.

USDJPY opened the Asian session at 102.26 after a quiet US session, then jumped to a high of 102.40 yen. Volumes were thin due to the holiday in Tokyo.

EURUSD opened the Asian session around 1.3645 after a very slow US session. The pair then idled between 1.3640/50 for the first few hours before spiking to a two-week high of 1.3679.

Other major pairs mostly traded sideways as markets await Yellen’s testimony. GBPUSD traded a 1.06404-34 range in Asia and USDCHF traded a 0.89385-0.8970 range.

 

[FxNet]

Asian Session – Yen weakens after Bank of Japan policy announcement

The yen tumbled against major counterparts after the announcement from the Bank of Japan that it left its monetary policy and economic assessment unchanged. The Bank also extended and doubled two loan programs.

USDJPY and the JPY crosses rallied with the Nikkei following the BOJ policy announcement. From just below 102.00, USDJPY surged up to 102.73. EURJPY rallied from 139.50 to 140.50, GBPJPY from 170.17 to 171.35.

EURUSD opened in Asia at 1.3705, Trading was extremely quiet over the past 24 hours with the pair hovering around 1.3700. During the Asian session the pair traded a 1.3695-1.3717 range.

Looking ahead, the euro will be in focus as the German ZEW investor sentiment data will be released in the European session today.

GBPUSD edged higher from 1.6710 to 1.6736 in Asia following the downside retracement to 1.6694 overnight. EURGBP consolidated between 0.8193-97 in Asia after the bounce last night.

Key risk for the sterling today will be UK inflation data.

AUDUSD opened in Asia and held between 0.9030-42 ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia minutes then rose to a fresh one-month peak of $0.9081. The minutes had nothing new to say but alt of the move in AUD was based on positioning.

 

[FxNet]

Asian Session – Dollar struggles after weak US consumer confidence data

Weak US data dampened sentiment keeping the dollar heavy against the yen. US Consumer confidence in February fell to 78.1 versus 80 forecast and 79.4 previous. Meanwhile there were comments from the Fed policy maker Tarullo who said that monetary is possible tool to deal with broad sustained systemic risk and that it is possible that interest rates will remain historically low for some time after Fed starts to raise them.

USDJPY opened the Asian session at 102.24 after trading with a heavy tone through the US session due to weak US consumer confidence and a drop in the 10-yr Treasury yield to 2.70%. The pair eased to 102.13 in early Asia.

The Australian dollar was in focus today as there was domestic data on the construction sector. Fourth-quarter total construction fell 1.0% on the quarter while engineering construction was down 0.5%. Also weighing on the aussie lately was the weaker Chinese yuan.

AUDUSD opened the Asian session at $0.9018 and traded a moderate 0.8969-0.9021 range.

EURUSD barely moved yet again in Asia and could only manage a $1.3739/1.3748 range for the entire morning session.

GBPUSD traded a 1.6669-85 range in Asia. Yesterday the pound rose above $1.6720 after comments by the BOE's McCafferty that the UK could raise interest rates in Q2 2015.

Revised GDP for the UK will be released in the European session today and US new home sales in the US session.

 

[FxNet]

Asian Session – Yen lifted by upbeat Japanese data

The yen performed well in today’s Asian session after a series of upbeat data released from Japan. Most figures came in on or better than expectations, which reduced the expectations in the market that the Bank of Japan might be taking action for further policy easing.

USDJPY opened the Asian session at 102.12 and traded to 102.20 before falling after the Japan data to 101.76. Yesterday the dollar got a bit of a boost after Fed Chair Yellen’s testimony.

EURUSD opened the Asian session at 1.3709 after a recovery in EURJPY and a broadly weaker USDJPY. EURUSD could only manage a 1.3703/15 range.

The main event during the European session will be Euro zone inflation data and the outcome will likely shape the European Central Bank expectations ahead of next week’s meeting.

GBPUSD traded a 1.6677-95 range as did USDCHF which traded a 0.8877-08889 range during the Asia n session.

AUDUSD opened today at 0.8965 and traded a moderate 0.8944-90 range in Asia with dips to 0.8955 in early trades but it wasn't long before the 0.8990 level was tested. China data this weekend will be a key risk to the aussie.

 

[FxNet]

Asian Session – Aussie gains after data shows Australian economy picks up pace

Risk trades were back after the Ukraine crisis de-escalated and this was particularly evident after the S&P 500 rallied 1.5% to a record high on Tuesday.

During Wednesday’s Asian session, the main data releases were from Australian, with fourth quarter GDP numbers coming in stronger-than-forecast.

In other news, China provided its strongest signal yet that it will shift toward balanced and clean economic growth, promising to reduce the pace of investment to the lowest in a decade and wage a "war on pollution".

Most major currencies traded a range during today’s Asian session, consolidating moves from the previous day. The unwinding safe haven trades led to a weaker yen and Swiss franc.

USDJPY opened the Asian session at 102.21 after the yen was sold across the board due to outflows from safe have currencies as the Ukraine crisis eased. The pair traded a 102.11/29 range throughout the Asian session.

EURJPY did little and traded a 140.25/57 range.

EURUSD opened the Asian session at 1.3742 but barely moved during the Asian session , edging down about 15 pips to 1.3727. Focus is on Euro zone services PMI data later today. The main key risk for the euro will be the European Central Bank meeting on Thursday. There are mixed views on whether the ECB will take action and cut rates.

GBPUSD traded sideways in Asia between 1.6656-73. UK BRC shop prices inflation data released early today had little impact. The UK services PMI data due later today will be more important while Thursday’s Bank of England policy meeting will also be a key risk for the pound.

USDCHF traded a 0.8868-08877 range, remaining calm after fears of the Ukraine crisis subsided and there was less demand for the safe haven Swissie.

AUDUSD opened on Wednesday at 0.8952 and the pair spiked up to 0.8995 after the better-than-expected Q4 GDP numbers. The pair then fell back down to 0.8935.

Looking ahead, Eurozone services PMI data will be released in the European session today.

 

[FxNet]

Asian Session – Australian dollar rallies after strong retail sales and trade data

The Australian dollar was the best performer today after Australian retail sales beat expectations by more than double the forecast, while the nation’s trade balance posted a strong surplus. The upbeat data lessened the possibility of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia and helped sentiment for the AUD.

Australian retail sales jumped by 1.2% m/m versus a consensus of 0.5% while the trade surplus widened to A$1.433 billion versus a previous A$591 million and above the A$270 million forecasted.

AUDUSD rallied to a high above 0.9030 while AUSDJPY rose to a high above 92.60 yen.
In other news overnight there was soft US data. The private payrolls processor ADP showed a tepid increase of 139,000 jobs in February, while jobs growth in January was revised down sharply to 127,000 from 175,000. The ISM non-manufacturing PMI fell to a 4-year low last month.

However the dollar remained buoyant as Fed policy maker Williams said yesterday that he expects the first rate hike to be in mid 2015. This gave a boost to the dollar.

USDJPY rose to a high above 102.75 in Asia today, up from the session open of 102.30 and up 1.2% since Monday.

EURUSD traded at $1.3728, little-changed in Asia but off 2-month high of $1.38255 hit on Friday. A key risk for the euro will be today’s European Central Bank meeting. Interest rates are expected to remain the same at 0.25% but many expect the central bank to end its SMP sterilization program, which means an end to bond buying that was draining liquidity. By ending this program, the increase in liquidity in the financial system of the Euro zone will weaken the euro.

GBPUSD was flat trading a 20-pip range above $1.6706. The Bank of England policy announcement will be in focus today.It is expected to be a non-event as the rate is predicted to remain at 0.50%.

http://www.fxnet.com/

 

[FxNet]

Asian Session – Yen gains on safe haven demand after dismal China trade data

Risk aversion took hold on Monday after a shockingly weak Chinese trade balance report sent a shiver through the markets on the weekend. The world’s second largest economy posted a $23 billion monthly deficit in February compared to a $14 billion surplus expected. This comes after a nearly $32 billion surplus in January.

Meanwhile other disappointing news hurt market sentiment as well after Japan's current account deficit hit a record 1.5tn yen in January.

Due to increased safe haven demand, the yen benefited during Monday’s Asian session.

USDJPY opened on Monday with a gap lower on risk aversion following worse than expected China trade data. The pair dipped from 103.11 to 102.96. On Friday the dollar surged to a high of 103.75 on the back of stronger-than-forecast US jobs numbers.

EURUSD is proving to be resilient despite the growing tensions in the Ukraine crisis. The pair moved off post-NFP lows of 1.3851 hit on Friday and opened the Asian session on Monday at 1.3870 to reach a session high of1.3891.

GBPUSD traded a 1.6720-45 range during the Asian session, down from Friday’s high of 1.6784.

USDCHF traded a 0.8759-0.8780 range. Swiss retail sales data will be in focus today.

AUDUSD opened the Asian session at 0.9045, gapping down from Friday’s New York close of 0.9069 and slid to 0.9022. The aussie is being weighed down by the poor China trade numbers. China is a major trading partner for Australia.