Forex
Dollar Forex Market Continues Steady Decline
- USD Continues to Suffer on Fed Policy Moves
- GBP & EUR Take Full Advantage of Weakness
- Data Shows Lowest EU Inflation in Two Decades
September has kicked off with much of the same from the US Dollar forex market. This means further freefall for the Greenback much of which has been prompted by Fed policies around keeping interest rates low, and potentially allowing for higher inflation to occur. Other market major currencies have taken full advantage of the weakness to strengthen their own positions. Both the Pound and Euro have advanced despite the fact that both have their own struggles with low inflation also a big worry for the EU region.
Dollar Drop Continues With Fed Quiet on Negative Rates
The Dollar drop has largely been exacerbated by moves from Fed Chair Jerome Powell both to keep interest rates low, and unchanged, and also to turn a fiscal blind eye to inflation in the short-term should it go over the previously accepted 2% threshold. This is all in an effort to stimulate the economy which is still in the throws of the Coronavirus pandemic.
While talks continue to stall on another round of fiscal support from the government, the Fed is doing all it can to keep the economy moving, and as promised, is using of the tools at their disposal to do so. While this is coming at the expense of the Dollar for those who are forex trading, it is sustaining the equities markets which continue to hit all-time highs. The S&P 500 index had its best August performance since 1986.
Other Major Currencies Step Up to the Mark
Where the Dollar has been sold, other major currencies have been well bought. Forex brokers noted a strong uptick in the Euro, and particularly the Pound, even though both are battling challenges of their own domestically. The Pound traded at highs above $1.34, while the Euro briefly peaked above $1.20.
Both have been bolstered by Dollar weakness despite the fact that UK PMIs so far released have been downgraded slightly, and the Eurozone appears to have an inflation crisis of its own to contend with. Much of the Sterling strength today may be coming from the positive news that AstraZeneca who are based in the UK, are set to launch large trial on their coronavirus vaccine in the US. The trial will feature 50,000 participants and looks to put the company in a very strong position in terms of vaccine development.
Negative Inflation Reading Shocks EU
The headline inflation rate for the EU bloc is expected to come in at -0.2% for August. Though downward pressure had been expected, the negative reading will be one of great surprise for the ECB given the fiscal support they have already provided markets.
Policymakers will now have to decide how to proceed, and in doing so strike a fine balance between continuing to stimulate the economy while placating more frugal nations who had already raised strong concerns against the amount of financial assistance being given.
- EUR & GBP Both Dip Ahead of US Data
- Slowdown in Durable Goods Orders Expected
- US Markets Under Pressure Again
What has been a turbulent week for both the forex market and others, is set to come to a close Friday with yet more uncertainty. The US Dollar has regained some much needed strength this week, though it is in the face of difficulty as many worry about a second wave of coronavirus cases. The Euro was down to a two-month low, while the Pound continued its recent negative run down to below the $1.27 mark prior to US Durable Goods data being released. Another tough day on Wall Street is also expected with market futures pointing downward.
Further Slump as Majors Await US Data
Since reaching highs in recent weeks which were more in response to USD weakness rather than their own strength, it has been a difficult road for both the Euro, and Pound. Both are down further today with the Euro nearing $1.16, a point it has not seen since July. The Pound meanwhile continues to falter and is now well below its recent peak.
The main issues at play here which forex brokers have noted, are the continued uptick in COVID-19 cases in Europe. This has created a negative sentiment which has carried the market lower. Those forex trading have become fearful of a return to lockdown restrictions, and another big stall in the economy. This fear is shared in the UK and has also impacted the Pound. British PM Johnson has noted that the UK will strengthen restrictions if needed. This comes at an increasingly difficult time for Britain as it struggles to address the ongoing Brexit trade deal issue.
American Data Expected to Disappoint
A huge drop off in US durable goods orders which had occurred during the shutdown was followed by rampant recovery within the last three months. The orders data impressed with double digit rebounds in two of the last three reported months. That growth rate looks set to slow dramatically today as August numbers are due later in the afternoon.
The durable goods order data which tracks long lasting consumer goods is expected to come in at an added 1.5% for the month of August. This is a big drop on the 11.4% growth in July and matches the drop off in improvement from the retail sales data which also came in at just a 0.6% improvement earlier in the month.
More Selling Predicted at Opening Bell
It has been a challenging week on Wall Street too with heavy sell offs to start the week only being slightly abated yesterday. Friday looks to be another down day for the markets at least at the open. The pre-market points to a drop of around 150 points in the Dow Jones.
September is traditionally a tough month for the markets, and this is proving to be the case. Even major names like Apple are suffering having lost almost 20% from their high point earlier in the month, while all the major indices are down more than 5% this month to date.
- GBP Had Started Stronger on Positive Rates News
- Mixed Opinions From US as Powell Pledges Support
- Markets Continue to Struggle With Second Wave Fears
The Pound has struggled to catch a positive break again today as the UK announce new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. The GBP forex market has struggled for some time to break back to anything high of $1.30 against the Dollar. There were mixed messages too in the US with differing approaches supported the Fed Hierarchy. Meanwhile, markets opened higher, but remain weighed down by fears of a returning coronavirus.
Pound Bounces Back to Tough Position
There was an early boost on Tuesday for Sterling. The currency had originally jumped on comments from the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey which dispelled the thought of negative interest rates which many fear have been under consideration. This boost in the forex market was short lived though. The Pound was sent back in the opposite direction by an announcement from leader Boris Johnson that new restrictions will be imposed.
Those forex trading the market remain poised to hear exactly what these new restrictions will be. The exact details are currently being laid out by Johnson, but they are to include increased penalties for non-wearing of masks, and the closure of hospitality venues from 10pm. These changes are being made at what the PM referred to as a “perilous turning point”, and are sure to further rock the currency and economy which has seen a host of troubles lately.
Not All Agree as Powell Pledges Continued Support
Chief of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell backed up his previous stance strongly on Tuesday in comments to the House Financial Services Committee. He said the Fed “remains committed” to the long-term support of the economy, and will use all their available tools to do so. He noted that although the economy had started to pick up, the road ahead remains vastly uncertain. His tone was one which did not rule out more support, noting that the Fed will continue its support for “as long as needed”.
This sentiment was not echoed by everyone though. There was a different view from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard. He is of the opinion, along with several others, that the economy now has enough momentum to get back on its feet even without further economic stimulus.
Markets Open Cautiously Again
US markets have endured a very tough September so far. This challenge only intensified on Monday with another large scale sell-off. The Dow Jones suffered its worst day of the month, while the S&P 500 shed more than 1% en-route to a fourth consecutive losing day.
Forex brokers were not alone in feeling a slight return to form on Tuesday. The major indices climbed a little higher on the opening bell, hopes being held that the slump is over. The next moves though will be largely driven by the news on coronavirus cases, and any further financial aid.
- EUR/USD at Monthly Low as Fed Remain Hesitant
- Pound Falls Further on Negative Rates Possibility
- US Jobless Numbers Drop Lower Again
The EUR/USD continued to fall on Thursday. Hitting its lowest point in one month, the market seems to be heading on a downward trajectory as there was no rush to further stimulus despite a grim economic outlook from the Fed. The GBP also continued to struggle lower on news from the Bank of England that negative rates remain under consideration. In the US meanwhile, although the number of jobless claims fell more than expected, the total still remains challengingly high.
Dollar Strength Returns as Euro Falls
Demand for the US Dollar has rebounded slightly todays as the Euro has continued to slip back against the currency. The pair has now reached its lowest point in a one month period with forex brokers projecting a further battle ahead. This comes in the wake of the FOMC meeting, and comments from chief of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell that although more fiscal support may be needed, nothing in particular seems to be forthcoming from the Fed at this moment.
The Fed reluctance to add any more stimulus, coupled with the poor retail sales figures showcased for August in the US would appear to have pushed those forex trading the markets, back toward the relative safety of the Dollar. Though this may be no bad thing for the struggling Greenback, it leaves the Euro in a tentative position with many already seeing it as largely overbought.
Brexit Trade Hope Balances Struggling Pound
News that the Bank of England are looking into the possibility of setting negative interest rates to stimulate the economy of the UK made sure that Sterling started off the day with added woes. The Pound bounced back slightly though on news that a Brexit trade deal may not be as dead in the water as was previously expected.
Though the EU and UK have both been at loggerheads during the trade negotiations and with no positive resolution in sight, news emerged today that the UK has offered some concessions on fisheries to the EU. This has prompted the EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier to say that he still believes a deal can be done. This though, would still appear a long way from certain.
US jobless Claims Slightly Lower Than Expected
Initial unemployment claims continued to trickle down for the last week in the US. Coming in at 860,000 the number of new claims slightly beat estimates, with the number of continuing claims also falling. This number still remains staggeringly high though at 12.6 million.
The general consensus is, that while the numbers are continuing to fall slowly, indicating that more and more people are getting back to work, the numbers remain too high, and falling at too slow a pace to really boost the economy. This is another factor which has backed a push back into the US Dollar as much of the road ahead remains still unknown.