Fading Fed expectations are supportive – Scotiabank

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

The US Dollar (USD) is mixed to somewhat firmer on the day. Soft (but off earlier lows) stocks and renewed focus on Ukraine after Russia launched an attack using an ICBM are supporting JPY outperformance, Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.

USD mixed versus majors

“Firm price action in the USD overall yesterday keeps the focus on scope for more gains in the near-term as the DXY continues to closely track the pattern of trade that followed President Trump’s first win. A minor dip in the USD is a risk around the turn of the month before renewed gains into December, if the pattern continues to repeat.”

“Note that Fed rate cut expectations for the December FOMC are slowly receding, with just 13bps priced in now—effectively a 50/50 call—despite a lack of major data points this week. Pricing was closer to 20bps a week ago. The Fed’s Bowman (a voter) said yesterday that the Fed should move cautiously on policy and that the neutral rate may be ‘much higher’ than pre-pandemic levels. There is data to work through this morning after yesterday’s calendar lull.”

“The Philly Fed Business Outlook survey and weekly claims data are released at 8.30ET. US Leading Indicators and Existing Home Sales are out at 10ET while the KC Fed Manufacturing Index drops at 10.30ET. The Fed’s Hammack, Goolsbee (non-voter) and Barr are speaking later. Japan releases October CPI data this evening.”

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.