Forex Today: Easter Monday limits market moves amid virus-led risk-off, WTI hesitates to cheer OPEC+ deal


  • Asian session remains mostly illiquid amid off at Australia, New Zealand.
  • A lack of major data/events from China, Japan also contributes to the market’s inactivity.
  • Coronavirus-led risk aversion regains attention as the US tops Italy to be the global hotspot.
  • WTI’s latest recovery still fails to justify OPEC+ production cut.

Forex today in Asia remains a dull affair amid Easter Monday holidays in key markets, except for Japan and China. Also restricting the market’s activity was a lack of major/events on the economic calendar. Even so, the US dollar pulls back amid the coronavirus-led risk-off whereas Gold fails to benefit from the risk aversion, maybe due to the greenback recovery. Further, WTI hesitantly cheers the OPEC+ deal, following the initial losses, as the market compares it with initial expectations of 20 million barrels a day of cuts.

It’s worth mentioning that the coronavirus (COVID-19) has so far resulted in 114,000 deaths, not to forget above 1.8 million cases, on a global basis. For the US, the numbers of cases have crossed 556,000 mark, as per CNN, while the death toll rose to 22,073 according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Elsewhere, figures from China keep citing the receding strength of the deadly virus while South Korean data also marked optimism with new cases to a seven-week low.

Among the majors, EUR/USD bears the burden of USD bounce but GBP/USD benefits from the UK PM Johnson’s exit from the hospital but fails to ignore Chancellor Sunak’s downbeat GDP forecast. Moving on, USD/JPY drops due to the yen’s safe-haven status whereas USD/CAD and USD/CHF stay mostly unchanged. Additionally, AUD/USD and NZD/USD fails to defy the risk aversion as the world’s largest economy tops Italy to be the global hotspot of the pandemic.

Main topics in Asia

OPEC+ decision would put a floor under oil prices - BNP Paribas

US economy will contract 40% in Q2 - JP Morgan

Goldman Sachs calls historic OPEC+ oil output cut deal as insufficient

China’s Hubei province reports zero new coronavirus cases

UK Chancellor: Potential for a 30% drop in UK GDP – The Times

Iraqi Oil Minister: Massive oil output cut deal will help lover inventories and boost prices

Fed’s Kashkari: US economy faces 'long, hard road' to recover from coronavirus

US Pres. Trump: We are winning, and will win, the war on the Invisible Enemy!

OPEC+ agrees oil output cuts of 9.7 mln bpd

Key focus ahead

Considering the lack of major data/events on the economic calendar, forex traders will keep eyes on the virus updates for fresh impulse. However, any surprise announcements from the Fed and/or Trump administration could also move the markets. Elsewhere, updates from the International Energy Agency (IEA) could also offer intermediate moves to oil prices.

EUR/USD remains flat even as bullish bets hit highest since June 2018

EUR net long positions hit two-year highs, but fail to bring in additional bids.  EUR/USD is sidelined at press time amid losses in the US stock futures.

GBP/USD: Downbeat UK GDP forecast cap upside in Sterling

Sterling finds no takers as UK's finance minister warns of massive economic contraction.  The coronavirus-led uncertainty could keep the US dollar better bid. European markets are closed on account of Easter Monday.

USD/JPY Forecast: A quiet week may be a prelude to risk recovery

USD/JPY closed at par for the week and the month. Risk aversion has ebbed but risk appetite has not yet returned. The enormous addition to global dollar may begin to undermine USD/JPY.

BoC: On hold but keeping its powder dry in its full-year forecast, 1.36s-1.5050s FX playbook

BOC on the cards this week, and FX is at stake if RBA was anything to go by. Volatility is the name of the game, although the BoC is expected to stay on hold, the devil is in the detail. COVID-19 expected to keep USD underpinned and weigh on commodity-FX, bulls looking for long term game to 1.5050s. Downside target comes in at a 61.8% Fibo, bulls seeking to buy the dip, low 1.36's.

Chart of The Week: Gold meets long-term resistance structure around $1,700

Gold bulls have been back in control to test 1700 handle. While below the 1700 handle, profit-taking could trigger a flush out of speculative bids. Correction territory opens a retracement to 1620s below 1640s.

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD struggles to hold above 1.0400 as mood sours

EUR/USD struggles to hold above 1.0400 as mood sours

EUR/USD stays on the back foot and trades near 1.0400 following the earlier recovery attempt. The holiday mood kicked in, keeping action limited across the FX board, while a cautious risk mood helped the US Dollar hold its ground and forced the pair to stretch lower. 

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD set to swoon on holiday-shortened week

GBP/USD set to swoon on holiday-shortened week

GBP/USD waffled near the 1.2550 level on Monday, kicking off the holiday trading week with a third of a percent decline as market sentiment coils. Market volumes are set to drain out of global exchanges as investors broadly hang up their hats for the Christmas holiday, and global markets will be shuttered on Wednesday.

GBP/USD News
Gold flat lines above $2,600 ahead of holiday trading week

Gold flat lines above $2,600 ahead of holiday trading week

Gold price trades flat around $2,610 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. Markets face a relatively quiet trading session ahead of the holiday trading week. The US Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index for December is due later on Tuesday. 

Gold News
Ethereum risks a decline to $3,000 as investors realize increased profits and losses

Ethereum risks a decline to $3,000 as investors realize increased profits and losses

Ethereum is up 4% on Monday despite increased selling pressure across long-term and short-term holders in the past two days. If whales fail to maintain their recent buy-the-dip attitude, ETH risks a decline below $3,000.

Read more
Bank of England stays on hold, but a dovish front is building

Bank of England stays on hold, but a dovish front is building

Bank of England rates were maintained at 4.75% today, in line with expectations. However, the 6-3 vote split sent a moderately dovish signal to markets, prompting some dovish repricing and a weaker pound. We remain more dovish than market pricing for 2025.

Read more
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures