- USD/JPY round turns on conflicting Ukraine headlines driving risk sentiment.
- World leaders will engage in high stake meetings this week over the threat of the Russian invasion.
- Fed sentiment coming through as hawkish Fed speakers advocate 50bps hike in March.
USD/JPY is back on the bid following a series of information that is crossing the wires with regards to the prospects of a Russian invasion. In recent trade, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was reported to have said that the Ukraine “has been informed” that Wednesday, February 16 “will be the day of the attack”. This sent the yen higher and financial markets into risk-off mode again:
However, as the chart illustrates above, the price turned on a dime when a senior Ukrainian official denied that President Zelensky was being literal when he said in an address to the nation that he'd been told a Russian attack would begin on February 16th. Mykhailo Podoliak, a Presidential adviser, said that Zelensky was being ironic. Meanwhile, the risk is very real and markets are on high alert and on tenterhooks. The yen stands to benefit from risk aversion, especially through crosses such as AUD/JPY. Traders will be waiting for leaders to meet, with the French president visiting Moscow and the US president meeting with the Zelensky at the White House on Wednesday.
As for other fundamental drivers, the US dollar index reached a two-week high on Monday, as St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard reiterated calls for a faster pace of U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Bullard on Monday also said that four strong inflation reports in a row warranted action. Last week's stronger-than-expected US Consumer Price index report has driven speculation the Fed might raise rates by a full 50 basis points in March.
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
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD stays near 1.0400 in thin holiday trading
EUR/USD trades with mild losses near 1.0400 on Tuesday. The expectation that the US Federal Reserve will deliver fewer rate cuts in 2025 provides some support for the US Dollar. Trading volumes are likely to remain low heading into the Christmas break.
GBP/USD struggles to find direction, holds steady near 1.2550
GBP/USD consolidates in a range at around 1.2550 on Tuesday after closing in negative territory on Monday. The US Dollar preserves its strength and makes it difficult for the pair to gain traction as trading conditions thin out on Christmas Eve.
Gold holds above $2,600, bulls non-committed on hawkish Fed outlook
Gold trades in a narrow channel above $2,600 on Tuesday, albeit lacking strong follow-through buying. Geopolitical tensions and trade war fears lend support to the safe-haven XAU/USD, while the Fed’s hawkish shift acts as a tailwind for the USD and caps the precious metal.
IRS says crypto staking should be taxed in response to lawsuit
In a filing on Monday, the US International Revenue Service stated that the rewards gotten from staking cryptocurrencies should be taxed, responding to a lawsuit from couple Joshua and Jessica Jarrett.
2025 outlook: What is next for developed economies and currencies?
As the door closes in 2024, and while the year feels like it has passed in the blink of an eye, a lot has happened. If I had to summarise it all in four words, it would be: ‘a year of surprises’.
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.