FOREX: Higher US Yields Spark USDJPY Rebound, AUDUSD Extends Slide
Apr-07 16:47
The gap lower for major equity benchmarks at the open provided an extension of Friday themes in FX markets, that of weakness for the higher beta currencies, and a firm bid for the low-yielders such as JPY and CHF. Notably, the 3-day slide for AUDCHF reached as much as 8.7% at its lowest point.
However, equity indices are well off their worst levels in an extremely choppy session, providing a boost to the likes of USDJPY and USDCHF. Specifically, USDJPY now trades 0.65% higher as we approach the APAC crossover, with the pair benefitting from the bear steepening move for US treasuries. 30-year US yields have risen as much as 17bps on the session.
This dynamic in US fixed income has supported the greenback, with the USD index around 0.4% higher Monday as markets also assess the potential inflationary impacts of the tariff related action. Regarding this, uncertainty has risen Monday as Trump threatened to implement an additional 50% import tax on China, as retaliatory rhetoric persists between US and Chinese administrations.
China related concerns have kept AUD and NZD under pressure, with AUDUSD extending below 0.6000 to the lowest level since the early onset of the pandemic. GBPUSD also slides back below 1.2750 to a fresh 5-week low. Additionally, ongoing weakness for crude futures has placed the Norwegian Krone under considerable pressure, with USDNOK rising 2.3% at typing, around 11.01. Notably NOKSEK extended this year’s decline to around 6%, below 0.9150.
In emerging markets, high beta ZAR and COP underperform, falling comfortably over 2%. Domestic political concerns continue to underpin the latest ZAR weakness, however, the additional slide for the commodity complex will be impacting both these currencies in tandem.
The economic calendar remains lighter this week, as markets await US inflation on Thursday.
FED: US TSY 14D AUCTION: NON-COMP BIDS $92 MLN FROM $50.000 BLN TOTAL
Apr-07 16:45
US TSY 14D AUCTION: NON-COMP BIDS $92 MLN FROM $50.000 BLN TOTAL