TLDR:
The euro rises above $1.22 and reaches an eight-year high against the yen at $1.65, while the US dollar tumbles 0.4% overnight due to the revelation of First Republic Bank deposits taking a nosedive, and traders anticipating the Fedβs shift from rate hikes to rate cuts. Australian and New Zealand dollars remain steady.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round as we delve into the thrilling, nail-biting world of currencies where the dollar is stumbling, the euro is flexing its muscles, and the yen is hitting rock bottom. It’s a rollercoaster ride, and we’re all just hanging on for dear life.
In the blue corner, we have the euro, rising above $1.22 and holding steady at $1.23 during the Asian session. All thanks to the whispers of a US rate cut and the ever-intriguing possibility of a 50 basis point rate hike in Europe at next week’s central bank meeting. While European Central Bank (ECB) board member Isabelle Schnabel plays coy, saying a 50 basis point rate hike isn’t out of the question, FranΓ§ois Villeroy de Galhau calls for limiting the number and magnitude of future rate hikes. But the market, much like a stubborn child, still expects more rate hikes. Futures pricing puts the chances of a 25 basis point increase at about 66% and a 50 basis point increase at 33%. Of course, once the ECB hits 50, the euro will bask in the glory of support.
Meanwhile, the euro also reached an eight-year high against the yen, valued at $1.65, as new Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signals he’s in no rush to change policy. It seems patience is a virtue, especially when dealing with currency. The yen, not to be outdone, plummets to its lowest in 20 years against the Swiss franc at $1.34. And while the yen remains steady against the dollar, it’s trading at $1.19.
Suddenly, we’re hit with the not-so-great news that First Republic Bank deposits took a nosedive overnight. It’s as if life is reminding us that we can’t have nice things. This revelation of instability risks sparks hope among traders that the Fed will soon shift gears from rate hikes to rate cuts. Federal Reserve futures suggest an 88% chance of a rate hike next week, followed by 50 basis points of rate cuts by year’s end. The dollar, perhaps feeling a little left out, tumbles 0.4% overnight, hitting a 10-day low of $1.13 in early Asian trading.
But fear not, dear readers! For there’s a glimmer of hope from the land Down Under. The Australian dollar steadies its course at $0.47 as traders await the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data due Wednesday. And let’s not forget our neighbors, the New Zealand dollar, which has been on shaky ground since last week’s unexpectedly weak inflation rate. It managed to recover slightly overnight on Tuesday, sitting pretty at $0.43, just above the 200-day moving average.
So, there you have it, folks. The world of currencies is as erratic as ever, but we’ll continue to ride this rollercoaster, monitoring every twist and turn, and keeping you informed on all the latest developments. After all, who needs a stable currency when we can have excitement and unpredictability?