Forex News
- Trump’s Iran retaliation threat drives investors toward safer assets.
- US small-business confidence weakens as price-hike plans persist.
- NAB drops August RBA hike call after sentiment deteriorates.
The Aussie Dollar edges lower, some 0.25% against the Greenback on Tuesday as the market mood turned sour due to Trump's threats to retaliate against Iran after a helicopter was downed in the Strait of Hormuz. The AUD/USD trades at 0.7027 after testing a six-week low of 0.7005.
AUD/USD weakens as geopolitical stress and CPI caution dominate
Market mood is downbeat as developments in the Middle East have opened the door for an escalation of Trump’s vow for a response against an Iranian attack. The US President Trump revealed that the US Central Command launched strikes on Iran on Tuesday, as retaliation, he posted on his social media.
Oil prices, despite recovering, ended the session with losses, with WTI down almost 3%, while the Greenback trimmed some of its earlier losses, ending almost flat, according to the US Dollar Index (DXY).
The US economic docket showed the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to 95.3, below the 52-year average of 98.0, indicating that companies are less optimistic about the economic outlook. The survey showed that 34% of businesses polled plan to raise prices in three months. Regarding the labour market, small businesses dropped their hiring plans, with shortages persisting in sectors such as agriculture and wholesale trade.
Eyes turn to the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for May on Wednesday, which could offer hints of the impact of the US-Iran war on inflation.
A Reuters poll found that most economists expect the Federal Reserve to keep rates unchanged for the rest of the year. Almost 70% of the 102 economists forecast the Fed Funds rate to end at the 3.50%-3.75% range. Money markets had priced in 22 basis points of rate hikes towards the end of the year.
Some Federal Open Market Committee members have already floated the possibility that rates may need to rise later this year.
In Australia, consumer sentiment declined again in June due to inflation and rising gasoline costs affecting family budgets. Business conditions steadied in May, according to the National Australia Bank (NAB) survey.
Economists at NAB revised their expectations for further Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) tightening, following three rate hikes this year. “We no longer expect the RBA to hike by 25bp in August and now see the cash rate peaking at the current rate of 4.35%,” said Sally Auld, NAB Chief Economist.
AUD/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook
In the daily chart, AUD/USD trades at 0.7024, extending a bearish near-term bias as spot holds below the clustered 50-, 100- and 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs) around 0.7132. The pair is sliding along a sequence of rising support trend lines, suggesting the broader uptrend is being tested, while the Relative Strength Index (14) near 36 hints at building downside momentum without yet reaching oversold territory.
On the topside, initial resistance is located at the 50/100/200-day SMA cluster near 0.7132, with the broader downward resistance trend line above it reinforcing the cap on rallies. On the downside, successive upward support trend lines traced from 0.6833 and 0.6897 underpin the pair, leaving the immediate focus on whether buyers can defend these rising floors to prevent a deeper retracement within the broader bullish structure.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Australian Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.03% | -0.23% | 0.11% | -0.01% | 0.29% | -0.14% | 0.06% | |
| EUR | 0.03% | -0.17% | 0.17% | 0.02% | 0.38% | -0.08% | 0.14% | |
| GBP | 0.23% | 0.17% | 0.34% | 0.20% | 0.52% | 0.10% | 0.31% | |
| JPY | -0.11% | -0.17% | -0.34% | -0.14% | 0.18% | -0.25% | -0.05% | |
| CAD | 0.01% | -0.02% | -0.20% | 0.14% | 0.32% | -0.09% | 0.11% | |
| AUD | -0.29% | -0.38% | -0.52% | -0.18% | -0.32% | -0.42% | -0.21% | |
| NZD | 0.14% | 0.08% | -0.10% | 0.25% | 0.09% | 0.42% | 0.21% | |
| CHF | -0.06% | -0.14% | -0.31% | 0.05% | -0.11% | 0.21% | -0.21% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Australian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent AUD (base)/USD (quote).
- USD/CHF holds bullish bias after inverse head-and-shoulders neckline break.
- RSI flattens near 65, signaling buyers retain upside momentum.
- Break above 0.8000 exposes 0.8050 and 0.8100 resistance.
The USD/CHF pair advances some 0.11% on Tuesday, trading near nine-week highs of 0.7991 as risk aversion boosted the Greenback, which has trimmed earlier losses to challenge the 0.8000 figure.
USD/CHF Price Forecast: Technical outlook
Price action shows USD/CHF is bullish-biased after an ‘inverse head-and-shoulders’ was confirmed by a break of the neckline, which opened the door for further gains.
Momentum is also bullish, as shown by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which turned flattish near the 65 level, suggesting that buyers are gathering momentum.
If USD/CHF climbs above 0.8000, the next stop would be the ‘inverse head-and-shoulders’ measured objective near the 0.8040-0.8050 area. A breach of the latter will expose the 0.8100 mark ahead of testing the November 5, 2025 swing high at 0.8124. Once those levels are hurdled, 0.8200 is up next.
Downwards, the first support is the June 5 daily high at 0.7968. Below this level lies 0.7950 ahead of the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 0.7907.
USD/CHF Price Chart – Daily
Swiss Franc Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of Swiss Franc (CHF) against listed major currencies today. Swiss Franc was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.09% | -0.31% | 0.13% | -0.05% | 0.21% | -0.12% | 0.05% | |
| EUR | 0.09% | -0.20% | 0.22% | 0.03% | 0.35% | 0.00% | 0.17% | |
| GBP | 0.31% | 0.20% | 0.43% | 0.25% | 0.52% | 0.21% | 0.37% | |
| JPY | -0.13% | -0.22% | -0.43% | -0.17% | 0.09% | -0.22% | -0.06% | |
| CAD | 0.05% | -0.03% | -0.25% | 0.17% | 0.27% | -0.04% | 0.12% | |
| AUD | -0.21% | -0.35% | -0.52% | -0.09% | -0.27% | -0.31% | -0.16% | |
| NZD | 0.12% | -0.01% | -0.21% | 0.22% | 0.04% | 0.31% | 0.15% | |
| CHF | -0.05% | -0.17% | -0.37% | 0.06% | -0.12% | 0.16% | -0.15% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Swiss Franc from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent CHF (base)/USD (quote).
Here is what you need to know for Wednesday, June 10:
The US Dollar Index (DXY) trades with a cautious tone near the 99.90 region on Tuesday as investors position ahead of Wednesday's highly anticipated United States (US) Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, with inflation expected to tick higher in May.
The DXY trimmed its earlier losses after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had shot down a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, and vowed that the US "must respond to this attack."
Trump's remarks boosted the US Dollar and weakened Oil and Gold, with the latter falling below $4,250 amid increasing concerns about a potential escalation in the Middle East.
US Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.05% | -0.30% | 0.13% | -0.00% | 0.29% | -0.08% | 0.09% | |
| EUR | 0.05% | -0.23% | 0.20% | 0.05% | 0.39% | 0.00% | 0.17% | |
| GBP | 0.30% | 0.23% | 0.45% | 0.30% | 0.59% | 0.24% | 0.40% | |
| JPY | -0.13% | -0.20% | -0.45% | -0.13% | 0.16% | -0.20% | -0.04% | |
| CAD | 0.00% | -0.05% | -0.30% | 0.13% | 0.30% | -0.05% | 0.10% | |
| AUD | -0.29% | -0.39% | -0.59% | -0.16% | -0.30% | -0.35% | -0.20% | |
| NZD | 0.08% | -0.00% | -0.24% | 0.20% | 0.05% | 0.35% | 0.15% | |
| CHF | -0.09% | -0.17% | -0.40% | 0.04% | -0.10% | 0.20% | -0.15% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
EUR/USD trades higher near the 1.1550 area despite the US Dollar (USD) trimming most of its earlier losses. Traders remain focused on the upcoming US CPI report. On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to raise interest rates to help bring inflation down to target levels.
GBP/USD advances toward the 1.3390 region as the softer Greenback boosts demand for Sterling.
USD/JPY trades near 160.30, close to intervention levels, up 0.15% in the day.
AUD/USD fell towards the 0.7030 following the release of weak Australia's Westpac Consumer Confidence data.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude Oil falls near the $87.90 per barrel as traders assess the risk of further disruptions in the Middle East.
Gold (XAU/USD) falls near the $4,260 level even as falling US Treasury yields and a softer Greenback should increase demand for the non-yielding metal.
What’s next in the docket:
Wednesday, June 10:
- Japan PPI
- US CPI
- US Federal Budget Balance
Thursday, June 11:
- UK Monthly GDP
- UK Industrial Production
- UK Manufacturing Production
- US PPI
- US Core PPI
- US Initial Jobless Claims
Friday, June 12:
- United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment
- United States Michigan Inflation Expectations
- China's New Loans
- China M2 Money Supply
- Crude Oil fell on Tuesday even after Trump threatened to retaliate against Iran for shooting down a US Apache helicopter.
- The market is treating the overnight incident as noise against ongoing Strait of Hormuz reopening talks.
- Rising tanker traffic and fading ceasefire fears outweighed the escalation.
Trump announced on Tuesday that his military had concluded Iran shot down one of its Apache helicopters over the Strait of Hormuz during the overnight session, and that the US had no choice but to respond. Crude Oil's reaction was to fall. That single fact tells you most of what you need to know about where the market's head is right now: traders have stopped trading the war and started trading the deal to end it.
A war threat priced as a rounding error
The setup looked combustible on paper. Two US aviators were pulled from the water beside the world's most important oil chokepoint, the President publicly blamed Tehran, and Iran's foreign minister fired back that foreign forces loitering near Iranian territory should not be surprised when accidents happen, and would be wise to leave. A few months ago that exchange would have stuffed a double-digit premium into the barrel. Instead, WTI handed back the previous session's gains and drifted lower through the day. The bid that did arrive on the headline lasted minutes, not hours, before sellers reclaimed it.
Hormuz is the only story that matters
The reason for the indifference is simple. The market has stopped pricing escalation and started pricing the off-ramp. Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been picking up materially as Washington and Tehran inch toward a framework that would reopen the waterway, and the US Dollar softened on the same hopes. With roughly a fifth of seaborne Crude Oil normally moving through the strait, the reopening trade is worth more to the tape than any single helicopter. As long as the negotiating track survives, every geopolitical flare gets sold into rather than chased. The skeptical read is that the market is pricing a deal that has not actually been signed, and is therefore one genuine retaliation away from a nasty repricing.
Buyers rented the spike, then handed it back
On the chart, Tuesday was a controlled bleed. WTI slid from just shy of $90 at the open down to a session low close to $85, a clean one-way move that flushed out the late longs. The Apache headline then produced a violent vertical candle toward $88, the kind of knee-jerk geopolitical bid that looks terrifying on a five-minute screen and means nothing an hour later. It was sold almost immediately, with price snapping back into the $86.50 to $87.00 zone and chopping sideways there into the close near $87. The Stochastic Relative Strength Index (Stoch RSI) rolled over from overbought back toward the middle of its range, confirming that the momentum behind the spike has already drained.
Levels to watch
Upside: a reclaim of the $88 spike high reopens the run toward the session high near $90, though it likely needs a real catalyst, an actual US strike or the Hormuz talks collapsing, rather than rhetoric alone.
Downside: losing the $86.50 shelf puts the session low near $85 back in play, and a clean break there reopens the broader slide.
Bias: neutral and choppy with a soft downward tilt. Until Hormuz physically reopens or the war genuinely restarts, the playbook is to fade the war-premium spikes and lean against rallies, respecting the $85 to $88 range.
WTI spot, 5-minute chart
WTI Oil FAQs
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
- Trump vows response after Iran downs US helicopter near Hormuz.
- VIX jumps as escalation risk overshadows nuclear-talk progress.
- Hot US CPI risk keeps Fed tightening pressure on Gold.
Gold (XAU/USD) price plunges nearly 2% on Tuesday as tensions in the Middle East escalate afterUS President Donald Trump vowed a response to Iran's downing of a US helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades below $4,250, down 1.93% on the day.
XAU/USD tumbles as retaliation fears overpower lower yields
Market mood turned off, driven by a jump in the Volatility Index (VIX)—used by investors as insurance against stock market crashes—which is up 15% in the day, amid speculation for a possible escalation as Trump said that the “US must respond to an attack on a helicopter on the Strait of Hormuz.”
A New York Times article reported that the US and Iran are polishing four issues regarding Tehran’s nuclear enrichment program, which opens the door for a ceasefire agreement.
Earlier, Automatic Data Processing (ADP) released its 4-week moving average, which showed that hiring in private companies slowed from 35.75K to 29K. Nevertheless, traders are focused on the US inflation data release. May’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) is projected to rise from 3.8% to 4.2% YoY, while underlying CPI is foreseen to tick a tenth up from 2.8% to 2.9% YoY.
If the US CPI comes in aligned with estimates or higher, bullion prices would be pressured, as the Federal Reserve (Fed) might be forced to hold rates unchanged throughout 2026 or to raise borrowing costs to tame high inflation.
As of writing, the swaps market have priced in 23 basis points of Federal Reserve tightening by the end of 2026, according to Prime Terminal data.
Worth noting that Gold prices are falling in tandem with US Treasury yields. The US 10-year Treasury note yield falls 3.5 basis points to 4.532%, which is usually a tailwind for bullion.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the buck's performance against a basket of six currencies, edges down 0.09% to 99.91.
XAU/USD technical outlook: Gold mildly bearish below the 200-day SMA
Price action shows Gold’s downtrend may continue after XAU’s spot price plunged below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $4,440, a level investors use as an indicator of an asset's bullish or bearishness.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is accelerating its decline toward oversold territory, an indication that sellers have been gathering momentum. Therefore, the likely trend is for XAU to continue drifting lower.
If XAU/USD drops below the June 8 low of $4,268, the next support levels are $4,200 and then $4,098, the March 23 cycle low. Going further down, $4,000 becomes a significant support area.
On the upside, Gold must reclaim the 200-day SMA at $4,440. Breaking above this level could push prices toward $4,500, with possible resistance at $4,550. Above that, the next targets are the 50-day SMA at $4,619 and the 100-day SMA at $4,788.
Gold FAQs
Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
- Silver falls to its lowest level since March as the US Dollar rebounds.
- US CPI data due on Wednesday remains the next key catalyst for markets.
- From a technical perspective, XAG/USD stays firmly bearish, with momentum indicators showing sellers remain in control.
Silver (XAG/USD) tumbles more than 3.5% on Tuesday as price action remains driven by rapidly changing headlines surrounding the Middle East war. At the time of writing, XAG/USD is trading around $65.50, its lowest level since March 23.
US President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that "the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack" after Iran allegedly shot down a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
The comments contrasted sharply with Trump's earlier remarks that negotiations with Iran were in the "final throes" and that an agreement could be reached within days.
Following the latest developments, the US Dollar Index (DXY) trimmed earlier losses and climbed back toward the 100.00 mark as investors sought safety in the Greenback.
Meanwhile, Silver continues to face headwinds from growing expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) may need to raise interest rates to contain inflationary pressure stemming from elevated Oil prices.
Traders are now looking ahead to the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report due on Wednesday. A hotter-than-expected reading would reinforce expectations of higher-for-longer interest rates, providing additional support to the US Dollar and potentially adding further pressure on non-yielding assets such as Silver.
Technical analysis:
On the daily chart, the near-term bias remains bearish, with price holding below the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) component of the Bollinger Bands at roughly $75.26 and even below the lower band near $65.79, underscoring persistent downside pressure.
Momentum indicators reinforce this soft tone, as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers around 33 in near-oversold territory while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) stays negative, suggesting that sellers retain control despite some proximity to stretched conditions.
On the topside, immediate resistance appears at the Bollinger lower band around $65.79, with further hurdles at the Bollinger midline near $75.26 and the upper band toward $84.72, levels that would need to be reclaimed to ease the current bearish structure.
On the downside, the next notable cushion is the horizontal support at $60.00, where a decisive break would open the door to a deeper corrective leg, while holding above this floor could encourage a period of consolidation within the broader downtrend.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
- US Dollar index trims losses as fading hopes for a US-Iran deal revive safe-haven demand.
- Trump says the US must respond after Iran allegedly downed an American helicopter.
- Investors await US inflation data amid mounting speculation over a Fed rate hike.
The United States Dollar Index (DXY) trims earlier losses on Tuesday as traders swing between optimism and caution over a potential US-Iran deal.
At the time of writing, the DXY, which tracks the Greenback's value against a basket of six major currencies, is trading around 99.93 after rebounding from an intraday low of 99.68.
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone, saying negotiations with Iran were in the "final throes" and that an agreement could be reached within days.
However, market sentiment shifted later after Trump said in a Truth Social post that Iran had shot down a US Apache helicopter patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. "Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," Trump wrote.
Meanwhile, Israel carried on with military operations in Southern Lebanon despite both sides agreeing to halt attacks, while Iran warned that fighting could resume if Israel continued its "aggression."
The latest developments have tempered hopes for a near-term peace deal between the US and Iran. The two sides also remain far apart on key issues, including Iran's nuclear program, the release of frozen assets and Tehran's demand for greater control over the Strait of Hormuz.
As a result, safe-haven demand for the US Dollar remains intact. The Greenback is also finding support from hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations amid energy-driven inflationary pressures.
Markets now await the US inflation report due on Wednesday. Economists expect the annual headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) to accelerate to 4.2% in May from 3.8% in April. Core CPI is forecast to edge up to 2.9% from 2.8%.
A stronger-than-expected inflation reading would strengthen expectations that the Fed could raise interest rates before the end of the year, offering further support to the USD.
Markets are currently pricing in a 35% chance of a 25-basis-point (bps) rate hike in September, with the odds increasing to 40% for October and 42% for December, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Economic Indicator
Consumer Price Index (YoY)
Inflationary or deflationary tendencies are measured by periodically summing the prices of a basket of representative goods and services and presenting the data as The Consumer Price Index (CPI). CPI data is compiled on a monthly basis and released by the US Department of Labor Statistics. The YoY reading compares the prices of goods in the reference month to the same month a year earlier.The CPI is a key indicator to measure inflation and changes in purchasing trends. Generally speaking, a high reading is seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish.
Read more.Next release: Wed Jun 10, 2026 12:30
Frequency: Monthly
Consensus: 4.2%
Previous: 3.8%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has a dual mandate of maintaining price stability and maximum employment. According to such mandate, inflation should be at around 2% YoY and has become the weakest pillar of the central bank’s directive ever since the world suffered a pandemic, which extends to these days. Price pressures keep rising amid supply-chain issues and bottlenecks, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) hanging at multi-decade highs. The Fed has already taken measures to tame inflation and is expected to maintain an aggressive stance in the foreseeable future.
A New York Times article reports on Tuesday that the US and Iran are close to agreeing on four nuclear themes, according to US officials and diplomats negotiating with Tehran, which could halt Iran’s nuclear program for 15 years or so.
According to the officials, the four major issues on nuclear themes are:
1. A lengthy suspension of uranium enrichment.
The US demanded that Iran agree not to conduct uranium enrichment for 20 years, but Iran offered 10 years. Americans believe that Iran would settle for 15 years.
2. Iran’s current stockpile of enriched uranium is diluted, or “downblended.”
The US, alongside the International Energy Agency (IEA), would dilute or “downblend” Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. Iranian officials said that the US would serve only as an observer.
3. Iran dismantles its nuclear sites.
Washington demanded that Tehran dismantle all three of its major nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordo and Isfahan. The article mentions that Iran would dismantle just two, but this could be problematic after the Obama-era agreement, in which Iran revived the Fordo installation to produce near-bomb-grade fuel. Regarding this, Iran’s response is unclear.
4. Iran agrees to “snap” inspections
Washington wants international inspectors to conduct “snap” inspections, anytime and anyplace inside Iran. However, it’s not clear if Tehran would agree, due to many of the suspected sites being inside the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps military bases, where inspectors have been banned from access.
US Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.12% | -0.33% | 0.10% | -0.01% | 0.20% | -0.21% | -0.04% | |
| EUR | 0.12% | -0.19% | 0.24% | 0.11% | 0.38% | -0.06% | 0.11% | |
| GBP | 0.33% | 0.19% | 0.43% | 0.32% | 0.53% | 0.14% | 0.30% | |
| JPY | -0.10% | -0.24% | -0.43% | -0.11% | 0.11% | -0.31% | -0.13% | |
| CAD | 0.00% | -0.11% | -0.32% | 0.11% | 0.22% | -0.18% | -0.02% | |
| AUD | -0.20% | -0.38% | -0.53% | -0.11% | -0.22% | -0.40% | -0.24% | |
| NZD | 0.21% | 0.06% | -0.14% | 0.31% | 0.18% | 0.40% | 0.16% | |
| CHF | 0.04% | -0.11% | -0.30% | 0.13% | 0.02% | 0.24% | -0.16% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
Risk sentiment FAQs
In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off'' refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced. In a “risk-on” market, investors are optimistic about the future and more willing to buy risky assets. In a “risk-off” market investors start to ‘play it safe’ because they are worried about the future, and therefore buy less risky assets that are more certain of bringing a return, even if it is relatively modest.
Typically, during periods of “risk-on”, stock markets will rise, most commodities – except Gold – will also gain in value, since they benefit from a positive growth outlook. The currencies of nations that are heavy commodity exporters strengthen because of increased demand, and Cryptocurrencies rise. In a “risk-off” market, Bonds go up – especially major government Bonds – Gold shines, and safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and US Dollar all benefit.
The Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and minor FX like the Ruble (RUB) and the South African Rand (ZAR), all tend to rise in markets that are “risk-on”. This is because the economies of these currencies are heavily reliant on commodity exports for growth, and commodities tend to rise in price during risk-on periods. This is because investors foresee greater demand for raw materials in the future due to heightened economic activity.
The major currencies that tend to rise during periods of “risk-off” are the US Dollar (USD), the Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Swiss Franc (CHF). The US Dollar, because it is the world’s reserve currency, and because in times of crisis investors buy US government debt, which is seen as safe because the largest economy in the world is unlikely to default. The Yen, from increased demand for Japanese government bonds, because a high proportion are held by domestic investors who are unlikely to dump them – even in a crisis. The Swiss Franc, because strict Swiss banking laws offer investors enhanced capital protection.
Forex Market News
Our dedicated focus on forex news and insights empowers you to capitalise on investment opportunities in the dynamic FX market. The forex landscape is ever-evolving, characterised by continuous exchange rate fluctuations shaped by vast influential factors. From economic data releases to geopolitical developments, these events can sway market sentiment and drive substantial movements in currency valuations.
At Rakuten Securities Hong Kong, we prioritise delivering timely and accurate forex news updates sourced from reputable platforms like FXStreet. This ensures you stay informed about crucial market developments, enabling informed decision-making and proactive strategy adjustments. Whether you’re monitoring forex forecasts, analysing trading perspectives, or seeking to capitalise on emerging trends, our comprehensive approach equips you with the insights needed to navigate the FX market effectively.
Stay ahead with our comprehensive forex news coverage, designed to keep you informed and prepared to seize profitable opportunities in the dynamic world of forex trading.
