Forex News
- Silver edges higher on safe-haven demand amid stalled US–Iran peace talks.
- President Trump canceled a planned delegation to Pakistan for potential direct talks with Iran.
- Fed expected to act cautiously, with gradual rate cuts under incoming Chair Kevin Warsh.
Silver price (XAG/USD) gains ground for the second successive day, trading around $76.00 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Monday. The white metal inches higher on increased safe-haven demand amid stalled US–Iran peace talks.
US President Donald Trump called off that delegation to Pakistan to potentially discuss directly with Iran. Trump on Saturday told Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to skip the trip to Pakistan, which is mediating talks, saying that Iran “offered a lot, but not enough.
President Trump said, "If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his nation won’t enter “imposed negotiations under threats or blockade.”
Meanwhile, traffic through the strategic waterway remains largely restricted due to Iran’s controls and the US naval blockade, heightening fears of prolonged disruptions and further supporting crude oil prices.
Higher energy prices heighten concerns over persistent inflationary pressures and a hawkish tone surrounding central banks, which could limit the upside for non-interest-bearing Silver.
The US Federal Reserve is expected to act cautiously, with gradual rate cuts anticipated under incoming Chair Kevin Warsh. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its upcoming April policy meeting. Traders will closely watch the Fed’s press conference for more clues on how policymakers are interpreting the impact of higher energy costs and whether this alters their longer-term outlook on interest rates.
Silver FAQs
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
- EUR/USD turns positive around 1.1730 as the US Dollar gives back early gains.
- Iran prepares to reopen the Hormuz if the US lifts the blockade on Iranian sea ports.
- Investors await the Fed-ECB monetary policy announcements.
The EUR/USD pair claws back its early losses and turns positive around 1.1730 during the Asian trading session on Monday. The major currency pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) turns upside down.
During the press time, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades 0.06% lower to near 98.45. The USD Index opened significantly higher around 99.35 as the United States (US) canceled a visit to Islamabad for another round of peace talks with Iran, despite Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi visiting Pakistan to resume talks.
Meanwhile, Iran has offered a new proposal to the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war that includes putting off nuclear negotiations, according to Axios, Bloomberg reported. The report shows that nuclear talks would come later, only after a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz were lifted. This indicated Iran’s readiness to end the almost two-month-long conflicts in the Middle East.
This week, investors brace for high volatility in the major currency pair as both the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the European Central Bank (ECB) are scheduled to announce monetary policies on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
EUR/USD technical analysis
EUR/USD trades marginally higher at around 1.1730 as of writing. The pair holds a constructive near-term bias as it trades above the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) at 1.1696, suggesting buyers retain control after reclaiming this dynamic support.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 54.9 sits moderately above the 50 line, hinting at firm but not overstretched bullish momentum as price pushes deeper into the upper half of the recent Fibonacci retracement grid.
On the topside, immediate resistance emerges at the 50.0% Fibonacci retracement at 1.1749; a sustained break higher would expose the 61.8% retracement at 1.1828, followed by 1.1941 and the cycle high region near 1.2085. On the downside, initial support is provided by the 20-day EMA at 1.1696, with additional protection at the 38.2% Fibonacci level at 1.1670; a deeper pullback would bring the 23.6% retracement at 1.1572 into view ahead of the structural floor around 1.1413.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Central banks FAQs
Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%.
A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing.
A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%.
Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.
- US Dollar Index trades with mild losses around 98.45 in Monday’s early Asian session.
- Iran offered the US a proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Fed interest rate decision will take center stage later on Wednesday.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, currently trades near 98.45 during the Asian trading hours on Monday. The DXY edges lower after reports that Iran offered the US a proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Bloomberg reported on Monday that Iran gave the US a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, which includes putting off nuclear negotiations. The plan called for extending the ceasefire so both countries can work toward a permanent end to the fighting. Any hopes for the US-Iran ceasefire and easing tensions in the Middle East could drag the US Dollar lower against its rivals.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump told Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to skip the trip to Pakistan, which is mediating talks, saying that Iran “offered a lot, but not enough.”
All eyes will be on the Fed interest rate decision on Wednesday. The US central bank is expected to keep the federal funds rate between 3.50% and 3.75%, where it has sat since January. Deutsche Bank analysts noted that a repricing of Fed policy toward a more hawkish stance, driven by persistent oil-related inflation, could boost the DXY.
US Dollar FAQs
The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away.
The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.
Iran gave the United States (US) a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war that includes putting off nuclear negotiations, Bloomberg reported an Axios story on Monday, a US official and two sources with knowledge of the matter.
The plan called for extending the ceasefire so both countries can work toward a permanent end to the fighting, Axios said. Nuclear talks would come later, only after a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz were lifted. The source said Pakistani mediators gave the proposal to the White House, but it’s unclear whether the US wants to explore it.
Market reaction
At the time of writing, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is up 0.33% on the day at $93.70.
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.
- AUD/USD attracts some dip-buyers on Monday amid a modest US Dollar weakness.
- The RBA’s hawkish stance counters US-Iran tensions and offers support to the Aussie.
- The technical setup favors bulls as the market focus shifts to the key FOMC meeting.
The AUD/USD pair turns positive for the second consecutive day following a modest dip on Monday and climbs to a three-day high, around the 0.7170 region during the Asian session. Spot prices, however, remain confined within a familiar range that has been held over the past two weeks or so, warranting some caution for bullish traders.
Despite stalled US-Iran peace talks and a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, the US Dollar (USD) struggles to lure buyers and remains on the defensive as bulls seem reluctant ahead of the crucial FOMC meeting this week. Moreover, a generally positive risk tone is seen undermining the Greenback's safe-haven demand and acting as a tailwind for the AUD/USD pair amid the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) hawkish stance.
From a technical perspective, the recent range-bound price action might be categorized as a bullish consolidation phase against the backdrop of a rally from the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), touched in March. Furthermore, positive momentum studies maintain a constructive outlook for the AUD/USD pair, suggesting that the path of least resistance remains to the upside and backing the case for an eventual bullish breakout.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) holds above 60 without yet signaling overbought conditions and points to sustained upside pressure. Also, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram remains in a positive zone, indicating that the recent advance is broadly backed by upward momentum. However, a move above the 0.7185-0.7190 area, or the trading range hurdle, is needed to reaffirm the constructive outlook.
On the flip side, any corrective pullback could be seen as a buying opportunity and continue to find decent support ahead of the 0.7100 mark. A convincing break below the said handle, along with any loss of momentum in the indicators, would warn of a corrective phase within the broader bullish structure.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
AUD/USD daily chart
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 Swiss Franc.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.02% | -0.00% | -0.02% | -0.03% | -0.25% | -0.13% | 0.02% | |
| EUR | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.00% | -0.00% | -0.20% | -0.10% | 0.04% | |
| GBP | 0.00% | -0.03% | -0.02% | -0.05% | -0.26% | -0.16% | 0.02% | |
| JPY | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.00% | -0.23% | -0.13% | 0.08% | |
| CAD | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.05% | -0.01% | -0.23% | -0.13% | 0.05% | |
| AUD | 0.25% | 0.20% | 0.26% | 0.23% | 0.23% | 0.12% | 0.28% | |
| NZD | 0.13% | 0.10% | 0.16% | 0.13% | 0.13% | -0.12% | 0.16% | |
| CHF | -0.02% | -0.04% | -0.02% | -0.08% | -0.05% | -0.28% | -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 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/CAD falls as the Canadian Dollar gains support from higher oil prices.
- WTI rises after Trump canceled Pakistan talks delegation, heightening supply concerns.
- Israel-Hezbollah clashes intensify despite a US-brokered ceasefire extension.
USD/CAD remains subdued for the second successive day, trading around 1.3660 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair loses ground as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) receives support from higher oil prices, given Canada’s status as the largest crude exporter to the United States (US).
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price receives support after registering 2.4% losses in the previous day, trading around $94.00 per barrel at the time of writing. Crude oil prices advance on rising supply concerns amid stalled US–Iran peace talks. US President Donald Trump called off that delegation to Pakistan to potentially discuss directly with Iran.
President Trump on Saturday told Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to skip the trip to Pakistan, which is mediating talks, saying that Iran “offered a lot, but not enough. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his nation won’t enter “imposed negotiations under threats or blockade.”
Meanwhile, traffic through the strategic waterway remains largely restricted due to Iran’s controls and the US naval blockade, heightening fears of prolonged disruptions and providing further support to crude oil prices.
The USD/CAD pair is also subdued as the US Dollar (USD) extends its losses for the second successive day despite increased safe-haven demand as the ceasefire comes under strain, with Israel and Hezbollah escalating attacks despite a US-brokered extension meant to halt fighting for three weeks.
Canadian Dollar FAQs
The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive.
The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD.
While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar.
Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.
- NZD/USD turns positive for the second straight day on Monday amid a modest USD downtick.
- Stalled US-Iran peace talks, Hormuz risks, and hawkish Fed bets could limit further USD losses.
- Traders might also opt to move to the sidelines ahead of the FOMC policy meeting this week.
The NZD/USD pair attracts some dip-buyers at the start of a new week and builds on Friday's bounce from the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) support near the 0.5840 area. Spot prices climb back closer to the 0.5900 mark during the Asian session amid a modest US Dollar (USD) downtick, though the upside seems capped on the back of geopolitical uncertainties.
A generally positive tone around the equity markets is seen undermining the safe-haven Greenback and turning out to be a key factor offering some support to the NZD/USD pair for the second consecutive day. Any meaningful USD depreciation, however, seems elusive in the wake of stalled US-Iran peace talks. In fact, US President Donald Trump cancelled envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's trip to Pakistan aimed at advancing Iran war negotiations.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the military to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. This comes on top of the US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz and continued supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, which revives inflationary concerns and hawkish US Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations. This, in turn, should limit deeper USD losses and keep a lid on further gains for the NZD/USD pair.
Traders might also opt to wait for the outcome of a two-day FOMC meeting on Wednesday, which will influence the USD price dynamics and provide a fresh impetus. In the meantime, bets that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) may maintain a cautious policy stance or consider tightening to bring inflation back to the 2% midpoint amid persistent sticky inflation might hold back bearish traders from placing aggressive bets around the NZD/USD pair.
New Zealand Dollar FAQs
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair.
Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate.
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.
- USD/JPY flat lines around 159.50 in Monday’s early Asian session.
- Markets expect the BoJ to leave interest rates unchanged on Tuesday.
- The FOMC is anticipated to maintain the federal funds rate between 3.50% and 3.75% at its April meeting on Wednesday.
The USD/JPY pair trades on a flat note near 159.50 during the early Asian session on Monday. Traders prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the key interest rate decisions from both the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and the US Federal Reserve (Fed).
Markets anticipate the Japanese central bank keeping interest rates steady at 0.75% on Tuesday. While a "hawkish hold" is possible, officials are balancing rising energy-driven inflation against economic uncertainty caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, intervention fears could provide some support to the JPY and act as a headwind for the pair. Japanese authorities, including Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, highlighted a "high sense of urgency" regarding speculative and weak-JPY moves driven by Middle East tensions.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is expected to maintain the benchmark federal funds rate in the 3.50% to 3.75% range, marking the third consecutive meeting without a change. This meeting may be the final one for Jerome Powell, whose successor, Kevin Warsh, is nearing confirmation.
Traders will take more cues from the press conference on how policymakers are interpreting the impact of higher energy costs and whether this alters their longer-term outlook on interest rates. Any hawkish remarks from the Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers could lift the Greenback against the Japanese Yen (JPY).
Japanese Yen FAQs
The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors.
One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen.
Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential.
The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.
On Monday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 6.8579 compared to Friday's fix of 6.8674 and 6.8282 Reuters estimate.
PBOC FAQs
The primary monetary policy objectives of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) are to safeguard price stability, including exchange rate stability, and promote economic growth. China’s central bank also aims to implement financial reforms, such as opening and developing the financial market.
The PBoC is owned by the state of the People's Republic of China (PRC), so it is not considered an autonomous institution. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Committee Secretary, nominated by the Chairman of the State Council, has a key influence on the PBoC’s management and direction, not the governor. However, Mr. Pan Gongsheng currently holds both of these posts.
Unlike the Western economies, the PBoC uses a broader set of monetary policy instruments to achieve its objectives. The primary tools include a seven-day Reverse Repo Rate (RRR), Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF), foreign exchange interventions and Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR). However, The Loan Prime Rate (LPR) is China’s benchmark interest rate. Changes to the LPR directly influence the rates that need to be paid in the market for loans and mortgages and the interest paid on savings. By changing the LPR, China’s central bank can also influence the exchange rates of the Chinese Renminbi.
Yes, China has 19 private banks – a small fraction of the financial system. The largest private banks are digital lenders WeBank and MYbank, which are backed by tech giants Tencent and Ant Group, per The Straits Times. In 2014, China allowed domestic lenders fully capitalized by private funds to operate in the state-dominated financial sector.
- GBP/USD remains in the negative territory due to stalled US–Iran peace talks.
- US–Iran peace talks stalled after Trump canceled a Pakistan delegation for potential negotiations.
- USD strengthens on safe-haven demand as Israel-Hezbollah clashes intensify despite a US-brokered ceasefire extension.
GBP/USD remains in the negative territory after trimming daily losses, trading around 1.3520 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair faced pressure as the risk-sensitive Pound Sterling (GBP) weakened amid stalled US–Iran peace talks.
US President Donald Trump called off that delegation to Pakistan to potentially discuss directly with Iran, Bloomberg reported on Sunday. "If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines," said Trump.
Trump on Saturday told Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to skip the trip to Pakistan, which is mediating talks, saying that Iran “offered a lot, but not enough. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his nation won’t enter “imposed negotiations under threats or blockade.”
CNN reported that President Trump was swiftly escorted off the stage by Secret Service after possible shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on Saturday. Vice President JD Vance and several members of Trump’s Cabinet, who were also in attendance, were also rushed out.
The US Dollar (USD) strengthened against major peers on safe-haven demand as the ceasefire comes under strain, with Israel and Hezbollah escalating attacks despite a US-brokered extension meant to halt fighting for three weeks.
Pound Sterling FAQs
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).
The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.
Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
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