Forex News
- USD/CHF gains as the US Dollar gains on increased safe-haven demand.
- US CENTCOM launched fresh Sunday strikes to weaken Iran's capability to target civilian vessels in the waterway.
- Swiss weak data permits SNB rate cuts or currency interventions to weaken the Franc.
USD/CHF gains ground for the second successive day, trading around 0.8100 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar rises on increased safe-haven demand amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. According to Bloomberg, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched additional strikes on Sunday evening, aimed at weakening Iran's capability to target civilian vessels navigating the waterway.
Reuters reported that US forces have hit more than 300 Iranian targets over a three-night span, including 140 on Saturday alone, while Washington and Tehran issued conflicting declarations regarding whether the strait remains open to maritime traffic.
Additionally, the US Dollar receives support from escalating US-Iran missile strikes, which pushed oil higher and sparked fears of inflation and higher Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rates. The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data will be eyed on Tuesday for further clues on the Federal Reserve's (Fed) policy outlook. The headline CPI is expected to decline by 0.1% MoM in June, while the core CPI is projected to show a rise of 0.3% during the same period.
Traders expect the Fed to deliver one more interest-rate increase before the year concludes. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh as he makes his first official appearance before the US Congress this Tuesday.
Switzerland’s consumer confidence index dropped to -36 in June 2026, down from -32 in June 2025 and slightly worse than the market forecast of -35. With domestic sentiment deeply negative and Swiss inflation remaining highly contained, flatlining month-on-month at just 0.5% annually in June, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) faces zero pressure to raise interest rates. If anything, weak data keeps the door wide open for the SNB to cut interest rates or intervene in the foreign exchange market to intentionally weaken the franc. This makes the CHF less attractive to yield-seeking investors.
Swiss Franc FAQs
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is Switzerland’s official currency. It is among the top ten most traded currencies globally, reaching volumes that well exceed the size of the Swiss economy. Its value is determined by the broad market sentiment, the country’s economic health or action taken by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), among other factors. Between 2011 and 2015, the Swiss Franc was pegged to the Euro (EUR). The peg was abruptly removed, resulting in a more than 20% increase in the Franc’s value, causing a turmoil in markets. Even though the peg isn’t in force anymore, CHF fortunes tend to be highly correlated with the Euro ones due to the high dependency of the Swiss economy on the neighboring Eurozone.
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is considered a safe-haven asset, or a currency that investors tend to buy in times of market stress. This is due to the perceived status of Switzerland in the world: a stable economy, a strong export sector, big central bank reserves or a longstanding political stance towards neutrality in global conflicts make the country’s currency a good choice for investors fleeing from risks. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen CHF value against other currencies that are seen as more risky to invest in.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) meets four times a year – once every quarter, less than other major central banks – to decide on monetary policy. The bank aims for an annual inflation rate of less than 2%. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF.
Macroeconomic data releases in Switzerland are key to assessing the state of the economy and can impact the Swiss Franc’s (CHF) valuation. The Swiss economy is broadly stable, but any sudden change in economic growth, inflation, current account or the central bank’s currency reserves have the potential to trigger moves in CHF. Generally, high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence are good for CHF. Conversely, if economic data points to weakening momentum, CHF is likely to depreciate.
As a small and open economy, Switzerland is heavily dependent on the health of the neighboring Eurozone economies. The broader European Union is Switzerland’s main economic partner and a key political ally, so macroeconomic and monetary policy stability in the Eurozone is essential for Switzerland and, thus, for the Swiss Franc (CHF). With such dependency, some models suggest that the correlation between the fortunes of the Euro (EUR) and the CHF is more than 90%, or close to perfect.
- EUR/USD trades lower at around 1.1390 as the US Dollar strengthens.
- Increased aggression between the US and Iran has improved the US Dollar’s safe-haven demand.
- Investors await Fed Chair Warsh’s testimony and the US CPI data.
The Euro (EUR) holds opening losses at around 1.1390 against the US Dollar (USD) during the mid-Asian trading session on Monday. The major currency pair faces selling pressure as the US Dollar starts the week on a strong note due to an increase in the appeal of safe-haven assets.
At press time, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades 0.2% higher to near 101.15.
Escalating military actions between the United States (US) and Iran over Tehran showing dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint to almost 20% of global energy supply, have forced investors to shift to the safe-haven fleet and have de-anchored inflation expectations.
To get cues regarding the current status of US inflation, investors will pay close attention to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for June, which will be released on Tuesday.
This week, investors will also focus on Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Kevin Warsh’s two-day testimony before Congress starting on Tuesday.
Technical Analysis:
EUR/USD trades lower at around 1.1390, keeping a bearish near-term tone as spot holds beneath the 20-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.1443 and a breakdown of the Bearish Flag formation.
The Relative Strength Index (14) hovers near 38, hinting at persistent but not extreme downside momentum.
On the topside, initial resistance is aligned with the lower boundary of the parallel channel near 1.1424, followed by the 20-period EMA at 1.1443, with the channel top around 1.1530 acting as a stronger cap if a rebound extends. On the downside, major support levels are the June 24 low at 1.1324, followed by 1.1300.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
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.
- EUR/JPY gains momentum to near 184.65 in Monday’s Asian session.
- The cross keeps a bearish vibe in the near term, with the RSI holding below the midline.
- The first upside barrier emerges in the 184.80-184.85 zone; the initial support level is seen at 183.53.
The EUR/JPY cross trades in positive territory around 184.65 during the Asian trading hours on Monday. However, the potential upside for the cross might be limited as heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could boost a safe-haven currency.
Furthermore, speculation over domestic asset shifts could underpin the Japanese Yen (JPY) against the Euro (EUR). Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Friday that the government is pursuing measures that would include the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) to make "substantially greater investments in Japanese financial assets. Analysts said this move could offer greater support to the battered currency than intervention.
Technical Analysis:
In the daily chart, EUR/JPY keeps a mildly bearish near-term tone as spot holds beneath the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) and the Bollinger Bands’ 20-day middle line. The pair is drifting in the lower half of the recent volatility envelope, with the lower Bollinger band acting as the next downside reference, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 47.6 hovers just under the neutral 50 line, hinting at subdued, consolidative downside pressure rather than a strong trend.
On the topside, initial resistance emerges in the 184.80-184.85 zone, representing the Bollinger 20-day middle band and the 100-day SMA. A daily close above this clustered band would be needed to ease the current downside bias and expose the upper Bollinger band near 186.12. On the downside, the first notable support is the lower Bollinger band at 183.53, where buyers could attempt to slow the decline; a break below this level would reinforce the bearish bias and open the door to a deeper corrective slide.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
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.
- AUD/USD kicks off the new week on a weaker note as escalating US-Iran tensions boost the USD.
- The recent repeated failures to make it through the 38.2% Fibo. level warrants caution for bulls.
- A break below the 200-day SMA and the 50% Fibo. is needed to back the case for further losses.
The AUD/USD pair builds on its modest weekly bearish gap opening and retreats further from a two-and-a-half-week top, near the 0.6970 region, touched on Friday. Spot prices drop to the 0.6930-0.6925 area during the Asian session as escalating US-Iran tensions underpin the safe-haven US Dollar (USD).
Furthermore, a fresh leg up in Crude Oil prices revives inflationary concerns and bolsters US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike bets, which provide an additional boost to the Greenback. However, a bullish technical setup warrants caution before confirming that the AUD/USD pair's recent recovery from a multi-month low, touched in June, has run out of steam.
From a technical perspective, the currency pair stays above the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) and the 50.0% Fibonacci retracement level of the November 2025-May 2026 rally. Adding to this, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram remains marginally positive, hinting at a mild recovery and validating the positive outlook.
That said, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 42 still reflects only a tentative improvement from recently weak momentum. Furthermore, the recent repeated failures to break through the 38.2% Fibo. The level warrants some caution before placing aggressive bullish bets on the AUD/USD pair as the market focus shifts to the latest US inflation figures this week.
In the meantime, immediate support is reinforced by the 200-day SMA at 0.6878, ahead of the 50.0% retracement level at 0.6849. A deeper protection emerges at the 61.8% Fibo. level around 0.6747, where buyers would be expected to reassert themselves on a more meaningful pullback.
On the flip side, a sustained strength beyond the 38.2% Fibo. at 0.6951 is needed to back the case for additional gains towards the 23.6% retracement near 0.7077, which, if cleared, would give way to unlock a more decisive advance.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
AUD/USD daily chart
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 | 0.18% | 0.16% | 0.23% | 0.07% | 0.26% | -0.07% | 0.16% | |
| EUR | -0.18% | -0.01% | 0.04% | -0.11% | 0.09% | -0.21% | -0.00% | |
| GBP | -0.16% | 0.01% | 0.07% | -0.10% | 0.14% | -0.18% | 0.05% | |
| JPY | -0.23% | -0.04% | -0.07% | -0.16% | 0.04% | -0.26% | -0.01% | |
| CAD | -0.07% | 0.11% | 0.10% | 0.16% | 0.20% | -0.08% | 0.15% | |
| AUD | -0.26% | -0.09% | -0.14% | -0.04% | -0.20% | -0.26% | -0.03% | |
| NZD | 0.07% | 0.21% | 0.18% | 0.26% | 0.08% | 0.26% | 0.24% | |
| CHF | -0.16% | 0.00% | -0.05% | 0.01% | -0.15% | 0.03% | -0.24% |
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).
- US Dollar Index rises on increased safe-haven demand fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
- Tehran refuses further negotiations until Washington honors previous commitments on transit safety and Iranian oil exports.
- Traders expect the Fed to deliver one final interest-rate increase before the year concludes.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is remaining stronger for the second successive day, trading around 101.10 during the Asian session on Monday.
The Greenback rises on increased safe-haven demand amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. According to Bloomberg, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched additional strikes on Sunday evening, aimed at weakening Iran's capability to target civilian vessels navigating the waterway.
Reuters reported that US forces have hit more than 300 Iranian targets over a three-night span, including 140 on Saturday alone, while Washington and Tehran issued conflicting declarations regarding whether the strait remains open to maritime traffic. The sudden military escalation has also severely dampened hopes for continued diplomacy. Tehran is now digging in, insisting that Washington must fully honor its previous commitments regarding shipping transit and the normalization of Iranian oil exports before any further negotiations can resume.
Additionally, the US Dollar receives support from escalating US-Iran missile strikes, which pushed oil higher and sparked fears of inflation and higher Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rates. The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data will be eyed on Tuesday for further clues on the Federal Reserve's (Fed) policy outlook. The headline CPI is expected to decline by 0.1% MoM in June, while the core CPI is projected to show a rise of 0.3% during the same period.
Traders expect the Fed to deliver one more interest-rate increase before the year concludes. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh as he makes his first official appearance before the US Congress this Tuesday.
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.
- USD/CAD drifts higher to around 1.4165 in Monday’s Asian session.
- The US launched a new wave of strikes against Iran aimed at ‘degrading’ the military.
- The BoC is likely to hold the rate steady on Wednesday.
The USD/CAD pair gains traction to near 1.4165, snapping the four-day losing streak during the Asian trading hours on Monday. The US Dollar (USD) strengthens against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) amid lingering tensions regarding the US-Iran conflict. The US June Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation report will be the highlight later on Tuesday.
The US military carried out multiple attacks across Iran, saying they were aimed at “degrading” Tehran’s ability to disrupt commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, per Bloomberg. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) then launched retaliatory drone and missile assaults on US allies across the Middle East, including Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Over the weekend, Iran stated that the Strait of Hormuz would now be closed “until further notice.” Signs of escalating tensions in the Middle East could boost a safe-haven currency such as the Greenback against the CAD in the near term.
On the other hand, a stronger-than-expected Canadian jobs report could provide some support to the Loonie. Data released by Statistics Canada on Friday showed that Canada's economy added 18.2K jobs in June, continuing the momentum in the job market seen the month before. This figure followed a rise of 87.8K in May and was above the market consensus of 10K. The Unemployment Rate fell to 6.5% in June from 6.6% in May, better than the expectation of 6.6%.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) is anticipated to hold its overnight rate at 2.25% at its July policy meeting on Wednesday and keep it there well into next year as price pressures remain largely contained and the economy gradually recovers, a Reuters poll showed.
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.
- Silver drops as US-Iran strikes drive oil higher, fueling fears of inflation and rising interest rates.
- CENTCOM launched targeted strikes on Sunday evening to weaken Iran's ability to attack civilian vessels.
- Tehran refuses further negotiations until Washington honors previous commitments on transit safety and Iranian oil exports.
Silver price (XAG/USD) extends its gains for the second successive day, trading around $59.00 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Monday. The price of the non-yielding white metal falls as escalating United States (US)-Iran missile strikes push oil higher, sparking fears of inflation and higher interest rates.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched additional strikes on Sunday evening, aimed at weakening Iran's capability to target civilian vessels navigating the waterway. US forces have hit more than 300 Iranian targets over a three-night span, including 140 on Saturday alone, while Washington and Tehran issued conflicting declarations regarding whether the strait remains open to maritime traffic.
This latest surge in hostilities has effectively reversed a portion of the market losses recorded last week, which had been driven by an interim US-Iran peace agreement that initially fueled expectations of increased Middle Eastern energy supplies. The sudden military escalation has also severely dampened hopes for continued diplomacy. Tehran is now digging in, insisting that Washington must fully honor its previous commitments regarding shipping transit and the normalization of Iranian oil exports before any further negotiations can resume.
The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data will be published later on Tuesday for further clues on the Federal Reserve's (Fed) policy outlook. The headline CPI is expected to decline by 0.1% MoM in June, while the core CPI is projected to show a rise of 0.3% during the same period.
Markets are currently positioning for the Federal Reserve to deliver one more interest-rate increase before the year concludes. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh as he makes his first official appearance before the US Congress this Tuesday.
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.
- USD/JPY attracts strong buyers on Monday amid a combination of supporting factors.
- Economic risks and the wide US-Japan rate differential continue to undermine the JPY.
- Escalating US-Iran tensions and rising Fed hike bets boost the USD, supporting the pair.
The USD/JPY pair builds on Friday's late rebound from the 161.30-161.25 region and gains strong positive traction at the start of a new week. The momentum lifts spot prices back above the 162.00 round figure during the Asian session and is sponsored by a combination of supporting factors.
The US launched a new round of strikes on Iran over the weekend after Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile attacks on US military bases in the Gulf, adding a fresh uncertainty to global energy markets. Given that Japan relies on the critical waterway for over 90% of its Crude Oil imports, the latest development raises concerns about Japan's economy. Moreover, persistently wide US-Japan rate differential keeps the so-called carry trade active and undermines the Japanese Yen (JPY). This, along with a broadly firmer US Dollar (USD), lends additional support to the USD/JPY pair and contributes to the intraday move higher.
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to hold its benchmark rate in a target range of 3.50% to 3.75% in July, while the Bank of Japan (BoJ) has normalized its policy rate to 1.0% – the highest since 1995. This, however, still leaves a gap of around 250 to 275 basis points (bps), which has been a key factor behind the JPY's relative underperformance. The USD, on the other hand, attracts safe-haven flows amid a further escalation of tensions between the US and Iran. Adding to this, rising Crude Oil prices revive inflationary concerns and bolster bets for at least one interest rate hike by the Fed in 2026, which is seen as another factor lending support to the USD and the USD/JPY pair.
Meanwhile, traders remain on high alert amid growing speculations that Japanese authorities will step in again to prop up the domestic currency. This might hold back the JPY bears from placing aggressive bets and keep the currency pair below a four-decade high, touched earlier this month. In the absence of any relevant market-moving economic releases, traders on Monday will take cues from speeches by influential FOMC members later during the North American session. The focus, however, will remain glued to the latest US inflation figures and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's congressional testimony, which should provide some meaningful impetus during the latter part of the week.
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.
- NZD/USD falls despite New Zealand's services sector expanding to 50.6 in June.
- The US Dollar receives support as escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions fuel safe-haven demand.
- CENTCOM launched targeted strikes on Sunday evening to weaken Iran's ability to attack civilian vessels.
NZD/USD depreciates after three days of losses, trading around 0.5750 during the Asian hours on Monday. The currency pair holds onto its losses as the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) remains subdued, failing to find immediate support despite a positive turnaround in local economic data.
New Zealand’s BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index climbed to 50.6 in June, up from an upwardly revised 48.0 in May. This critical rebound marks the services sector's first return to expansionary territory since January.
Broader private sector momentum showed even stronger signs of recovery, with the BusinessNZ Performance of Composite Index jumping to 53.6 in June from May's revised reading of 49.9. This shift represents the first overall expansion for New Zealand's private sector since the start of the year. Furthermore, the sharp increase signals the country's strongest pace of economic growth since December 2025, even as currency markets look past the data.
The risk-sensitive NZD/USD pair loses ground as the US Dollar (USD) rises sharply amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. According to Bloomberg, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched additional strikes on Sunday evening, aimed at weakening Iran's capability to target civilian vessels navigating the waterway.
Reuters reported that US forces have hit more than 300 Iranian targets over a three-night span, including 140 on Saturday alone, while Washington and Tehran issued conflicting declarations regarding whether the strait remains open to maritime traffic.
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.
On Monday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 6.7972 compared to Friday's fix of 6.7989 and 6.7850 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.
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