Euro’s brief post-election rally faded quickly, as investors welcomed CDU/CSU’s victory but remained cautious due to lingering uncertainties around coalition formation and fiscal policy. While a relatively centrist government comprising CDU and the Social Democrats would provide stability, challenges surrounding the “debt brake” reform and defense spending continue to cloud the outlook. A coalition with […]
Geopolitical developments dominated global headlines last week, particularly surrounding peace negotiations over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and evolving US-Ukraine relations. While US President Donald Trump’s tariffs took a backseat, concerns over their impact on consumer spending and economic growth resurfaced by the end of the week, triggering renewed risk aversion. Markets lacked clear direction for
New Zealand Dollar initially weakened following RBNZ’s 50bps rate cut today, but quickly regained ground as Governor Adrian Orr indicated that the pace of easing will slow in the coming months. Orr suggested that the central bank is likely to implement just more 25bps cuts, in April and May, provided that economic conditions unfold as
Australian Dollar initially dipped after RBA’s widely expected rate cut, but the move was short-lived as the currency quickly stabilized. RBA’s cautious tone on further easing provided underlying support for the Aussie. The central bank made it clear that while policy easing has begun, it is not committing to a rapid or continuous rate-cut cycle.
Yen gained strength across the board after Japan’s Q4 GDP growth exceeded expectations, with both private consumption and capital investment rebounding. This development supports BoJ’s decision to hike in January and has fueled speculation that another rate increase could arrive sooner than expected. It’s now seen by some economists that the timing of the next
Dollar closed the week broadly lower, with the only exception being its slight gains against the even weaker Yen. Risk-on sentiment dominated global markets, fueling strong rallies in equities across the US, Europe, and Hong Kong, which in turn kept the greenback under pressure. The greenback had previously enjoyed a tariff-driven boost earlier in the
Dollar is trading is a mildly firmer tone while Gold inches closer to the key 3000 psychological level after US President Donald Trump officially raised tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. However, the broader market reaction has been relatively subdued. Major US equity indexes managed to post modest gains overnight, and 10-year Treasury yield also
Trade tensions remain at the forefront of market concerns as the US prepares to roll out another wave of tariffs. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump confirmed plans to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, adding to the existing duties on these metals. The official announcement is expected today. Meanwhile, “reciprocal
Global markets found some stability after the US agreed to a 30-day delay on tariffs against Mexico and Canada following agreements on fentanyl trafficking and border security measures. However, trade tensions remain elevated as Washington proceeded with the additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. In response, China retaliated by imposing a 15% tariff on
After a burst of volatility earlier in the session, currency markets are taking a breather as traders reassess the evolving US tariff situation. Comments from White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett helped cool tensions when he clarified that, “This is not a trade war, this is a drug war,” directing the focus toward
Global markets kicked off February under heavy strain as US President Donald Trump’s long-anticipated tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China came into full effect. Investor sentiment turned sharply negative, with Japan’s Nikkei tumbling over 1,000 points in response. Dollar opened the week with a strong gap higher and maintained solid gains throughout Asian session. Commodity-linked
Euro is trading slightly higher following the ECB’s widely expected 25bps rate cut, though the move lacks strong momentum. In her post-meeting press conference, President Christine Lagarde reinforced the bank’s “gradual easing path”. She stated that a larger 50bps cut was not even considered today, making it clear that an aggressive rate-cutting cycle is off
New Zealand Dollar softened mildly today as Q4 inflation data reinforced the case for continued monetary easing by RBNZ. The central bank has ample room to swiftly bring interest rate from the current 4.25% to neutral, with inflation staying at around mid-point of 1-3% target range for the second straight quarter. Another 50bps rate cut
Forex markets have settled into quieter trading as the immediate impact of US President Donald Trump’s inauguration and initial executive orders fades. While Trump’s proposed tariffs remain a significant concern, their delayed implementation suggests a more calculated and strategic approach, tied to future negotiations. This tempered stance has brought a sense of cautious optimism to
Sterling extended its losses at the start of the week as deepening concerns over the UK’s fiscal situation continued to dominate market sentiment. Yields on 10-year UK Gilts surged above 4.88%, inching closer to the psychologically significant 5% mark. Market participants remain skeptical about the government’s fiscal discipline, despite repeated reassurances from Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The US markets last week were shaped by two dominant themes: uncertainty surrounding trade policies of the incoming US administration and the impact of robust US economic data. Initial market confusion, driven by ambiguous signals regarding tariffs, created significant volatility. However, this indecisiveness gave way to clarity as strong US data reaffirmed the resilience of
