Bank of Japan (BoJ) former board member Makoto Sakurai said on Tuesday that the Japanese central bank will probably halt its quarterly reductions in government bond purchases starting next fiscal year, per Bloomberg.
The BoJ has been trimming its bond-buying by ¥400 billion ($2.8 billion) every quarter since last summer, but recent pressure from rising yields has likely made further cuts too risky.
Market reaction
At the time of writing, the USD/JPY pair is trading 0.02% lower on the day to trade at 142.71.
Bank of Japan FAQs
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the Japanese central bank, which sets monetary policy in the country. Its mandate is to issue banknotes and carry out currency and monetary control to ensure price stability, which means an inflation target of around 2%.
The Bank of Japan embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy in 2013 in order to stimulate the economy and fuel inflation amid a low-inflationary environment. The bank’s policy is based on Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE), or printing notes to buy assets such as government or corporate bonds to provide liquidity. In 2016, the bank doubled down on its strategy and further loosened policy by first introducing negative interest rates and then directly controlling the yield of its 10-year government bonds. In March 2024, the BoJ lifted interest rates, effectively retreating from the ultra-loose monetary policy stance.
The Bank’s massive stimulus caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process exacerbated in 2022 and 2023 due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. This trend partly reversed in 2024, when the BoJ decided to abandon its ultra-loose policy stance.
A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. The prospect of rising salaries in the country – a key element fuelling inflation – also contributed to the move.
EUR/USD depreciates as the US Dollar strengthens, as US yields weaken due to Japan’s potential cuts in government debt issuance.
The Greenback gains ground ahead of the May 7 FOMC Meeting Minutes release on Wednesday.
Trump expressed his satisfaction as the EU is speeding up the process to reach a trade deal with the United States.
EUR/USD continues its losses for the second successive day, trading around 1.1310 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The pair depreciates as the US Dollar (USD) draws support and as US yields depreciate following Japan’s indication of potential cuts in government debt issuance, which has boosted global bond markets. At the time of writing, the 10- and 30-year yields on US Treasury bonds are standing at 4.46% and 4.97%, respectively.
Additionally, the Greenback received support as the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 98.0 in May from the previous 86.0 reading. Meanwhile, US Durable Goods Orders fell by 6.3% in April against a 7.6% increase prior. This figure came in better than the estimated decrease of 7.9%. Traders likely await the FOMC Minutes, which are due later on Wednesday.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams emphasized the importance of inflation expectations should be well anchored. Williams wants to avoid inflation becoming highly persistent because that could become permanent by responding relatively strongly when inflation begins to deviate from the target. On Tuesday, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said that policymakers should avoid any adjustment in interest rates until reaching clear estimations of the impact on inflation due to higher tariffs.
However, the risk-sensitive Euro (EUR) gained support as trade tension eased between the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). On Sunday, US President Donald Trump extended the tariff deadline on imports from the EU from June 1 to July 9. On Monday, the Brussels agreed to speed up trade talks with the United States to avoid a transatlantic trade war.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump expressed his satisfaction in a post on Truth Social, noting that the EU is accelerating the process towards reaching a trade deal with the United States. Trump wrote, “I was extremely satisfied with the 50% Tariff allotment on the European Union, especially since they were ‘slow walking”. I have just been informed that the EU has called to quickly establish meeting dates. This is a positive event, and I hope that they will.
Euro FAQs
The Euro is the currency for the 19 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day.
EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%).
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy.
The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa.
The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.
Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control.
Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency.
A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall.
Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy.
Another significant data release for the Euro 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 then its currency will gain in value 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.
EUR/GBP trades flat around 0.8390 in Tuesday’s early European session.
Optimism surrounding the EU-US trade deal could support the Euro in the near term.
Stronger-than-expected UK CPI and Retail Sales have raised the prospect of a BoE rate cut delay.
The EUR/GBP cross holds steady near 0.8390 during the early European session on Tuesday. Traders will take more cues from Consumer Confidence in the Eurozone. The attention will shift to the German Retail Sales data, which is due later on Friday.
The rising hopes of a potential EU-US trade deal after US President Donald Trump delayed the imposition of 50% tariffs on Europe could lift the Euro (EUR) against the Pound Sterling (GBP) in the near term. Traders will closely monitor the progress of US trade policy as July 9 is the end of the 90-day pause on Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” levies on the EU. Any signs of escalating trade tension could weigh on the shared currency.
On the GBP’s front, traders push back Bank of England (BoE) rate cut bets after the release of the stronger-than-expected growth in the UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Retail Sales data for April. This, in turn, might boost the Pound Sterling and create a headwind for the cross. The possibility of a BoE rate cut in August was reduced to 40% by investors, down from 60% before the inflation data. However, interest rate futures pricing suggested investors saw about 37 basis points (bps) of BoE rate reductions by the end of 2025.
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.
The Indian Rupee steadies in Tuesday’s Asian session.
A weaker US Dollar and stronger Chinese Yuan could support the INR, but RBI rate cut bets might cap its upside.
The US Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence report is due later on Tuesday.
The Indian Rupee (INR) flat lines on Tuesday after hitting a two-week high in the previous session. A broader gain in the Asian currencies on account of a weak US Dollar (USD) could provide some support to the Indian currency. Additionally, a decline in crude oil prices might contribute to the INR’s upside. It’s worth noting that India is the world’s third-largest oil consumer, and lower crude oil prices tend to have a positive impact on the INR value.
Nonetheless, expectations of lower interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) might weigh on the local currency. Traders brace for the US Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence report, which is due later on Tuesday. Also, Durable Goods Orders and the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index will be released. The Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will be the highlight later on Wednesday.
Indian Rupee holds steady amid weakening of the US Dollar
“It’s a very EM positive environment, and I don’t see any reason why that will stop in the near term,” said Brad Bechtel, global head of foreign exchange at Jefferies. Bechtel emphasized that the US Dollar (USD) could face steeper losses if China allows the Yuan to start moving substantially higher.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI is likely to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) at the June meeting, according to Moneycontrol’s poll of economists and bank treasury heads.
NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) BVR Subrahmanyam said that India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, citing data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to the CME FedWatch tool, the chances of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in June’s meeting are only at a low of 5.6%.
USD/INR retains the negative bias in the longer term
The Indian Rupee trades on a flat note on the day. The bearish outlook of the USD/INR pair remains in place as the price is below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily chart. Furthermore, downward momentum is reinforced by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which stands below the midline near 45.00. This suggests that further downside looks favorable in the near term.
The first support level for USD/INR is located at 84.78, the low of May 26. Any follow-through selling below this level could set off a drop to 84.61, the low of May 12. The additional downside filter to watch is 84.05, the lower limit of the trend channel.
In the bullish case, the 100-day EMA at 85.55 acts as an immediate resistance level for the pair. Sustained trading above the mentioned level possibly lifts USD/INR up to 85.75, the upper boundary of the trend channel. Further north, the next hurdle is seen at 85.10, the high of May 22.
Indian Rupee FAQs
The Indian Rupee (INR) is one of the most sensitive currencies to external factors. The price of Crude Oil (the country is highly dependent on imported Oil), the value of the US Dollar – most trade is conducted in USD – and the level of foreign investment, are all influential. Direct intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in FX markets to keep the exchange rate stable, as well as the level of interest rates set by the RBI, are further major influencing factors on the Rupee.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively intervenes in forex markets to maintain a stable exchange rate, to help facilitate trade. In addition, the RBI tries to maintain the inflation rate at its 4% target by adjusting interest rates. Higher interest rates usually strengthen the Rupee. This is due to the role of the ‘carry trade’ in which investors borrow in countries with lower interest rates so as to place their money in countries’ offering relatively higher interest rates and profit from the difference.
Macroeconomic factors that influence the value of the Rupee include inflation, interest rates, the economic growth rate (GDP), the balance of trade, and inflows from foreign investment. A higher growth rate can lead to more overseas investment, pushing up demand for the Rupee. A less negative balance of trade will eventually lead to a stronger Rupee. Higher interest rates, especially real rates (interest rates less inflation) are also positive for the Rupee. A risk-on environment can lead to greater inflows of Foreign Direct and Indirect Investment (FDI and FII), which also benefit the Rupee.
Higher inflation, particularly, if it is comparatively higher than India’s peers, is generally negative for the currency as it reflects devaluation through oversupply. Inflation also increases the cost of exports, leading to more Rupees being sold to purchase foreign imports, which is Rupee-negative. At the same time, higher inflation usually leads to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates and this can be positive for the Rupee, due to increased demand from international investors. The opposite effect is true of lower inflation.
Gold price edges lower to $3,335 in Monday’s Asian session.
Trump set a July 9 deadline for a trade deal with the European Union.
Renewed inflation concerns and recession fears might help limit the Gold’s losses.
The Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts some sellers to near $3,335 during the early Asian session on Monday. The de-escalation of the trade war provides some support to the yellow metal. The FOMC Minute will be the highlight later on Wednesday.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that he agreed to an extension on the tariff deadline on the European Union (EU) until July 9, rescinding his threat of a 50% tariff from June 1. The easing fears of a global trade war drag the precious metal lower.
However, traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding US-Japan trade deals and other major economies’ trade deals for fresh impetus. Any signs of escalating trade tensions could boost the safe-haven flows, benefitting the precious metal.
Renewed inflation concerns and a US credit rating downgrade boost could underpin the Gold price. Moody’s downgraded the US long-held ‘Aaa’ credit rating to ‘Aa1.’ The downgrade added fuel to a weakening US Dollar (USD) and lifted the USD-denominated Gold price.
Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, expects the rise in gold prices to continue into the month of June 2025. Trivedi emphasized key drivers like the US credit downgrade, continued Chinese central bank gold purchases, and trade tensions.
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.
EUR/USD dips to 1.1296 after Trump announces steep tariffs on EU imports starting June 1.
The pair rebounds to 1.1350 as US Dollar stays pressured by rising fiscal deficit concerns.
Euro shrugs off ECB rate cut talk, supported by improving German GDP figures.
EUR/USD recovered during the mid-North American session on Friday after diving below 1.1300 after US President Donald Trump rattled the markets by threatening to impose 50% tariffs on the European Union (EU). At the time of writing, the pair recovered and climbed to around 1.1350
US President Donald Trump posted on his social network early Friday that discussions with the European Union “are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025,” he wrote. The EUR/USD fell to 1.1296 on the remarks before the uptrend resumed.
Following those remarks, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that “EU proposals have not been of good quality,” adding that “Most countries are negotiating in good faith, except the EU.”
The Greenback remains on the back foot, weighed down by the approval of Trump’s tax bill in the House of Representatives, which is on its way to the Senate. If passed, the proposal would add close to $4 trillion to the US debt ceiling over a decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
It is worth noting that the US Dollar remains unreactive to Federal Reserve (Fed) speakers, who so far have said the US Treasury market is working orderly, adding that uncertainty about supply chains, inventory and inflation keeps business executives unaware of the future.
The US economic docket featured US housing data in May, which was mixed as Building Permits fell, but New Home Sales improved in April.
In the Eurozone, Germany’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) improved yearly, though it remained in contractionary territory.
In the meantime, the Euro shrugged off speculation that the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to lower interest rates at the upcoming meeting. ECB’s Rehn and Stournaras favor a rate cut in June, with the latter supporting a pause after that meeting.
EUR/USD daily market movers: the Euro favored by “sell America” trend
The Euro remains favored by overall US Dollar weakness. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of six currencies against the American Dollar, tumbled 0.79% at 99.10, its lowest level since April 29.
The “sell America” trend continues with investors selling off bonds, US equities and the US Dollar. It was ignited by US President Donald Trump’s “trade war” and Moody’s downgrade of US government debt from AAA to AA1.
The US schedule featured Building Permits, which fell by 4% MoM in April, declining from 1.481 million to 1.422 million, signaling a slowdown in future construction activity.
New Home Sales surged 10.9% MoM, rising from 0.67 million to 0.743 million, according to the US Census Bureau. This reflects strong demand in the housing market despite tighter supply conditions.
Germany’s economy grew in Q1 2025, exceeding estimates due to exports and industry frontloading ahead of US tariffs. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) improved from 0.2% to 0.4% QoQ.
EUR/USD technical outlook: Set to challenge 1.1400 in the near term
The EUR/USD uptrend resumed on Friday, with the pair reaching a two-week high of 1.1375 as traders brace for challenging 1.1400. Buyers are gathering steam as the pair registered the highest high and low during the last five days, and further confirmed by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which trends up ahead of turning overbought.
If EUR/USD clears 1.1400, it would pave the way for testing key resistance levels, like 1.1450, followed by the 1.1500 mark and the year-to-date (YTD) high at 1.1573.
Conversely, if EUR/USD falls below 1.1300, the pair could test the May 22 low of 1.1255, ahead of 1.1200.
ECB FAQs
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for the region.
The ECB primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means keeping inflation at around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will usually result in a stronger Euro and vice versa.
The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.
In extreme situations, the European Central Bank can enact a policy tool called Quantitative Easing. QE is the process by which the ECB prints Euros and uses them to buy assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Euro.
QE is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the objective of price stability. The ECB used it during the Great Financial Crisis in 2009-11, in 2015 when inflation remained stubbornly low, as well as during the covid pandemic.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE. It is undertaken after QE when an economic recovery is underway and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the European Central Bank (ECB) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the ECB stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive (or bullish) for the Euro.
The US Dollar Index sees the previous day’s relief rally pared back in full on Friday.
Trump hints to tariffs for EU and starts to target domestic companies as well, with Apple’s Iphone facing 25% tariff.
The US Dollar Index extends losses and is on its way to test a fresh two-week low near 99.14.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, dips further on Friday and erases the previous day’s recovery, trading near 99.20 at the time of writing. The fresh leg lower comes after the House of Representatives passed United States (US) President Donald Trump’s spending bill, now on its way to the Senate. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office revealed that this “big, beautiful bill” comes with a hefty price tag: $3.8 trillion in additional debt to the federal government’s $36.2 trillion over the next decade, according to Reuters.
Markets, and indeed the bond market, have been very concerned about these numbers. The best example was the longer-term 30-year Bond, where yields rallied to 5.15% on Thursday from 4.64% at the start of May, a more than one-year high since the 5.18% seen at the end of December 2023. More concerns could devalue the US Dollar even further.
Meanwhile President Trump came out on his social media platform Truth Social by saying that he is considering putting a 50% tariff on EU goods as of June 1st. Apple might face a 25% tariff on its Iphone if the model is not made in the US. Both Apple and EU equities are diving lower on the back of this news.
Daily digest market movers: The approach raises more questions
United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent gave further details on President Trump’s comments. Bessent said that the EU was not making enough progress on its talks with the US. The proposals itself from Europea re not that good as from other countries, Bessent said, Bloomberg reports.
President Trump threatens with a 50% tariff on all EU goods from June 1st and a 25% tariff on Iphones if they are not made in the US, Bloomberg reports.
At 12:35 GMT, St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem participates in a fireside chat with Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid at the Heartland Health Institute, Benthoville.
At 14:00 GMT, April’s New Home Sales data will be released.
At 16:00 GMT, Federal Reserve Bank Governor Lisa Cook speaks on financial stability at the Seventh Annual Women in Macro Conference.
Equities are diving lower, with losses over 2% across Europe and over 1% in the three main US indices.
The CME FedWatch tool shows the chance of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in June’s meeting at just 5.3%. Further ahead, the July 30 decision sees odds for rates being lower than current levels at 28.2%. Recent hawkish comments from Fed officials have reduced the chances of a rate cut in the short term.
The US 10-year yields trade around 4.47%, cooling down from their peak performance earlier this week at 4.62%.
US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Another bad week
The US Dollar Index is back to square one, flirting with a fresh two-week low at the time of writing near 99.40. With the spending bill now having cleared that first hurdle, the risk of a substantial shock effect in the US debt could further materialise. Even another cut in its credit rating might be under consideration, denting the US image and the US Dollar even further.
On the upside, the broken ascending trend line and the 100.22 level, which held the DXY back in September-October, are the first resistance zone. Further up, the 55-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 101.49 is the next level to watch out for, followed by 101.90, a pivotal level throughout December 2023 and as a base for the inverted head-and-shoulders (H&S) formation during the summer of 2024. In case Dollar bulls push the DXY even higher, the 103.18 pivotal level comes into play.
If the downward pressure continues, a nosedive move could materialize towards the year-to-date low of 97.91 and the pivotal level of 97.73. Further below, a relatively thin technical support comes in at 96.94 before looking at the lower levels of this new price range. These would be at 95.25 and 94.56, meaning fresh lows not seen since 2022.
US Dollar Index: Daily Chart
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.
WTI price drifts lower to near $60.75 in Friday’s early Asian session.
Oil inventories rose by 1.328 million barrels in the week ended May 16, according to the EIA.
The US and Iran will hold fresh nuclear talks on Friday.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $60.75 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The WTI price edges lower amid concerns that global supply could outpace demand growth.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) planned to boost oil output to regain market share, which might cap the upside for the WTI price. OPEC+ has raised oil output by more than previously expected since April, with its May output likely to increase by 411,000 barrels per day. OPEC leaders are also contemplating a similar increase in July, and could bring back as much as 2.2 million barrels-per-day (bpd) of supply to the market by November, Reuters reported earlier.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) weekly report showed crude oil stockpiles in the US for the week ending May 16 climbed by 1.328 million barrels, compared to a rise of 3.454 million barrels in the previous week. The market consensus estimated that stocks would drop by 1.85 million barrels.
On Tuesday, the US obtained new intelligence suggesting that Israel is making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, even as US President Donald Trump has been pursuing a diplomatic deal with Tehran. It isn’t clear that Israeli leaders have made a final decision to carry out the strikes, CNN said, citing unnamed officials.
An attack by Israel would hinder any progress in those negotiations and contribute to tension in the Middle East, which provides about one-third of the world’s petroleum. Traders will closely watch the next round of Iran-US talks, which will take place on Friday in Rome. Any signs of progress in nuclear talks might weigh on the WTI price.
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.
NZD/USD edges higher to around 0.5900 in Friday’s early Asian session.
New Zealand Retail Sales beat expectations in Q1.
A stronger US S&P Global PMI might cap the pair’s upside.
The NZD/USD pair posts modest gains near 0.5900 during the early Asian session onn Thursday. The upbeat New Zealand Retail Sales data provide some support to the Kiwi against the US Dollar (USD). Traders will keep an eye on the speeches from the Federal Reserve (Fed) officials later on Friday, including Alberto Musalem, Jeff Schmid and Lisa Cook.
New Zealand Retail Sales were stronger than expected in the first quarter (Q1) this year as interest-rate cuts triggered improved consumer demand and confidence. The country’s Retail Sales rose 0.8% QoQ in Q1 from the previous reading of 0.9%, according to the official data published by Statistics New Zealand on Friday. The upbeat New Zealand economic data underpin the China-proxy Kiwi, as China is a major trading partner of New Zealand.
On the other hand, the stronger US S&P Global Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) might boost the Greenback and drag the pair lower. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said that markets are monitoring fiscal policy. Waller further stated that if tariffs are close to 10%, the economy would be in good shape for H2, and the Fed could be in a position to cut later in the year. Markets have priced in nearly a 71% chance that the Fed would keep its interest rates steady through its next two meetings, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
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/CAD trades in negative territory near 1.3855 in Thursday’s early Asian session.
Worries about a ballooning US deficit weigh on the US Dollar.
The advanced S&P Global Manufacturing and Services PMI reports will be closely watched later on Thursday.
The USD/CAD pair extends its downside to around 1.3855 during the early Asian session on Thursday, pressured by a weaker US Dollar (USD). Investors await the advanced S&P Global Manufacturing and Services PMI reports later on Thursday, followed by the Chicago Fed National Activity Index, the usual Initial Jobless Claims and Existing Home Sales.
The ‘Sell America’ investment theme continues to undermine the Greenback and drag the pair to the two-week low. The White House put pressure on Republicans on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to quickly approve President Donald Trump’s signature tax bill, adding that a failure to do so would be the “ultimate betrayal.”
“The disappointing auction results … fit the narrative of weakening demand for U.S. assets and a ‘sell America’ trade amid fiscal concerns,” said Kim Rupert, managing director, global fixed income analysis at Action Economics in San Francisco.
On the other hand, a decline in Crude Oil prices could undermine the commodity-linked Loonie and create a tailwind for the pair. It’s worth noting that Canada is the largest oil exporter to the US, and lower crude oil prices tend to have a negative impact on the CAD value.
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.
Market players will keep an eye on the release of US PMI reports, which is due later on Thursday. In case of a stronger-than-expected outcome, this could lift the USD against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) in the near term.
The Australian Dollar falls as the Reserve Bank of Australia implements 25 basis point rate cut.
The People’s Bank of China cut its one-year Loan Prime Rate to 3.00% from 3.10% on Tuesday.
The US Dollar weakened following Moody’s downgrade of the US credit rating from Aaa to Aa1.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) dips against the US Dollar (USD) on Tuesday, following a gain of over 0.50% in the previous session. The AUD/USD pair remains under pressure after the interest rate decisions from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC).
The RBA board voted to cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points, reducing it from 4.1% to 3.85% at the conclusion of its May monetary policy meeting. The move was largely expected by markets.
The PBoC announced a reduction in its Loan Prime Rates (LPRs) on Tuesday. The one-year LPR was lowered from 3.10% to 3.00%, while the five-year LPR was reduced from 3.60% to 3.50%. Given the close trade relationship between Australia and China, any change in the Chinese markets can significantly impact the Aussie Dollar.
The Australian Dollar continues to weaken due to escalating political turmoil in Australia. The opposition coalition fractured after the National Party withdrew from its alliance with the Liberal Party. Meanwhile, the ruling Labor Party returned to power with a stronger and broader mandate, capitalizing on the disarray within the Opposition.
Market attention now turns to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) upcoming rate decision scheduled for later in the day. The central bank is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points, following last week’s stronger-than-anticipated employment data.
The AUD/USD pair strengthened on Monday as the US Dollar weakened in the wake of Moody’s Ratings downgrading the US credit rating from Aaa to Aa1. This move aligns with similar downgrades by Fitch Ratings in 2023 and Standard & Poor’s in 2011. Moody’s now projects US federal debt to climb to around 134% of GDP by 2035, up from 98% in 2023, with the budget deficit expected to widen to nearly 9% of GDP. This deterioration is attributed to rising debt-servicing costs, expanding entitlement programs, and falling tax revenues.
Australian Dollar depreciates despite a weaker US Dollar amid a dovish Fed
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the US Dollar (USD) against a basket of six major currencies, is remaining subdued and trading lower at around 100.40 at the time of writing.
Economic data released last week pointed to easing inflation, as both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) signaled a deceleration in price pressures. This has heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve may implement additional rate cuts in 2025, contributing to further weakness in the US Dollar. Additionally, disappointing US Retail Sales figures have deepened concerns over an extended period of sluggish economic growth.
US President Donald Trump told Fox News that he is working to gain greater access to China, describing the relationship as excellent and expressing willingness to negotiate directly with President Xi on a potential deal.
Trump administration plans to add several Chinese chipmakers to its export blacklist, known as the “entity list.” According to the Financial Times, Trump administration officials expressed concern late Thursday that imposing export controls on key Chinese firms at this stage could undermine the recently reached trade agreement between China and the US during talks in Geneva over the weekend.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported on Monday that China’s Retail Sales rose by 5.1% year-over-year (YoY) in April, falling short of the 5.5% forecast and down from 5.9% in March. Industrial Production grew by 6.1% YoY during the same period, beating the expected 5.5% but slowing from the previous 7.7% growth.
The risk-sensitive Australian Dollar gained support from renewed optimism surrounding a 90-day US-China trade truce and hopes for further trade deals with other countries. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN on Sunday that President Donald Trump intends to implement tariffs at previously threatened levels on trading partners that do not engage in negotiations “in good faith.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), employment surged by 89,000 in April, significantly higher than the 36,400 increase in March and far above the forecasted 20,000. Meanwhile, the Unemployment Rate remained unchanged at 4.1%.
Australia’s seasonally adjusted Wage Price Index rose by 3.4% year-over-year in Q1 2025, up from a 3.2% increase in Q1 2024 and surpassing market forecasts of a 3.2% gain. This marks a recovery from the prior quarter, which recorded the slowest wage growth since Q3 2022. On a quarterly basis, the index climbed 0.9% in Q1, surpassing the projected 0.8% rise.
Australian Dollar hovers around 0.6450, support appears at nine-day EMA
AUD/USD is trading near 0.6450 on Tuesday, with technical indicators on the daily chart pointing to a bullish bias. The pair remains above the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), while the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) holds above the 50 mark, suggesting continued upward momentum.
On the upside, immediate resistance is located at the six-month high of 0.6515, posted on December 2, 2024. A sustained break above this level could open the door to the seven-month high of 0.6687 from November 2024.
Support is initially seen at the nine-day EMA of 0.6429, followed by the 50-day EMA around 0.6363. A clear drop below these levels would likely weaken the short- to medium-term outlook, potentially triggering a deeper decline toward the March 2020 low of 0.5914.
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 weakest against the Japanese Yen.
USD
EUR
GBP
JPY
CAD
AUD
NZD
CHF
USD
-0.03%
-0.03%
-0.07%
0.09%
0.43%
0.22%
-0.09%
EUR
0.03%
0.00%
-0.02%
0.13%
0.47%
0.27%
-0.06%
GBP
0.03%
-0.00%
-0.06%
0.12%
0.44%
0.28%
-0.02%
JPY
0.07%
0.02%
0.06%
0.16%
0.50%
0.29%
0.03%
CAD
-0.09%
-0.13%
-0.12%
-0.16%
0.35%
0.13%
-0.15%
AUD
-0.43%
-0.47%
-0.44%
-0.50%
-0.35%
-0.20%
-0.49%
NZD
-0.22%
-0.27%
-0.28%
-0.29%
-0.13%
0.20%
-0.28%
CHF
0.09%
0.06%
0.02%
-0.03%
0.15%
0.49%
0.28%
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).
Economic Indicator
RBA Interest Rate Decision
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announces its interest rate decision at the end of its eight scheduled meetings per year. If the RBA is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is usually bullish for the Australian Dollar (AUD). Likewise, if the RBA has a dovish view on the Australian economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is seen as bearish for AUD.
USD/CAD weakens to around 1.3950 in Tuesday’s early Asian session.
Moody’s downgrades the US credit rating to ‘AA1’, weighing on the US Dollar.
A dovish turn from the BoC has fueled speculation of a June rate cut.
The USD/CAD pair softens to near 1.3950 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. The Greenback edges lower against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) on a surprise downgrade of the US government’s credit rating late on Friday and renewed trade tensions. Traders will keep an eye on the Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data, which is due later on Tuesday.
Moody’s downgrade of America’s sovereign rating to ‘AA1’ from ‘AAA,’ along with rising expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will soon start cutting rates amid cooling US inflation, have eroded the US Dollar’s (USD) appeal. The downgrade underscores growing concerns over fiscal deterioration and tariff-induced distortions under US President Donald Trump.
Fed officials maintain caution and call for more clarity before committing to policy changes, which caps the upside for the USD. The markets are now pricing in a nearly 91.6% odds of rates holding at 4.25%–4.50% in the June meeting and a 65.1% chance of no change in July, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Meanwhile, a decline in Crude Oil prices could undermine the commodity-linked Loonie. It’s worth noting that Canada is the largest oil exporter to the US, and lower crude oil prices tend to have a negative impact on the CAD value.
Nonetheless, dovish expectations for the Bank of Canada (BoC) after lackluster April job gains and a rise in unemployment might weigh on the CAD and create the pair’s downside. Capital Economics analysts said that US tariffs are finally weakening the Canadian economy, increasing the likelihood of BoC rate reductions at an aggressive pace.
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.
The Indian Rupee continues to weaken amid renewed USD demand from importers and persistent foreign fund outflows.
USD/INR may face headwinds as the US Dollar comes under pressure following Moody’s downgrade of the US credit rating.
The INR finds some support from falling crude oil prices, driven by reports of progress in US-Iran nuclear talks.
The Indian Rupee (INR) remains subdued against the US Dollar (USD) on Monday, continuing its losing streak for the sixth successive day. Moreover, fresh USD demand from importers and ongoing foreign fund outflows continue to weigh on the INR.
However, the upside of the USD/INR pair could be limited as the US Dollar (USD) came under renewed pressure following Moody’s Investors Service downgrade of the US credit rating by one notch, citing rising debt levels and mounting interest payment obligations.
However, the INR receives support from a decline in crude oil prices, amid reports of progress in US-Iran nuclear negotiations, which could help cushion the Rupee’s downside. Iran’s president reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue talks with the US while standing firm on its nuclear rights. Given that India is the world’s third-largest oil consumer, lower oil prices generally support the Rupee by easing the country’s import bill.
Indian Rupee depreciates despite a weaker US Dollar
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of six major currencies, is trading lower at around 100.80 at the time of writing. The US Dollar faces challenges as Moody’s Ratings has downgraded the US credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, aligning with previous downgrades by Fitch Ratings in 2023 and Standard & Poor’s in 2011.
Moody’s now forecasts US federal debt to rise to approximately 134% of GDP by 2035, up from 98% in 2023. The federal deficit is projected to widen to nearly 9% of GDP, fueled by mounting debt-servicing costs, increased entitlement spending, and declining tax revenues.
A series of weak US economic indicators has reinforced expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve later this year. Notably, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell sharply to 50.8 in May from 52.2 in April, the lowest level since June 2022 and the fifth consecutive monthly decline. Analysts had forecast a rise to 53.4.
The US Dollar may find some support from easing global trade tensions. A preliminary trade deal between the US and China proposes significant tariff reductions—Washington is set to lower duties on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while Beijing will cut tariffs on US imports from 125% to 10%.
Market sentiment is also lifted by renewed optimism over a potential US-Iran nuclear deal and upcoming talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at de-escalating the Ukraine conflict.
India’s BSE Sensex rose 3.6% last week, rebounding from the previous week’s decline. The rally was fueled by easing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, growing optimism around India–US trade ties, and expectations of domestic interest rate cuts.
Meanwhile, a high-level Indian delegation led by Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is set to meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during his visit, which continues through May 20. Goyal is expected to push forward discussions on a proposed India–US bilateral trade agreement.
USD/INR rises above 85.50 amid a mixed-to-bullish bias
The Indian Rupee continues its losing streak for the sixth consecutive day, with the USD/INR pair trading near 85.60 on Monday. Technical indicators on the daily chart maintain a bullish bias, as the pair moves upwards within an ascending channel pattern. Additionally, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains above the 50 level, suggesting a persistent bullish sentiment.
The USD/INR pair could target its monthly high of 85.90, reached on May 9. A break above this level could allow the pair to explore the region around the upper boundary of the ascending channel at 86.40.
Immediate support lies at the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) around 85.30, followed by the ascending channel’s lower boundary at 85.10. A decisive break below this zone could undermine short-term bullish attempts and open the door for a decline toward its eight-month low of 83.76.
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.
GBP/USD rises as US Dollar weakens in response to Moody’s decision to downgrade the US credit rating by one notch.
A series of weak US economic indicators has strengthened expectations of further Federal Reserve rate cuts later this year.
The Pound Sterling has strengthened, supported by UK GDP data released on Thursday that exceeded expectations.
The GBP/USD pair recovered from prior session losses, trading near the 1.3300 level during Asian session on Monday. The rebound is largely driven by renewed pressure on the US Dollar (USD) after Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the US credit rating by one notch, from Aaa to Aa1. The agency cited escalating debt levels and a growing burden from interest payments as primary concerns.
This move aligns with previous downgrades by Fitch Ratings in 2023 and Standard & Poor’s in 2011. Moody’s now forecasts US federal debt to rise to approximately 134% of GDP by 2035, up from 98% in 2023. The federal deficit is projected to widen to nearly 9% of GDP, fueled by mounting debt-servicing costs, increased entitlement spending, and declining tax revenues.
Further weighing on the Greenback, a series of weak US economic indicators has reinforced expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve later this year. Notably, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell sharply to 50.8 in May from 52.2 in April, the lowest level since June 2022 and the fifth consecutive monthly decline. Analysts had forecast a rise to 53.4.
Despite these headwinds, the US Dollar may find some support from easing global trade tensions. A preliminary trade deal between the US and China proposes significant tariff reductions—Washington is set to lower duties on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while Beijing will cut tariffs on US imports from 125% to 10%.
Market sentiment is also lifted by renewed optimism over a potential US-Iran nuclear deal and upcoming talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at de-escalating the Ukraine conflict.
Meanwhile, the Pound Sterling (GBP) has gained momentum, underpinned by stronger-than-expected UK GDP data released on Thursday. Both monthly and quarterly figures showed robust economic growth, bolstering expectations that the Bank of England (BoE) may maintain its current interest rate stance should inflation remain persistent or accelerate further.
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.
The Australian Dollar faces headwinds as the Trump administration moves to add several Chinese chipmakers to its export blacklist.
The AUD remains under pressure despite a strong Australian labor market report showing solid job gains in April.
The US Dollar continues to trade within a narrow range, as recent US economic data has sent mixed signals to the market.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) extends its decline against the US Dollar (USD) for a third consecutive session on Friday. The AUD remains under pressure, possibly due to reports that the Trump administration is planning to add several Chinese chipmakers to its export blacklist, known as the “entity list.” Given the close trade relationship between Australia and China, any disruption in the Chinese market can significantly impact the Aussie Dollar.
According to the Financial Times, Trump administration officials expressed concern late Thursday that imposing export controls on key Chinese firms at this stage could undermine the recently reached trade agreement between China and the US during talks in Geneva over the weekend.
The AUD struggles despite a strong Australian labor market report, which reported robust job growth in April. The AUD/USD pair struggled even as the Greenback weakened following economic data that fueled speculation the Federal Reserve (Fed) could resume interest rate cuts in the coming months.
The risk-sensitive AUD/USD pair also failed to benefit from easing global trade tensions. A senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Shamkhani, stated on Wednesday that Iran is ready to sign a nuclear deal with US President Donald Trump. Additionally, the US and China reached a preliminary agreement, under which the US will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China will lower its tariffs on US imports from 125% to 10%.
Australian Dollar struggles despite a weaker US Dollar amid improved risk sentiment
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of six major currencies, is trading lower at around 100.60 at the time of writing. US economic data this week has delivered mixed signals—highlighting the economy’s resilience while also indicating a slowdown in growth momentum, which has kept the dollar confined to a narrow trading range.
The US Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 2.4% year-over-year in April, easing from the 2.7% increase in March and falling short of the market expectation of 2.5%. Core PPI, which excludes food and energy, climbed 3.1% annually, down from the previous 4%. On a monthly basis, headline PPI dropped 0.5%, while core PPI fell 0.4%.
US Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending May 10 stood at 229,000, unchanged from the revised figure for the previous week, and in line with expectations, according to the US Department of Labor (DOL). Continuing Jobless Claims rose by 9,000 to reach 1.881 million for the week ending May 3.
US Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.3% year-over-year in April, slightly below the 2.4% increase recorded in March and market expectations of 2.4%. Core CPI—which excludes food and energy—also climbed 2.8% annually, matching both the previous figure and forecasts. On a monthly basis, both headline CPI and core CPI rose by 0.2% in April.
US President Donald Trump told Fox News that he is working to gain greater access to China, describing the relationship as excellent and expressing willingness to negotiate directly with President Xi on a potential deal.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), employment surged by 89,000 in April, significantly higher than the 36,400 increase in March and far above the forecasted 20,000. Meanwhile, the Unemployment Rate remained unchanged at 4.1%.
Australia’s seasonally adjusted Wage Price Index rose by 3.4% year-over-year in Q1 2025, up from a 3.2% increase in Q1 2024 and surpassing market forecasts of a 3.2% gain. This marks a recovery from the prior quarter, which recorded the slowest wage growth since Q3 2022. On a quarterly basis, the index climbed 0.9% in Q1, surpassing the projected 0.8% rise.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday after a decisive election victory. Key cabinet positions—including treasurer, foreign affairs, defense, and trade—remain unchanged. Albanese is scheduled to attend the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Sunday, where he will also meet with leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss trade relations.
Easing global trade tensions have prompted investors to dial back expectations for aggressive interest rate cuts in Australia. Markets now project the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to reduce the cash rate to approximately 3.1% by year-end, a revision from earlier forecasts of 2.85%. Nevertheless, the RBA is still widely expected to proceed with a 25 basis point cut at its upcoming policy meeting.
Australian Dollar finds support around 0.6400 after breaking below nine-day EMA
AUD/USD is hovering around 0.6410 on Friday. Technical analysis on the daily chart indicates a bearish bias, as the pair is trading below the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). However, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains above the 50 level, signaling that some bullish momentum persists despite the downside pressure.
Immediate support lies at the psychological level of 0.6400, followed by the 50-day EMA around 0.6355. A decisive break below these levels could deteriorate the short- to medium-term outlook and pave the way for a deeper slide toward 0.5914 — a low last seen in March 2020.
On the upside, resistance is seen at the nine-day EMA near 0.6417. A break above this could lead the pair to retest the six-month high of 0.6515, recorded on December 2, 2024. A sustained rally beyond that point may target the seven-month high of 0.6687 from November 2024.
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 New Zealand Dollar.
USD
EUR
GBP
JPY
CAD
AUD
NZD
CHF
USD
-0.20%
-0.09%
-0.38%
-0.06%
-0.04%
0.07%
-0.34%
EUR
0.20%
0.11%
-0.20%
0.13%
0.16%
0.26%
-0.14%
GBP
0.09%
-0.11%
-0.29%
0.03%
0.06%
0.16%
-0.24%
JPY
0.38%
0.20%
0.29%
0.33%
0.33%
0.42%
0.04%
CAD
0.06%
-0.13%
-0.03%
-0.33%
0.00%
0.13%
-0.27%
AUD
0.04%
-0.16%
-0.06%
-0.33%
-0.00%
0.11%
-0.30%
NZD
-0.07%
-0.26%
-0.16%
-0.42%
-0.13%
-0.11%
-0.41%
CHF
0.34%
0.14%
0.24%
-0.04%
0.27%
0.30%
0.41%
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).
Australian Dollar FAQs
One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive.
China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs.
Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD.
The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.
The US Dollar trades steady lower on Thursday despite a slew of key US economic data released.
Markets see talks in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine fall apart before even starting.
The US Dollar Index holds just below 101.00 and could move either way after a volatile Wednesday.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is catching its breath and trades slightly lower just below the 101.00 level at the time of writing on Thursday, ahead of a chunky United States (US) economic calendar. The Greenback is not really moving on the back of the geopolitical defusing by US President Donald Trump, who commented during his Middle Eastern trip that nuclear talks with Iran have good hopes, while both Yemen and Syria deserve a second chance.
After Wednesday’s sharp volatility affecting the Korean Won (KRW), traders are looking to Asia for possible more currency hiccups and evidence that the Trump administration is seeking a currency deal with countries in the region to devalue the Greenback.
Meanwhile in Turkey it appears talks between Russia and Ukraine are not going well. Even before the two negotiating teams have joined, talks seem to already have been broken down. US President Trump meanwhile said on Air Force One that peace will not come if Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin do not meet, Bloomberg reports.
Daily digest market movers: Going Nowhere
The US economic calendar kicked off at 12:30 GMT with a string of data:
Weekly Initial Jobless Claims came in at 229,000, as expected and from 228,00 in the previous week. The Continuing Claims came in softer at 1.881 million, beating the 1.89 million estimate and from 1.879 million previously.
The NY Empire State Manufacturing Index for May only fell to -9.2, beating the expected -10, from -8.1 the previous month. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey for May was a surprise -4, far better than the expected -11 and from -26.4 in April.
The monthly April headline Producer Price Index contracted by -0.5%, where an increase by 0.2% was expected and from the 0.4% decline in March. The core PPI contracted by -0.4%, missing the 0.3% estimate and compared to -0.1% previously.
April Retail Sales fell to just 0.1%, a small beat on the 0% estimate and compared to the 1.5% previous release. Retail Sales excluding Cars and Transportation only increased by 0.1%, missing the 0.3% estimate and compared to the 0.5% rise in March. That same 0.5% for March got revised up to 0.8%.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivered a speech about the Fed’s framework review at the Thomas Laubach Research Conference in Washington DC. Though the Fed Chairman did not comment on any near-term economic outlook or rate path.
The monthly Industrial Production data for April fell to 0.0%, a miss on the estimated 0.2%, though up from the -0.3% in March.
At 18:05 GMT, Federal Reserve Bank Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr will deliver opening remarks (via pre-recorded video) at the 2025 Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Small Business Credit Symposium.
Equities are slumping across the board on Thursday, though nowhere more than 1% losses to report from Asia, across Europe, and into the US equity futures markets.
The CME FedWatch tool shows the chance of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in June’s meeting at just 8.2%. Further ahead, the July 30 decision sees odds for rates being lower than current levels at 38.6%.
The US 10-year yields trade around 4.53%, and keep ticking higher, nearing a one-month high.
US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Stuck between two forces
The US Dollar Index saw the pivotal technical level at 100.22 hold firmly, delivering a small bounce for the Greenback on Wednesday. With the slide below 101.00, the DXY looks well-positioned to go either way, driven by the US economic data releases later this Thursday. A return to 101.90 could materialize, while the downside support at 100.22 is not far off.
On the upside, 101.90 is the first big resistance again. It already acted as a pivotal level throughout December 2023 and as a base for the inverted head-and-shoulders (H&S) formation during the summer of 2024. In case Dollar bulls push the DXY even higher, the 55-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 102.06 comes into play.
On the other hand, the previous resistance at 100.22 is now acting as firm support, followed by the year-to-date low of 97.91 and the pivotal level of 97.73. Further below, a relatively thin technical support comes in at 96.94 before looking at the lower levels of this new price range. These would be at 95.25 and 94.56, meaning fresh lows not seen since 2022.
US Dollar Index: Daily Chart
Banking crisis FAQs
The Banking Crisis of March 2023 occurred when three US-based banks with heavy exposure to the tech-sector and crypto suffered a spike in withdrawals that revealed severe weaknesses in their balance sheets, resulting in their insolvency.
The most high profile of the banks was California-based Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) which experienced a surge in withdrawal requests due to a combination of customers fearing fallout from the FTX debacle, and substantially higher returns being offered elsewhere.
In order to fulfill the redemptions, Silicon Valley Bank had to sell its holdings of predominantly US Treasury bonds. Due to the rise in interest rates caused by the Federal Reserve’s rapid tightening measures, however, Treasury bonds had substantially fallen in value. The news that SVB had taken a $1.8B loss from the sale of its bonds triggered a panic and precipitated a full scale run on the bank that ended with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) having to take it over.The crisis spread to San-Francisco-based First Republic which ended up being rescued by a coordinated effort from a group of large US banks. On March 19, Credit Suisse in Switzerland fell foul after several years of poor performance and had to be taken over by UBS.
The Banking Crisis was negative for the US Dollar (USD) because it changed expectations about the future course of interest rates. Prior to the crisis investors had expected the Federal Reserve (Fed) to continue raising interest rates to combat persistently high inflation, however, once it became clear how much stress this was placing on the banking sector by devaluing bank holdings of US Treasury bonds, the expectation was the Fed would pause or even reverse its policy trajectory. Since higher interest rates are positive for the US Dollar, it fell as it discounted the possibility of a policy pivot.
The Banking Crisis was a bullish event for Gold. Firstly it benefited from demand due to its status as a safe-haven asset. Secondly, it led to investors expecting the Federal Reserve (Fed) to pause its aggressive rate-hiking policy, out of fear of the impact on the financial stability of the banking system – lower interest rate expectations reduced the opportunity cost of holding Gold. Thirdly, Gold, which is priced in US Dollars (XAU/USD), rose in value because the US Dollar weakened.
NZD/USD finds support as the US Dollar falters amid ongoing trade-related uncertainties.
Market attention now turns to Thursday’s upcoming releases of US Retail Sales and Producer Price Index (PPI) data.
The New Zealand Dollar is drawing support as trade tensions between the US and China show tentative signs of easing.
NZD/USD appreciates after registering a loss of more than 0.50% in the previous session, trading around 0.5910 during the early European hours on Thursday. The NZD/USD pair receives support as the US Dollar also struggles as investors weigh ongoing trade-related uncertainties despite a slight easing in tensions. Market focus now shifts to the release of US Retail Sales and Producer Price Index (PPI) data later in the day.
Speculation is building that Washington may prefer a weaker dollar to bolster its trade position. The Trump administration has argued that a strong Greenback, relative to weaker regional currencies, disadvantages US exporters.
However, downside pressure on the USD may be limited. Improved global trade sentiment has eased recession concerns, reducing expectations for aggressive Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts. According to LSEG data, markets now price in a 74% chance of a 25-basis-point cut in September, down from earlier forecasts for a July cut.
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is gaining support amid signs of easing tensions in the US-China trade dispute, largely due to New Zealand’s strong trade ties with China. The US and China have reached a temporary agreement to scale back mutual tariffs, easing concerns about a potential full-scale trade war between the world’s two largest economies. As part of the deal, the US reduced tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China cut tariffs on US imports from 125% to 10%. These revised rates will remain in place for 90 days.
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.
