Pound (GBP) muted despite hawkish BoE comments
The Pound (GBP) was mixed on Thursday, rising against its riskier peers but struggling elsewhere amid a gloomy market mood.
Hawkish comments from Bank of England (BoE) policymaker Catherine Mann lent the Pound some support, as she warned that inflationary pressures were persistent and there could be further upside shocks.
Sterling ends the week with UK economic data remaining in short supply. As a result, we could see GBP trade in a wide range.
Euro (EUR) quiet amid lack of data
The Euro (EUR) was muted yesterday as a lull in Eurozone economic data kept the common currency subdued.
However, the safer Euro was able to firm against its more risk-sensitive rivals as an anxious mood gripped markets.
This morning, Germany’s final consumer price index confirmed that inflation in the Eurozone’s largest economy cooled to its lowest level since June 2021 last month. This may mute the Euro once again today.
US Dollar (USD) marches higher as sentiment sours
The safe-haven US Dollar (USD) gained ground on Thursday after new data showed that China fell further into deflation last month, which soured the market mood.
In the afternoon, lower-than-expected US jobless claims further supported USD, with the figure reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will postpone cutting interest rates until later in the year.
Looking to today’s session, a lack of US data could leave the ‘Greenback’ to trade on market risk appetite. Expect to see the US Dollar extend its upside if markets remain downbeat.
Canadian Dollar (CAD) firms as oil prices rise
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) climbed yesterday as rising oil prices lifted the commodity-linked ‘Loonie’.
Later this afternoon, Canada’s latest jobs report is due for publication. Could an uptick in unemployment weigh on CAD exchange rates?
Australian Dollar (AUD) inches higher as mood improves
The Australian Dollar (AUD) attempted to claw back some of yesterday’s losses overnight amid a slight improvement in the market mood, although mixed comments from Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock capped the currency’s upside.
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) surges on RBNZ rate hike predictions
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) leapt higher last night after ANZ predicted that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) will raise interest rates at both its February and April meetings.