Markets continue to wait on the Federal Reserve

Australian Dollar:

Having initially traded to a late session low of 0.8988 when valued against its US Counterpart minutes from the Reserve Banks most recent meeting did the domestic unit no favours with Policy Makers firmly re-iterating their stance that existing settings remain appropriate whilst also warning of overheating within the housing market drawing particular attention to the high level of speculative demand driven by investors. Rebounding strongly however once European and US markets entered the frame a weaker US dollar this morning has assisted the Aussie in its recovery opening notably stronger at a rate of 0.9093. In an announcement which promises to capture the attention of all market participants US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s testimony is still expected to outline a stable course for higher US interest rates in the future.  

• We expect a range today of 0.9030 -0.9120

New Zealand Dollar:

The New Zealand dollar has been well supported in overnight trade with demand for the Kiwi bolstered by a diary product auction which saw prices inch higher from their lowest point since July 2012. With a weaker US dollar also playing its part the New Zealand dollar edged up from an earlier low of 0.8144 reaching an eventual high of 0.8229 when valued against its US Counterpart. Opening stronger as this Kiwi buys 82.01 US Cents this morning investors will be keeping a close eye any underlying moves in interest rate expectations ahead of the FOMC”s two-day meeting which commences this evening.

• We expect a range today of 0.8160 – 0.8240

Great British Pound:

The Great British Pound loitered close to its lowest level in 10 months versus the dollar before a report which showed consumer prices had risen at an annualized pace of 1.5 percent. Widely in line with expectations the broader concern for the British economy is that Policy makers have communicated that pay pressures remain weak. In what’s set to be choppy end to the week, BOE minutes the FOMC statement as well the Scottish referendum all poise significant risk events for the Great British Pound. Stronger against the US dollar this morning at a rate of 1.6270 the Sterling is weaker against both the Aussie (1.7882) and the Kiwi (1.9828)

• We expect a range today of 1.7840 – 1.7920

Majors:

US Stocks rose overnight whilst the US dollar faltered when valued against a handful of major currencies weighed down by a slight shift in bets that the Federal Reserve won’t be in any hurry to raise rates. Whilst on the topic of stimulus, headlines overnight revealed China provided 500 billion yuan worth of liquidity to the country’s five biggest banks stepping up its efforts to spur additional growth. With stimulus set to be front and centre tonight any change in language from Janet Yellen during her testimony this evening could have profound implications for the world’s reserve currency. With currency markets seemingly adopting “a wait and see approach” moves overnight have been relatively muted with the Greenback stronger against the Yen (107.168) whilst the Euro has outpaced the US dollar (1.2957) supported by a positive read of consumer sentiment from Germany  

Data releases

• AUD: MI Leading Index
• NZD: Current Account
• JPY: No data today
• GBP: Claimant Count Change, MPC Asset Purchase Facility Votes, MPC Official Bank Rate Votes
• EUR: Final CPI y/y
• USD: CPI m/m, Core CPI m/m, Current Account, NAHB Housing Market Index, FOMC Statement, FOMC projections, Federal Funds Rate, FOMC Press Conference