US-Europe equities convergence trade is in full swing [Video]

Ipek Ozkardeskaya Swissquote Bank Ltd

Another week starts with tariff threats. This time, everyone that applies tariffs to the US will be hit back with the same tariffs, and all aluminium and steel imports to the US – no matter from whom – will face a 25% tariff. Mood this Monday in Asia is pretty mixed – to say the least. Aluminum and iron ore futures are slightly down, the US dollar index is up and the commodity currencies like Aussie and Loonie opened the week with a gap but the AUDUSD recovered early losses. The swift recovery in Aussie was certainly due to the encouraging Chinese data that showed that inflation advanced to the highest level in five months thanks to increased spending during the Chinese New Year holiday.

Elsewhere, Friday’s jobs data from the US was all but ideal for the so-called goldilocks scenario. Plus, the latest data from the Fed on Friday showed alarming rise in household debt, credit card delinquencies remain strong. As such, it’s hard to guess what’s the best thing to do for the Federal Reserve (Fed). All eyes will be on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s semi-annual testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday and on US inflation update due Wednesday.

The EURUSD weakened on Friday and again in Asia on tariff threats while the convergence trade between US and European equities remains in play.

Author

Ipek Ozkardeskaya

Swissquote Bank Ltd

Ipek Ozkardeskaya began her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked in HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

EUR/USD holds steady above 1.1850 in quiet session

EUR/USD stays defensive but holds 1.1850 amid quiet markets in the European hours on Monday. The US Dollar is struggling for direction due to thin liquidity conditions as US markets are closed in observance of Presidents' Day holiday.

GBP/USD flat lines near 1.3650 ahead of UK and US data

GBP/USD kicks off a new week on a subdued note and oscillates in a narrow range near 1.3650 on Monday. The mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution for aggressive traders as the market focus now shifts to this week's important data releases from the UK and the US.

Gold corrects lower, tries to stabilize above $5,000

Gold started the week under bearish pressure and declined to the $4,960 area before staging a modest rebound. As trading volumes remain thin with the US financial markets remaining closed on Presidents' Day holiday, XAU/USD looks to stabilize above $5,000 ahead of this week's key data releases.

Bitcoin consolidates as on-chain data show mixed signals

Bitcoin price has consolidated between $65,700 and $72,000 over the past nine days, with no clear directional bias. US-listed spot ETFs recorded a $359.91 million weekly outflow, marking the fourth consecutive week of withdrawals.

The week ahead: Key inflation readings and why the AI trade could be overdone

It is likely to be a quiet start to the week, with US markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day. European markets are higher across the board and gold is clinging to the $5,000 level after the tamer than expected CPI report in the US reduced haven flows to precious metals.

Monero Price Forecast: XMR risks a drop below $300 under mounting bearish pressure

Monero (XMR) starts the week under pressure, recording a 4% decline at press time on Monday after a 7% drop the previous day, putting the $300 support zone in focus.