Summary
Stocks at record highs, the dollar down, the JPY plummeting: sentiment improved after the UK decided on its new PM, bringing some clarity to the political uncertainty that dominated markets since June 24th. Also underpinning risk appetite are , more easing coming in Japan and the UK, and speculation that the US Federal Reserve will remain on hold until mid 2017. Still, the EUR upward potential seems limited due to poor local industrial data. The USD/JPY needs to extend beyond 105.00 to actually become bullish, and at this point most of a new round of stimulus has already been priced in.
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EUR/USD climbs to two-week highs beyond 1.1900
EUR/USD is keeping its foot on the gas at the start of the week, reclaiming the 1.1900 barrier and above on Monday. The US Dollar remains on the back foot, with traders reluctant to step in ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, allowing the pair to extend its upward grind for now.
USD/JPY plummets to 156.00 amid rising intervention jitters
USD/JPY retreats markedly and revisits the 156.00 neighbourhod at the beginning of the week amid growing speculation that authorities could step in to curb further currency weakness. That chatter picked up after PM S. Takaichi secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s election, fuelling expectations of a firmer stance on the Yen.
Gold treads water around $5,000
Gold is trading in an inconclusive fashion around the key $5,000 mark on Monday week. Support is coming from fresh signs of further buying from the PBoC, while expectations that the Fed could turn more dovish, alongside concerns over its independence, keep the demand for the precious metal running.
Crypto Today: Bitcoin steadies around $70,000, Ethereum and XRP remain under pressure
Bitcoin hovers around $70,000, up near 15% from last week's low of $60,000 despite low retail demand. Ethereum delicately holds $2,000 support as weak technicals weigh amid declining futures Open Interest. XRP seeks support above $1.40 after facing rejection at $1.54 during the previous week's sharp rebound.
Japanese PM Takaichi nabs unprecedented victory – US data eyed this week
I do not think I would be exaggerating to say that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap general election gamble paid off over the weekend – and then some. This secured the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) an unprecedented mandate just three months into her tenure.
Here is what you need to know on Monday, February 9:
The JPY gathers strength against its major rivals to start the week as markets react to Sanae Takaichi's historic election victory. In the second half of the day, policymakers from the ECB, the Fed and the BoE will be delivering speeches.