Fed's Bullard: Swift response to bank stress allows monetary policy to focus on inflation

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

St. Louis Federal Reserve president James Bullard said on Friday that the response to the bank stress was swift and appropriate, allowing the monetary policy to focus on inflation, as reported by Reuters.

Additional takeaways

"Inflation remains too high, US macro data are stronger than expected."

"Regulators can do more as needed to contain financial stress."

"Not uncommon for some firms to fail to adjust to changing financial conditions."

"Inflation expectations relatively low, a good sign for disinflation this year."

"Silicon valley bank was a very unusual case,hard-pressed to find other banks in a similar situation."

"Markets so far giving a thumbs up to Credit Suisse deal."

"People need to keep in mind that there are many macroprudential tools that can be deployed."

Market reaction

The US Dollar Index continues to trade in positive territory above 103.00 following these comments.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

EUR/USD looks sidelined below 1.1600

EUR/USD remains on the back foot in the latter part of the NA session on Thursday, now attempting a consolidative theme in the sub-1.1600 region. A more cautious market mood, driven by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, together with broad-based strength in the US Dollar, is favouring the continuation of the leg lower in spot.

GBP/USD stays offered near 1.3340

GBP/USD fades Wednesday’s uptick and trades with decent losses in the 1.3340 zone in the latter part of Thursday’s session. Cable’s weakness, alongside the rest of the risk complex, follows the strong performance of the Greenback amid intense geopolitical jitters.

Gold: further weakness could challenge $5,000

Gold comes under fresh selling pressure on Thursday, slipping back below the $5,100 mark per troy ounce. Persistent strength in the US Dollar (USD) is preventing the yellow metal from building a meaningful recovery, even as markets remain risk-averse amid the deepening conflict in the Middle East.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP hold weekly gains despite US-Iran war

The cryptocurrency market is gaining strength on Thursday, building on Wednesday's upswing, which saw Bitcoin reach a weekly high above $74,000. Ethereum and Ripple are moderating their recent gains amid uncertainty stemming from the escalating war in the Middle East.

Two PMIs, two Chinas

China’s economic data are often treated with a degree of caution by global investors. The challenge is not necessarily that the numbers are incorrect, but that they can describe very different parts of a vast and complex economy. Nowhere is that more evident than in China’s PMIs.

Ripple tests recovery strength amid steady ETF inflows, growing retail interest

Ripple (XRP) continues to demonstrate notable resilience as the cryptocurrency market navigates the persistent war in the Middle East after the United States (US) and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday.