Forex Today: Aussie jumps on China Li’s Yuan comments, UK CPI – Key

The risk-on sentiment was the underlying theme in Asia this Wednesday, as the dust settles over the US-China trade war fears. The Asian equity markets return to the green zone while Treasury yields clung to the overnight gains. The US dollar, however, failed to benefit from higher Treasury yields and offered support to most majors.

The Aussie was the biggest gainer and tested the 0.7250 level, as the sentiment was lifted after the Chinese Premier Li said that China won’t devalue the Yuan to stimulate the exports. The Kiwi followed suit and regained the 0.66 handle. The USD/JPY pair was little changed on the BoJ’s status-quo and consolidated around 112.35. The Loonie was better bid amid hopes of the NAFTA deal and positive oil prices. Meanwhile, the GBP reversed the early spike to 1.3175 on Brexit headlines and consolidated near 1.3150 levels heading into the UK CPI release.

Main topics in Asia

Brexit headlines coming through, pound piercing recent highs

NZ: Q2 current account deficit widens to 3.3% of GDP – Westpac

UK Prime Minister Theresa May: The EU must show goodwill for a Brexit deal

China will use trade war with US to replace imports - state media

China Premier Li: China won't devalue currency to stimulate exports

BoJ leaves monetary policy unchanged

BoJ leaves unchanged forward guidance on rates and economic assessment

BoJ’s Kataoka dissents from view that inflation will accelerate toward 2%

Key Focus ahead

Today’s EUR calendar remains relatively busy, with the UK CPI report for the month of August to headline. The Eurozone current account and construction output data will be also published. The UK headline CPI is expected to come in a tad softer at 2.4% y/y vs. 2.5% previous while core figures are also seen lower at 1.8% y/y vs. 1.9% last. Meanwhile, the BOE Chief Economist Andy Haldane’s speech due at 0800 GMT will also remain in focus.

In the NA session, the US housing data will be reported alongside the current account data at 1230 GMT, followed by the EIA crude stocks data at 1430 GMT. Besides, the ECB President Draghi’s speech will also grab a lot of eyeballs ahead of New Zealand’s Q2 GDP release at 2245 GMT.

EUR/USD: Inverse head-and-shoulders breakout may remain elusive on rising US-DE yield spread

The daily chart of the EUR/USD is flashing a bullish reversal pattern, but a breakout may remain elusive, as the bond yield differentials are rising in the EUR-negative manner.

GBP/USD sticking to recent highs ahead of UK CPI reading

Pound traders experience some much-needed relief on Brexit headlines after months of stonewalling and unmoving negotiations. Wednesday also features some potentially hard-hitting data, with the UK's inflation reading hitting at 08:30 GMT. 

UK CPI Preview: With inflation decelerating in favor of real wages, Sterling will be supported

The UK headline inflation is expected to have decelerated to 2.4% y/y in August while core inflation slow to 1.8% y/y. The UK Inflation outpaces the nominal UK wage growth by 0.2% y/y when bonuses are included and by 0.4% y/y excluding bonuses.

How to trade the UK inflation with GBP/USD

UK inflation is closely watched by the BOE and moves the British Pound. The Market Impact Tool shows trading opportunities in both upside and downside surprises on this event.

New Zealand Q2 GDP seen lower at 0.5% - Westpac

Analysts at Westpac offer their view on New Zealand’s Q2 GDP release due on the cards at 2245 GMT later on Wednesday.