Forex Today: Canadian inflation and German morale take centre stage

Pablo Piovano FXStreet

The Greenback extended Friday’s bearish tone, hovering near the lower end of its recent range amid persistent concerns over a potential US economic slowdown and rising prudence pre-FOMC.

Here is what you need to know on Tuesday, March 18:

The US Dollar Index (DXY) added to Friday’s pullback and remained in the low-103.00s on Monday. Building Permits and Housing Starts are due seconded by Import/Export Prices, Industrial and Manufacturing Production and the API’s weekly report on US crude oil supplies.

EUR/USD rose modestly and managed to surpass the key 1.0900 barrier once again following the weaker note in the US Dollar. The Economic Sentiment in Germany and the Euroland will be at the centre of the debate, followed by the Balance of Trade results in the bloc.

GBP/USD reversed two daily pullbacks in a row and flirted with the 1.3000 milestone amid renewed USD selling. Next of relevance across the Channel will be the labour market report and the BoE’s interest rate decision, both due on March 20.

USD/JPY built up on Friday’s marked advance and trespassed the 149.00 hurdle once again, although the bullish impetus lost some traction afterwards. The Tertiary Industry Index will be released.

AUD/USD broke above the 0.6300 mark with certain conviction and printed new multi-day highs in response to the generalised upbeat tone in the risk complex. The RBA’s Hunter is due to speak.

Prices of WTI rose markedly, managing to extend Friday’s gains and advance past the $68.00 mark per barrel.

Gold prices kept the constructive tone in place and hovered around the key $3,000 region per troy ounce following the slightly offered Dollar and mixed US yields. Silver prices retreated modestly, retesting the $33.50 region per ounce following Friday’s tops past the $34.00 yardstick.

Author

Pablo Piovano

FXStreet

Born and bred in Argentina, Pablo has been carrying on with his passion for FX markets and trading since his first college years.

AUD/USD edges higher as hot CPI inflation and hawkish RBA lift rate hike bets

The AUD/USD pair gathers strength to near 0.7035 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The Australian Dollar edges higher against the US Dollar as hotter Australian CPI inflation data has bolstered expectations of Reserve Bank of Australia rate hikes.

USD/JPY meets support near 157.00

USD/JPY retreats for the third consecutive day on Friday, revisiting the 157.00 region before attempting some recovery as investors continue to assess the latest BoJ meeting, where the central bank left rates unchanged, as widely anticipated.

Gold sinks to fresh yearly lows despite risk-off mood as Fed rate hike bets weigh

Gold slips to fresh year-to-date lows on Friday. The metal struggles despite a risk-off mood across markets, as expectations of further Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate hikes continue to dominate price action, leaving Gold on track to end the month in negative territory.

Ripple Price Forecast: XRP bulls defend $1.20 as sell-side pressure triggers liquidations

Ripple (XRP) trades around $1.25 on Friday, rising from a short-term support level established at $1.20. This minor upward correction follows a sharp sell-off, triggered amid reports of a hack attack on the Binance exchange that impacted approximately $6.3 billion. The attack drove the broader crypto market on edge, as Binance suspended both deposits and withdrawals to contain the situation.

BoJ recap: A pause for now... but Japan has entered a new inflation phase

The Bank of Japan left its short-term policy rate unchanged at 1.25% but delivered a distinctly hawkish message on the risk of an inflation overshoot. The decision passed by 8-1, with board member Takata dissenting in favour of an increase to 1.5%, while Governor Kazuo Ueda stressed that the Bank would continue adjusting policy as needed.

The 2% inflation target came from a throwaway remark. It now moves trillions

The Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal grew out of an off-the-cuff remark by a New Zealand politician in 1988. Bond investors still price long-term US debt as if 2% holds, so a change in how the Fed measures inflation would move markets.