Forex Today: Coronavirus concerns trigger dollar domination, commodity currencies climb down


Here is what you need to know on Monday, June 15: 

Markets kick off the week on the back foot as coronavirus cases rise in the US Sun Belt, Beijing, and Tokyo. The dollar and the yen are up, while others, especially commodity currencies, are down. A high-level call on Brexit, several data points, and further COVID-19 figures are of interest. 

Coronavirus spreading: Cases and hospitalizations continue increasing in California, Texas, Arizona, and around 20 other US states, causing fears of a slower economic recovery. 

Senior White House Adviser Larry Kudlow continues seeing a V-shaped recovery, cheering the economy. On the other hand, he rejected calls to extend the special unemployment payments, which expire at the end of July. That may slow the bounce. 

US racial tensions remain high after a policeman fatally shot a black man in Atlanta. Protests continue in the US, and the topic is high on the agenda ahead of the elections. 

The Empire State Manufacturing Index and a speech by Robert Kaplan, President of the Dallas branch of the Federal Reserve are on the agenda.

China: A COVID-19 outbreak has been reported in Beijing, and the Chinese capital closed down several sections and markets. Industrial output rose by 4.4% and retail sales fell by 2.8%, both showing the world's second-largest economy is recovering but missing expectations. 

Japan: Cases in Tokyo have jumped by 47, the most since early May. The Japanese yen continues benefiting from its safe-haven status. 

Europe continues reopening: France and Spain are both relaxing measures and attempting a return to normal. EUR/USD is weathering Monday's dollar strength and holding around 1.1250. The trade balance is due out later.

The UK is opening non-essential shops on Monday as it gradually loosens restrictions. GBP/USD suffered a significant downfall on Friday and has been extending its losses below 1.25. 

Brexit: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and several leading European officials will hold a video call to discuss deadlocked Brexit talks. Britain told Brussels it will not ask to extend the transition period that expires year-end, yet several lawmakers in London are urging the government to reconsider.

Gold has been edging lower but holding above $1,720. The precious metal benefited from the Federal Reserve's pessimism and ongoing support.

Oil prices continue their decline, with WTI dropping below the $35. The risk-off mood is the primary driver.

Cryptocurrencies have been declining, with Bitcoin holding around $9,100.

More Hong Kong Dollar Peg: How vulnerable is it and if it breaks, how will it happen? Explained

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD pressures as Fed officials hold firm on rate policy

AUD/USD pressures as Fed officials hold firm on rate policy

The Australian Dollar is on the defensive against the US Dollar, as Friday’s Asian session commences. On Thursday, the antipodean clocked losses of 0.21% against its counterpart, driven by Fed officials emphasizing they’re in no rush to ease policy. The AUD/USD trades around 0.6419.

AUD/USD News

EUR/USD extends its downside below 1.0650 on hawkish Fed remarks

EUR/USD extends its downside below 1.0650 on hawkish Fed remarks

The EUR/USD extends its downside around 1.0640 after retreating from weekly peaks of 1.0690 on Friday during the early Asian session. The hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials provide some support to the US Dollar.

EUR/USD News

Gold price edges higher on risk-off mood hawkish Fed signals

Gold price edges higher on risk-off mood hawkish Fed signals

Gold prices advanced late in the North American session on Thursday, underpinned by heightened geopolitical risks involving Iran and Israel. Federal Reserve officials delivered hawkish messages, triggering a jump in US Treasury yields, which boosted the Greenback.

Gold News

Runes likely to have massive support after BRC-20 and Ordinals frenzy

Runes likely to have massive support after BRC-20 and Ordinals frenzy

With all eyes peeled on the halving, Bitcoin is the center of attention in the market. The pioneer cryptocurrency has had three narratives this year already, starting with the spot BTC exchange-traded funds, the recent all-time high of $73,777, and now the halving.

Read more

Billowing clouds of apprehension

Billowing clouds of apprehension

Thursday marked the fifth consecutive session of decline for US stocks as optimism regarding multiple interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve waned. The downturn in sentiment can be attributed to robust economic data releases, prompting traders to adjust their expectations for multiple rate cuts this year.

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures