Forex today: Crazy moves around Brexit, dollar lower as US yields fall to lowest levels for November so far


  • Forex today was mostly all about Brexit while the US dollar fell along with US rates as investors moved out of US stocks.
  • The UK Cabinet backed the Brexit plan ahead of a Parliamentary vote. 

There was a risk-off mood in Asia that extended into Europe and US markets on Wednesday sending US treasury yields and US stocks off a cliff. However, Brexit was the main attraction. The pound was very volatile as a result on conflicting headlines rolling out ever 30 minutes near enough.the outcome was that the Cabinet approved the Brexit document, but we now wait for the parliamentary disapproval. This is the most significant risk to the pound and hopes of a Brexit deal because if the Parliament doesn't approve the Brexit agreement, then one possible scenario is there is a snap election, which could feasibly see Labour elected into power.

As for rates, the US 10yr treasury yields initially rose from 3.13% to 3.16% but dropped during the NY afternoon to 3.09%. The dollar was lower due to this and fell a full point to 96.80 with the US 10 years being the lowest so far this month. The shorter-term 2yr yields fell from 2.90% to 2.84% while tracking the Fed fund futures yields repricing the chance of another rate hike in December at 70% (from 75%).

Currency action

EUR/USD was better bid and tracking movement in the dollar and taking its cues from Brexit headlines as well, playing out its derivative role. EUR/USD moved higher from 1.1263 to a high of 1.1344. As far as data, the US core CPI y/y & weakly earnings offered some downside misses and UST yields & US dollar were lower subsequently. EUR/USD was nearing the 10-DMA and fell back towards 1.13 the figure for the NY close. GBP/USD was the main attraction yet again, being tugged and pulled over ever-changing Brexit headlines. The threat to UK's PM May's leadership was weighing the heaviest on the pound despite a Brexit deal signed off ahead of presenting it to Parliament where the BBC reported that the Brexiteers from May's party has been seen calling a no-confidence vote on Thursday. GBP/USD moved between a range of 1.2886 and a high of 1.3037. EUR/GBP was just as choppy and was ending the North American session at 0.8742, higher by +0.43% and traded within a range of between 0.8755-0.8668.  USD/JPY fell on Brexit risk scenarios and made a low of 113.30. However, stocks were falling off a cliff and the VIX was as high as 23 at one stage with the S&P was down 20.60 points, and DJIA was down by  205.99 points leaving USD/JPY exposed to the downside. USD/JPY ended at 113.63. AUD/USD was running higher from 0.7188 and met a high of 0.7253 and closed at 0.7234. The pair was making headway despite the number of risk factors floating around Wednesday's financial markets and was lifted on a stage 1 positive outcome from the Brexit saga going to the wire ahead of a Parliamentary vote as stage 2. However, Aussie jobs are n the cards and will be drawing plenty of the market's attention considering the Sep report that sent the Aussie in a tear due to an impressive change in the unemployment rate. 

Key notes from US session:

Key events ahead:

 

 

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

EUR/USD holds below 1.0750 ahead of key US data

EUR/USD holds below 1.0750 ahead of key US data

EUR/USD trades in a tight range below 1.0750 in the European session on Friday. The US Dollar struggles to gather strength ahead of key PCE Price Index data, the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation, and helps the pair hold its ground. 

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD consolidates above 1.2500, eyes on US PCE data

GBP/USD consolidates above 1.2500, eyes on US PCE data

GBP/USD fluctuates at around 1.2500 in the European session on Friday following the three-day rebound. The PCE inflation data for March will be watched closely by market participants later in the day.

GBP/USD News

Gold clings to modest daily gains at around $2,350

Gold clings to modest daily gains at around $2,350

Gold stays in positive territory at around $2,350 after closing in positive territory on Thursday. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield edges lower ahead of US PCE Price Index data, allowing XAU/USD to stretch higher.

Gold News

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC’s next breakout could propel it to $80,000 Premium

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC’s next breakout could propel it to $80,000

Bitcoin’s recent price consolidation could be nearing its end as technical indicators and on-chain metrics suggest a potential upward breakout. However, this move would not be straightforward and could punish impatient investors. 

Read more

US core PCE inflation set to signal firm price pressures as markets delay Federal Reserve rate cut bets

US core PCE inflation set to signal firm price pressures as markets delay Federal Reserve rate cut bets

The core PCE Price Index, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is seen as the more influential measure of inflation in terms of Fed positioning. The index is forecast to rise 0.3% on a monthly basis in March, matching February’s increase. 

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures