Forex Today: Fears rule, dollar wins

Valeria Bednarik FXStreet

What you need to know on Tuesday, July 20:

The dollar was boosted by risk aversion, although gains were uneven against high-yielding rivals. Commodity-linked currencies were the worst performers, weighed by the poor performance of stocks and commodities.

Wall Street had its worst day for the year, with the DJIA shedding over 900 points intraday, recovering just modestly afterwards. Global indexes closed in the red amid concerns related to the coronavirus Delta variant, and heating US inflation which may force the local central bank to retrieve financial support sooner than anticipated.

The British pound was hit by Brexit news. News over the weekend suggested that the UK will demand the EU more flexibility over the Northern Ireland Protocol. UK Brexit Minister David Frost is said to be preparing an announcement on the matter this week. When asked about the protocol, Frost said that it will always have to be a treaty due to the special situation of Northern Ireland, adding that “the question is what is the content.”

Crude oil prices plunged amid the dismal mood, and the announcement of the OPEC+, which finally reached a deal to increase output, coupled with slowing demand. WTI trades at $66.30 a barrel.

The dismal market mood is likely to continue in the upcoming sessions, heading into the European Central Bank meeting next Thursday.

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Author

Valeria Bednarik

FXStreet

Valeria Bednarik was born and lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her passion for math and numbers pushed her into studying economics in her younger years.

EUR/USD keeps the rangebound trade near 1.1850

EUR/USD is still under pressure, drifting back towards the 1.1850 area as Monday’s session draws to a close. The modest decline in spot comes as the US Dollar picks up a bit of support, while thin liquidity and muted volatility, thanks to the US market holiday, are exaggerating price swings and keeping trading conditions choppy.

GBP/USD flirts with daily lows near 1.3630

GBP/USD has quickly given back Friday’s solid gains, turning lower at the start of the week and drifting back towards the 1.3630 area. The focus now shifts squarely to Tuesday’s UK labour market report, which is likely to keep the quid firmly in the spotlight and could set the tone for Cable’s next move.

Gold battle around $5,000 continues

Gold is giving back part of Friday’s sharp rebound, deflating below the key $5,000 mark per troy ounce as the new week gets underway. Modest gains in the US Dollar are keeping the metal in check, while thin trading conditions, due to the Presidents Day holiday in the US, are adding to the choppy and hesitant tone across markets.

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It is likely to be a quiet start to the week, with US markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day. European markets are higher across the board and gold is clinging to the $5,000 level after the tamer than expected CPI report in the US reduced haven flows to precious metals.

XRP steadies in narrow range as fund inflows, futures interest rise

Ripple is trading in a narrow range between $1.45 (immediate support) and $1.50 (resistance) at the time of writing on Monday. The remittance token extended its recovery last week, peaking at $1.67 on Sunday from the weekly open at $1.43.