|

Forex Today: Markets try to settle down ahead of US inflation data

Here is what you need to know on Tuesday, March 14:

Markets stay relatively quiet early Tuesday as investors try to figure out how the major central banks' policy will be shaped after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) revealed vulnerabilities in the financial sector. Ahead of the February Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the US, the US Dollar Index clings to modest recovery gains near 104.00 and the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield looks to stabilize at around 3.5%. Following Monday's mixed trading in Wall Street, US stock index futures trade modestly higher in the European morning.

US Inflation Preview: Five scenarios for trading the Core CPI whipsaw within the SVB storm.

Annual inflation in the US, as measured by the CPI, is forecast to decline to 6% in February from 6.4% in January. The Core CPI is expected to come in at 0.4%.

Pressured by the collapse of SVB and Signature Bank, S&P 500 Financials Index lost nearly 4% on Monday. Meanwhile, Moody's announced late Monday it downgraded the debt rating of Signature Bank to "junk" and places First Republic Bank (FRC.N), Zions Bancorporation (ZION.O), Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL.N), Comerica Inc (CMA.N), UMB Financial Corp and Intrust Financial Corporation under review.

EUR/USD climbed to its highest level in a month at 1.0750 on Monday but lost its traction on Tuesday. As of writing, the pair was trading in negative territory below 1.0700. In an interview with a Greek newspaper on Tuesday, European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Yannis Stournaras said that he doesn't see any impact from the collapse of SVB on Eurozone banks.

Following Monday's sharp upsurge, GBP/USD has gone into a consolidation phase below 1.2200. The data published by the UK's Office for National Statistics showed on Tuesday that the ILO Unemployment Rate remained unchanged at 3.7%. Additionally, Average Earnings Including Bonus rose by 5.7% in three months to January, down from 6% in December.

USD/JPY lost nearly 2% on Monday and touched its lowest level below 132.50 before staging a rebound in the late American session. The pair clings to modest recovery gains at around 133.50 in the European morning.

Gold price extended its bullish rally and gained more than 2% on Monday. Following a technical correction toward $1,900 in the late Asian session, XAU/USD managed to regain its traction and was last seen trading slightly above $1,910.

Following Sunday's upsurge, Bitcoin gained nearly 10% on Monday and continued to stretch higher toward $25,000 early Tuesday before losing its traction. At the time of press, BTC/USD was trading marginally higher on the day at $24,380. Ethereum closed the third straight day in positive territory and rose nearly 15% in that period. ETH/USD stays relatively quiet on Tuesday and trades slightly below $1,700.

Author

Eren Sengezer

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

More from Eren Sengezer
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD stays defensive below 1.1750 as USD finds its feet

EUR/USD kicks off the new week on a softer note, holding below 1.1750 in European trading on Monday. The pair faces challenges due to a pause in the US Dollar downtrend, with traders shifting their focus to the delayed US Nonfarm Payrolls and CPI data for fresh directives. The ECB policy decision is also eagerly awaited. 

GBP/USD holds steady above mid-1.3300s as traders await key data and BoE this week

The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive during the Asian session on Monday, though it lacks bearish conviction and holds above the 200-day Simple Moving Average pivotal support. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.3360 region, nearly unchanged for the day.

Gold climbs to seven-week highs on Fed rate cut bets, safe-haven demand

Gold price rises to seven-week highs to near $4,350 during the early European trading hours on Monday. The precious metal extends its upside amid the prospect of interest rate cuts by the US Fed next year. Lower interest rates could reduce the opportunity cost of holding Gold, supporting the non-yielding precious metal.

Solana consolidates as spot ETF inflows near $1 billion signal institutional dip-buying

Solana price hovers above $131 at the time of writing on Monday, nearing the upper boundary of a falling wedge pattern, awaiting a decisive breakout. On the institutional side, demand for spot Solana Exchange-Traded Funds remained firm, pushing total assets under management to nearly $1 billion since launch. 

Big week ends with big doubts

The S&P 500 continued to push higher yesterday as the US 2-year yield wavered around the 3.50% mark following a Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut earlier this week that was ultimately perceived as not that hawkish after all. The cut is especially boosting the non-tech pockets of the market.

Solana Price Forecast: SOL consolidates as spot ETF inflows near $1 billion signal institutional dip-buying

Solana (SOL) price hovers above $131 at the time of writing on Monday, nearing the upper boundary of a falling wedge pattern, awaiting a decisive breakout.