Forex Today: US Dollar loses momentum as Oil volatility shakes global markets
Here is what you need to know on Tuesday, March 10:
News that several countries have cut Oil output hit the financial markets on Monday as Oil producers claimed they are unable to export through the Strait of Hormuz amid threats from Iran. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) hit a three-year high near $113 during the Asian session but corrected lower after reports that the G7 was planning to release emergency crude reserves to stabilize markets, extending losses after the Wall Street open as US stocks shrugged off concerns and turned positive.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading near the 98.90 price zone, retreating from its intraday gains at the start of the week as riskier assets attract more attention.
US Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Swiss Franc.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.08% | -0.29% | -0.11% | -0.13% | -0.72% | -0.55% | 0.15% | |
| EUR | 0.08% | -0.21% | 0.06% | -0.05% | -0.63% | -0.53% | 0.23% | |
| GBP | 0.29% | 0.21% | 0.28% | 0.16% | -0.42% | -0.26% | 0.44% | |
| JPY | 0.11% | -0.06% | -0.28% | -0.12% | -0.72% | -0.54% | 0.15% | |
| CAD | 0.13% | 0.05% | -0.16% | 0.12% | -0.60% | -0.43% | 0.27% | |
| AUD | 0.72% | 0.63% | 0.42% | 0.72% | 0.60% | 0.16% | 0.88% | |
| NZD | 0.55% | 0.53% | 0.26% | 0.54% | 0.43% | -0.16% | 0.71% | |
| CHF | -0.15% | -0.23% | -0.44% | -0.15% | -0.27% | -0.88% | -0.71% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
EUR/USD is trading near the 1.1580 price region, trimming its intraday losses and rising by over 0.15%, as low demand for riskier assets amid the intensified war in the Middle East has faded during the American session.
GBP/USD is trading near the 1.3390 price zone, trading in a tight bound range, still in the green as the US Dollar (USD) loses traction against all major currencies.
USD/JPY is trading near 158.30, with limited losses as the Greenback recedes some of its ground on a firmer Japanese Yen (JPY). Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that households are concerned about rising gasoline prices and that the government is exploring measures to mitigate the impact.
AUD/USD is surging near the 0.7050 level, as stronger-than-expected economic data from China provides support to the Chinese-linked Australian Dollar (AUD).
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil is trading near $94.90 per barrel, after the black gold hit a three-year high above $113 in the Asian session. The G7 members and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are working to release emergency oil reserves to ease concerns about supply disruptions. Oil prices could push global inflation higher, raising stagflation risks.
Gold is trading at $5,120, posting a slight decline after trimming back almost all its Asian-session losses, but still failing to regain traction.
What’s next in the docket:
Tuesday, March 10:
- UK February BRC Like-For-Like Retail Sales.
- China February Exports.
- China February Trade Balance.
- Germany January Trade Balance.
- Eurozone, EcoFin Meeting.
- United States ADP Employment Change 4-week average.
- United States February Existing Home Sales Change.
Wednesday, March 11:
- Germany February HICP.
- UK BoE Monetary Policy Report Hearings.
- UK Consumer Inflation Expectations.
- United States February CPI.
Thursday, March 12:
- Australia March Consumer Inflation Expectations
- UK January Industrial Production.
- United States January Building Permits.
- United States January Housing Starts.
- United States Initial Jobless Claims.
- United States February Monthly Budget Statement.
- New Zealand February Business NZ PMI.
Friday, March 13:
- UK January GDP.
- UK January Manufacturing Production.
- Spain February HICP.
- Eurozone January Industrial Production s.a.
- Canada February Average Hourly Wages.
- Canada February Net Change in Employment.
- Canada, February, Unemployment Rate.
- United States January Core Personal Consumption Expenditures - Price Index.
- United States Flash (Q4) Core Personal Consumption Expenditures.
- United States January Durable Goods Orders.
- United States Flash (Q4),Gross Domestic Product Annualized.
- United States Flash (Q4) Gross Domestic Product Price Index.
- United States January Nondefense Capital Goods Orders ex Aircraft.
- United States January Personal Consumption Expenditures - Price Index.
- United States Flash (Q4) Personal Consumption Expenditures Prices.
- United States January Personal Income.
- United States January Personal Spending.
- United States Flash March Michigan Consumer Expectations Index.
- United States Flash March Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index.
- United States Flash March UoM 1-year Consumer Inflation Expectations.
- United States January JOLTS Job Openings.
- United States Flash March UoM 5-year Consumer Inflation Expectation.
Gold FAQs
Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
Author
Agustin Wazne
FXStreet
Agustin Wazne joined FXStreet as a Junior News Editor, focusing on Commodities and covering Majors.
