Japan debates fresh cash payouts to help the poor cope with covid pandemic – Reuters

Dhwani Mehta FXStreet

The Japanese government and ruling party officials are mulling additional cash handouts to low-income households to help them combat the blow from the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports, citing two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

“The amount of the potential payout has not been fixed, but government spending is likely to be much lower than a previous package that offered cash handouts of 100,000 yen ($940) to all citizens,” the sources added.

The debate is on the table after some ruling party lawmakers called for JPY100,000 cash payouts for the poor.

The previous cash payouts cost the government JPY12.9 trillion ($120 billion), which was financed by deficit-covering bonds.

USD/JPY hovers around 106.50

USD/JPY holds steady just above 106.50 amid a recovery in the risk sentiment and a broadly weaker US dollar. The spot hit a daily high of 106.70 and a day’s low at 106.36.

Author

Dhwani Mehta

FXStreet

Residing in Mumbai (India), Dhwani is a Senior Analyst and Manager of the Asian session at FXStreet. She has over 10 years of experience in analyzing and covering the global financial markets, with specialization in Forex and commodities markets.

EUR/USD remains heavy near 1.1600 after hot EU inflation data

EUR/USD remains heavily offered near 1.1600, six-week lows, in the European session on Tuesday. The pair fails to find any inspiration from a surprise pick up in Eurozone inflation for February, as the US Dollar continues to attract safe haven flows amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

GBP/USD attacks 1.3300, refreshing three-month lows

GBP/USD is deep in the red near 1.3300, accelerating its downside to renew three-month lows in European trading on Tuesday. The ongoing escalation in the Iran war, combined with rising Oil prices, weighs negatively on the higher-yielding Pound Sterling as the US Dollar capitalizes on increased haven demand.

Gold falls below $5,300 as stronger USD counter Middle East woes

Gold attracts some intraday selling and falls below $5,300 on Tuesday. The US Dollar climbs to a fresh high since January 20 and turns out to be a key factor exerting downward pressure on the commodity. However, concerns about a broader regional conflict in the Middle East continue to weigh on investors' sentiment and underpin demand for the traditional safe-haven bullion.

Stellar risks deeper losses as derivatives metrics turn negative

Stellar is trading red below $0.16 at the time of writing on Tuesday, after a slight recovery the previous day. Weakening derivatives data caps the recovery, while an unfavorable technical outlook projects a deeper correction for the XLM token in the upcoming days.

Middle East conflict ramps up a gear as energy price spike rips through markets

It’s another risk off day as geopolitical headwinds continue to batter financial markets. Although markets calmed during the US session and US stocks managed to post gains on Monday, this has not fed through to the European session, and stocks and bonds are sharply lower for a second day.

Hyperliquid Price Forecast: HYPE rises on commodities demand amid US-Iran war

Hyperliquid (HYPE) steadies above $33 at press time on Tuesday, marking its fourth consecutive day of recovery in a broadly volatile market due to the ongoing US-Israel strikes on Iran.