Koruna to strengthen further as offers decent risk/reward – ING

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

EUR/CZK moved below 23.60 for the first time since the sell-off in global markets two weeks ago after CNB's hawkish tone.

Koruna welcomes hawkish Czech National Bank

“The CNB board decided to keep the key interest rate at 7.00%. The governor commented on market expectations of a peak in interest rates at current levels and a significant rate cut this year (roughly 125 bps in cuts priced in before the meeting). However, according to the governor, a rate hike cannot be ruled out and rate cut expectations are premature at this point.”

“The central bank has confirmed that it is ready to intervene if needed, but current levels are far from where the CNB was last active. On the other hand, the central bank's statement is clearly supportive for the Koruna and implies that the currency is safe in the event of a global sell-off. Moreover, with the prospect of higher rates for a longer period of time, a solid FX carry is also certain.”

“The Koruna offers decent risk/reward and we expect it to strengthen further.”

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

EUR/USD looks to regain the 200-day SMA

EUR/USD regains some balance and trade just above 1.1600 the figure ahead of the opening bell in Asia. The pair initially dipped to the 1.1530 zone for the first time since November, always following the stronger US Dollar and the marked flight-to-safety in the context of the ongoing Middle East crisis

GBP/USD slips below key averages as geopolitical risks mount

GBP/USD fell about 0.35% on Tuesday, settling around 1.3350 after slipping below the 200-day Exponential Moving Average for the first time since early December. The pair has pulled back sharply from its late-January high near 1.3870, shedding over 500 pips in a series of lower highs and lower lows.

Gold moves closer to $5,150 amid sustained safe-haven flows

Gold climbs back above $5,100 during the Asian session on Wednesday, moving away from an over one-week low, touched the previous day. Sustained safe-haven flow, amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, acts as a tailwind for the bullion. However, a bullish US Dollar and reduced bets for more aggressive easing by the US Fed might keep a lid on the non-yielding yellow metal ahead of the US ADP report and ISM Services PMI later today.