UK asks EU for Brexit grace period extension to 2023 – BBC

Dhwani Mehta FXStreet

The UK has requested for an extension of a grace period until 2023 on trade checks that would be conducted between Northern Ireland and the rest of the Kingdom, BBC News reports, citing Cabinet Office Secretary Michael Gove’s letter to the European Commission’s Vice President Maros Sefcovic.

Reuters reported that the two sides had agreed a three-month grace period on checks on food goods being moved by supermarkets and some wholesale groups from Britain to Northern Ireland, as a part of the Brexit deal.

Market reaction

GBP/USD is wavering in a 20-pips range around 1.3650 over the last hour, digesting the upbeat UK Services PMI and positive vaccine developments amid a broad-based US dollar rebound.

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.

AUD/USD shows resilience below 38.2% Fibo. near mid-0.7100s

The AUD/USD pair touches a one-and-a-half-week low, around the 0.7140 region during the Asian session on Monday, though it lacks follow-through. Spot prices currently trade just above mid-0.7100s, down nearly 0.25% for the day.

USD/JPY: Japanese Yen edges lower vs USD amid Middle East jitters as Fed, BoJ meetings loom

The USD/JPY pair attracts some buyers at the start of a new week and climbs closer to the 154.00 mark during the Asian session, reversing a part of Friday's losses. Spot prices, however, remain confined in a range held over the past week or so and within striking distance of a nearly seven-month low, touched last Tuesday, as traders await this week's key central bank events.

Gold retests $4,300; USD losses momentum

Gold picks up fresh upside traction and challenges the key $4,300 mark per troy ounce on Monday. The yellow metal, however, remain on the back foot on the back of marked gains in the US Dollar and rising US Treasury yields across the curve.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP recover ahead of US Senate vote on CLARITY Act

Bitcoin edges higher, trading near $77,884 as of Monday, in tandem with broader gains across the cryptocurrency market. Ethereum and Ripple follow Bitcoin’s neutral-to-bullish trajectory, holding key support levels at $2,521 and $1.38, respectively.

Will the Fed deliver the hawkishness markets are pricing in?

Fed hike bets increase after PPI and CPI reports. Updated dot plot to be crucial for the dollar’s reaction. Warsh’s independence faces test amid Trump’s pressure for lower rates. For the Dollar to extend gains, Fed needs to satisfy current hawkish bets.

Venezuela’s 65-billion-barrel Oil deal could reshape America’s inflation fight

The United States (US) has secured unprecedented access to part of Venezuela’s vast Oil reserves. The timing is particularly significant as the war with Iran is disrupting Middle Eastern supplies, keeping energy prices elevated and reviving concerns about inflation.