|

USD: Defused near term upside potential - Westpac

A steadier yuan, triggered PBOC intervention, and subsiding Merkel coalition break-up risks (arguably temporary) have defused near term upside USD potential, according to Richard Franulovich, Research Analyst at Westpac.

Key Quotes

“The underlying positive USD backdrop though is intact: US data outperformance persists, cementing US growth leadership and relatively more robust growth stories amid growing trade tensions.”

“That said, an elevated US data surprise index and notably long USD positioning are also cautionary reversion signals for the USD. But that is a story for another time; a strong manufacturing ISM could be replicated on the services side, partial June data points to another solid payrolls, with earnings likely to be firm and near their recent cycle highs at 2.8%, while the FOMC minutes could air the prospect of a period of “above neutral” rates.”

“Trade tensions are unlikely to ease anytime soon; approaching midterms argue against a more conciliatory approach and regardless, the administration is employing the “North Korean model” on trade negotiations (i.e. coerce negotiation via aggressive escalation). “

Author

Sandeep Kanihama

Sandeep Kanihama

FXStreet Contributor

Sandeep Kanihama is an FX Editor and Analyst with FXstreet having principally focus area on Asia and European markets with commodity, currency and equities coverage. He is stationed in the Indian capital city of Delhi.

More from Sandeep Kanihama
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD flat lines below 1.1900; divergent Fed-ECB expectations offer support

The EUR/USD pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the 1.1835-1.1830 region and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.1875 area, remaining nearly unchanged for the day and staying within striking distance of an over one-week high, reached on Tuesday, amid mixed cues.

GBP/USD slips heading into the Thursday trading window

The Pound Sterling pulled back from four-year highs on Wednesday, weighed down by a combination of Bank of England dovishness and UK political uncertainty, even as the US Dollar weakened on soft labor market revisions. 

Gold posts modest gains above $5,050 as US-Iran tensions persist despite strong labor data

Gold price trades in positive territory near $5,060 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The precious metal edges higher despite stronger-than-expected US employment data. The release of the US Consumer Price Index inflation report will take center stage later on Friday. 

Bitcoin holds steady despite strong US labour market

Bitcoin briefly bounced from $66,000 to above $68,000 but slightly reversed those gains following Wednesday's US January jobs report. The top crypto is hovering around $67,000, down 2% over the past 24 hours as of writing on Wednesday.

The market trades the path not the past

The payroll number did not just beat. It reset the tone. 130,000 vs. 65,000 expected, with a 35,000 whisper. 79 of 80 economists leaning the wrong way. Unemployment and underemployment are edging lower. For all the statistical fog around birth-death adjustments and seasonal quirks, the core message was unmistakable. The labour market is not cracking.

XRP sell-off deepens amid weak retail interest, risk-off sentiment

Ripple (XRP) is edging lower around $1.36 at the time of writing on Wednesday, weighed down by low retail interest and macroeconomic uncertainty, which is accelerating risk-off sentiment.