Crude Oil explodes higher as Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens
WTI crude oil surged about 11% on Friday, breaching above $87.00, its highest level since October 2023, in a session dominated by a single massive bullish candle that dwarfed every session of the past three months. This marks the fourth straight day of accelerating risk-premium gains, following Thursday’s 5% climb. Price has now rallied more […]
Fed policy is well positioned
Susan Collins, President of the Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of Boston, said that to cut interest rates again, the Fed needs to see clear evidence of inflation ebbing, adding that she sees no need to change the monetary policy stance urgently at a gathering in Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday. Key quotes: Expects Fed rate target […]
XAG/USD range-bound as RSI holds near 50 and MACD flattens
Silver (XAG/USD) trades modestly higher on Friday as the US Dollar (USD) and Treasury yields ease following softer-than-expected US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data. Despite the intraday bounce, the white metal remains on track for its first weekly decline in three weeks. At the time of writing, XAG/USD is trading around $84.27, up nearly 2.73% on […]
Consolidation near highs with upside risks – OCBC
OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong report that USD/MYR is consolidating near recent highs after an early-week run-up, supported by broader USD strength and soggy risk sentiment. Geopolitical headlines around Iran and energy markets are seen as key drivers. They warn that further escalation could trigger risk-off flows, weakening high-beta Asian FX including […]
Inflation problem is broader than just tariffs
Beth Hammack, President of the Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of Cleveland, said that inflation is too high, adding that inflationary pressures are broad-based at the United States (US) Monetary Policy Forum in New York City on Friday. Key quotes: Inflation is ‘too high,’ pressures are broad based. Fed rate policy likely on hold for quite […]
Struggles at 0.7800, dives below 50-day SMA
The USD/CHF pair retreats on Friday during the North American session, down 0.53% as the Greenback weakens following a dismal jobs report, and a break to four day low beneath the 0.7800 figure. At the time of writing, the pair trades at 0.7771, yet it remains to end the week with gains of more than […]
Iran says no more attacks against neighbouring countries “unless they attack first”
During an address broadcast by Iranian state TV, President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to the neighbouring countries for attacks launched following US-Israel strikes but asserted that Tehran will not strike “unless they attack first”. Key quotes I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by […]
Flows diverge as safe haven doubts grow – BNY
BNY’s Head of Markets Macro Strategy Bob Savage notes a sharp divergence between CNY forwards and spot, suggesting hedge unwinding alongside asset outflows. CNY has outperformed peers, yet the bank questions its safe haven role as spot flows show large outflows tied to expatriation. PBoC officials reiterate they will not use depreciation for competitiveness and […]
Upside risks as strong fix meets USD demand – OCBC
OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong note that USD/CNH has traded higher as Iran-related geopolitical tensions support the Dollar. Beijing has been setting a stronger CNY fix, which has helped stabilise the Renminbi and partially offset broader Asian FX softness. However, persistent USD strength and weaker risk sentiment could force even stronger fixes […]
Inflation and trade data support modest recovery – ING
ING economists Lynn Song and Min Joo Kang expect China’s February CPI inflation to pick up to 1.0% year-on-year, mainly due to Lunar New Year effects, while the impact of higher Oil prices should appear later. They also project solid growth in exports and imports over the first two months, resulting in a larger trade […]
