Forex news day
Here's a summary of the top Forex news stories from the past 24 hours:
Market Movers
- USD: The US dollar strengthened against most major currencies, driven by a rise in Treasury yields and a stronger-than-expected jobs report.
- EUR: The euro fell to a two-week low against the dollar, weighed down by concerns over the European Central Bank's (ECB) ability to stimulate the economy.
- GBP: The British pound weakened against the dollar, despite a surprise rate hike by the Bank of England (BoE) to combat inflation.
- JPY: The Japanese yen fell to a six-month low against the dollar, as investors sought higher-yielding assets amid a dovish Bank of Japan (BoJ) stance.
Economic Data
- US: The US added 225,000 jobs in January, exceeding expectations and boosting the dollar. The unemployment rate remained steady at 3.6%.
- EU: The European Union's economic sentiment index fell to -12.1 in January, the lowest level since 2013, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.
- UK: The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 0.5% rise in retail sales in December, beating expectations and suggesting a resilient consumer sector.
- China: China's manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in January, according to the Caixin/Markit PMI, as the country's COVID-19 outbreak continued to disrupt supply chains.
Central Bank Decisions
- BoE: The Bank of England raised interest rates by 0.25% to 0.5%, citing concerns over inflation and the need to maintain financial stability.
- ECB: The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged, but hinted at further stimulus measures if necessary to support the economy.
- BoJ: The Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady, but reiterated its commitment to maintaining a highly accommodative monetary policy.
Geopolitical Developments
- US-China Trade: The US and China are set to resume trade talks this week, with both sides seeking to resolve outstanding issues and avoid further tariffs.
- Brexit: The UK and EU are making progress on a post-Brexit trade deal, but disagreements over fishing rights and state aid remain major hurdles.
- Middle East Tensions: Tensions between the US and Iran remain high, with the US imposing new sanctions on Iranian officials and entities.
Commodity Prices
- Oil: Brent crude oil prices fell to a two-week low, weighed down by concerns over the global economic outlook and a rise in US oil production.
- Gold: Gold prices rose to a two-week high, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid market volatility and geopolitical tensions.
- Copper: Copper prices fell to a two-week low, as concerns over the global economic outlook and a rise in US interest rates weighed on demand.
These are just some of the top Forex news stories from the past 24 hours. Stay tuned for further updates and analysis!