Market News

The US Dollar was mixed in Asian trading today but the Dollar Index is still likely to record losses for the week.

The Australian Dollar soared against the US Dollar after the release of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that the trade balance showed a surplus of some AUD 3,511 million in December, far more than analysts’ prediction of AUD 2,200 million.

Both Brent crude and WTI prices fell on Thursday after official data showed that U.S. stockpiles rose by 6.5 million barrels.

The US Dollar continues to struggle for traction in Asian trading and has just logged its worst January in 30 years on growing concerns that the US government is about to reconsider a “strong dollar” policy.

The U.S. dollar had the worst January in thirty years, an end which was solidified on the final day of the month after statements by Donald Trump’s administration that Japan and Germany have been devaluing their currencies in order to create a trade advantage over the United States.

Though currently under some pressure, the Pound Sterling had firmed in early European trading ahead of the 2-day debate in the UK Parliament on the subject of Brexit negotiations.

The Japanese yen continued to strengthen on Tuesday, with the dollar losing more than 1 percent overnight and continuing to fall during the morning hours.

Nervous investors pushed the US Dollar into reverse and favored the safe haven currencies after broad ranging protests over President Trump’s executive order on an immigration ban.

Donald Trump’s immigration halt on Friday sent Asian markets and Wall Street stock futures broadly lower on Monday, as traders expressed concern about how Trump’s protectionist policies would impact the global economy.

There will be a significantly heavier news schedule this week, compared to last week which was quite light.

The US dollar inched higher on Friday trading in Asia, recovering from the recently struck 7-week trough on a generally improved outlook for the US economy.

Though recovering now, the US Dollar continues to be shaky and earlier struck a 7-week trough as concerns grow over a perceived protectionist stance by the US President.

The Dow Jones Industrial Index finally broke through the psychological barrier of 20,000 and is making new all-time highs.

Among major economies and world currencies, the Australian Dollar was the obvious big mover after an unexpectedly disappointing inflation reading pushed the Aussie lower.

President Donald Trump yesterday signed executive orders smoothing the way for controversial new oil pipelines between Canada and the U.S.A. on the proviso that the raw materials used in construction (or the steel at least) will be “made in America”.