Forex News Timeline

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The USD/CHF pair trades in negative territory near 0.7730 during the early European session on Wednesday. The US Dollar (USD) weakens against the Swiss Franc (CHF) after US President Donald Trump delivered his annual State of the Union address to Congress on Wednesday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}USD/CHF loses ground around 0.7730 in Wednesday’s early European session. Trump claimed economic success and called the tariffs ruling “unfortunate.”Traders will closely watch the developments surrounding the US and Iran tensions ahead of nuclear talks on Thursday.The USD/CHF pair trades in negative territory near 0.7730 during the early European session on Wednesday. The US Dollar (USD) weakens against the Swiss Franc (CHF) after US President Donald Trump delivered his annual State of the Union address to Congress on Wednesday. The Swiss Q4 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and US January Producer Price Index (PPI) reports will be the highlights later on Friday. Trump said on Wednesday that he has overseen a "turnaround for the ages" and praised his economic achievements, focusing on lower inflation. He stated that his administration has made efforts to stem illegal immigration and fentanyl coming over the border. US President noted that “one of the main reasons for the US economic turnaround is tariffs,” adding that the US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs was “unfortunate.”Nonetheless, Trump went on to tout his new 15% global tariffs under section 122 of the Trade Act. He stated, "They're a little more complicated, but they're probably better, leading to a solution that will be even stronger than before.” Uncertainty surrounding US tariffs could weigh on the Greenback in the near term. Traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding the US and Iran tensions ahead of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva. The US embassy in Lebanon on Monday evacuated "dozens of its staff members" as a precaution amid anticipated regional developments. Any signs of rising tensions between the US and Iran could boost the safe-haven flows, supporting the Swiss Franc. However, positive developments after the nuclear talks could ease geopolitical risks and weigh on the CHF.  Swiss Franc FAQs What key factors drive the Swiss Franc? The Swiss Franc (CHF) is Switzerland’s official currency. It is among the top ten most traded currencies globally, reaching volumes that well exceed the size of the Swiss economy. Its value is determined by the broad market sentiment, the country’s economic health or action taken by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), among other factors. Between 2011 and 2015, the Swiss Franc was pegged to the Euro (EUR). The peg was abruptly removed, resulting in a more than 20% increase in the Franc’s value, causing a turmoil in markets. Even though the peg isn’t in force anymore, CHF fortunes tend to be highly correlated with the Euro ones due to the high dependency of the Swiss economy on the neighboring Eurozone. Why is the Swiss Franc considered a safe-haven currency? The Swiss Franc (CHF) is considered a safe-haven asset, or a currency that investors tend to buy in times of market stress. This is due to the perceived status of Switzerland in the world: a stable economy, a strong export sector, big central bank reserves or a longstanding political stance towards neutrality in global conflicts make the country’s currency a good choice for investors fleeing from risks. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen CHF value against other currencies that are seen as more risky to invest in. How do decisions of the Swiss National Bank impact the Swiss Franc? The Swiss National Bank (SNB) meets four times a year – once every quarter, less than other major central banks – to decide on monetary policy. The bank aims for an annual inflation rate of less than 2%. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF. How does economic data influence the value of the Swiss Franc? Macroeconomic data releases in Switzerland are key to assessing the state of the economy and can impact the Swiss Franc’s (CHF) valuation. The Swiss economy is broadly stable, but any sudden change in economic growth, inflation, current account or the central bank’s currency reserves have the potential to trigger moves in CHF. Generally, high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence are good for CHF. Conversely, if economic data points to weakening momentum, CHF is likely to depreciate. How does the Eurozone monetary policy affect the Swiss Franc? As a small and open economy, Switzerland is heavily dependent on the health of the neighboring Eurozone economies. The broader European Union is Switzerland’s main economic partner and a key political ally, so macroeconomic and monetary policy stability in the Eurozone is essential for Switzerland and, thus, for the Swiss Franc (CHF). With such dependency, some models suggest that the correlation between the fortunes of the Euro (EUR) and the CHF is more than 90%, or close to perfect.

Gold prices rose in India on Wednesday, according to data compiled by FXStreet.

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Prices are updated daily based on the market rates taken at the time of publication. Prices are just for reference and local rates could diverge slightly. Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up. (An automation tool was used in creating this post.)

GBP/USD remains in the positive territory for the fourth successive session, trading around 1.3510 during the Asian hours on Wednesday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}GBP/USD rises as a softer Dollar follows Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.Trump threatened higher tariffs on countries “playing games” after the Supreme Court blocked sweeping levies.BoE’s Bailey says March rate cut is an “open question” as services inflation hits 4.4%, above the 4.1% projection.GBP/USD remains in the positive territory for the fourth successive session, trading around 1.3510 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) remains subdued following US President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union (SOTU) address of his second administration before a joint session of Congress.Trump said he has delivered a “turnaround for the ages,” highlighting lower inflation and touting his administration’s economic record. He also pointed to efforts to curb illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl across the border. Trump warned he could impose higher tariffs on countries that “play games” with recent trade agreements after the Supreme Court blocked several of his broad global levies.The US Dollar (USD) could regain traction as expectations grow that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will keep interest rates unchanged for an extended period. Boston Fed President Susan Collins said Tuesday that it would be appropriate to hold rates in the current range for some time. Meanwhile, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin noted that monetary policy is “well-positioned” to manage risks surrounding the economic outlook.In the United Kingdom (UK), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Retail Sales Balance fell to -43 in February from -17 in January, missing expectations of -16. Retail volumes have been weakening since mid-2023, with February marking a sharp contraction. Retailers described seasonal sales as “poor” and foresee continued weakness amid subdued demand.The Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey told Parliament’s Treasury Committee that a March rate cut remains “a genuinely open question,” noting services inflation stood at 4.4% in January, above the BoE’s 4.1% projection. Chief Economist Huw Pill also urged caution, warning against being “beguiled” by headline inflation easing toward the 2% target. Pound Sterling FAQs What is the Pound Sterling? The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling? The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects. How does economic data influence the value of the Pound? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall. How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound? Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.

The EUR/USD pair regains positive traction during the Asian session on Wednesday and jumps to the 1.1800 neighborhood in the last hour, reversing the previous day's modest losses.

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The intraday move up is sponsored by the emergence of fresh US Dollar (USD), which continues to be weighed down by persistent trade-related uncertainties.Following a Supreme Court verdict against his sweeping levies, US President Donald Trump announced a new tariffs framework and signaled that his trade agenda remains firmly intact. In his State of the Union Address, Trump said that the White House pivoted to temporary global tariffs of 10% for 150 days under Section 122, and the administration is working toward 15%. This fuel worries about retaliatory measures and the economic fallout from disruptions to global supply chains, which, in turn, weighs on the USD  and provides a modest lift to the EUR/USD pair.Meanwhile, the USD bulls seem largely unaffected by the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) hawkish tilt. Minutes from the January FOMC meeting showed that several Fed officials judged that additional easing may not be warranted until there was an indication that the progress of disinflation was back on track. Moreover, Boston Fed President Susan Collins said on Tuesday that it will be appropriate to hold in the current range for some time. Meanwhile, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin noted that monetary policy is well-positioned to address the risks surrounding the economic outlook.On the other hand, the European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said on Monday that Eurozone inflation and the bank’s interest rate policy remain in a good place. Lagarde reiterated her long-standing guidance that no policy change is being considered, further lending support to the shared currency and the EUR/USD pair. The European Parliament decided on Monday to postpone a vote on the European Union's trade deal with the US. This might hold back traders from placing aggressive bullish bets around the EUR/USD pair and keep a lid on any further appreciating move.Next on tap is the release of the final Eurozone consumer inflation figures. Apart from this, the final German GDP and the GfK Consumer Climate will be looked upon for a fresh impetus. Later during the North American session, traders will take cues from speeches from influential FOMC members, which might contribute to producing short-term opportunities around the EUR/USD pair. Nevertheless, the aforementioned mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution before placing aggressive directional bets. US Dollar Price Today The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD -0.12% -0.13% 0.00% -0.12% -0.59% -0.14% -0.07% EUR 0.12% -0.00% 0.15% 0.02% -0.47% -0.01% 0.06% GBP 0.13% 0.00% 0.17% 0.01% -0.47% -0.01% 0.04% JPY 0.00% -0.15% -0.17% -0.14% -0.61% -0.17% -0.11% CAD 0.12% -0.02% -0.01% 0.14% -0.48% -0.03% 0.03% AUD 0.59% 0.47% 0.47% 0.61% 0.48% 0.46% 0.51% NZD 0.14% 0.01% 0.01% 0.17% 0.03% -0.46% 0.05% CHF 0.07% -0.06% -0.04% 0.11% -0.03% -0.51% -0.05% The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).

USD/JPY loses ground after registering gains in the previous session, trading around 155.90 during the Asian hours on Wednesday.

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The pair holds losses as the US Dollar (USD) remains subdued after US President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union (SOTU) address of his second administration before a joint session of Congress.Trump said that he has overseen a "turnaround for the ages" and praised his economic achievements, focusing on lower inflation. Trump further stated that his administration has made efforts to stem illegal immigration and fentanyl coming over the border. He has threatened to impose higher tariffs on countries that "play games" with recent trade deals after the Supreme Court blocked many of the sweeping global levies.The downside of the USD/JPY pair could be restrained as the Japanese Yen (JPY) may decline on reports, suggesting that Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Sanae Takaichi expressed concerns about further interest rate hikes during her last week's meeting with the Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda.However, BoJ Governor Ueda stated that the discussion broadly covered economic and financial developments, adding that the Prime Minister made no specific monetary policy requests.Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said Wednesday that monetary policy specifics should be left to the Bank of Japan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated she will closely monitor foreign exchange moves with a heightened sense of urgency. Japanese Yen FAQs What key factors drive the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. How do the decisions of the Bank of Japan impact the Japanese Yen? One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.

The NZD/USD pair trades 0.16% higher to near 0.5980 during the Asian trading session on Wednesday.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}NZD/USD moves higher to near 0.5980 as the US Dollar drops after Trump delivers the SOTU’s speech.US President Trump said that tariffs were a major trigger behind the US economic turnaround.The RBNZ is unlikely to hike interest rates in the near term.The NZD/USD pair trades 0.16% higher to near 0.5980 during the Asian trading session on Wednesday. The Kiwi pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) faces selling pressure after United States (US) President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union (SOTU) address of his second administration before a joint session of Congress.At the press time, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, is down 0.15% to near 97.75.In his speech, US President Trump praised his economic achievements and called “tariffs” one of the key reasons behind the economic turnaround. Trump also criticized the US Supreme Court (SC) for ruling against his tariff policy, calling it “unfortunate” and saying that “over time, tariffs paid by foreign countries will substantially replace the system of income tax”.Broadly, the US Dollar remains firm on the expectation that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will hold interest rates steady in the March and April policy meetings. On Monday, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who remained an outspoken dove in the past few months, stated that he could support leaving interest rates unchanged in the March policy meeting, citing the surprise uptick in the employment data.Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) trades broadly calm in a light economic calendar week. On the monetary policy front, there seems to be less urgency for interest rate hikes as Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Governor Anna Breman said in the monetary policy announcement this month that growth should pick up this year amid improving economic conditions, without reigniting strong inflationary pressures. US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.  

Gold (XAU/USD) attracts some dip-buyers following the previous day's modest pullback from the monthly top and climbs back closer to the $5,200 mark during the Asian session on Wednesday.

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Geopolitical risks remain in play ahead of the third round of US-Iran nuclear talks, scheduled on Thursday, amid a buildup of American forces in the Middle East. This turns out to be a key factor that helps revive demand for the safe-haven precious metal. Apart from this, the emergence of some US Dollar (USD) selling provides an additional boost to the commodity and contributes to the intraday move up.Despite the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) hawkish outlook and Tuesday's positive economic data, investors remain on edge in the wake of renewed turbulence over US President Donald Trump’s trade policies. In fact, minutes from the January FOMC meeting showed that several Fed officials judged that additional easing may not be warranted until there was an indication that the progress of disinflation was back on track. Furthermore, the recent comments from a slew of influential policymakers suggested the US central bank is in no hurry to cut interest rates in the coming months amid still sticky inflation.Boston Fed President Susan Collins said on Tuesday that it will be appropriate to hold in the current range for some time. Meanwhile, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin noted that monetary policy is “well-positioned” to address the risks surrounding the economic outlook. On the economic data front, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index improved to 91.2, up from January’s 89.0 (revised from 84.5). The USD bulls, however, struggle to attract any follow-through buying as investors remain concerned about the persistent uncertainty surrounding Trump's global tariffs.On Tuesday, the US moved ahead with a 10% tariff on all non-exempt goods, as initially announced by Trump on Friday after the Supreme Court verdict against his sweeping tariffs. Trump, however, pledged to raise duties to 15%, fueling worries about retaliatory measures and the potential economic fallout from disruptions to global supply chains. This, in turn, keeps a lid on the USD upside, lending additional support to the Gold price. However, a generally positive tone around the equity markets might hold back the XAU/USD bulls from placing aggressive bets and cap any further appreciation.The precious metal showed some resilience below the $5,100 mark on Tuesday, which represents a key horizontal resistance breakpoint and should act as a key pivotal point. The subsequent move up, meanwhile, favors bullish traders and suggests that the path of least resistance for the Gold price is to the upside. The positive outlook is reaffirmed by the fact that the XAU/USD pair holds comfortably above the rising 200-period Moving Average (Simple Moving Average), which tracks near $4,930 and underpins the broader uptrend.XAU/USD 4-hour chartGold bulls have the upper hand while above the $5,100 horizontal resistance-turned-supportMomentum has cooled from overbought territory, yet the Relative Strength Index (14) stabilizes around 62, keeping upside pressure in place rather than signaling a deeper correction. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) (12, 26, 9) has retreated from recent highs and flattens with shrinking positive readings, which suggests a consolidation phase within an overall positive structure rather than a completed top.On the upside, immediate resistance stands around $5,215, the latest reaction high, with a break above this level opening the way toward $5,240 as the next bullish target. As long as price holds above $5,150 initial support, dips are likely to be treated as corrective within the prevailing uptrend.Meanwhile, initial support emerges near $5,100. A sustained break below $5,100 would expose a deeper layer near the $5,050 region, where buyers would be expected to defend the broader bullish bias.(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.) Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.

Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said on Wednesday that specifics of monetary policy are to be left to the Bank of Japan (BOJ).

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said on Wednesday that specifics of monetary policy are to be left to the Bank of Japan (BOJ).Meanwhile, Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that she will closely monitor foreign exchange moves with a high sense of urgency.Market reactionAt the time of writing, the USD/JPY pair is trading 0.21% lower on the day at 155.55. Japanese Yen FAQs What key factors drive the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. How do the decisions of the Bank of Japan impact the Japanese Yen? One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, trades on a weaker note near 97.85 during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday.

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Traders will take more cues from the speeches from the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) Jeff Schmid and Alberto Musalem later on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose higher tariffs on countries that "play games" with recent trade deals after the Supreme Court blocked many of the sweeping global levies. Trump imposed a new 10% global tariff on Saturday, which he quickly threatened to raise to 15%. US tariff uncertainty and fears of a renewed trade war could exert some selling pressure on the US Dollar against its rivals.Boston Fed President Susan Collins stated on Tuesday that it will be appropriate to hold in the current range for some time, per Reuters. Meanwhile, Richmond Fed Thomas Barkin said that monetary policy is “well-positioned” to deal with the risks around the economic outlook. Hawkish rhetoric from Fed policymakers could lift the DXY as officials push back against imminent rate cuts. The attention will shift to the US January Producer Price Index (PPI) report, which will be published later on Friday. Economists anticipate a moderation in PPI inflation in January compared to the previous month. However, if the report shows hotter-than-expected outcomes, this could underpin the DXY in the near term. US Dollar FAQs What is the US Dollar? The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away. How do the decisions of the Federal Reserve impact the US Dollar? The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback. What is Quantitative Easing and how does it influence the US Dollar? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening and how does it influence the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.

AUD/JPY extends its gains for the second successive session, trading around 110.10 during the Asian hours on Wednesday.

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The Australian Dollar (AUD) receives support against its major peers as hotter-than-expected Australian inflation data fueled expectations of additional interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) this year.Australia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.8% year-over-year (YoY) in January, matching the previous reading and exceeding market expectations of 3.7%. The CPI increased 0.4% month-over-month (MoM) in January, easing from 1.0% previously. The RBA’s Trimmed Mean CPI for January rose 0.3% MoM and 3.4% YoY, respectively.Traders will likely observe the speech from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock, who is set to speak at a fireside chat at the Melbourne University Faculty of Economics & Business Foundation Dinner in Melbourne, Australia.The AUD/JPY cross also gained ground as the Japanese Yen (JPY) declined sharply after the Mainichi Shimbun reported that Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Sanae Takaichi expressed concerns about further interest rate hikes during her meeting last week with the Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda. However, BoJ Governor Ueda stated that the discussion broadly covered economic and financial developments, adding that the Prime Minister made no specific monetary policy requests.Japanese PM Takaichi is known for her pro-stimulus stance, backing expansionary fiscal measures and accommodative monetary policy. Her position clouds the outlook for BoJ rate hikes, amid speculation the central bank could resume policy normalization later this year. Economic Indicator Consumer Price Index (YoY) The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a monthly basis, measures the changes in the price of a comprehensive basket of goods and services acquired by household consumers. The indicator is the primary measure of headline inflation after a new methodology was applied to transition from quarterly to monthly readings, applying to data from April 2024 onwards. The YoY reading compares prices in the reference month to the same month a year earlier. A high reading is seen as bullish for the Australian Dollar (AUD), while a low reading is seen as bearish. Read more. Last release: Wed Feb 25, 2026 00:30 Frequency: Monthly Actual: 3.8% Consensus: 3.7% Previous: 3.8% Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

The USD/CAD pair trades with a mild negative bias during the Asian session on Wednesday, though it lacks bearish conviction and remains close to the monthly peak touched the previous day.

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Spot prices currently trade just below the 1.3700 mark, down 0.05% for the day, as traders refrain from placing aggressive directional bets ahead of US President Donald Trump's speech.Trump will deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term at 02:00 GMT and is expected to focus on the economy amid concerns about the fallout from persistent trade-related uncertainties. Trump's speech will also involve Iran ahead of the third round of nuclear talks on Thursday. This will play a key role in driving the US Dollar (USD) demand and influencing Oil price dynamics, which, in turn, should provide some meaningful impetus to the USD/CAD pair.In the meantime, the risk of a US military strike on Iran acts as a tailwind for Crude Oil prices ahead of the third round of nuclear talks on Thursday. This is seen underpinning the commodity-linked Loonie and capping the upside for the currency pair. That said, overnight hawkish comments from a slew of Federal Reserve (Fed) officials assist the USD to hold steady below its highest level since January 23, touched last week, which, in turn, limits the downside for the USD/CAD pair.Later during the North American session, traders will continue to take cues from Fed speak to grab short-term opportunities. The aforementioned mixed fundamental backdrop, meanwhile, warrants caution before placing aggressive directional bets. Even from a technical perspective, it will be prudent to wait for a breakout through the recent range-bound price action witnessed over the past week or so before determining a firm near-term trajectory for the USD/CAD pair. Economic Indicator President Trump speech Donald J. Trump is the 47th and current President of the United States. Before entering politics, he was a businessman and television personality. He became president for the first time in January 2017, representing the Republican party. His second mandate started in January 2025. Read more. Next release: Wed Feb 25, 2026 02:00 Frequency: Irregular Consensus: - Previous: - Source:

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $66.05 during the early Asian trading hours on Wednesday. The WTI price declines amid a significant build in US crude stockpiles.

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The WTI price declines amid a significant build in US crude stockpiles. Traders brace for the release of the   Energy Information Administration (EIA) report, which will be released later on Wednesday.According to the American Petroleum Institute (API) weekly report, crude oil stockpiles in the US for the week ending February 20 climbed by 11.4 million barrels, compared to a decline of 609,000 barrels in the previous week. The report raises oversupply concerns and weighs on the WTI price. Traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding the US and Iran tensions ahead of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva. On Monday, the US embassy in Lebanon evacuated "dozens of its staff members" as a precaution amid anticipated regional developments. US President Donald Trump said last week that he is thinking about launching a limited military attack on Iran to increase pressure on the nation to reach a nuclear agreement. He added that he believed that 10 to 15 days was "pretty much" the "maximum" amount of time he would permit for discussions to continue. Any signs of escalating tensions between the US and Iran could boost the black gold price. The EIA crude oil stockpiles report will be published on Wednesday. A larger-than-expected crude oil inventory draw indicates stronger demand and could lift the WTI price, while a bigger build than estimated signals weaker demand or excess supply, which might weigh on the WTI price. WTI Oil FAQs What is WTI Oil? WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media. What factors drive the price of WTI Oil? Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa. How does inventory data impact the price of WTI Oil The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency. How does OPEC influence the price of WTI Oil? OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Wednesday at 6.9321 compared to the previous day's fix of 6.9414 and 6.8824 Reuters estimate.

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Silver price (XAG/USD) continues to lose ground for the second successive session, trading around $87.20 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Wednesday.

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Silver prices remain under pressure following a massive liquidation event in China, triggered by the unwinding of leveraged positions after a wave of speculative excess.The Shanghai Futures Exchange imposed stringent delivery restrictions, cutting delivery allocations to zero for many participants lacking approved hedging quotas. The selloff was compounded by a sharp reversal in China-led retail speculation,In addition, dollar-denominated Silver has lost appeal amid a stronger US Dollar (USD), as the metal becomes more expensive for holders of other currencies.Silver’s decline is being exacerbated by solar manufacturers, who are aggressively substituting the grey metal with copper to offset rising costs, even as the metal heads into its sixth consecutive year of structural supply deficits.Silver’s demand from the AI and electric vehicle sectors continues to provide a steady floor. Meanwhile, a sharp 10% price premium in Chinese domestic markets points to localized supply tightness that has yet to be fully reflected in international prices.The precious metal Silver could regain traction on persistent safe-haven demand after US President Donald Trump pledged to raise duties to 15% following a Supreme Court ruling that his use of emergency powers to impose tariffs exceeded his authority. However, the US on Tuesday moved ahead with a 10% tariff on all non-exempt goods, as initially announced by Trump on Friday.Traders are also awaiting Trump’s State of the Union address later in the day. The speech comes ahead of a third round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran scheduled for Thursday. “Both the US and Iran seem to be delaying rather than seriously trying to negotiate a solid agreement acceptable to both sides,” said Robert Yawger of Mizuho Securities USA, according to Reuters. Silver FAQs Why do people invest in Silver? Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets. Which factors influence Silver prices? Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices. How does industrial demand affect Silver prices? Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices. How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves? Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.

The AUD/USD pair edges higher following the release of the latest Australian consumer inflation figures, though it lacks follow-through buying and remains confined in a familiar range held over the past two weeks or so.

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Spot prices currently trade around the 0.7075-0.7080 region, up over 0.20% for the day, as the market focus now shifts to US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address.Trump’s address comes on the back of the economic uncertainty driven by his far-reaching tariffs, some of which were struck down by a Supreme Court ruling last week. The most closely watched portion of the speech will almost certainly involve Iran amid the risk of a US military strike. This, in turn, will play a key role in driving the broader market sentiment, which would influence demand for the safe-haven US Dollar (USD) and provide some meaningful impetus to the risk-sensitive Australian Dollar (AUD).In the meantime, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that Australia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed 3.8% YoY in January, coming in above the 3.7% expected and matching the previous month's reading. The data backs the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) hawkish stance and provides a modest lift to the Aussie. The USD, on the other hand, preserves the previous day's modest gains and remains close to the monthly peak, touched last week. This might keep a lid on further gains for the AUD/USD pair. Economic Indicator President Trump speech Donald J. Trump is the 47th and current President of the United States. Before entering politics, he was a businessman and television personality. He became president for the first time in January 2017, representing the Republican party. His second mandate started in January 2025. Read more. Next release: Wed Feb 25, 2026 02:00 Frequency: Irregular Consensus: - Previous: - Source:

Australia Construction Work Done below expectations (0.8%) in 4Q: Actual (-0.1%)

The EUR/USD pair edges lower to around 1.1775 during the early Asian session on Wednesday, pressured by a renewed US Dollar (USD) demand. Traders await the US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address later on Wednesday for clarity on fiscal policies. 

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Traders await the US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address later on Wednesday for clarity on fiscal policies. Hawkish remarks from the Federal Reserve (Fed) officials provide some support to the Greenback and act as a headwind for the major pair. Boston Fed President Susan Collins said on Tuesday that it will be appropriate to hold in the current range for some time. Meanwhile, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin noted that monetary policy is “well-positioned” to address the risks surrounding the economic outlook.US trade policy remains uncertain following the US Supreme Court ruling that struck down US President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs. In response, Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a new 10% global tariff, which he quickly threatened to raise to 15%. This, in turn, could weigh on the USD against the Euro (EUR).The European Parliament decided on Monday to postpone a vote on the European Union's trade deal with the US due to the new import tariffs. The European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said on Monday that the central bank must remain “agile” in setting monetary policy, despite currently being well-positioned. Lagarde reiterated that policymakers will set interest rates “meeting by meeting, and emphasized the balance of risks as “broadly balanced.” Euro FAQs What is the Euro? The Euro is the currency for the 20 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%). What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro? The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde. How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro? Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money. How does economic data influence the value of the Euro? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy. How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro? Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.

UOB Global Economics & Markets Research economists Enrico Tanuwidjaja and Vincentius Ming Shen note that Indonesia’s current account moved back into a small deficit in 4Q25 and for full-year 2025.

UOB Global Economics & Markets Research economists Enrico Tanuwidjaja and Vincentius Ming Shen note that Indonesia’s current account moved back into a small deficit in 4Q25 and for full-year 2025. They highlight persistent services and primary income deficits, ongoing financial account pressures, and expect the current account deficit to widen to 1% of GDP in 2026 on higher imports.Current account slips back into deficit"Indonesia’s current account slipped back into a deficit of USD2.54bn (0.7% of GDP) in 4Q25, reversing the 3Q surplus, driven by services and primary income wider deficits. The full year deficit for FY25 stood at USD1.5bn or 0.1% of GDP, lower than 2024’s deficit of USD8.6bn (0.6% of GDP).""External risks remain, including U.S. tariffs and geopolitical tensions, but CEPA agreements and Danantara’s strategic investment might provide upside potential. We expect the current account deficit (CAD) to widen to 1% this year, driven by higher imports and sustained widening of the primary income deficit.""Looking ahead, external pressures from geopolitical tensions and U.S. tariffs remain key risks. Indonesia’s Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the U.S. (Feb 19) still poses uncertain outcomes while CEPA agreements with partners such as the EU, Canada, and South Korea provide trade diversification opportunities.""Amid rising global uncertainty, the financial account may continue to face some pressure. Upside potential might come from Danantara as driver of domestic direct investment through its strategic project investments, with President Prabowo targeting total investment assets of around USD900bn."(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)

GBP/USD was essentially flat on Tuesday, drifting around 1.3500 in a quiet session.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}Pound Sterling treads water near 1.3500 as BoE Governor Bailey calls the March rate decision a "genuinely open question."The BoE held rates at 3.75% in a narrow 5-4 vote in February, with Governor Bailey telling parliament on Tuesday that services inflation has not eased as much as expected, keeping a March cut uncertain.January FOMC minutes showed several Fed officials discussed possible rate hikes if inflation stays above target, reinforcing the extended pause at 3.50% to 3.75%.GBP/USD was essentially flat on Tuesday, drifting around 1.3500 in a quiet session. The pair has pulled back sharply from its late-January high near 1.3870 and is now consolidating in a tight range around the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), with a cluster of mixed candles over the past two weeks suggesting indecision after the sell-off.The Bank of England (BoE) held rates at 3.75% in February by a narrow 5-4 vote, with Governor Andrew Bailey casting the deciding vote to hold. Testifying before parliament's Treasury Committee on Tuesday, Bailey said a March rate cut is "a genuinely open question," noting that services price inflation came in at 4.4% in January, well above the BoE's 4.1% forecast. Chief Economist Huw Pill echoed the caution, warning against being "beguiled" by headline inflation falling toward the 2% target. UK data has otherwise been encouraging, with February's PMI showing private-sector activity expanding at its fastest pace since April 2024 and January retail sales beating expectations.On the US Dollar (USD) side, the Federal Reserve (Fed) held rates at 3.50% to 3.75% in January, with minutes released last week showing several participants discussed the possibility of raising rates if inflation remains above target. US consumer confidence edged up to 91.2 in February, though the expectations component has now spent 13 consecutive months below the 80 recession-warning threshold. Trump's new 15% global tariffs continue to weigh on risk sentiment, though existing trade arrangements with the UK are expected to remain in place for now.Consolidation around the 50-day EMA as Stochastic drifts in oversold territoryThe pair has fallen back to the 50-day EMA near 1.3520, which is acting as a pivot after holding as support through the January rally. The 200-day EMA around 1.3330 continues to rise and is well below current price action, keeping the broader uptrend from the late-2025 lows valid. The Stochastic Oscillator has crossed bearish and is drifting in the oversold zone, suggesting the pullback from the 1.3870 high is getting stretched to the downside. A break below 1.3430 would open a path toward the 200-day EMA, while a reclaim of 1.3600 would be the first sign of buyers re-engaging toward the year-to-date high.GBP/USD daily chart
Pound Sterling FAQs What is the Pound Sterling? The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE). How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling? The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects. How does economic data influence the value of the Pound? Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall. How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound? Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.

Japan Corporate Service Price Index (YoY) unchanged at 2.6% in January

US President Donald Trump takes the podium before a joint session of Congress tonight to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term.

Trump delivers his first second-term SOTU amid a DHS shutdown, a Supreme Court tariff rebuke, and 60% disapproval.Iran is the wildcard; the White House has teased a potential military strike announcement during the speech.Immigration, once his strongest issue, has become a liability after federal agents killed two American citizens.The speech doubles as a midterm campaign pitch, with Democrats boycotting and staging counter-programming.US President Donald Trump takes the podium before a joint session of Congress tonight to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term. The speech, scheduled for 02:00 GMT, arrives at a moment when the President is contending with political headwinds on nearly every front, and when the stakes for his party couldn't be higher with midterm elections just nine months away.The backdrop alone tells a story: This will likely be the first State of the Union delivered during a government shutdown, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unfunded as Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. A Washington Post poll released over the weekend shows 60% of Americans disapprove of Trump's job performance. And just last week, the Supreme Court dealt him a significant blow by striking down the sweeping tariff policy that had been a cornerstone of his second-term economic agenda.Brink of strikesThe most closely watched portion of the speech will almost certainly involve Iran. ABC News has reported that Trump is considering a range of military options, including a possible limited strike aimed at strengthening America's negotiating position. The White House has been deliberately building anticipation around this topic. When pressed last week on whether the president would address potential strikes during the speech, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was coy but suggestive, telling reporters they'd "be hearing more about what is to come from the president's speech very soon."Tariff falloutOn the economy, Trump faces a messaging challenge: His administration is scrambling to prepare the paperwork to impose limited, yet widespread trade tariffs under Trade Act of 1974 authority, a scaled-back version of the broader framework the Supreme Court just invalidated. Voters have consistently given him poor marks on economic management, and the President has signaled he plans to focus on "affordability," a word that suggests an effort to meet Americans where their frustrations actually lie rather than re-litigating trade policy in the abstract.Losing groundImmigration was once Trump's strongest card; that is no longer the case. Public support for his mass deportation agenda has fallen sharply after federal immigration agents shot and killed two American citizens last month, an incident that shifted the political ground beneath the administration's feet. The ongoing DHS shutdown compounds the problem. Rather than play defense, the White House says Trump will call on congressional Democrats to reopen the department, an attempt to redirect blame and reclaim the initiative.Beyond these flashpoints, the president is expected to tout what he views as his first-year accomplishments: record deportation numbers, deregulation, and efforts to broker peace in several global conflicts. He'll almost certainly frame these as reasons to keep Republicans in power come November, making the speech as much a campaign address as a constitutional obligation.The optics warThe political theater surrounding the event is worth noting as well. Dozens of congressional Democrats plan to boycott entirely, attending a MoveOn.org counter-event on the National Mall instead. Meanwhile, several House Democrats have invited survivors of Jeffrey Epstein as their guests, a pointed bit of counter-programming. On the lighter side, Trump has invited the US men's Olympic hockey team, fresh off their gold medal victory in Milan.Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response. Her selection is itself a statement: Spanberger flipped the Virginia governor's mansion from red to blue last November, becoming the state's first woman governor in a race widely seen as a warning sign for Republicans heading into 2026.The long night aheadTrump has promised a long night; "It's going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about," he said over the weekend. Last year's address to a joint session ran 99 minutes. Whether tonight's speech changes his political trajectory or merely underscores the challenges he faces will depend largely on what he says about Iran, and whether the country is convinced by his pitch on everything else.

USD/JPY jumped about 0.7% on Tuesday, rallying sharply to around 155.86 in a session driven almost entirely by Japanese Yen weakness.

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Japanese Yen FAQs What key factors drive the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. How do the decisions of the Bank of Japan impact the Japanese Yen? One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.

Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said on Tuesday that it will be appropriate to hold in the current range for some time.

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So far hearing AI has been enhancing work, not displacing workers.

I am a cautious optimist regarding all economic impact.

Overall the unemployment rate is low.

Tariff ruling adds bit of potential inflation persists.

Latest tariff news has not altered outlook much.

We're quite likely to hold current rates for some time.

Fed policy mildly restrictive and may be close to neutral.

It seems to me that monetary policy should be patient and deliberate.

Baseline view is that inflation should decline later this year.

Seeking more confidence disinflation has resumed.

Lower job growth may reflect productivity and uncertainty.

Job market softened last year but wasn't soft.

There may be more stability in job market amid fragility.

Recent job data has been promising.Market reactionAt the time of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading around 97.88, up 0.14% on the day.  Fed FAQs What does the Federal Reserve do, how does it impact the US Dollar? Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback. How often does the Fed hold monetary policy meetings? The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it impact USD? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening (QT) and how does it impact the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.

NZD/USD slipped 0.14% on Tuesday, settling close to 0.5960 in a narrow session. The pair is trading above its key moving averages, but bullish momentum has waned.

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New Zealand Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD. How do decisions of the RBNZ impact the New Zealand Dollar? The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair. How does economic data influence the value of the New Zealand Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate. How does broader risk sentiment impact the New Zealand Dollar? The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.

Federal Reserve (Fed) President of the Bank of Richmond Thomas Barkin said on Tuesday that monetary policy is “well positioned” to deal with the risks around the economic outlook.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}} Federal Reserve (Fed) President of the Bank of Richmond Thomas Barkin said on Tuesday that monetary policy is “well positioned” to deal with the risks around the economic outlook.Key quotes I do not expect a violent change in the economy due to AI.

I am hoping to see more breadth in economy going forward.

Productivity rise is not just from AI.

I worry about what a pullback in all investments would do to the economy.

Underlying dynamics support consumer sector.

Expects latest tariff moves will not change inflation dynamics much.

Monetary policy is currently well-positioned for risks.

Across the economy you are seeing disinflation but wants more confirmation in data.

Firms say they have very limited pricing power.

Inflation data has been consistently above target.

Difficult to calibrate what is going on with labor supply.

Clear sense that job market has loosened.Market reactionAt the time of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading around 97.88, up 0.14% on the day.  Fed FAQs What does the Federal Reserve do, how does it impact the US Dollar? Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback. How often does the Fed hold monetary policy meetings? The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it impact USD? In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar. What is Quantitative Tightening (QT) and how does it impact the US Dollar? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.

Gold price (XAU/USD) tumbles to near $5,140, snapping the four-day winning streak during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The precious metal loses momentum amid some profit-taking and a stronger US Dollar (USD).

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The precious metal loses momentum amid some profit-taking and a stronger US Dollar (USD). Traders will closely monitor the US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Wednesday for clarity on fiscal policies. After reaching multi-week highs, traders start booking their profits, weighing on the yellow metal. Furthermore, hawkish comments from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials underpin the Greenback and drag the USD-denominated commodity price lower. Boston Fed President Susan Collins said on Tuesday that interest rates are likely to stay unchanged “for some time” as recent economic data shows an improvement in the labor market, while risks to inflation remain, per Bloomberg. However, the potential downside for precious metals might be limited due to uncertainty over US trade policy and heightened tensions in the Middle East. The US Supreme Court on Friday struck down US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Trump said on Saturday he would raise a temporary tariff from 10% to 15% on US imports from all countries, the maximum level allowed under the law, raising confusion about US tariffs. The US and Iran are expected to meet for a further round of talks in Geneva on Thursday in a sign that Trump’s administration believes Tehran is making serious proposals to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and show it is not seeking a nuclear weapon. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that he thought there was still a good chance of finding a diplomatic solution. Nonetheless, any signs of rising tensions between the US and Iran could boost a traditional safe-haven asset such as Gold in the near term.  Gold FAQs Why do people invest in Gold? Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Who buys the most Gold? Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. How is Gold correlated with other assets? Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. What does the price of Gold depend on? The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.

BNY’s Head of Markets Macro Strategy Bob Savage highlights that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has delivered a sixth straight rate cut but now signals a high bar for further easing. Governor Eli Remolona stresses that data must change significantly to justify more cuts.

BNY’s Head of Markets Macro Strategy Bob Savage highlights that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has delivered a sixth straight rate cut but now signals a high bar for further easing. Governor Eli Remolona stresses that data must change significantly to justify more cuts. The central bank is less focused on Fed differentials, watching currency and price swings that affect trade and inflation.Philippines cautious after easing streak"Philippines’ central bank has signaled that the bar for another rate cut is high after delivering a sixth straight reduction, with Governor Eli Remolona stating that data would need to change significantly from current levels to justify further easing.""The benchmark rate stands at 4.25% amid slowing growth and confidence pressures linked to U.S. tariffs and a domestic graft investigation.""Remolona said monetary policy can only partly restore sentiment, with a greater impact expected from credible government reforms.""The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is not moving in lockstep with the Federal Reserve and is less focused on policy rate differentials, instead monitoring currency and price swings that could affect exports, imports and inflation."(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)

The AUD/JPY surges late in the North American session, up by over 0.83% as the Japanese Yen weakens as PM Takaichi expressed stronger resistance to further tightening by the Bank of Japan, led by Governor Ueda.

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Also, expectations that Australian CPI data would continue to remain hot, keeps the cross underpinned near the 110.00 milestone.AUD/JPY Price Forecast: Technical outlookThe AUD/JPY is upward biased, even though it has failed —so far, to clear the record high of 110.67, hit on February 10. Nevertheless, downside risks remain as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) shows some signs of weakness. Hence, if the index drops below the next cycle low of 56.55, the cross could follow suit, registering further losses.For a bullish continuation, buyers need to conquer 110.00, followed by the year-to-date (YTD) high at 110.67. A breach of the latter will expose 111.00. On the downside, the first key support would be the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 109.10. on further weakness, the next stop would be a key support trendline drawn from November 2025 lows, at around 108.00.AUD/JPY Price Chart – DailyAUD/JPY Daily Chart Japanese Yen FAQs What key factors drive the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. How do the decisions of the Bank of Japan impact the Japanese Yen? One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. How does the differential between Japanese and US bond yields impact the Japanese Yen? Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. How does broader risk sentiment impact the Japanese Yen? The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.

AUD/USD edged higher by less than 0.1% on Tuesday, trading in a narrow range around 0.7060.

.fxs-faq-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif}.fxs-faq-module-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-faq-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-faq-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-faq-module-header{padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;cursor:pointer;margin:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label{display:block;cursor:pointer}.fxs-faq-module-header label span{display:block;width:calc(100% - 50px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;right:16px;width:8px;height:2px;background-color:#49494f;transition:all .2s ease-in-out;transition-delay:0}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-faq-module-header label:after,.fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transition:transform .3s ease-in-out}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out;color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0}input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-faq-module-section .fxs-faq-module-content{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-faq-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-faq-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-faq-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}Australian Dollar steadies near 0.7060 as markets await Wednesday's inflation print.The RBA hiked rates 25 basis points to 3.85% at its February meeting, with markets pricing roughly 76% odds of another move by May as inflation holds above the 2%-3% target band.January's Australian CPI data, due Wednesday, is forecast at 3.7%; new 15% global tariffs from President Trump add to cross-market uncertainty.AUD/USD edged higher by less than 0.1% on Tuesday, trading in a narrow range around 0.7060. Price has been consolidating in a roughly 150-pip band between 0.7000 and the year-to-date high just shy of 0.7150 for nearly four weeks, with a cluster of small-bodied candles and doji pointing to indecision (or market apprehension) ahead of Wednesday's CPI.The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) February rate hike to 3.85%, its first increase since November 2023, underscored the Board's concern over renewed capacity pressures and stronger-than-expected private demand growth. Wednesday's Australian January Consumer Price Index (CPI) release is the next test of the hawkish outlook, with headline inflation forecast to ease only marginally to 3.7% from 3.8% and trimmed mean CPI expected to hold steady at 3.3%. On the US Dollar (USD) side, the Supreme Court's ruling last Friday against Trump's earlier tariff measures prompted a fresh 15% global tariff announcement, weighing on risk sentiment. US consumer confidence ticked up to 91.2 in February from 89, though the expectations component has now spent 13 consecutive months below the 80 recession-warning threshold.Sideways consolidation below 0.7150 as Stochastic drifts in neutral territoryThe pair is holding well above the rising 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) close to 0.6890 and the 200-day EMA near 0.6660, confirming the broader bullish structure that has been in place since the rally from the January low around 0.6590. The Stochastic Oscillator has pulled back from the overbought zone and is drifting sideways in neutral territory, suggesting momentum is cooling without turning bearish. A sustained break above the 0.7150 area would open a path toward the 0.7200 round number, while a loss of 0.7000 would shift focus toward the 50-day EMA.AUD/USD Daily chart
Australian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive. How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar? China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar? Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD. How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar? The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.

OCBC’s Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong note that USD/SGD is retracing earlier losses seen after US tariff headlines, with softer risk appetite and reduced expectations for MAS tightening in April weighing on the Singapore Dollar.

OCBC’s Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong note that USD/SGD is retracing earlier losses seen after US tariff headlines, with softer risk appetite and reduced expectations for MAS tightening in April weighing on the Singapore Dollar. Headline CPI matched forecasts but a surprise dip in core inflation has reinforced the house view that MAS will hold policy in April and monitor subsequent inflation data.Core inflation surprise supports rebound"USDSGD’s earlier losses post-US tariff announcement showed signs of unwinding.""Softer risk appetite and slight pare back in expectations for MAS to tighten in Apr (following the pullback in core CPI) were some factors behind SGD’s underperformance overnight.""Our economist highlighted that headline CPI was in line with our forecast at 1.4% YoY, but the dip in core inflation to 1.0% YoY was a surprise which was attributed to an easing in services inflation.""Our house view continues to look for MAS to hold in Apr and to monitor for further inflation prints."(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)

The Pound Sterling advances versus the Japanese Yen, in the aftermath of comments that the Japanese PM Takaichi expressed her concerns about additional rate hikes to Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, as the central bank seems poised to resume its normalization of monetary policy.

.fxs-major-currency-prices-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:22.4px;text-transform:uppercase;background:#f3f3f8;padding:8px 16px;margin:0}.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:8px 16px}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table{width:100%;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:1rem}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table th{background-color:#f2f2f2}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td{color:#fff}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.green{background-color:#9cd6cd}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.red{background-color:#faafb5}table.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-table td.blue-grey{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-prices-legend{font-size:11px;margin:8px;color:#49494f}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-major-currency-prices-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}.fxs-major-currency-prices-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.dark-green{background-color:#39ad9a}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-green{background-color:#9cd6cd}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.gray{background-color:#888a93}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.light-red{background-color:#faafb5}.fxs-major-currency-prices-currency-price td.strong-red{background-color:#f55e6a}GBP/JPY surges as Sanae Takaichi questions pace of hikes by Kazuo Ueda.Technical bias remains bullish after rebound from 100-day SMA near 207.60.Break above 211.00 opens path toward 214.44, though intervention risks may cap gains.The Pound Sterling advances versus the Japanese Yen, in the aftermath of comments that the Japanese PM Takaichi expressed her concerns about additional rate hikes to Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, as the central bank seems poised to resume its normalization of monetary policy. At the time of writing, the GBP/JPY trades at 210.34, posting gains of over 0.80%.GBP/JPY Price Forecast: Technical outlookThe GBP/JPY technical picture shows the cross remains upward biased after finding support at the confluence of the 100-day SMA and a support trendline at around 207.62, clearing the 208.00 figure, extending its gains of over 160 pips.Momentum as depicted by the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is about to turn bullish, but fears of a possible intervention in the FX markets by the BoJ or Japanese authorities, can cap the cross-pair advance.Immediate resistance is pegged at the 210.50 area, followed by the 50-day SMA past the 211.00 figure at 211.02. A breach of the latte r clears the way to challenge the next key swing high at 214.44, the February 9 high.On the downside, support is seen at the February 16 high turned support at 209.68, followed by the February 23 daily low of 208.14. Should the 208.00 figure gives way and the focus shifts towards the 100-day SMA.GBP/JPY Price Chart – Daily GBP/JPY Daily Chart Japanese Yen Price This week The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies this week. Japanese Yen was the strongest against the Australian Dollar. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD 0.20% -0.04% 0.59% 0.20% 0.33% 0.36% -0.04% EUR -0.20% -0.19% 0.40% 0.03% 0.12% 0.17% -0.15% GBP 0.04% 0.19% 0.78% 0.20% 0.29% 0.36% -0.02% JPY -0.59% -0.40% -0.78% -0.40% -0.22% -0.27% -0.68% CAD -0.20% -0.03% -0.20% 0.40% 0.17% 0.12% -0.26% AUD -0.33% -0.12% -0.29% 0.22% -0.17% 0.04% -0.37% NZD -0.36% -0.17% -0.36% 0.27% -0.12% -0.04% -0.38% CHF 0.04% 0.15% 0.02% 0.68% 0.26% 0.37% 0.38% The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Japanese Yen from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent JPY (base)/USD (quote).
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