NZD/USD trades higher around 0.5865 on Friday, gaining 0.22% at the time of writing, while the US Dollar (USD) loses ground with the US Dollar Index (DXY) down 0.18% at 98.65.
European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member and Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) Peter Kazimir highlights the need for a slight interest rate increase during European trading hours on Friday. Kazimir warned that the Iran war could still significantly slow global growth.
EUR/JPY trades around 186.70 on Friday, posting a modest 0.06% gain as investors remain cautious ahead of a week marked by monetary policy decisions from several major central banks. The pair is supported by a broadly resilient Euro (EUR), while facing mixed flows on the Japanese Yen (JPY).
The US Dollar (USD) maintains a near-term bullish trend against the Swiss Franc (CHF), but the pair eased from 10-day highs of 0.7875 on Friday to levels close to 0.7860, as the President of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), Martin Schlegel, hinted at changes in the bank’s monetary policy.
Deutsche Bank analysts note that strong United States (US) Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data have reinforced perceptions of economic resilience and rising price pressures, leading markets to scale back expectations for Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts.
ING’s Chris Turner notes that Gulf tensions and broadening inflation pressures are keeping investors wary of short US Dollar (USD) positions. He highlights firm short-dated US yields as markets price a stagflationary oil shock and a potentially more hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed).
Nordea’s Chief Analyst Jan von Gerich expects the European Central Bank (ECB) to leave policy rates unchanged at the April meeting while keeping all options open for June. He anticipates a hawkish communication tone that underpins market expectations for a June hike.
The EUR/USD pair trades in a tight range around 1.1700 during the European trading session on Friday. The major currency pair consolidates while the US Dollar (USD) trades broadly firm, with investors shifting focus to central banks’ policy meetings next week.
ING’s Chris Turner says rising short-dated Eurozone yields on higher Oil and pass-through of input costs are not clearly supportive for EUR/USD. He argues the European Central Bank must get ahead of inflation expectations and that current real rate differentials are unsupportive.
Commerzbank’s Tatha Ghose expects the Russian central bank to deliver another 50bp rate cut, though a pause is possible as inflation picks up and global price risks worsen.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, holds onto gains near the weekly high around 99.00 in the Asian trade on Friday.
EUR/JPY inches higher after three days of gains, trading around 186.60 during Asian hours on Friday. The technical analysis of the daily chart indicates the currency cross is positioned slightly below the ascending channel, signaling potential for a bearish reversal.
The AUD/USD pair loses traction to near 0.7130 during the early Asian session on Friday. Renewed conflict in the Middle East provides some support for a safe-haven currency, such as the US Dollar (USD), against the Australian Dollar (AUD).