Market News
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Oil: Persian Gulf risks support prices – ING
ING analysts Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey note Brent rebounded over 4% after recent losses as renewed attacks on US troops and Saudi energy infrastructure undermine prospects for a US–Iran deal.
Forex Today: Mood sours as Mideast conflict widens, focus shifts to Fed
Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, July 29:
Euro: Softer Fed signals may lift EUR against US Dollar – Commerzbank
Commerzbank’s Antje Praefcke argues that the FOMC under Chair Kevin Warsh is likely to deliver a "hawkish hold", with markets already pricing at least one Fed rate hike by year-end.
Indian Rupee: Hedging demand rises on bond gains – BNY
BNY’s Geoff Yu highlights that INR faces strong selling pressure from a rebalancing perspective, as Indian bonds have outperformed major peers. With INR flows broadly flat, FX exposure has risen and investors are advised to keep hedging elevated after strong duration gains.
US Dollar: Hawkish Fed hold may support USD – MUFG
MUFG’s Lloyd Chan expects the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to deliver a hawkish hold, with the Federal Reserve (Fed) keeping rates unchanged while stressing elevated inflation risks. He notes softer recent US data but highlights that markets still price some probability of a July hike.
Iraqi PM calls for urgent security meeting after Saudi-US strikes
Iraqi Prime Minister (PM) Ali Faleh al-Zaydi has called for an urgent security meeting on Wednesday following a joint military operation from Saudi Arabia and the United States (US), according to a statement.
Equities: Record highs with tech under pressure – Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank analysts note that lower oil prices and bond yields supported US equities, helping the equal-weighted S&P 500 reach a record high as investors rotated into defensive and non-tech sectors.
Japanese Yen recovery halts below 163.30 US Dollar with Fed’s decision on tap
The Japanese Yen (JPY) has trimmed some losses against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday, but USD/JPY dips have been capped above previous highs, in the 163.30 area so far.
Oil: Volatile on Iran conflict swings – UOB
UOB strategists report that Oil prices initially fell sharply as the United States (US) military campaign against Iran remained paused, with WTI dropping to USD 79.26 and Brent to USD 84.10.
Iran officially rejects Oman’s regional joint Hormuz management proposal
According to a senior official from Iran, the nation doesn’t support Oman's proposal for regional joint management of Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for almost 20% of global energy supply.
Euro edges higher against US Dollar, focus is on Fed’s policy
The Euro (EUR) ticks higher against the US Dollar (USD) at around 1.1393 during the European trading session on Wednesday. The major currency pair edges up as the US Dollar is slightly down ahead of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy announcement at 18:00 GMT.
Japanese Yen: Fed and energy drivers outweigh BoJ – ING
ING’s Chris Turner and Padhraic Garvey expect the Bank of Japan to keep its policy rate at 1.00% on 31 July, with any modestly hawkish shift seen as unlikely to materially boost the Yen or change the USD/JPY trajectory.
South Korean Won nears four-month highs despite the KOSPI index selloff
The South Korean Won (KRW) extends gains for the second consecutive day against the US Dollar (USD), and is set for a 6.5% monthly rally. Strong South Korean macroeconomic data and market expectations of monetary tightening by the Bank of Korea have offset the KOSPI Index’s sell-off.