ไทม์ไลน์ข่าวสาร forex

พฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 18, 2025

The Euro (GBP) has seen little upside despite rising market expectations for interest rate hikes, with recent gains in EUR/USD largely reflecting a weaker US Dollar (USD) rather than stronger euro fundamentals, Commerzbank's Head of FX and Commodity Research Thu Lan Nguyen notes.

The Euro (GBP) has seen little upside despite rising market expectations for interest rate hikes, with recent gains in EUR/USD largely reflecting a weaker US Dollar (USD) rather than stronger euro fundamentals, Commerzbank's Head of FX and Commodity Research Thu Lan Nguyen notes. ECB policy boost limited for EUR as hopes remain tentative"Market-based interest rate expectations have recently been revised upward, including for the eurozone. However, the euro has not yet been able to benefit significantly from this, as shown by our currency index, which measures the performance of the single currency against the G10 average. This is certainly due to the fact that hopes for interest rate hikes have been very tentative so far and still seem a long way off.""ECB President Christine Lagarde had already signaled in advance that growth forecasts would be revised upward, so this is likely already priced in. There are also arguments in favor of a more dovish stance: on the one hand, the inflation forecast is expected to be lowered due to the postponement of EU ETS2. On the other hand, the positive growth outlook, especially for the eurozone's largest economy, Germany, has begun to falter, as yesterday's weak Ifo business climate index once again underscored.""There is therefore much to suggest that the euro cannot expect any significant boost from monetary policy in the foreseeable future. However, this is not a major setback for our EUR/USD forecast. For this, it is sufficient for the euro to remain on its recent stable path. In our view, momentum is likely to continue to come primarily from the US dollar. The movement from levels around 1.15 at the end of November to almost 1.18 recently was almost exclusively due to a depreciation of the US currency."

Silver prices (XAG/USD) fell on Thursday, according to FXStreet data. Silver trades at $66.08 per troy ounce, down 0.57% from the $66.46 it cost on Wednesday.

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South Africa Producer Price Index (MoM) climbed from previous -0.1% to 0% in November

South Africa Producer Price Index (YoY) remains unchanged at 2.9% in November

The Dollar Index (DXY) remains supported above 98.00 as recent US data and Fed commentary have had little impact, with attention shifting to today’s ECB meetings for potential near-term direction, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.

The Dollar Index (DXY) remains supported above 98.00 as recent US data and Fed commentary have had little impact, with attention shifting to today’s ECB meetings for potential near-term direction, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.Fed’s Waller signals caution, US Dollar mixed"The DXY dollar index remains supported above 98.00. Events this week have so far had little meaningful impact on the dollar, including the speech from the Fed's Chris Waller yesterday. He was generally dovish, citing the soft labour market and outlining that the policy rate was still 50-100bp above neutral. Yet he was in no rush to cut rates and the chance of a January Fed rate cut is still priced at just 25%. We favour a cut in March.""Unless the weekly jobless claims number spikes today, we doubt the US data will move the dollar much at all. That includes a reading on the delayed CPI data, where the November headline figure is expected to be 3.1% year-on-year, feeding into the sticky inflation narrative. Yet that looks unlikely to prompt a major re-assessment of the Fed trajectory.""We suspect DXY will be dragged around by the European central bank meetings today. Some downside risk to European currencies could mean that DXY corrects back to the 98.80 area."

The Australian Dollar is trading practically flat against the Greenback on Thursday, attempting to hold above a support area right below the 0.6600 line, to put an end to a five-day losing streak, after peaking at 0.6679 on December 10.Recent data from Australia showed that demand for employment dec

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Recent data from Australia showed that demand for employment declined in November, and consumer confidence deteriorated while inflation expectations grew substantially. All in all, a context posing troubles for the RBA to set its monetary policy.

The US Dollar, on the contrary, has been posting a moderate recovery over the last two days, with investors awaiting the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, due later today, for a better assessment of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy path.Technical Analysis: The Aussie looks likely to extend its correctionAUD/USD 4-Hour Chart
The technical picture remains bearish, with the pair correcting lower after a 4% rally from mid-November lows. The 4-hour chart shows the AUD/USD trading at 0.6607, little changed on the daily chart, with indicators pointing lower. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains below the zero line with negative readings, suggesting fading bearish pressure, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is recovering from oversold, but still at 38, significantly below the 50 midline.Aussie sellers have taken a breather at 0.8593, right above 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the November-December rally, although upside attempts remain frail so far. Further down, the November 30 and December 1 lows, near 0.6540, would come into focus, ahead of the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the mentioned range, near 0.6520.Bulls, on the other hand, are likely to find resistance at the 0.6620 previous support area (December 16 lows). A confirmation above that level would bring the December 16 high, at 0.6661, and the December 11 high, at 0.6685, into focus. (The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool) 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.

The Pound Sterling (GBP) reversed its gains after UK inflation came in below expectations, leaving the market focused on the Bank of England’s (BoE) rate cut today and the potential for further easing in upcoming meetings, Commerzbank's Head of FX and Commodity Research Thu Lan Nguyen notes.

The Pound Sterling (GBP) reversed its gains after UK inflation came in below expectations, leaving the market focused on the Bank of England’s (BoE) rate cut today and the potential for further easing in upcoming meetings, Commerzbank's Head of FX and Commodity Research Thu Lan Nguyen notes. BoE rate cut already priced in, market eyes next moves"Yesterday, British inflation figures surprised on the downside across the board. As a result, the pound completely gave up its gains against the euro from the previous day, as the path to further interest rate cuts now seems to be paved. As we have already emphasized, an interest rate cut by the Bank of England today is already priced in. The big question is whether and how many further steps will follow in the next meetings.""After last Friday's disappointing growth figures, the weaker inflation figures now alleviate the Bank of England's dilemma of a weakening economy and inflation above target, at least to some extent. And that would actually be positive for the pound. Inflation had recently proven to be extremely stubborn, which is why the latest interest rate cuts, including today's move, should be viewed with caution." "However, after yesterday's data, it remains to be seen whether price pressure will actually ease sustainably. If this is not the case and the BoE continues to cut interest rates, this would be bad news for the British currency."

Pound Sterling (GBP) weakened overnight after softer-than-expected CPI data, with technical signals hinting at a possible reversal. Market attention turns to today’s BOE meeting and committee vote, which could drive further downside.

Pound Sterling (GBP) weakened overnight after softer-than-expected CPI data, with technical signals hinting at a possible reversal. Market attention turns to today’s BOE meeting and committee vote, which could drive further downside. Pair was last at 1.3357 levels, OCBC's FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong note.Rising wedge pattern signals possible bearish reversal"GBP fell overnight on softer than expected CPI prints. Bullish momentum on daily chart intact but shows tentative signs of fading while RSI eased lower. Rising wedge pattern appears to be forming – typically associated with bearish reversal. Some downside risk is not ruled out." "BOE MPC may be one trigger, the other being USD, owing to CPI releases. For BOE, we would pay close attention on the committee voting. At the last November meeting, committee voted 5-4 to cut rate. A similar split is expected today based on Bloomberg survey. A more dovish shift may be a potential trigger for GBP downside to play out." "Support at 1.3350 (200 DMA, 23.6% fibo retracement of Nov low to Dec high), 1.3290 (21 DMA, 38.2% fibo) and 1.3255 (50 DMA). Resistance at 1.3460 (Dec high), 1.35 levels."

EUR/USD has extended its rebound after breaking a short-term downtrend, but is now stalling near major resistance around 1.18, where near-term consolidation may decide whether a larger bullish trend unfolds, Société Générale's FX analysts note.

EUR/USD has extended its rebound after breaking a short-term downtrend, but is now stalling near major resistance around 1.18, where near-term consolidation may decide whether a larger bullish trend unfolds, Société Générale's FX analysts note. Breakout extends, but pullback emerging"EUR/USD broke out from a short-term descending channel earlier this month resulting in extension of bounce. It has reached the upper part of its multi-month range near 1.1800/1.1830, which could act as an interim resistance zone." "A brief pullback is taking shape; defence of the 50-DMA near 1.1610 would be crucial for persistence in up move. If the pair establishes beyond 1.1800/1.1830, a larger uptrend is likely. The next objectives could be located at September peak of 1.1920 and 1.2000."

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is holding ground after registering little gains in the previous session and trading around 98.50 during the European hours on Thursday.

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Although November payrolls increased more than expected, they failed to offset October’s sharp slowdown fully.The CME FedWatch tool shows a 73.4% probability of rates being held at the Fed’s January meeting, down from 75.6% a day earlier. Meanwhile, the likelihood of a 25-basis-point rate cut has risen to 26.6% from 24.4%.Fed officials are divided on the need for further policy easing next year. The median projection shows one rate cut in 2026, while some policymakers expect none. In contrast, traders are pricing in two rate cuts next year.Fed Governor Christopher Waller said at a CNBC forum on Wednesday that the United States (US) borrowing costs should be up to one percentage point lower. Waller warned that job growth has slowed to near zero and advocated for measured rate cuts next year to support employment. However, he noted that with inflation still elevated, there is no urgency, adding that policymakers can gradually move rates toward neutral. 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.

EUR/USD posts marginal losses on Thursday, trading near 1.1730 at the time of writing, after bouncing from lows near 1.1700 the previous day. The pair has found some balance halfway through the weekly range after whipsawing earlier in the week.

.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} .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}}The Euro consolidates near 1.1750 against the US Dollar, halfway through the weekly range.The pair is likely to remain steady ahead of the ECB's monetary policy decision and US CPI data.The ECB is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged.EUR/USD posts marginal losses on Thursday, trading near 1.1730 at the time of writing, after bouncing from lows near 1.1700 the previous day. The pair has found some balance halfway through the weekly range after whipsawing earlier in the week.The highlight of the day will be the outcome of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy decision. The bank is widely expected to leave its benchmark Rate On the Deposit Facility unchanged at 2% and signal steady monetary policy for the foreseeable future. Any nod to a rate hike on the horizon would be considered a hawkish sign and boost the Euro (EUR) higher. In the US, investors will be attentive to the release of November's Consumer Price Index (CPI) for further insight about the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy plans. Labour data released earlier in the week has been fairly soft, and the risk now is on a moderate inflation reading, which would pave the path for further monetary easing and increase bearish pressure on the US Dollar (USD) Euro Price Today The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD 0.08% 0.09% 0.08% -0.04% -0.07% 0.17% -0.00% EUR -0.08% -0.00% 0.00% -0.13% -0.15% 0.09% -0.09% GBP -0.09% 0.00% -0.02% -0.13% -0.16% 0.08% -0.10% JPY -0.08% 0.00% 0.02% -0.12% -0.14% 0.07% -0.08% CAD 0.04% 0.13% 0.13% 0.12% -0.02% 0.21% 0.03% AUD 0.07% 0.15% 0.16% 0.14% 0.02% 0.24% 0.06% NZD -0.17% -0.09% -0.08% -0.07% -0.21% -0.24% -0.18% CHF 0.00% 0.09% 0.10% 0.08% -0.03% -0.06% 0.18% 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 Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote). Daily Digest Market Movers: Euro remains supported by ECB-Fed divergenceThe Euro downside attempts remain limited so far, with the EUR/USD pair trading near three-month highs as investors anticipate further interest rate cuts by the Fed, while, in the ECB, the next move is likely to be a rate hike.The European Central Bank will, most likely, leave interest rates on hold for the fourth consecutive meeting and stick to the "meeting-by-meeting" rhetoric. Investors, however, will be attentive to the bank's economic growth forecasts, amid growing speculation about the possibility of a rate hike in the second half of 2026.The Fed, on the contrary, is immersed in its easing cycle, which, according to US President Donald Trump, might have a long way to go. Trump said on Wednesday that he will soon announce the name of the next Fed Chairman and that it will be someone who believes in lowering borrowing costs "by a lot".With those comments in the review, the market will be particularly attentive to the November US Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures, due later on Thursday. Consumer inflation is expected to have ticked up to a 3.1% year-on-year rate in November from September's 3.0%. October's reading will not be released because the US government shutdown discontinued data collection.On Wednesday, Eurostat revised the Eurozone's November Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) growth to 2.1% year-on-year, from the 2.2% previously estimated. The core HICP was left unchanged at a 2.4% yearly growth.Also on Wednesday, German IFO data showed that the business climate deteriorated for the second consecutive month in December. The headline indicator eased to 87.6 from 88.0 in November, against the market consensus of a moderate improvement to 88.2. The index measuring the sentiment about the current economic situation remained unchanged at 85.6, below market expectations of 85.7, while the Expectations index dropped to 89.7 from 90.5. The market consensus had anticipated a steady reading.In the US, Fed officials continued highlighting their divergences. Governor Christopher Waller, one of Trump's favourite candidates to replace Jerome Powell, said that the central bank has room to cut interest rates further. On the hawkish side, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic warned about excessive monetary easing amid the lingering inflationary pressures.Technical Analysis: EUR/USD maintains its bullish bias with bears halted at 1.1700EUR/USD 4-Hour Chart

The EUR/USD pair keeps the broader bullish bias intact, as the correction from 1.1800 highs has been contained above 1.1700. On Thursday, the 4-hour Relative Strength Index (RSI) has returned to bullish territory above the 50 level, and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator is showing shallower red histogram bars.Immediate support is at Wednesday's low near 1.1700 ahead of an important area near 1.1685, where a trendline support converges with the December 11 low and the December 4 high. A confirmation below this level would cancel the bullish view and bring the December 9 low, at 1.1615, into focus.To the upside, the intraday high, near 1.1760, is likely to challenge bulls ahead of Wednesday's peak, at 1.1804, and the September 23 and 24 highs, near 1.1820. ECB FAQs What is the ECB and how does it influence 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 for the region. The ECB primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means keeping inflation at around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will usually result in a stronger 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. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it affect the Euro? In extreme situations, the European Central Bank can enact a policy tool called Quantitative Easing. QE is the process by which the ECB prints Euros and uses them to buy assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Euro. QE is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the objective of price stability. The ECB used it during the Great Financial Crisis in 2009-11, in 2015 when inflation remained stubbornly low, as well as during the covid pandemic. What is Quantitative tightening (QT) and how does it affect the Euro? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE. It is undertaken after QE when an economic recovery is underway and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the European Central Bank (ECB) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the ECB stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive (or bullish) for the Euro.

Markets are focused on whether the European Central Bank’s (ECB) recent hawkish shift is confirmed by updated forecasts and rhetoric, with inflation projections the main risk and scope for a short-term dip in EUR/USD despite supportive year-end option dynamics, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.

Markets are focused on whether the European Central Bank’s (ECB) recent hawkish shift is confirmed by updated forecasts and rhetoric, with inflation projections the main risk and scope for a short-term dip in EUR/USD despite supportive year-end option dynamics, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.EUR/USD vulnerable to near-term pullback"Today's ECB meeting will take canter stage in FX markets. After a hawkish turn last week, investors will be looking to see whether that gets backed up with forecast and rhetoric changes today. Examining those forecasts, the CPI profile is likely the biggest risk to the euro. In September, the ECB's forecasts for headline and core inflation were: 2026, 1.7/1.9, and 2027, 1.8/1.9." "The delay in the ETS2 carbon tax could wipe 0.2% off the 2027 headline forecast and a new 2028 CPI forecast somewhere near 1.8% could prove awkward for ECB President Christine Lagarde as she has to explain away an inflation undershoot. There will also be a focus on the growth forecasts: 25/26/27 at 1.2/1.0/1.3 and perhaps some modest upward revisions.""The above could see the short-end of the euro interest rate curve handing back some of the rise in yields seen last week. And that could prompt a brief sell-off in EUR/USD to the 1.1680/1700 area. However, as we mentioned yesterday, there are some large EUR/USD option strikes rolling off in the 1.1750/1800 area over the coming days, which could have an influence on thinning year-end markets."

Sweden Riksbank Interest Rate Decision in line with forecasts (1.75%)

Euro (EUR) consolidated near recent highs. Focus today on European Central Bank (ECB) decision. Policy rate is widely anticipated to be on hold but attention is on staff projection. Recent comments from ECB officials were somewhat more upbeat about economy – from growth to labor market.

Euro (EUR) consolidated near recent highs. Focus today on European Central Bank (ECB) decision. Policy rate is widely anticipated to be on hold but attention is on staff projection. Recent comments from ECB officials were somewhat more upbeat about economy – from growth to labor market. EUR was last seen at 1.1734 levels, OCBC's FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong note.ECB rhetoric turns more hawkish on inflation"Lagarde hinted at a potential upgrade to the staff projections for growth. Schnabel had earlier struck a hawkish chord in saying that she is rather comfortable with market expectations that ECB’s next move will be a hike though she declined to comment on the timing of next rate move. She went on to caution about inflationary pressure, noting that the decline in core inflation has stalled at a time when the economy is recovering, the output gap is closing, and fiscal policy is expanding." "Kazimir pointed out that the labour market remained tight. On inflation, core CPI rose by 2.4% yoy. Lane noted that had inflation had 'moved in the opposite direction' relative to staff projection for inflation to move below target and on policy outlook. Other members including Kazimir and Villeroy had advocated for hold. On net, such a rhetoric suggests that ECB easing cycle may have ended.""Mild bullish momentum on daily chart intact while RSI rose to overbought conditions. Slower pace of gains not ruled out but bias remains to buy on dips. Resistance at 1.1760, 1.1820 levels. Support at 1.1640 (100 DMA), 1.1610 levels (21, 50 DMAs)."

The Yen remains on its back foot on Thursday, despite market expectations that the BoJ will hike interest rates on Friday.

.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}}EUR/JPY has bounced from 181.60 and is testing long-term highs at 183.15The ECB is expected to leave interest rates unchanged at 2% on Thursday.The BoJ will, most likely, hike rates to 0.75% but fiscal concerns are weighing on the Yen.The Yen remains on its back foot on Thursday, despite market expectations that the BoJ will hike interest rates on Friday. The EUR/JPY has extended its recovery from Wednesday’s lows at 181.60 and is pushing against a 35-year high, at 183.15 at the time of writing.

The Focus on Thursday is on the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting. The Bank is all but certain to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the fourth consecutive time, and investors will be attentive to the bank's economic projections, amid rising speculation about the possibility of a rate hike in 2026.

Eurozone data release this week failed to provide any significant support to the Euro, however. The German IFO Business Climate Index deteriorated further, underscoring the weak economic momentum of the region’s major economy, and November’s inflation figures were revised lower, easing pressure on the ECB to hike interest rates any time soon.In Japan, the BoJ is widely expected to hike rates by 25 basis points to 0.75% on Friday, but the path forward is unclear. Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi defends low borrowing costs and is likely to oppose a steep tightening cycle.

Apart from that, investors remain wary that Takaichi’s big-spending polices might add further pressure on the already strained government debt and trigger a credit crisis. This has been keping the Yen vulnerable against its main peers over the last few weeks. Central banks FAQs What does a central bank do? Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%. What does a central bank do when inflation undershoots or overshoots its projected target? A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing. Who decides on monetary policy and interest rates? A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%. Is there a president or head of a central bank? Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.

The Bank of England is widely expected to cut rates by 25bp today, with rising odds of a dovish vote split after weaker November inflation data. This points to near-term downside risks for sterling, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.

The Bank of England is widely expected to cut rates by 25bp today, with rising odds of a dovish vote split after weaker November inflation data. This points to near-term downside risks for sterling, ING's FX analyst Chris Turner notes.Dovish vote split risks short-term GBP dip"The Bank of England announces the policy rate at 1300CET today. A 25bp rate cut to 3.75% is widely expected. Consensus is probably for a 5-4 vote as Governor Andrew Bailey switches to the dovish camp, though the risk is of a 6-3 vote, making this a dovish rate cut. Those risks have increased after yesterday's pleasant surprise in November inflation – including a sharp fall in food prices. We look for further rate cuts in February and April, whereas market pricing only sees one cut during that period.""The above all sounds moderately sterling negative. The problem we have is that speculative positioning remains substantially underweight sterling already. Data published last night from the CFTC, covering activity after the November budget, shows asset managers still running a short position worth 38% of open interest (total positioning). Those levels remain on par with the shortest sterling positioning we have seen over the last five years.""The above could create a game plan where EUR/GBP spikes to the 0.8820/8840 area on the BoE rate cut, but comes all the way back – perhaps even to 0.8750 – on the ECB event risk, which takes place 1-2 hours after the BoE announcement and press conference."

The Pound Sterling (GBP) trades lower against its major currency peers on Thursday ahead of the Bank of England’s (BoE) interest rate decision, which will be announced at 12:00 GMT.

.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}}The Pound Sterling weakens against its major currency peers ahead of the BoE’s monetary policy announcement.Investors expect the BoE to reduce interest rates amid a slowdown in the UK economy and inflation.The US headline inflation YoY is expected to have accelerated to 3.1% in November.The Pound Sterling (GBP) trades lower against its major currency peers on Thursday ahead of the Bank of England’s (BoE) interest rate decision, which will be announced at 12:00 GMT.The BoE is widely anticipated to cut interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 3.75% from 4%, with a 5-4 majority, amid higher United Kingdom (UK) job market and economic concerns, and cooling inflationary pressures. This will be the fourth interest rate cut by the BoE this year.During the month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 0.1% in October. This was the second straight month of economic contraction. The broader data show that the UK economy has not expanded in any month after June, underpinning economic risks that typically boost the need for monetary easing.This week, the UK labour market data for the three months ending October showed that the economy shed 17K jobs and the ILO Unemployment Rate jumped to 5.1%, the highest reading seen in almost five years.On Wednesday, the ONS reported that inflationary pressures in November grew at a moderate pace. The headline CPI grew at a slower pace of 3.2% year-on-year (YoY) against 3.6% in October. In the same period, core inflation – which excludes volatile components of food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco – fell to 3.2% from the prior release of 3.4%.Daily digest market movers: Pound Sterling edges down against US Dollar ahead of US CPI dataThe Pound Sterling ticks lower to near 1.3365 against the US Dollar (USD) during the European trading session on Thursday. The GBP/USD pair is under mild pressure ahead of the United States (US) CPI data for November, which will be published at 13:30 GMT.At the time of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades flat around 98.40.Investors will pay close attention to the US inflation figures as they will influence market expectations for the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy outlook. Signs of price pressures remaining sticky would force traders to pare bets supporting more interest rate cuts in the near term. On the contrary, soft numbers would boost them.The US CPI report is expected to show that the headline inflation accelerated to 3.1% YoY in November from 3% in the previous month, with CPI ex Food and Engery remaining steady at 3%.Currently, the CME FedWatch tool shows that the probability of the Fed reducing interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 3.25%-3.50% in the January meeting is 24.4%.On Tuesday, Atlanta Fed Bank President Raphael Bostic stated that further monetary easing could boost already elevated inflation, and “that is not a risk he would choose to take right now”. Bostic also stated on Wednesday that "inflation is more worrying than jobs".Going forward, the announcement of Fed Chair Powell’s successor is expected to be the major driver for the US Dollar. Speaking in a national address early Thursday, US ​President Donald ‌Trump refrained from naming the new chairman, but stated that he will be ‍someone who believes in lower ​interest rates "by ‌a lot”, a scenario that will be unfavourable for US Treasury yields and the US Dollar.Technical Analysis: GBP/USD holds key 20-day EMAGBP/USD trades marginally lower at 1.3374 on Thursday. The 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.3314 rises, and the price holds above it, keeping an upside bias. A sustained close above the average would preserve the recovery, while a pullback toward it would test near-term support.The Relative Strength Indicator (RSI)stands at 59, showing firm bullish momentum without overbought signals. Measured from the 1.3795 high to the 1.3011 low, the 50% Fibonacci retracement at 1.3403 acts as immediate resistance. A daily close through the upper retracement level could open further gains towards the psychological hurdle of 1.3500, while failure to break this band would keep price contained and encourage consolidation above the rising average.(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.) 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.

EUR/CAD pares its recent gains from the previous session, trading around 1.6160 during the European hours on Thursday. The currency cross weakens as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) strengthens on Oil supply concerns driven by rising geopolitical tensions.

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The currency cross weakens as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) strengthens on Oil supply concerns driven by rising geopolitical tensions.The United States (US) has ordered a complete halt to maritime traffic involving sanctioned Oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. At the same time, Washington is pushing for stricter sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to support peace negotiations over Ukraine, fueling worries about possible disruptions to global supply.The Euro (EUR) advanced against its major peers as easing inflation in the Eurozone (EZ) reduced the likelihood of further monetary easing by the European Central Bank (ECB). ECB officials have indicated that additional rate cuts may not be necessary in 2026. Most economists polled by Reuters expect the ECB to leave rates unchanged through 2026 and 2027, although the forecast range for the latter year was wide at 1.5%-2.5%.ECB board member Isabel Schnabel said earlier this month that she is comfortable with market expectations that the central bank’s next policy move will be a rate hike. Schnabel added that, barring shocks, interest rates are at appropriate levels and noted that the economy has proven far more resilient than expected.Attention now turns to the ECB’s December policy meeting, which is widely expected to be a non-event, with President Christine Lagarde likely to keep rates unchanged at this meeting and throughout next year. Canadian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar? The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar. How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar? The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive. How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar? The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD. How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is holding its last two-day meeting of the year and will announce its monetary policy decision on Thursday.

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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}}The European Central Bank is expected to hold key rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive meeting on Thursday.ECB President Lagarde is unlikely to offer fresh clues in the press conference following the announcement. EUR/USD could revisit the year’s peak at around 1.1920 in the upcoming days. The European Central Bank (ECB) is holding its last two-day meeting of the year and will announce its monetary policy decision on Thursday. Financial markets anticipate the central bank will keep interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive meeting after reducing them on the main refinancing operations, the marginal lending facility, and the deposit facility in June to 2.15%, 2.4%, and 2%, respectively.The ECB will also present fresh macroeconomic projections, with the focus on growth and inflation. Finally, ECB President Christine Lagarde will hold a press conference to explain the reasoning behind policymakers’ decision.Ahead of the announcement, the EUR/USD pair trades with a positive bias, despite a near-term retracement, driven mainly by broad US Dollar (USD) weakness. What to expect from the ECB interest rate decision?The ECB has been among the first to cut interest rates and reach a neutral rate. President Christine Lagarde has repeatedly stated that monetary policy is in a “good place,” meaning it is well-positioned to address the current macroeconomic environment. Still, Lagarde has left the door open to any required direction, stating that decisions are data-dependent and that there is a meeting-by-meeting approach with no predetermined path. There are good reasons to believe that she will stick to such a message: On the one hand, the Governing Council has noted that, despite headwinds, the Euro area economy has shown notable resilience. On the other hand, inflation has indeed been higher than expected, but held within reasonable levels. According to the latest Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), annualized inflation rose by 2.1% in November, while the core annual HICP remained stable at 2.4%. With no changes in interest rates and, most likely, in Lagarde’s words, investors will be taking clues from economic projections. Relative to September’s projections, both inflation and growth have been higher than expected. Yet as noted, inflation at 2.1% YoY is not a concern. Policymakers are likely to revise Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and HICP projections, with inflation most likely revised higher this year and lower in the next two years. Regarding growth, policymakers seem more optimistic than the recent figures suggest. The latest Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) readings show economic progress remains tepid across the bloc. A rise in Eurozone business activity in December completed a full calendar year of growth for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to provisional PMI survey data. That said, the latest expansion in output was modest and the slowest in three months. GDP revisions will be interesting to see.Finally, speculative interest will be watching whether officials maintain the hawkish view that denies the odds for additional rate cuts in the foreseeable future. Analysts at BNP Paribas noted: “The publication of the new macroeconomic projections should also confirm the upward revision of growth forecasts for 2026. Against this backdrop, we believe that the ECB is unlikely to cut its policy rate any further and that its next move could even be an increase (in Q3 2027). This environment, against a backdrop of more expansionary fiscal policy in Germany, should lead to additional upward pressure on bond yields in 2026, with the 10-year Bund exceeding 3% in the second half of 2026, according to our forecasts.” How could the ECB meeting impact EUR/USD?As previously noted, the EUR/USD pair trades with a modest bullish bias heading into the year-end. Generally speaking, a hawkish ECB monetary policy decision should back demand for the Euro (EUR), while a dovish outcome should put pressure on the local currency. The general consensus is that the ECB will maintain its hawkish stance, particularly if President Lagarde repeats the message that the ECB is in a good place, coupled with downward revisions to inflation and upward revisions to growth expectations. Valeria Bednarik, FXStreet Chief Analyst, notes: “From a technical point of view, the EUR/USD pair is mostly bullish, although solely depending on USD demand. The EUR has little life of its own lately, and the ECB announcement will likely have a reduced impact on the EUR.” Bednarik adds: “Within the ECB decision, the US will release the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which may trigger some volatile price action. Higher-than-anticipated inflation figures will likely boost speculation of additional rate cuts in the US, leading to some USD weakness, while the opposite scenario is also valid. Keeping that in mind, EUR/USD peaked at 1.1804 this December, the immediate resistance level. Once beyond it, the pair may retest the 2025 peak at 1.1918. Near-term support lies at 1.1690, followed by the 1.1620/40 price zone. A slide towards the latter should attract buyers.” Economic Indicator ECB Rate On Deposit Facility One of the European Central Bank's three key interest rates, the rate on the deposit facility, is the rate at which banks earn interest when they deposit funds with the ECB. It is announced by the European Central Bank at each of its eight scheduled annual meetings. Read more. Next release: Thu Dec 18, 2025 13:15 Frequency: Irregular Consensus: 2% Previous: 2% Source: European Central Bank Central banks FAQs What does a central bank do? Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%. What does a central bank do when inflation undershoots or overshoots its projected target? A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing. Who decides on monetary policy and interest rates? A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%. Is there a president or head of a central bank? Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.

The USD/CAD pair trades marginally lower around 1.3770 during the European trading session on Thursday.

.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} .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/CAD ticks lower to near 1.3770 as the Canadian Dollar trades firmly.The USD Index trades flat ahead of the US CPI data for November.Investors expect the BoC to hold interest rates at their current levels in the near term.The USD/CAD pair trades marginally lower around 1.3770 during the European trading session on Thursday. The Loonie pair ticks lower, while the US Dollar (USD) trades stably ahead of the United States (US) Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November, indicating slight strength in the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Canadian Dollar Price Today The table below shows the percentage change of Canadian Dollar (CAD) against listed major currencies today. Canadian Dollar was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD 0.05% 0.05% 0.12% -0.07% -0.07% 0.19% -0.02% EUR -0.05% -0.00% 0.05% -0.12% -0.12% 0.14% -0.07% GBP -0.05% 0.00% 0.06% -0.13% -0.12% 0.14% -0.08% JPY -0.12% -0.05% -0.06% -0.19% -0.18% 0.05% -0.13% CAD 0.07% 0.12% 0.13% 0.19% 0.00% 0.24% 0.05% AUD 0.07% 0.12% 0.12% 0.18% -0.01% 0.25% 0.05% NZD -0.19% -0.14% -0.14% -0.05% -0.24% -0.25% -0.21% CHF 0.02% 0.07% 0.08% 0.13% -0.05% -0.05% 0.21% 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 Canadian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent CAD (base)/USD (quote). At the time of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, flattens around 98.40.The US CPI report is expected to show that the headline inflation rose to 3.1% year-on-year (YoY) from 3% in October. In the same period, the core CPI – which excludes volatile food and energy items – is estimated to have risen at steadily by 3%.Higher-than-projected US CPI data for November would weigh on Federal Reserve (Fed) dovish expectations, while soft numbers might boost them.Meanwhile, the CAD outperforms on expectations that the Bank of Canada (BoC) will not cut interest rates in the near term.USD/CAD Technical AnalysisUSD/CAD edges down to near 1.3775 on Thursday. The pair holds below the falling 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.3872, keeping bears in control. The 20-day EM has rolled over for several sessions and continues to cap rebounds.The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 32.46, near oversold after a modest bounce from last week’s extremes, and momentum remains fragile.A sustained recovery would require a daily close above the 20-day EMA to ease downside pressure that could increase the odds of an upside move towards the round-level figure of 1.3900. Until then, the downbeat setup persists and could strengthen if the spot breaks below the August 7 low of 1.3720.(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.) 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.

Silver price (XAG/USD) trades near $66.50 per troy ounce during European hours on Thursday, hovering around an all-time high of $66.89, recorded 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}}Silver price rises as markets increasingly price in two US Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026.Fed Governor Christopher Waller said US borrowing costs should be up to 1% lower.The grey metal hit record highs, with persistent supply deficits expected to push prices higher into 2026.Silver price (XAG/USD) trades near $66.50 per troy ounce during European hours on Thursday, hovering around an all-time high of $66.89, recorded on Wednesday. Precious metal prices, including Silver, climb as markets increasingly price in two US Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 following dovish remarks from Fed Governor Christopher Waller, a leading contender for Fed chair.Fed Governor Christopher Waller said at a CNBC forum that the United States (US) borrowing costs should be up to one percentage point lower. Waller warned that job growth has slowed to near zero and advocated for measured rate cuts next year to support employment. However, he noted that with inflation still elevated, there is no urgency, adding that policymakers can gradually move rates toward neutral.November’s US labor data reinforced signs of a cooling job market, with unemployment rising to 4.6%, the highest since 2021. Although November payrolls increased more than expected, they failed to offset October’s sharp slowdown fully. Traders now await the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report later in the day for further clues on inflation trends.The grey metal is supported by tightening inventories and strong retail and industrial demand, especially from the rapidly expanding solar, electric vehicle, and data center sectors. Silver prices reached record highs in late 2025, and the market’s fifth straight annual deficit is expected to persist, driving prices higher into 2026. 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.

France Business Climate in Manufacturing came in at 102, above expectations (98) in December

NZD/USD extends its losses for the second successive session, trading around 0.5760 during the early European hours on Thursday. The pair weakens as the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) comes under pressure, even after data revealed stronger-than-expected economic growth.

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The pair weakens as the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) comes under pressure, even after data revealed stronger-than-expected economic growth.New Zealand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 1.1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) in the third quarter, beating expectations of 0.9%. Growth rebounded from a 1.0% contraction (revised from -0.9%) in Q2. On an annual basis, GDP expanded 1.3% YoY in Q3, recovering from a 1.1% decline (revised from -0.6%) in Q2 and matching market expectations.However, substantial spare capacity persists in the economy, indicating that the recent pickup in growth is unlikely to generate inflationary pressures in New Zealand over the year ahead. As a result, expectations for a near-term rate hike by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) have eased. Markets now price in a 40% chance of a rate increase by July next year, down from about 50% before the data release.The NZD/USD pair also faces challenges as the US Dollar (USD) holds ground amid market caution ahead of the release of the delayed US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report later in the day, which is expected to provide further insight into how price pressures are evolving.Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller, who is under consideration to become chair of the central bank, reiterated his dovish stance on interest rates during a CNBC forum. “Because inflation is still elevated, we can take our time - there’s no rush to get down. We can steadily bring the policy rate down toward neutral,” Waller said.The CME FedWatch tool suggests that Fed funds futures are pricing an implied 75.6% chance of a hold in rates at the US central bank's next meeting in January, up from nearly 74% a week ago. 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.

Switzerland Exports (MoM): 23478M (November) vs previous 25351M

Switzerland Imports (MoM): 19637M (November) vs previous 21032M

Switzerland Trade Balance declined to 3841M in November from previous 4319M

The Bank of England (BoE) will announce its last monetary policy decision of 2025 on Thursday at 12:00 GMT.

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.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:12.8px;line-height:17px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{display:flex;align-items:center;align-content:center;gap:4px;color:#e4871b;font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-read-more svg{width:16px;height:16px}.fxs-event-module-read-more:hover span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-release{margin:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px}.fxs-event-module-release>p{font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;line-height:17px;margin:0}.fxs-event-module-release>p>strong{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:700}.fxs-event-module-release>p>span{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:400}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a{color:#e4871b;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a:hover>span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-container{margin:16px 0 0 0;border-top:1px solid #ececf1;padding:12px 0 0 0}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-release p{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{font-size:22.4px;line-height:25.6px}.fxs-event-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-event-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}The Bank of England is expected to cut its bank rate to 3.75% from the current 4%.The latest data shows weak GDP growth, with unemployment rising and inflation cooling. GBP/USD retreated sharply after UK inflation fell by more than expected in November.The Bank of England (BoE) will announce its last monetary policy decision of 2025 on Thursday at 12:00 GMT.The market prices a 25-basis-point rate cut, which would leave the BoE’s Bank Rate at 3.75%. The BoE Governor Andrew Bailey will not meet the press this time, but the bank will publish the meeting minutes, which contain details of the committee’s discussions.Previous monetary policy meetings have shown a widely divided committee, and Thursday’s is likely to be another knife-edge decision. This time, however, the moderating inflation and the weaker economic outlook are likely to prompt Governor Bailey to tip the scales towards a rate cut.UK labour market deteriorates, price pressures easeThe Bank of England left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4% at its November 6 meeting amid an evenly split monetary policy committee, with four members voting for a quarter-point rate cut, and Bailey’s voice deciding.

Governor Bailey affirmed that the risk that above-target inflation becomes more persistent has prevailed, despite policymakers’ concerns that an over-restrictive policy might weigh on consumption and damage economic activity.

Recent data, however, might have convinced the BoE Governor that it is time to lower borrowing costs further. UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures released on Wednesday revealed that inflationary pressures eased beyond expectations amid a significant slowdown in food prices. The yearly CPI grew by 3.2% in November, easing from 3.6% in October and 3.8% in September.UK Consumer Prices Index
Beyond that, labour data released on Tuesday confirmed that unemployment keeps growing, while wage growth is moderating. Average Earnings Including Bonus grew at a 4.7% pace in the three months to October, above expectations but below the previous months’ rates, while the unemployment rate increased to 5.1%, the highest level in nearly five years.The UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report released last week revealed that the economy contracted for the second consecutive month in November, weighed down by weak services and construction output. Figures released in November showed that the UK economy slowed to a 0.2% growth in the third quarter from 0.3% in the second.On the positive side, preliminary Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) figures showed that business activity improved beyond expectations in December in both the manufacturing and the services sectors. These figures have eased concerns about a sharp economic downturn, but are unlikely to change BoE policymakers’ votes.How will the BoE interest rate decision impact GBP/USD?Against this background, the market anticipates that the BoE committee will overcome its divergences and cut interest rates to 3.75% on Thursday to support a weakening economic growth. The market’s focus will thus be on the vote split among MPC members. A lower number of voters calling for a steady monetary policy would be taken as a dovish turn, and might boost hopes of further rate cuts in the near term. This is likely to send the Pound lower.GBP/USD Daily Chart
An evenly split committee, with Bailey keeping the tie-breaking vote again, suggests that the chances of further rate cuts in the near term are likely to remain low, which might provide some support for the Sterling.The current technical picture shows a bullish GBP/USD heading into the BoE’s decision, favoured by a broad-based US Dollar weakness, as investors expect the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to ease interest rates further than the BoE in 2026.“GBP/USD retreated sharply on Wednesday as the market braces for a BoE cut on Thursday,” says Guillermo Alcalá, FX Analyst at FXStreet. The pair is under increasing bearish pressure, targeting the December 9 low near 1.3280 and the December 2 low at 1.3180.On the upside, Alcalá sees potential resistance at the broken trendline near the mentioned 1.3400 area ahead of the December 16 high at 1.3455. “The pair would need to confirm above those levels to ease bearish pressure and shift the focus towards the late September-early October highs, near the 1.3535 level”, says Alcalá. Central banks FAQs What does a central bank do? Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%. What does a central bank do when inflation undershoots or overshoots its projected target? A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing. Who decides on monetary policy and interest rates? A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%. Is there a president or head of a central bank? Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period. Economic Indicator BoE Interest Rate Decision The Bank of England (BoE) announces its interest rate decision at the end of its eight scheduled meetings per year. If the BoE is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is usually bullish for the Pound Sterling (GBP). Likewise, if the BoE adopts a dovish view on the UK economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is seen as bearish for GBP. Read more. Next release: Thu Dec 18, 2025 12:00 Frequency: Irregular Consensus: 3.75% Previous: 4% Source: Bank of England

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $56.30 during the early European trading hours on Thursday. The WTI price declines amid a modest rebound in the US Dollar (USD) and signs of weak Chinese energy demand. 

.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}}WTI price edges lower to near $56.30 in Thursday’s early European session. Renewed US Dollar demand and signs of weak Chinese energy demand weigh on the WTI price. Venezuelan navy escorts vessels in defiance of Trump’s blockade threat, per the New York Times. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $56.30 during the early European trading hours on Thursday. The WTI price declines amid a modest rebound in the US Dollar (USD) and signs of weak Chinese energy demand. The Greenback recovers some lost ground amid cautious comments from the Federal Reserve (Fed) officials this week, which weigh on the USD-denominated commodity price. Fed Governor Christopher Waller on Wednesday backed further interest-rate cuts to get the central bank’s setting back to neutral, per Bloomberg. However, Waller also warned there’s no need to rush amid elevated inflation. Additionally, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said on Tuesday that he did not believe the decision to reduce rates last week was warranted, and he had projected no more rate cuts next year. Soft Chinese economic data released earlier this week fueled concerns about global energy demand, as China is the world’s largest crude importer. China’s Retail Sales rose 1.3% YoY in November, compared to 2.9% in October, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday. This figure came in weaker than the market expectation of 2.9%. The country’s Industrial Production climbed 4.8% YoY in the same period, versus 5.0% forecast and 4.9% prior. On the other hand, the US blockade of Venezuela might cap the downside for the WTI. US President Donald Trump said the US will block sanctioned tankers from entering and leaving Venezuela. The Venezuelan government on Wednesday ordered its Navy to escort ships carrying petroleum products from port, escalating the risk of a confrontation with Trump ordered a “blockade” aimed at the country’s oil industry. 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.
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Related news ECB to leave rates unchanged as Eurozone set to enjoy strong 2026 BoE 'early Christmas present to markets' as Bailey to 'side with the doves' but expect 'vague' guidance US CPI data set to show inflation remained well above Fed target in November Ahead of these key events, trading action remains relatively subdued in the European morning. After staging a rebound and closing modestly higher on Wednesday, the US Dollar (USD) Index moves sideways below 98.50 in the European morning. Annual inflation in the US, as measured by the change in the CPI, is forecast to edge higher to 3.1% in November from 3% in October. In this period, the core CPI is expected to rise 3%, matching October's print. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims data and regional manufacturing activity reports from the US will also be watched closely by market participants. Meanwhile, US stock index futures trade mixed to start the European session. US Dollar Price This Month The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies this month. US Dollar was the weakest against the Canadian Dollar. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD -1.26% -0.98% -0.20% -1.43% -0.84% -0.55% -1.03% EUR 1.26% 0.29% 1.08% -0.16% 0.43% 0.74% 0.22% GBP 0.98% -0.29% 1.04% -0.45% 0.15% 0.44% -0.07% JPY 0.20% -1.08% -1.04% -1.23% -0.66% -0.36% -0.87% CAD 1.43% 0.16% 0.45% 1.23% 0.55% 0.89% 0.37% AUD 0.84% -0.43% -0.15% 0.66% -0.55% 0.29% -0.20% NZD 0.55% -0.74% -0.44% 0.36% -0.89% -0.29% -0.51% CHF 1.03% -0.22% 0.07% 0.87% -0.37% 0.20% 0.51% 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).EUR/USD declined toward 1.1700 on Wednesday but managed to erase a large portion of its daily losses in the American session. The pair was last seen trading virtually unchanged on the day at 1.1745. The ECB is widely anticipated to maintain policy settings after the last meeting of the year. Alongside the policy statement, the ECB will also publish the revised macroeconomic projections. Starting at 13:45 GMT, ECB President Christine Lagarde will speak on the policy outlook and respond to questions from the press.GBP/USD came under bearish pressure following the soft inflation data from the UK and came in within a touching distance of 1.3300 on Wednesday. Although the pair recovered later in the day, it still lost more than 0.3%. The BoE is expected to cut the policy rate by 25-basis-points, and there won't be a press conference this time around. At the time of press, GBP/USD was trading marginally lower on the day at 1.3365.The data from Australia showed that Consumer Inflation Expectations edged higher to 4.7% in December from 4.5% in November. After losing about 0.4% on Wednesday, AUD/USD stays on the back foot and trades near 0.6600 early Thursday.Following a two-day slide, USD/JPY reversed its direction and gained more than 0.6% on Wednesday. The pair continues to stretch higher toward 156.00 in the European session on Thursday. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its interest rate decision in the Asian session on Friday.New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded at an annual rate of 1.3% in the third quarter, Statistics New Zealand reported on Thursday. This print followed the 1.1% contraction recorded in the second quarter and came in line with the market expectation. Nevertheless, NZD/USD failed to benefit from the upbeat GDP print and was last seen losing 0.2% on the day near 0.5760.Following the choppy action seen earlier in the week, Gold gathered bullish momentum and rose about 0.8% on Wednesday. XAU/USD consolidates its recent gains in the European morning on Thursday and fluctuates in a narrow channel below $4,350. Central banks FAQs What does a central bank do? Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%. What does a central bank do when inflation undershoots or overshoots its projected target? A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing. Who decides on monetary policy and interest rates? A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%. Is there a president or head of a central bank? Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.

The GBP/JPY cross struggles to build on a goodish rebound from the 206.75 area, or a one-week low, touched on Tuesday, and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday.

.fxs-event-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-event-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-event-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-event-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:12px}.fxs-event-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-event-module-header{color:#1b1c23;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;line-height:20px;margin:0;padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;padding-right:32px}.fxs-event-module-header label{cursor:pointer;display:block}.fxs-event-module-header label:after,.fxs-event-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-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:17.6px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:20.8px;margin:4px 0 0 0}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title-description-wrapper{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;padding-bottom:16px;margin-bottom:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar{padding:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-section{padding:0}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:12.8px;line-height:17px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{display:flex;align-items:center;align-content:center;gap:4px;color:#e4871b;font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-read-more svg{width:16px;height:16px}.fxs-event-module-read-more:hover span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-release{margin:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px}.fxs-event-module-release>p{font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;line-height:17px;margin:0}.fxs-event-module-release>p>strong{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:700}.fxs-event-module-release>p>span{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:400}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a{color:#e4871b;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a:hover>span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-container{margin:16px 0 0 0;border-top:1px solid #ececf1;padding:12px 0 0 0}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-release p{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{font-size:22.4px;line-height:25.6px}.fxs-event-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-event-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}GBP/JPY enters a bullish consolidation phase as traders opt to wait for the BoE decision.Signs of easing inflation and softening labour market lifted bets for an intraday rate cut.BoJ’s hawkish tilt supports the JPY and caps the cross ahead of the policy update on Friday.The GBP/JPY cross struggles to build on a goodish rebound from the 206.75 area, or a one-week low, touched on Tuesday, and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday. Spot prices currently trade around the 208.20-208.25 region, nearly unchanged for the day, as traders seem reluctant ahead of the key central bank event risks.The Bank of England (BoE) will announce its rate decision later today, which will be followed by the outcome of a two-day Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy meeting on Friday. Following a pause in November, the BoE is widely expected to cut interest rates amid signs of easing inflationary pressures. Adding to this, a rise in Britain’s unemployment rate to its highest since the start of 2021 and a slowdown in wage growth to an over three-year low back the case for further policy easing by the UK central bank.This marks a significant divergence in comparison to the growing acceptance for an imminent BoJ rate hike on Friday, which, in turn, is seen as lending some support to the Japanese Yen (JPY). Apart from this, a generally weaker tone around the equity markets benefits the JPY's safe-haven status and contributes to capping the upside for the GBP/JPY cross. The JPY bulls, however, opt to wait for more cues about the BoJ's future policy path before placing fresh bets amid concerns about Japan's fiscal health.Hence, the focus will be on BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda's comments during the post-meeting press conference, which will play a key role in influencing the near-term JPY price dynamics and provide some meaningful impetus to the currency pair. In the meantime, the divergent BoE-BoJ policy expectations warrant caution before positioning for the resumption of the GBP/JPY pair's recent well-established uptrend from the vicinity of the 199.00 mark, or the November swing low. Economic Indicator BoE MPC Vote Rate Cut Interest rates are set by the Bank of England’s (BoE) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The MPC sets an interest rate it judges will enable the BoE’s inflation target to be met. It is comprised of nine members – the Governor, the three Deputy Governors, the Bank's Chief Economist and four external members appointed directly by the Chancellor. Investors look at each member’s vote in order to seek cues over how unanimous was the decision on interest rates. Read more. Next release: Thu Dec 18, 2025 12:00 Frequency: Irregular Consensus: 5 Previous: 4 Source: Bank of England

The EUR/GBP cross gathers strength to near 0.8785 during the early European session on Thursday. The Pound Sterling (GBP) weakens against the Euro (EUR) on softer-than-expected UK inflation data and firming Bank of England (BoE) rate cut bets.

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The Pound Sterling (GBP) weakens against the Euro (EUR) on softer-than-expected UK inflation data and firming Bank of England (BoE) rate cut bets. All eyes will be on the BoE and the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate decisions later on Thursday. The UK headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 3.2% YoY in November, compared to a rise of 3.6% in October, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday. This figure came in softer than the 3.5% expected. Meanwhile, the core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy items, rose 3.2% YoY in the same period, compared to the previous reading and market consensus of 3.4%.The GBP remains on the defensive against the EUR as interest rate futures priced in a near 100% probability of a quarter-point rate cut at its December meeting on Thursday and a higher chance of multiple rate cuts in 2026.On the other hand, the ECB is widely expected to keep its policy rates steady at its December policy meeting on Thursday. The central bank has kept its key deposit rate on hold at 2% since July. The growing acceptance that the ECB is done cutting interest rates could provide some support to the EUR against the GBP in the near term. Remarks from ECB policymakers Isabel Schnabel and Philip Lane have fueled some speculation about a rate hike late next year. However, most economists polled by Reuters expect the ECB to leave rates unchanged through 2026 and 2027, although the forecast range for the latter year was wide at 1.5%-2.5%. BoE FAQs What does the Bank of England do and how does it impact the Pound? The Bank of England (BoE) decides monetary policy for the United Kingdom. Its primary goal is to achieve ‘price stability’, or a steady inflation rate of 2%. Its tool for achieving this is via the adjustment of base lending rates. The BoE sets the rate at which it lends to commercial banks and banks lend to each other, determining the level of interest rates in the economy overall. This also impacts the value of the Pound Sterling (GBP). How does the Bank of England’s monetary policy influence Sterling? When inflation is above the Bank of England’s target it responds by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is positive for the Pound Sterling because higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls below target, it is a sign economic growth is slowing, and the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit in the hope businesses will borrow to invest in growth-generating projects – a negative for the Pound Sterling. What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it affect the Pound? In extreme situations, the Bank of England can enact a policy called Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the BoE substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. QE is a last resort policy when lowering interest rates will not achieve the necessary result. The process of QE involves the BoE printing money to buy assets – usually government or AAA-rated corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Pound Sterling. What is Quantitative tightening (QT) and how does it affect the Pound Sterling? Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE, enacted when the economy is strengthening and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the Bank of England (BoE) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to encourage them to lend; in QT, the BoE stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive for the Pound Sterling.

Netherlands, The Unemployment Rate s.a (3M) remains at 4% in November

The USD/CHF pair trades in a tight range around 0.7950 during the late Asian trading session on Thursday. The Swiss Franc pair wobbles as investors await the United States (US) inflation data for November, which will be published at 13:30 GMT.

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The Swiss Franc pair wobbles as investors await the United States (US) inflation data for November, which will be published at 13:30 GMT.As of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades flat around 98.45. The DXY holds onto its recovery move that triggered on Tuesday, following the release of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) combined report for October and November.As measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the headline inflation is expected to have grown at an annualized pace of 3.1%, faster than 3% in October. In the same period, the core CPI – which excludes volatile food and energy items – is estimated to have risen steadily by 3%.Investors will pay close attention to the inflation data as it will influence market expectations for the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy outlook. Traders might pare Fed dovish expectations if inflation proves to be more persistent, as Fed officials have expressed concerns over inflation remaining well above the 2% target for a long period. Last week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in the press conference, following the interest rate decision, “Everyone at the table agrees inflation is too high.”Going forward, the major driver for the US Dollar will be the announcement of Fed Chair Powell’s successor. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump stated that the next Fed chairman will be ‍someone who believes in lower ​interest rates "by ‌a lot”, a scenario that will be unfavourable for the US Dollar.Meanwhile, the Swiss Franc (CHF) also trades flat amid a lack of clarity on the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) interest rate outlook. The SNB is unlikely to shift into the negative interest rate policy as it will have an adverse impact on savers and pension funds.  Economic Indicator Consumer Price Index (YoY) Inflationary or deflationary tendencies are measured by periodically summing the prices of a basket of representative goods and services and presenting the data as The Consumer Price Index (CPI). CPI data is compiled on a monthly basis and released by the US Department of Labor Statistics. The YoY reading compares the prices of goods in the reference month to the same month a year earlier.The CPI is a key indicator to measure inflation and changes in purchasing trends. Generally speaking, a high reading is seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish. Read more. Next release: Thu Dec 18, 2025 13:30 Frequency: Monthly Consensus: 3.1% Previous: 3% Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Why it matters to traders? The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has a dual mandate of maintaining price stability and maximum employment. According to such mandate, inflation should be at around 2% YoY and has become the weakest pillar of the central bank’s directive ever since the world suffered a pandemic, which extends to these days. Price pressures keep rising amid supply-chain issues and bottlenecks, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) hanging at multi-decade highs. The Fed has already taken measures to tame inflation and is expected to maintain an aggressive stance in the foreseeable future.

EUR/USD remains flat after two days of small losses, trading around 1.1740 during the Asian hours on Thursday. On the daily chart, technical analysis indicates a strengthening of a bullish bias, as the pair continues to trade within an ascending channel pattern.

.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}EUR/USD may approach the two-month high of 1.1804.The 14-day Relative Strength Index stands at 67.47, indicating strong upside momentum.The primary support lies at the nine-day EMA of 1.1715.EUR/USD remains flat after two days of small losses, trading around 1.1740 during the Asian hours on Thursday. On the daily chart, technical analysis indicates a strengthening of a bullish bias, as the pair continues to trade within an ascending channel pattern.The EUR/USD pair holds above the rising nine- and 50-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), reinforcing a bullish bias. The nine-day EMA stands above the 50-day, and both slopes are higher.The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) prints 67.47, near overbought, signaling strong upside momentum. A break above 70 mark would indicate a downward correction in a short period.The EUR/USD pair could target the two-month high of 1.1804, reached on December 16, followed by the upper boundary of the ascending channel around 1.1820. A daily close above the first barrier could extend gains toward the upper level, while failure to clear it would keep pullbacks contained toward the short-term average. A break above the confluence resistance zone would support the pair to explore the region around 1.1918, the highest since June 2021.The immediate support lies at the nine-day EMA of 1.1715, followed by a psychological level of 1.1700 and the lower ascending channel boundary around 1.1690. A break below this support area would weaken the short-term price momentum and put downward pressure on the EUR/USD pair to test the 50-day EMA at 1.1644, followed by the three-week low of 1.1589, which was recorded on December 1.EUR/USD: Daily Chart Euro Price Today The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD -0.03% 0.07% 0.03% -0.03% 0.05% 0.26% -0.07% EUR 0.03% 0.10% 0.05% 0.00% 0.09% 0.29% -0.04% GBP -0.07% -0.10% -0.04% -0.11% -0.02% 0.19% -0.14% JPY -0.03% -0.05% 0.04% -0.06% 0.02% 0.20% -0.10% CAD 0.03% -0.00% 0.11% 0.06% 0.09% 0.27% -0.04% AUD -0.05% -0.09% 0.02% -0.02% -0.09% 0.20% -0.12% NZD -0.26% -0.29% -0.19% -0.20% -0.27% -0.20% -0.33% CHF 0.07% 0.04% 0.14% 0.10% 0.04% 0.12% 0.33% 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 Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)

The Indian Rupee (INR) opens on a flat note against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, with the USD/INR pair wobbling around 90.80. Investors anticipated a flat opening amid expectations that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could intervene again to support the Indian Rupee.

.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}}The Indian Rupee flattens against the US Dollar at around 90.80 after a sharp recovery move on Wednesday.FIIs turned out to be net buyers in the Indian stock market on Wednesday.US President Trump said that Fed Chair Powell’s successor would lower interest rates by a lot.The Indian Rupee (INR) opens on a flat note against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, with the USD/INR pair wobbling around 90.80. Investors anticipated a flat opening amid expectations that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could intervene again to support the Indian Rupee.There is a "high probability" that the central bank may step in again today, traders said, Reuters reported.On Wednesday, the RBI sold US Dollars aggressively in both spot and non-deliverable forward (NDF) markets to halt the one-way rally in the pair when it hit record highs at 91.55.The Indian Rupee has been underperforming the US Dollar for a long period, as foreign investors are consistently offloading their stake in the Indian stock market due to the United States (US)- India trade stalemate. This month, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers on all trading days, but have surprisingly turned out to be net buyers on Wednesday. The net purchase by FIIs on Wednesday was Rs. 1,171.71 crore worth of shares.A sudden halt in FIIs' selling in the Indian equity market might boost risk sentiment; however, the impact would remain short-lived amid the absence of a US-India trade deal announcement.Daily digest market movers: US Dollar ticks up ahead of US CPI dataThe sideways mover in the USD/INR pair is also driven by a flat US Dollar. At the time of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades marginally higher at near 98.45.In the last two trading days, the Fed has regained ground on expectations that there will be no interest rate cut in the first policy meeting of 2026. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the probability of the Fed reducing interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 3.25%-3.50% in the January meeting is 24.4%.Traders hesitate to raise Fed dovish bets as Chairman Jerome Powell stated in last week’s policy meeting that “the bar for another interest rate cut is very high."Broadly, the US Dollar seems on the back foot as Fed Chair Powell’s successor is expected to support more interest rate cuts in his term, assuming that his decisions would be more biased towards US President Donald Trump’s economic agenda.Earlier in the day, US President Trump said in a national address, "I’ll soon announce our next chairman of the Federal Reserve, someone who believes in lower interest rates, by a lot, and mortgage payments will be coming down even further." Such a scenario will hurt the Fed’s independence and weigh on the US Dollar.In Thursday’s session, investors will focus on the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November, which will be published at 13:30 GMT. The inflation data will influence market expectations for the US interest rate outlook. Both the headline and the core CPI are expected to have grown at an annualized pace of 3%.Technical Analysis: USD/INR's rally hits pause near 91.50In the daily chart, USD/INR trades at 90.7840. The pair holds above a rising 20-day EMA at 90.2106, preserving an upward bias. The average continues to slope higher, keeping pullbacks contained. RSI at 63.40 stays in bullish territory after easing from overbought, confirming firm momentum.Bulls retain control while daily closes remain above the 20-day EMA, with dips expected to find support in that band. RSI edging higher in the mid-60s favors trend extension; a reversal toward 50 would weaken the impulse. A decisive break below the moving average would turn the bias neutral and open a deeper retracement.(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool) Indian Rupee FAQs What are the key factors driving the Indian Rupee? The Indian Rupee (INR) is one of the most sensitive currencies to external factors. The price of Crude Oil (the country is highly dependent on imported Oil), the value of the US Dollar – most trade is conducted in USD – and the level of foreign investment, are all influential. Direct intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in FX markets to keep the exchange rate stable, as well as the level of interest rates set by the RBI, are further major influencing factors on the Rupee. How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of India impact the Indian Rupee? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively intervenes in forex markets to maintain a stable exchange rate, to help facilitate trade. In addition, the RBI tries to maintain the inflation rate at its 4% target by adjusting interest rates. Higher interest rates usually strengthen the Rupee. This is due to the role of the ‘carry trade’ in which investors borrow in countries with lower interest rates so as to place their money in countries’ offering relatively higher interest rates and profit from the difference. What macroeconomic factors influence the value of the Indian Rupee? Macroeconomic factors that influence the value of the Rupee include inflation, interest rates, the economic growth rate (GDP), the balance of trade, and inflows from foreign investment. A higher growth rate can lead to more overseas investment, pushing up demand for the Rupee. A less negative balance of trade will eventually lead to a stronger Rupee. Higher interest rates, especially real rates (interest rates less inflation) are also positive for the Rupee. A risk-on environment can lead to greater inflows of Foreign Direct and Indirect Investment (FDI and FII), which also benefit the Rupee. How does inflation impact the Indian Rupee? Higher inflation, particularly, if it is comparatively higher than India’s peers, is generally negative for the currency as it reflects devaluation through oversupply. Inflation also increases the cost of exports, leading to more Rupees being sold to purchase foreign imports, which is Rupee-negative. At the same time, higher inflation usually leads to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates and this can be positive for the Rupee, due to increased demand from international investors. The opposite effect is true of lower inflation.

Gold prices fell in India on Thursday, 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.)

The AUD/JPY cross declines to around 102.70 during the early European session on Thursday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) strengthens against the Australian Dollar (AUD) amid firming expectations for an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) this week.

AUD/JPY drifts lower to near 102.70 in Thursday’s early European session. The cross keeps the bullish vibe above the key 100-day EMA, with steady RSI momentum. The upside barrier to watch is 104.43, while the lower band at 100.78 acts as a contention level. The AUD/JPY cross declines to around 102.70 during the early European session on Thursday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) strengthens against the Australian Dollar (AUD) amid firming expectations for an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) this week.The BoJ is expected to raise interest rates to 0.75% from 0.5% at a two-day policy meeting ending on Friday. This move would be the first rate hike since January and bring the benchmark rate to a three-decade high. Additionally, recent reports stated that the Japanese central bank would likely maintain a pledge to keep raising interest rates but emphasized that the pace will depend on how the economy reacts to each hike.Technical Analysis:In the daily chart, AUD/JPY trades at 102.70. The pair holds well above the 100-day EMA at 99.44, keeping the broader uptrend intact. The average slopes higher, reinforcing a buy-the-dip bias. RSI at 54.91 is neutral to mildly positive, reflecting moderated but steady momentum. Price sits just above the middle Bollinger band at 102.61, and the envelopes tilt higher, pointing to trend continuity. Holding daily closes above the middle band would preserve upside pressure toward the upper Bollinger barrier at 104.43. A break beneath that pivot could expose the lower band at 100.78, with the 100-day EMA at 99.44 providing deeper support. Band expansion remains gradual, so a decisive breakout would require a pickup in volatility.(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool)

EUR/JPY holds ground after registering 0.51% gains in the previous session, trading around 182.90 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The currency cross holds steady as the Japanese Yen (JPY) remains under pressure amid worries about Japan’s weakening fiscal outlook.

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The currency cross holds steady as the Japanese Yen (JPY) remains under pressure amid worries about Japan’s weakening fiscal outlook.Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday underlined the need for proactive fiscal policy to strengthen Japan's capabilities, rather than excessive fiscal tightening. Takaichi said, “We will achieve sustainable fiscal policy, social welfare system by reflating the economy, improving corporate profits, increasing household income via wage gains that then boost tax revenues.”The JPY could find support as the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is widely expected to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 0.75% on Friday, with elevated food prices keeping inflation above the central bank’s 2% target. Markets will closely watch Governor Kazuo Ueda’s post-meeting comments for clues on next year’s policy path, amid speculation that rates could rise to 1% by July.The Euro (EUR) advanced against its major peers as easing inflation in the Eurozone (EZ) reduced the likelihood of further monetary easing by the European Central Bank (ECB). ECB officials have indicated that additional rate cuts may not be necessary in 2026.Attention now turns to the ECB’s December policy meeting, which is widely expected to be a non-event, with President Christine Lagarde likely to keep rates unchanged at this meeting and throughout next year. Bank of Japan FAQs What is the Bank of Japan? The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the Japanese central bank, which sets monetary policy in the country. Its mandate is to issue banknotes and carry out currency and monetary control to ensure price stability, which means an inflation target of around 2%. What has been the Bank of Japan’s policy? The Bank of Japan embarked in an ultra-loose monetary policy in 2013 in order to stimulate the economy and fuel inflation amid a low-inflationary environment. The bank’s policy is based on Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE), or printing notes to buy assets such as government or corporate bonds to provide liquidity. In 2016, the bank doubled down on its strategy and further loosened policy by first introducing negative interest rates and then directly controlling the yield of its 10-year government bonds. In March 2024, the BoJ lifted interest rates, effectively retreating from the ultra-loose monetary policy stance. How do Bank of Japan’s decisions influence the Japanese Yen? The Bank’s massive stimulus caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers. This process exacerbated in 2022 and 2023 due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks, which opted to increase interest rates sharply to fight decades-high levels of inflation. The BoJ’s policy led to a widening differential with other currencies, dragging down the value of the Yen. This trend partly reversed in 2024, when the BoJ decided to abandon its ultra-loose policy stance. Why did the Bank of Japan decide to start unwinding its ultra-loose policy? A weaker Yen and the spike in global energy prices led to an increase in Japanese inflation, which exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target. The prospect of rising salaries in the country – a key element fuelling inflation – also contributed to the move.

The United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will publish the all-important Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November on Thursday at 13:30 GMT.

.fxs-related-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-related-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-related-module-related-link a{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a{text-decoration:none;color:#1b1c23;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;line-height:20px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a:hover,.fxs-related-module-related-link:hover,.fxs-related-module-related-link:hover a{color:#e4871b}.fxs-related-module-related-link a:hover{text-decoration:none}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-related-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-related-module-related-link a{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}} .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}}The US Consumer Price Index is forecast to rise 3.1% YoY in November, slightly higher compared with September.The inflation report will not include monthly CPI figures.November inflation data could drive the US Dollar’s valuation by altering January Fed rate cut expectations.The United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will publish the all-important Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November on Thursday at 13:30 GMT.The inflation report will not include CPI figures for October and will not offer monthly CPI prints for November due to a lack of data collection during the government shutdown. Hence, investors will scrutinize the annual CPI and core CPI prints to assess how inflation dynamics could influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy outlook.What to expect in the next CPI data report?As measured by the change in the CPI, inflation in the US is expected to rise at an annual rate of 3.1% in November, mildly above September’s reading. The core CPI inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, is also forecast to rise 3% in this period. TD Securities analysts expect annual inflation to rise at a stronger pace than anticipated but see the core inflation holding steady. “We look for the US CPI to rise 3.2% y/y in November – its fastest pace since 2024. The increase will be driven by rising energy prices, as we look for the core CPI to remain steady at 3.0%,” they explain. Related news DXY: US jobs data confirms downside risks – ING Fed’s Bostic warns inflation fight isn’t over, urges caution on rates Fed’s Miran: I expect a faster fall in PCE shelter inflation How could the US Consumer Price Index report affect the US Dollar?Heading into the US inflation showdown on Thursday, investors see a nearly 20% probability of another 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in January, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.The BLS’ delayed official employment report showed on Tuesday that Nonfarm Payrolls declined by 105,000 in October and rose by 64,000 in November. Additionally, the Unemployment Rate climbed to 4.6% from 4.4% in September. These figures failed to alter the market pricing of the January Fed decision as the sharp decline seen in payrolls in October was not surprising, given the loss of government jobs during the shutdown.In a blog post published late Tuesday, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic argued that the mixed jobs report did not change the policy outlook and added that there are “multiple surveys” that suggest there are higher input costs and that firms are determined to preserve their margins by increasing prices. A noticeable increase, with a print of 3.3% or higher, in the headline annual CPI inflation, could reaffirm a Fed policy hold in January and boost the US Dollar (USD) with the immediate reaction. On the flip side, a soft annual inflation print of 2.8% or lower could cause market participants to lean toward a January Fed rate cut. In this scenario, the USD could come under heavy selling pressure with the immediate reaction.Eren Sengezer, European Session Lead Analyst at FXStreet, offers a brief technical outlook for the US Dollar Index (DXY) and explains:“The near-term technical outlook suggests that the bearish bias remains intact for the USD Index, but there are signs pointing to a loss in negative momentum. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the daily chart recovers above 40 and the USD Index holds above the Fibonacci 50% retracement of the September-November uptrend.”“The 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) aligns as a pivot level at 98.60. In case the USD Index rises above this level and confirms it as support, technical sellers could be discouraged. In this scenario, the Fibonacci 38.2% retracement could act as the next resistance level at 98.85 ahead of the 99.25-99.40 region, where the 200-day SMA and the Fibonacci 23.6% retracement are located.”“On the downside, the Fibonacci 61.8% retracement level forms a key support level at 98.00 before 97.40 (Fibonacci 78.6% retracement) and 97.00 (round level).” Inflation FAQs What is inflation? Inflation measures the rise in the price of a representative basket of goods and services. Headline inflation is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core inflation excludes more volatile elements such as food and fuel which can fluctuate because of geopolitical and seasonal factors. Core inflation is the figure economists focus on and is the level targeted by central banks, which are mandated to keep inflation at a manageable level, usually around 2%. What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)? The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices of a basket of goods and services over a period of time. It is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core CPI is the figure targeted by central banks as it excludes volatile food and fuel inputs. When Core CPI rises above 2% it usually results in higher interest rates and vice versa when it falls below 2%. Since higher interest rates are positive for a currency, higher inflation usually results in a stronger currency. The opposite is true when inflation falls. What is the impact of inflation on foreign exchange? Although it may seem counter-intuitive, high inflation in a country pushes up the value of its currency and vice versa for lower inflation. This is because the central bank will normally raise interest rates to combat the higher inflation, which attract more global capital inflows from investors looking for a lucrative place to park their money. How does inflation influence the price of Gold? Formerly, Gold was the asset investors turned to in times of high inflation because it preserved its value, and whilst investors will often still buy Gold for its safe-haven properties in times of extreme market turmoil, this is not the case most of the time. This is because when inflation is high, central banks will put up interest rates to combat it. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold vis-a-vis an interest-bearing asset or placing the money in a cash deposit account. On the flipside, lower inflation tends to be positive for Gold as it brings interest rates down, making the bright metal a more viable investment alternative.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, struggles to build on the previous day's modest recovery gains and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday.

.fxs-event-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-event-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-event-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-event-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:12px}.fxs-event-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-event-module-header{color:#1b1c23;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;line-height:20px;margin:0;padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;padding-right:32px}.fxs-event-module-header label{cursor:pointer;display:block}.fxs-event-module-header label:after,.fxs-event-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-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:17.6px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:20.8px;margin:4px 0 0 0}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title-description-wrapper{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;padding-bottom:16px;margin-bottom:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar{padding:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-section{padding:0}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:12.8px;line-height:17px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{display:flex;align-items:center;align-content:center;gap:4px;color:#e4871b;font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-read-more svg{width:16px;height:16px}.fxs-event-module-read-more:hover span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-release{margin:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px}.fxs-event-module-release>p{font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;line-height:17px;margin:0}.fxs-event-module-release>p>strong{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:700}.fxs-event-module-release>p>span{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:400}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a{color:#e4871b;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a:hover>span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-container{margin:16px 0 0 0;border-top:1px solid #ececf1;padding:12px 0 0 0}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-release p{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{font-size:22.4px;line-height:25.6px}.fxs-event-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-event-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}USD struggles to attract any follow-through buying amid dovish Fed expectations.Traders also seem reluctant to place aggressive bets ahead of the US CPI report.The recent breakdown below the 200-day SMA warrants some caution for bulls.The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, struggles to build on the previous day's modest recovery gains and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday. The index is currently placed just below mid-98.00s, nearly unchanged for the day, as traders opt to wait for the US consumer inflation figures before placing fresh bets.The crucial US Consumer Price Index (CPI) is due for release later during the North American session and will be scrutinized for cues about the Federal Reserve's (Fed) future policy path. This, in turn, will play a key role in determining the next leg of a directional move for the buck. Heading into the key data risk, dovish Fed expectations keep the USD bulls on the defensive and act as a headwind for the index.Despite the Fed's cautious outlook, traders have been pricing in the possibility of two more interest rate cuts in 2026 amid visible signs of a softening US labor market. Adding to this, speculations that the new Fed chair will be dovish and slash interest rates further amid political pressure. In fact, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the next Fed chief will be someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot.However, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller – one of five finalists to potentially succeed Jerome Powell – said that he will absolutely emphasize the importance of central bank independence to President Trump. This, in turn, offers some support to the USD. Nevertheless, the broader fundamental backdrop seems tilted in favor of bears and suggests that the path of least resistance for the USD is to the downside.Even from a technical perspective, the recent breakdown and the overnight failure near the very important 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) validate the near-term negative outlook for the Greenback. Hence, any subsequent move up might still be seen as a selling opportunity, warranting some caution before positioning for an extension of the USD's recovery from its lowest level since early October. Economic Indicator Consumer Price Index (YoY) Inflationary or deflationary tendencies are measured by periodically summing the prices of a basket of representative goods and services and presenting the data as The Consumer Price Index (CPI). CPI data is compiled on a monthly basis and released by the US Department of Labor Statistics. The YoY reading compares the prices of goods in the reference month to the same month a year earlier.The CPI is a key indicator to measure inflation and changes in purchasing trends. Generally speaking, a high reading is seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish. Read more. Next release: Thu Dec 18, 2025 13:30 Frequency: Monthly Consensus: 3.1% Previous: 3% Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Why it matters to traders? The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has a dual mandate of maintaining price stability and maximum employment. According to such mandate, inflation should be at around 2% YoY and has become the weakest pillar of the central bank’s directive ever since the world suffered a pandemic, which extends to these days. Price pressures keep rising amid supply-chain issues and bottlenecks, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) hanging at multi-decade highs. The Fed has already taken measures to tame inflation and is expected to maintain an aggressive stance in the foreseeable future.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) stalls the previous day's decline against a broadly recovering US Dollar (USD) and oscillates in a narrow trading range during the Asian session on Thursday.

.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}}The Japanese Yen consolidates in a range as traders seem reluctant to take action ahead of the BoJ meeting.Bets for an imminent BoJ rate hike and a weaker risk tone lend support to the safe-haven JPY.Dovish Fed expectations might keep a lid on the USD recovery and cap the upside for USD/JPY.The Japanese Yen (JPY) stalls the previous day's decline against a broadly recovering US Dollar (USD) and oscillates in a narrow trading range during the Asian session on Thursday. The near-term bias, meanwhile, seems tilted in favor of the JPY bulls amid firming expectations for an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) this week. Traders, however, seem reluctant and opt to wait for more cues about the BoJ's future policy path. Hence, the focus will remain on the outcome of the BoJ rate decision on Friday and Governor Kazuo Ueda's post-meeting press conference.Heading into the key central bank event risk, some repositioning trade might infuse volatility around the JPY amid worries about Japan's worsening fiscal health. That said, hawkish BoJ expectations mark a significant divergence in comparison to rising bets for more interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed), which keeps a lid on the attempted USD recovery and should act as a tailwind for the lower-yielding JPY. Apart from this, a generally weaker tone around the equity markets should benefit the JPY's safe-haven status and help limit any meaningful depreciating move.Japanese Yen bulls opt to wait for the highly anticipated BoJ policy update on FridayTraders turn cautious and refrain from placing aggressive directional bets around the Japanese Yen ahead of the start of a two-day Bank of Japan meeting this Thursday. The central bank will announce its policy decision on Friday and is widely expected to hike interest rates to 0.75%, or a three-decade high.Furthermore, recent reports suggest that the BoJ would likely maintain a pledge to keep raising interest rates, but stress that the pace will depend on how the economy reacts to each hike. Hence, comments from BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda will be looked for cues about how far the central bank could raise rates.Investors have been selling shorter-dated Japanese government bonds amid hawkish BoJ expectations. Adding to this, reports on the size of government spending next year fueled worries about Japan's worsening fiscal health and lifted the yield on the benchmark 10-year JGB to its highest level since June 2007.The resultant narrowing of the yield differential between Japan and other major economies acts as a tailwind for the Japanese Yen during the Asian session on Thursday. The US Dollar, on the other hand, preserves the overnight recovery gains and supports the USD/JPY pair heading into the key central bank event.The upside for the USD, however, seems limited amid dovish Federal Reserve expectations. Traders have been pricing in the possibility of two more rate cuts by the US central bank in 2026. Apart from this, speculations that the new Trump-aligned Fed chair will be dovish keep a lid on any meaningful USD appreciation.Traders also seem reluctant to place aggressive bets and opt to wait for the release of the latest US consumer inflation figures, due later during the North American session. The crucial data will be looked for more cues about the Fed's rate-cut path, which should provide some impetus to the USD and the USD/JPY pair.USD/JPY needs to surpass the 156.00 mark to back the case for further appreciationThe overnight breakout through the 100-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA), along with positive oscillators on hourly and daily charts, backs the case for a further move up for the USD/JPY pair. However, it will still be prudent to wait for a sustained strength beyond the weekly high, around the 156.00 mark, before placing fresh bullish bets. Spot prices might then extend the positive momentum towards the monthly high, around the 157.00 neighborhood, touched last week, with some intermediate hurdle near the 156.55-156.60 region.On the flip side, the 100-hour SMA resistance-turned-support, currently around the 155.30 zone, could protect the immediate downside ahead of the 155.00 psychological mark. A convincing break below the latter might prompt some technical selling and expose the 154.35-154.30 region, or the monthly swing low touched on December 5. This is followed by the 154.00 mark, which, if broken, will be seen as a fresh trigger for bearish traders and pave the way for deeper losses. 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.

Speaking in a national address early Thursday, US ​President Donald ‌Trump said the next chairman of the ⁠‌Federal Reserve (Fed) will be ‍someone who believes in lower ​interest rates "by ‌a lot."

.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}} Speaking in a national address early Thursday, US ​President Donald ‌Trump said the next chairman of the ⁠‌Federal Reserve (Fed) will be ‍someone who believes in lower ​interest rates "by ‌a lot."Trump further noted that he will ⁠soon announce ​a ​successor to current Fed Chair ‍Jerome ⁠Powell.
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.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $56.00 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The WTI price edges lower amid optimism over a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

.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}}WTI price loses momentum to near $56.00 in Thursday’s Asian session.A possible peace agreement in Ukraine undermines the WTI price, but the US blockade of Venezuela might cap its downside. US crude oil stockpiles fell by 1.274 million barrels last week, EIA said. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $56.00 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The WTI price edges lower amid optimism over a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.A possible peace agreement in Ukraine would bring Russian crude back to a well-supplied market and weigh on the black gold. “Ukraine’s attacks on oil infrastructure and U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies would likely be lifted relatively quickly in the event of an agreement,” said Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy’s head of geopolitical analysis.On the other hand, the downside for the WTI might be limited after US President Donald Trump said the United States (US) will block sanctioned tankers from entering and leaving Venezuela. Venezuela’s government on Wednesday ordered its Navy to escort ships carrying petroleum products from port, escalating the risk of a confrontation with Trump ordered a “blockade” aimed at the country’s oil industry.Additionally, a larger-than-expected crude oil inventory draw might contribute to the WTI’s upside. Data released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday showed that crude oil stockpiles in the US for the week ending December 12 declined by 1.274 million barrels compared to a fall of 1.812 million barrels in the previous week. The market consensus was for a 1.1 million barrel decrease in the report period.   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.

USD/CAD holds position after registering modest gains in the previous session, trading around 1.3790 during the Asian hours on Thursday.

.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/CAD maintains its position as traders adopt caution ahead of the delayed US Consumer Price Index report.Fed’s Waller said that with inflation still elevated, policymakers can afford to be patient and delay policy easing.The commodity-linked CAD faces headwinds as Oil prices decline, despite escalating geopolitical tensions.USD/CAD holds position after registering modest gains in the previous session, trading around 1.3790 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The US Dollar (USD) holds ground from market caution ahead of the release of the delayed US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report due later in the day, which is expected to provide further insight into how price pressures are evolving.Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller, who is under consideration to become chair of the central bank, reiterated his dovish stance on interest rates during a CNBC forum. “Because inflation is still elevated, we can take our time - there’s no rush to get down. We can steadily bring the policy rate down toward neutral,” Waller said.The CME FedWatch tool suggests that Fed funds futures are pricing an implied 75.6% chance of a hold in rates at the US central bank's next meeting in January, up from nearly 74% a week ago.The USD/CAD pair may gain ground as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) faces challenges amid declining Oil prices. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trades lower near $56.00 per barrel at the time of writing. However, the downside of the Oil prices could be restrained amid rising geopolitical tensions.The United States (US) has ordered a complete halt to maritime traffic involving sanctioned Oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. At the same time, Washington is pushing for stricter sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to support peace negotiations over Ukraine, fueling worries about possible disruptions to global supply. Canadian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar? The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar. How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar? The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive. How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar? The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD. How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar? While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar. How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar? Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.

Silver (XAG/USD) attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Thursday and currently trades around the $65.75-$65.70 region, down over 1% for the day.

.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}}Silver drifts lower on Thursday and erodes a part of Wednesday's gains to the all-time peak.The overbought RSI on the daily chart is seen as a key factor that prompts profit-taking.The bullish technical setup backs the case for the emergence of dip-buying at lower levels.Silver (XAG/USD) attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Thursday and currently trades around the $65.75-$65.70 region, down over 1% for the day. The white metal, however, remains well within striking distance of the all-time peak touched the previous day, and the broader technical setup still seems tilted firmly in favor of bullish traders.The overnight breakout through a horizontal barrier near the $64.00 mark was seen as a key trigger for the XAG/USD bulls and validates the near-term positive outlook. The said handle now coincides with the 100-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA) pivotal support, which, in turn, should act as a strong base for the commodity and as a key pivotal point for short-term traders.The Relative Strength Index (RSI) prints 59.95, neutral-to-bullish on the 1-hour chart, though it is flashing overbought conditions on the daily chart. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram slipped below zero, suggesting the MACD line crossed beneath the Signal line, and momentum cooled. Nevertheless, the broader setup stays mildly constructiveMoreover, the upward slope of the 100-hour SMA suggests that any corrective slide is more likely to attract dip-buying. Holding above the rising SMA would preserve the upside tone for the XAG/USD, while a decisive break below that support would open a deeper pullback. A MACD return to positive territory, and an RSI hold above 50 would bolster the bullish outlook.(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool)Silver 1-hour chart 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 Australian Dollar (AUD) loses ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday for the sixth successive day.

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The AUD/USD pair may gain ground as the Aussie Dollar could receive support from investors’ caution following the release of Australia’s Consumer Inflation Expectations, which rose to 4.7% in December from November’s three-month low of 4.5%, supporting the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) hawkish stance.The AUD could find support as markets grow increasingly wary of an RBA rate hike as early as February. Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank now expect the RBA to start tightening sooner than previously projected, pointing to stubborn inflation in a capacity-constrained economy. Their forecasts followed the central bank’s hawkish hold on rates at its final 2025 meeting last week. Swaps price in a 28% chance of a February hike, nearly 41% in March, with August almost fully priced.US Dollar receives support from fading Fed rate cut betsThe US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar against six major currencies, is holding ground and trading around 98.40 at the time of writing. The USD finds support amid diminishing expectations of additional Federal Reserve rate cuts.The US November jobs report showed payroll growth of 64K, slightly above forecasts, but October figures were revised sharply lower, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest since 2021, underscoring a gradually cooling labor market. Retail sales were flat on the month, reinforcing signs that consumer demand is losing momentum.Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said in a blog post on Tuesday that the jobs report was a mixed picture and that it did not change the outlook, and that he would prefer to leave rates unchanged at the last Fed meeting. Bostic said that “multiple surveys” are suggesting that there are higher input costs and that firms are determined to preserve their margins by increasing prices. He added that “Price pressures are not just coming from tariffs, the Fed should not be hasty to declare victory,” and that he sees GDP for 2026 at around 2.5%.Fed officials are split over whether more easing of monetary policy is needed next year. The median Fed official penciled in just one reduction in 2026, but some policymakers see no further cuts. Meanwhile, traders anticipate two rate cuts next year.The CME FedWatch tool suggests that Fed funds futures are pricing an implied 74.4% chance of a hold in rates at the US central bank's next meeting in January, up from nearly 70% a week ago.The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Monday that China’s Retail Sales rose 1.3% year-over-year (YoY) in November vs. 2.9% expected and 2.9% in October. Chinese Industrial Production increased 4.8% YoY in the same period, compared to the 5.0% forecast and 4.9% seen previously.China’s Fixed Asset Investment came in at -2.6% year-to-date (YTD) YoY in November, missing the expected -2.3% figure. The October reading was -1.7%.Australia’s preliminary S&P Global Manufacturing PMI edged up to 52.2 in December from 51.6 previously, according to data released by S&P Global on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Services PMI slipped to 51.0 from 52.8, and the Composite PMI fell to 51.1 from 52.6.The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported last week that the Unemployment Rate steadied at 4.3% in November. The figure came in below the market consensus of 4.4%. Furthermore, the Australian Employment Change arrived at -21.3K in November from 41.1K in October (revised from 42.2K), compared with the consensus forecast of 20K.Australian Dollar moves below confluence support zone near 0.6600The AUD/USD pair is trading below 0.6600 on Thursday. The technical analysis of the daily chart shows the pair is positioned below the ascending channel trend, reflecting a weakening of a bullish bias. Additionally, the pair is trading below the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), indicating a weaker short-term price momentum.The AUD/USD pair could fall toward the psychological level of 0.6500, followed by the six-month low of 0.6414, recorded on August 21.On the upside, the AUD/USD pair may test the nine-day EMA at 0.6619. A rebound toward the ascending channel would revive the bullish bias and support the pair to test the three-month high of 0.6685, followed by 0.6707, the highest since October 2024. Further advances would support the pair to test the upper ascending channel boundary around 0.6760.AUD/USD: Daily Chart Australian Dollar Price Today The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the weakest against the Japanese Yen. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD -0.02% 0.03% -0.09% -0.01% 0.07% 0.19% -0.07% EUR 0.02% 0.05% -0.07% 0.00% 0.10% 0.22% -0.04% GBP -0.03% -0.05% -0.12% -0.05% 0.05% 0.16% -0.10% JPY 0.09% 0.07% 0.12% 0.09% 0.17% 0.27% 0.03% CAD 0.01% -0.01% 0.05% -0.09% 0.10% 0.19% -0.05% AUD -0.07% -0.10% -0.05% -0.17% -0.10% 0.12% -0.14% NZD -0.19% -0.22% -0.16% -0.27% -0.19% -0.12% -0.26% CHF 0.07% 0.04% 0.10% -0.03% 0.05% 0.14% 0.26% 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 Australian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent AUD (base)/USD (quote). 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.

Gold price (XAU/USD) edges lower below $4,350 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The precious metal retreats from seven-week highs amid some profit-taking and a rebound in the US Dollar (USD).

.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}}Gold price loses ground in Thursday’s Asian session, pressured by profit-taking and stronger US Dollar.Fed rate cut bets and geopolitical risks could boost the safe-haven flows, capping the downside of Gold.Traders will closely monitor the US November CPI inflation report on Thursday.Gold price (XAU/USD) edges lower below $4,350 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The precious metal retreats from seven-week highs amid some profit-taking and a rebound in the US Dollar (USD). The potential downside for the yellow metal might be limited after the recent US jobs data reinforce market expectations of further interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and drag the USD lower. Lower interest rates could reduce the opportunity cost of holding Gold, supporting the non-yielding precious metal.Furthermore, geopolitical tensions escalate after Venezuela deploys its navy to escort oil ships amid US blockade threats. This, in turn, could boost the Gold price as it is considered a traditional safe-haven asset. Traders brace for the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data, which will be published later on Thursday. The headline CPI is expected to show a rise of 3.1% YoY in November, while the core CPI is projected to show an increase of 3.0% YoY during the same period. Also, the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims will be released later in the day. Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold declines on profit-taking ahead of US key inflation reportVenezuela’s government has ordered its navy to escort ships carrying petroleum products from port, escalating the risk of a confrontation with the US after President Donald Trump ordered a “blockade” aimed at the country’s oil industry.Fed Governor Christopher Waller on Wednesday backed further interest-rate cuts to get the central bank’s setting back to neutral, per Bloomberg.However, Waller also warned there’s no need to rush amid elevated inflation. Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic said on Tuesday that he did not support cutting rates last week and does not see a case for cutting rates next year unless inflation declines.The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Tuesday revealed that Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) rose by 64,000 in November after falling by 105,000 in October. The Unemployment Rate in the US ticked higher to 4.6% in November from 4.4% in October.Futures on the federal funds rate are now pricing in a 31% probability the Fed will reduce rates next month immediately after the NFP report, compared with 22% just before, according to LSEG estimates.Gold holds a positive long-term technical biasGold trades on a negative note on the day. According to the four-hour chart, the precious metal maintains a constructive outlook, with the price holding above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average. The path of least resistance is to the upside as the Bollinger Bands widen and the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is located above the midline, suggesting that further upside looks favorable.  If green candlesticks show up and momentum builds above the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band of $4,352, XAU/USD could be gearing up for another run at an all-time high of $4,381, en route to the $4,400 psychological mark. On the other hand, if the pair prints more red candles and stays below the December 17 low of $4,300, this could attract sellers toward the December 16 low of $4,271. The additional downside filter to watch is the 100-day EMA of $4,233.  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.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Thursday at 7.0583 compared to the previous day's fix of 7.0573.

.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}} The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Thursday at 7.0583 compared to the previous day's fix of 7.0573. PBOC FAQs What does the People's Bank of China do? The primary monetary policy objectives of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) are to safeguard price stability, including exchange rate stability, and promote economic growth. China’s central bank also aims to implement financial reforms, such as opening and developing the financial market. Who owns the PBoC? The PBoC is owned by the state of the People's Republic of China (PRC), so it is not considered an autonomous institution. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Committee Secretary, nominated by the Chairman of the State Council, has a key influence on the PBoC’s management and direction, not the governor. However, Mr. Pan Gongsheng currently holds both of these posts. What are the main policy tools used by the PBoC? Unlike the Western economies, the PBoC uses a broader set of monetary policy instruments to achieve its objectives. The primary tools include a seven-day Reverse Repo Rate (RRR), Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF), foreign exchange interventions and Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR). However, The Loan Prime Rate (LPR) is China’s benchmark interest rate. Changes to the LPR directly influence the rates that need to be paid in the market for loans and mortgages and the interest paid on savings. By changing the LPR, China’s central bank can also influence the exchange rates of the Chinese Renminbi. Are private banks allowed in China? Yes, China has 19 private banks – a small fraction of the financial system. The largest private banks are digital lenders WeBank and MYbank, which are backed by tech giants Tencent and Ant Group, per The Straits Times. In 2014, China allowed domestic lenders fully capitalized by private funds to operate in the state-dominated financial sector.

The GBP/USD pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the 1.3310 area, or a one-week low, and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday.

.fxs-event-module-wrapper{border:1px solid #dddedf;background:#fff;margin-bottom:32px;width:100%;float:left}.fxs-event-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-event-module-container{padding:16px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.fxs-event-module-section{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;margin-bottom:12px}.fxs-event-module-section:last-child{border:none;margin-bottom:0}.fxs-event-module-header{color:#1b1c23;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;line-height:20px;margin:0;padding:4px 0;background-color:#fff;border:none;position:relative;padding-right:32px}.fxs-event-module-header label{cursor:pointer;display:block}.fxs-event-module-header label:after,.fxs-event-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-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]{display:none}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:after{transform:rotate(45deg) translateX(4px)}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-header label:before{transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(-4px)}.fxs-event-module-content{color:#49494f;font-weight:300;padding:0;font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px;margin:0;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:all .3s ease-in-out}.fxs-event-module-container input[type=checkbox]:checked+.fxs-event-module-section .fxs-event-module-content.why-matters{max-height:1000px;margin-top:8px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{color:#1b1c23;font-size:17.6px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:20.8px;margin:4px 0 0 0}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title-description-wrapper{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #ececf1;padding-bottom:16px;margin-bottom:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar{padding:16px}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-section{padding:0}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:12.8px;line-height:17px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{display:flex;align-items:center;align-content:center;gap:4px;color:#e4871b;font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-read-more svg{width:16px;height:16px}.fxs-event-module-read-more:hover span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-release{margin:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px}.fxs-event-module-release>p{font-size:12.8px;font-family:Roboto;font-style:normal;line-height:17px;margin:0}.fxs-event-module-release>p>strong{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:700}.fxs-event-module-release>p>span{color:#8c8d91;font-weight:400}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a{color:#e4871b;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}.fxs-event-module-release>p>a:hover>span{text-decoration:underline}.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-container{margin:16px 0 0 0;border-top:1px solid #ececf1;padding:12px 0 0 0}@media (min-width:680px){.fxs-event-module-inner-calendar .fxs-event-module-header{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-release p{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-read-more{font-size:14.72px;line-height:20px}.fxs-event-module-calendar-title{font-size:22.4px;line-height:25.6px}.fxs-event-module-title{font-size:19.2px;line-height:27.2px}.fxs-event-module-header{font-size:19.2px;line-height:25.92px}.fxs-event-module-content{font-size:16px;line-height:21.6px}}GBP/USD lacks any firm intraday direction as traders opt to wait for the BoE policy decision.A soft UK CPI print and a rise in the Unemployment Rate back the case for a rate cut.Dovish Fed expectations keep a lid on the attempted USD recovery, supporting spot prices.The GBP/USD pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the 1.3310 area, or a one-week low, and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.3370 region, down less than 0.10% for the day, as traders opt to wait on the sidelines ahead of the key central bank event risk and US consumer inflation data.The Bank of England (BoE) is scheduled to announce its policy decision later today and is widely expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points (bps), following a pause in November. The bets were reaffirmed by softer UK consumer inflation figures on Tuesday, which continue to undermine the British Pound (GBP) and turn out to be a key factor acting as a headwind for the GBP/USD pair.The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.2% over the year in November, marking a notable slowdown from 3.6% in October and missing expectations for a reading of 3.5%. Moreover, the gauge excluding volatile food and energy items – core CPI – climbed 3.2% YoY last month, compared to consensus estimates and October's 3.4% print.This comes on top of a rise in Britain’s unemployment rate to its highest since the start of 2021 and provides the BoE headroom to ease monetary policy further. The GBP bears, however, seem reluctant to place aggressive bets and opt to wait for more cues about the BoE's policy path before placing fresh bets. Apart from this, the lack of follow-through US Dollar (USD) buying supports the GBP/USD pair.Despite the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) cautious outlook, traders have been pricing in the possibility of two more rate cuts in 2026 amid visible signs of a softening US labor market. Moreover, expectations for a dovish replacement of Fed Chair fail to assist the USD in capitalizing on the overnight recovery. This, in turn, warrants caution before positioning for deeper losses for the GBP/USD pair. Economic Indicator BoE Interest Rate Decision The Bank of England (BoE) announces its interest rate decision at the end of its eight scheduled meetings per year. If the BoE is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is usually bullish for the Pound Sterling (GBP). Likewise, if the BoE adopts a dovish view on the UK economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is seen as bearish for GBP. Read more. Next release: Thu Dec 18, 2025 12:00 Frequency: Irregular Consensus: 3.75% Previous: 4% Source: Bank of England

The NZD/USD pair remains weak near 0.5770 during the early Asian trading hours on Thursday. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) edges lower against the Greenback despite a stronger-than-expected New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report.

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The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) edges lower against the Greenback despite a stronger-than-expected New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report. Markets might turn cautious ahead of the US key inflation data, which is due later on Thursday. Data released by Statistics New Zealand on Thursday showed that New Zealand’s economy grew by 1.1% QoQ in the third quarter (Q3), compared with a 1.0% contraction (revised from -0.9%) in Q2. This reading came in stronger than the expectations of 0.9%. The third-quarter GDP expanded by 1.3% YoY, versus a fall of 1.1% (revised from -0.6%) in Q2, in line with the market consensus. Nonetheless, the upbeat GDP report fails to boost the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 325 basis points (bps) since August last year to 2.25% as it seeks to boost the economy. The central bank stated in November that its central case was that the benchmark would be on hold through 2026, but traders are wagering on a rate hike as soon as the third quarter.The US employment report for November showed that the US labor market remains relatively resilient but shows signs of slowing. The report reinforces bets of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2026. Futures on the federal funds rate are now pricing in a 31% chance the Fed will reduce rates next month immediately after the NFP report, compared with 22% just before, according to LSEG estimates. The prospect of a US interest rate cut next year could weigh on the US Dollar (USD) and act as a tailwind for the pair. 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.

Australia Consumer Inflation Expectations up to 4.7% in December from previous 4.5%

Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks up to ¥528.3B in December 12 from previous ¥96.8B

The USD/JPY pair rises to around 155.60 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The US Dollar (USD) edges higher against the Japanese Yen (JPY) on the cautious comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller.

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The US Dollar (USD) edges higher against the Japanese Yen (JPY) on the cautious comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Christopher Waller. Traders will keep an eye on the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data for November, which will be released later on Thursday.The Fed’s Waller said on Wednesday the US central bank is not in a rush to cut the interest rates. His remarks could provide some support to the Greenback in the near term.  Markets anticipate two rate cuts next year. Fed funds futures are pricing an implied 75.6% chance of a hold in rates at the US central bank's next meeting in January, up from nearly 70% a week ago, according to the CME FedWatch tool.On the other hand, growing acceptance that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will raise interest rates could boost the JPY and create a headwind for the pair. The BoJ is anticipated to raise interest rates to 0.75% from 0.5% at a two-day policy meeting ending on Friday. This move would bring the benchmark rate to a three-decade high.BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated last week that the likelihood of the central bank's baseline economic and price outlook materializing had been gradually increasing. Ueda added that the Japanese central bank is getting closer to attaining its inflation target. 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.

New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.1% QoQ in the third quarter (Q3), compared with a 1.0% contraction (revised from -0.9%) in the second quarter, Statistics New Zealand showed on Thursday. This reading came in stronger than the expectation of 0.9%.

.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}} New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.1% QoQ in the third quarter (Q3), compared with a 1.0% contraction (revised from -0.9%) in the second quarter, Statistics New Zealand showed on Thursday. This reading came in stronger than the expectation of 0.9%.The third-quarter GDP expanded by 1.3% YoY, compared with a fall of 1.1% (revised from -0.6%) in Q2, while matching the estimation of a 1.3% growth.Market reaction to New Zealand’s GDP dataThe upbeat New Zealand GDP report fails to boost the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). The NZD/USD pair is trading at 0.5772, losing 0.27% on the day. GDP FAQs What is GDP and how is it recorded? A country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the rate of growth of its economy over a given period of time, usually a quarter. The most reliable figures are those that compare GDP to the previous quarter e.g Q2 of 2023 vs Q1 of 2023, or to the same period in the previous year, e.g Q2 of 2023 vs Q2 of 2022. Annualized quarterly GDP figures extrapolate the growth rate of the quarter as if it were constant for the rest of the year. These can be misleading, however, if temporary shocks impact growth in one quarter but are unlikely to last all year – such as happened in the first quarter of 2020 at the outbreak of the covid pandemic, when growth plummeted. How does GDP influence currencies? A higher GDP result is generally positive for a nation’s currency as it reflects a growing economy, which is more likely to produce goods and services that can be exported, as well as attracting higher foreign investment. By the same token, when GDP falls it is usually negative for the currency. When an economy grows people tend to spend more, which leads to inflation. The country’s central bank then has to put up interest rates to combat the inflation with the side effect of attracting more capital inflows from global investors, thus helping the local currency appreciate. How does higher GDP impact the price of Gold? When an economy grows and GDP is rising, people tend to spend more which leads to inflation. The country’s central bank then has to put up interest rates to combat the inflation. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold versus placing the money in a cash deposit account. Therefore, a higher GDP growth rate is usually a bearish factor for Gold price.

EUR/USD hovers around its Wednesday’s opening price at around 1.1750 virtually unchanged amid a scarce economic docket in the US that witnessed a Dollar recovery. Meanwhile, inflation figures from the Eurozone (EZ) and business confidence deterioration in Germany, kept the single currency pressured.

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Meanwhile, inflation figures from the Eurozone (EZ) and business confidence deterioration in Germany, kept the single currency pressured.Single currency trades flat as softer Eurozone inflation and weak German sentiment offset dovish Fed rhetoricIn the US, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic crossed the wires, saying that the he expects GDP growth is solid and that he expects the trend to continue in 2026. Earlier, Fed Governor Christopher Waller struck neutral to dovish comments, saying that he supports further easing the next year.Ahead, the US docket will feature inflation figures and the US, and Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending December 13.Across the pond, inflation in EZ dipped a relief for the European Central Bank (ECB) which hinted that the easing cycle was done. German’s IFO Business Confidence poll reported that sentiment deteriorated for the second straight month.Traders’ eyes shift to ECB’s December monetary policy meeting, which is expected to be an event that would not move the needle, as President Christine Lagarde and Co., are expected to hold rates unchanged, for this meeting and for the whole next year.In the meantime, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could be a headwind for the Euro. The Ukrainian President Zelenskiy exerts pressure on Europe, saying that they should use Russia’s frozen assets to end Putin’s appetite for war.Politico revealed that the US and Russia would hold talks over Ukraine war in Miami this weekend. Euro Price This week The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies this week. Euro was the strongest against the Australian Dollar. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD -0.03% 0.02% -0.14% 0.12% 0.65% 0.43% -0.09% EUR 0.03% 0.07% -0.13% 0.12% 0.70% 0.45% -0.06% GBP -0.02% -0.07% -0.06% 0.10% 0.65% 0.40% -0.10% JPY 0.14% 0.13% 0.06% 0.25% 0.81% 0.56% 0.29% CAD -0.12% -0.12% -0.10% -0.25% 0.55% 0.31% -0.04% AUD -0.65% -0.70% -0.65% -0.81% -0.55% -0.24% -0.75% NZD -0.43% -0.45% -0.40% -0.56% -0.31% 0.24% -0.51% CHF 0.09% 0.06% 0.10% -0.29% 0.04% 0.75% 0.51% 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 Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote). Daily digest market movers: Euro steadies ahead of ECB’s meetingRaphael Bostic said that although a close call, “inflation is more worrying than jobs.” He said that GDP growth is solid and that a stronger economy “will take pressure off the job market.”Fed Governor Christopher Waller said that recent rate cuts have supported the labor market, noting that policy remains 50 to 100 basis points above neutral. However, he stressed that there is no urgency to deliver additional easing, adding that inflation is unlikely to reaccelerate.The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that Nonfarm Payrolls increased by 64K in November, topping forecasts of 50K and rebounding from October’s revised –105K decline. However, the Unemployment Rate rose to 4.6% from 4.4%, overshooting the Federal Reserve’s 4.5% projection.Meanwhile, US Retail Sales stalled in October, unchanged on the month after a 0.1% gain in September and below expectations for a modest increase. In contrast, control-group sales, which feed directly into GDP calculations, rebounded sharply, rising 0.8% after a prior 0.1% contraction.Technical outlook: EUR/USD remains bullish above 1.1700EUR/USD consolidates in the mid-range of the 1.1700-1.1800 area as traders wait for the ECB’s decision. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is bullish an indication that buyers are in control. But their lack of strength to clear 1.1800, would pave the way for further downside.If EUR/USD clears 1.1800, expect a test of the 1.1850 region and, ultimately, the yearly high at 1.1918. Otherwise, the EUR/USD could drop below 1.1700, clearing the path to challenge the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) near 1.1651, ahead of the 1.1600 handle.EUR/USD daily chart 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.
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