Asian currencies strengthened significantly against the U.S. dollar following a U.S.-Iran interim peace deal, as lower oil prices and improved risk appetite boosted investor sentiment across the region's foreign exchange markets.
The dollar strengthened to a two-month high as Gulf tensions elevated oil prices and reduced risk appetite, while the Japanese yen approached the 160-per-dollar intervention threshold, prompting expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike.
The yen roars back to 157 after a suspected 5-6 trillion yen BoJ intervention.
The dollar rises as investors await the Federal Reserve rate decision amid ongoing Iran war tensions.
The dollar steadied Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's rate decision under Chair Powell's potential departure, while Middle East conflict tensions and safe-haven demand kept currency markets volatile across major exchanges.
The U.S. dollar declined for a second consecutive week as a ten-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire and prospects for U.S.-Iran negotiations reduced safe-haven demand, with the dollar index falling to 98.2 amid geopolitical de-escalation.
The US dollar reached a two-month high after strong employment data showing 172,000 job additions intensified Federal Reserve rate hike expectations, while geopolitical tensions and technology selloffs created broader market volatility amid inflation concerns.
EUR/CHF trades at 0.915, virtually unchanged, with analysts expecting a rise in coming months.
USD/JPY trades near a two-year high at 160.29, up 0.69% with a positive configuration.
The dollar rises as a safe-haven currency ahead of the Fed decision.
OCBC strategists warn of potential intervention near USD/JPY 160 level.
Oil prices rise amid concerns over the fragile US-Iran ceasefire and potential disruption to energy supplies.
Middle East tensions and strong U.S. services inflation data strengthened the dollar to a two-month high, while the yen weakened toward 160 per dollar, prompting intervention concerns and signaling potential Bank of Japan rate hikes.
USD/JPY trades sideways around 156.30 amid intervention risk and upcoming US jobs data.
OCBC strategists expect USD/JPY to trade in a range due to intervention risk and high oil prices.
Global currency markets held steady as investors awaited major central bank decisions, with the Federal Reserve expected to maintain rates while geopolitical tensions and Powell's leadership future kept sentiment fragile amid safe-haven demand.
OCBC strategists expect a 25bp BoJ hike on April 28 to address credibility risks.