The dollar lost ground as yields edged lower and retreated to 1-week lows.

Benign US core inflation data and a solid US 10-year auction helped curbed upward pressure on bond yields. Stability in bonds helped underpin risk appetite as immediate concerns over a jump in yields faded. Wall Street equities posted significant gains and global bourses made headway with strong buying in China.

The dollar lost ground as yields edged lower and retreated to 1-week lows. EUR/USD edged above 1.1900 and held above this level on Thursday. Sterling maintained a solid tone amid recovery optimism and firm risk conditions with GBP/USD around 1.3950.

The Bank of Canada held rates at 0.25% and resisted more hawkish rhetoric, but USD/CAD edged lower amid global trends. Commodity currencies overall posted gains as the US currency retreated and equities advanced.

The Euro was held in tight ranges ahead of Wednesday’s New York open with caution ahead of the US inflation data and a lack of conviction over direction.

US consumer prices increased 0.4% for February after a 0.3% increase the previous month and in line with consensus forecasts with the year-on-year rate increasing to a 12-month high of  1.7% from 1.4%. Underlying prices increased 0.1% on the month compared with market expectations of a 0.2% increase with a slight decline in the year-on-year rate to 1.3% from 1.4%. Core prices were dampened by monthly declines in used cars and clothing prices.

The lower core inflation figure dampened concerns over an increase in inflationary pressure and also curbed expectations that the Fed would have to tighten policy more quickly. The dollar edged lower following the data with EUR/USD peaking around 1.1925.

There was an element of caution ahead of Thursday’s ECB policy meeting with uncertainty whether the bank would make a more determined effort to curb upward pressure on bond yields. The ECB is not expected to take significant action at this meeting and, although inflation forecasts are likely to be revised higher, sources suggest that this will be seen as a transitory effect. President Lagarde’s comments will be watched closely.

The dollar attempted to recover ground, but retreated again later in New York as risk appetite strengthened. With commodity currencies posting gains, EUR/USD found support below 1.1900. The dollar remained on the defensive on Thursday and traded at 1-week lows with EUR/USD edging higher to around 1.1930.

Chinese new loans growth slowed sharply to CNY1360bn for February from CNY3580bn previously, but this reflected the impact of new-year holidays and growth was above consensus forecasts. M2 money supply strengthened to 10.1% from 9.4% previously.

US bond yields edged lower following the US inflation data which undermined dollar demand and USD/JPY dipped below the 108.50 level to below 108.30.

The 10-year bond auction was relatively well received which helped underpin sentiment and continued to cap bond yields while Wall Street indices posted strong gains.

The $1.9trn economic stimulus package secured final congressional approval and the Administration quickly moved on to a planned $2.5trn infrastructure spending plan for the next four years. US equity indices held solid gains into the market close, limiting potential yen demand.

After two weeks of heavy selling, the latest data indicated that Japanese selling of US Treasuries had eased substantially which also helped cap short-term yields. US equity futures posted further gains and the yen weakened on the main crosses. USD/JPY strengthened to near 108.80 as EUR/JPY strengthened to 129.65.

Underlying confidence in the UK economic outlook remained strong during Tuesday as the vaccination programme continued to spark optimism over a re-opening of the economy and strong growth from the second quarter. There were some reservations over evidence that there was a higher mortality rate with the UK variant.

The row between the EU and UK over vaccine supplies tended to emphasise that the EU is lagging far behind which tended to support the UK currency in comparison to the Euro area. There were, however, some concerns that the row would cause further delays in ratifying the EU/UK trade deal in the EU parliament.

The UK currency was boosted by benign global risk conditions and gains in equity markets during the day. GBP/USD pushed back above the 1.3900 level as the dollar stumbled while GBP/EUR settled just above 1.1680 and close to 12-month highs.

The latest GDP and industrial production data will be released at Friday’s European open with consensus forecasts for a GDP contraction of around 5.0% as lockdown measures take effect. The latest RICS housing index was stronger than expected with a headline reading of 52% from 49% previously. Overall risk conditions held firm in early Europe and GBP/USD traded higher to around 1.3950 while there were 34-month highs around 151.50 for GBP/JPY.

Economic Calendar

ExpectedPrevious
08:00SECO Economic Forecasts
11:00OPEC Meeting
12:45Deposit Facility Rate(MAR 01)-0.5-0.5
12:45ECB Rate Decision(MAR)
13:30USD Continuing Jobless Claims4220K4295K
13:30USD Initial Jobless Claims725K745K
13:30ECB Press Conference
15:00USD JOLTs Job Openings(JAN)6.500M6.646M
18:30BOC Gov Council Member Schembri Speaks

*All rates shown are indicative of interbank rates and should only be used for indication purposes only. It is important to note that foreign exchange rates fluctuate and that rates may vary depending on the amount and the base currency that is purchased or sold. Rates are correct as of 8:00am UK time. CentralFX are not responsible for the rates shown.