(EUR/USD, EUR/GBP) Market Participants Betting On A More Hawkish ECB, A Dovish BoJ Weighs On The Safe-Haven Currency (USD/JPY) - Good Morning Forex!

Market Trends and Currency Positioning: USD Net Short Position, Euro and Pound Analysis - 22.08.2023

Summary:

  • The market sentiment for the EUR/USD currency pair turns mixed.
  • Inflation and economic data weighing on the GBP.
  • BoJ continues to fight rising interest rates.
  • AUD strengthens amidst favourable unemployment data.

The market seems to be favouring the Euro for a change

The market is signalling mixed market sentiment for this currency pair. The U.S dollar lost ground to the EUR during Thursdays early trading, however, the demand for the safe-haven asset remains steady due to investor risk sentiment still being fragile. Earlier this week the Fed announced they would push interest rates as high as necessary to fight the surging inflation. On Thursday the market is waiting for the minutes from the latest European Central Bank (ECB) meeting to be released, hoping there will be an indication of a tightening in monetary policy.

Read next: (EUR/USD) Hopes Of A Hawkish ECB Shows Favour To The Euro, (EUR/GBP) UK CPI Inflation Data Knocks The Pound Sterling - Good Morning Forex! 

This begs the question: despite the Fed's already hawkish monetary policy, why is the market not pricing in much for the hawkish Fed, but pricing in a lot for the European Central Bank (ECB) ?

(EUR/USD, EUR/GBP) Market Participants Betting On A More Hawkish ECB, A Dovish BoJ Weighs On The Safe-Haven Currency (USD/JPY) - 1

EUR/USD Price Chart

BoE and ECB expected to raise interest rates

The market is reflecting a mixed market sentiment on Thursday. Earlier in the trading week, UK economic data releases weighted on the value of the Pound Sterling, global investor sentiment and the current equity bear market are both aspects that could mean further losses for the GBP. Earlier on in the trading week, the GBP gained on both the Euro and the US Dollar, but a midweek sentiment turn around has bought the Pound Sterling back down. Both the ECB and the Bank of England (BOE) are expected to raise interest rates.

(EUR/USD, EUR/GBP) Market Participants Betting On A More Hawkish ECB, A Dovish BoJ Weighs On The Safe-Haven Currency (USD/JPY) - 2

EUR/GBP Price Chart

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USD continues to beat the JPY

The Japanese yen seems to be an underperformer in the past week, perhaps this is due to the rising U.S yields by the Fed amidst the Bank of Japan (BoJ) fighting against tightening their monetary policy. Should the market face a big risk-off sentiment, the JPY might see some gains, however in this currency pair, it may not be noticeable due to the USD also being seen as a safe-haven currency.

(EUR/USD, EUR/GBP) Market Participants Betting On A More Hawkish ECB, A Dovish BoJ Weighs On The Safe-Haven Currency (USD/JPY) - 3

USD/JPY Price Chart

AUD regains some investor confidence

Market sentiment for this currency pair is bullish. Investor confidence has increased in the Australian Dollar after the unemployment rate for April came in at 3.9% which not only exceeded market expectations but is also the lowest rate since the 1970s.

(EUR/USD, EUR/GBP) Market Participants Betting On A More Hawkish ECB, A Dovish BoJ Weighs On The Safe-Haven Currency (USD/JPY) - 4

AUD/JPY Price Chart

Read next: (EUR/USD, EUR/GBP) Euro Strengthens In The Wake Of Villeroys Comments On Monday, (AUD/JPY), (GBP/USD) Pound Sterling Showing Strength - Good Morning Forex!  

Sources: finance.yahoo.com, dailyfx.com, poundsterlinglive.com

Market Trends and Currency Positioning: USD Net Short Position, Euro and Pound Analysis - 22.08.2023

Rebecca Duthie

Remote Editor and writer Intern
FXMAG.COM

Rebecca has a bachelors degree in Investment Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently enrolled in a Masters program in International Management with a Specialization in International Finance.