Asia FX, dollar subdued as investors weigh Fed cut bets, geopolitical risks
Asian currencies broadly traded with caution on Monday, weighed down by reduced expectations for a significant Federal Reserve rate cut in September and simmering geopolitical risks ahead of key U.S.-Ukraine talks.
The US Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, was largely steady in Asia hours after losses in the previous session.
Markets ease bets for outsized Fed easing
Last week’s hotter-than-expected U.S. producer price index (PPI) and robust retail sales figures have cooled speculation of a half-point Fed rate cut in September, lowering forecasts to a more modest 25-basis-point move.
This trimmed expectations for rapid monetary easing, underpinning the U.S. dollar and putting pressure on Asia FX.
The Japanese yen’s USD/JPY edged up 0.1% on Monday. Data on Friday showed that Japan’s economy expanded more than expected in the second quarter.
In China, both the onshore USD/CNY and offshore USD/CNH yuan pairs traded largely unchanged on Monday.
Last week’s data showed that Chinese industrial production in July fell short of expectations, while retail sales figures also missed forecasts, raising calls for additional government stimulus.
Singapore dollar’s USD/SGD pair was largely unchanged, while the Indian rupee’s USD/INR pair fell 0.2%.
The South Korean won’s USD/KRW pair declined 0.4%.
The Australian dollar’s AUD/USD pair edged 0.2% higher on Monday.
US-Ukraine talks awaited to gauge risk sentiment
At last week’s Anchorage summit, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended discussions without agreement on Ukraine.
Trump, who previously insisted on a ceasefire as a precondition, shifted closer to Moscow’s position by backing a full peace deal first.
Investors are now watching Trump’s meeting later on Monday with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders in Washington.
With no clear outcome, traders remained sidelined, keeping Asian forex trading subdued until there was more clarity from the Washington talks.
Source: Investing.com
