Dollar higher as virus spreads
The dollar nudged higher as the coronavirus continues to spread. Deaths in China related to the virus reached 100 and more than 4,500 others have been infected in more than a dozen countries. Safe-haven buying of the Swiss franc and Japanese yen has slowed, but Asian equities are still under fire and global bonds are well bid, the US Treasury 10-year yield dropped to 1.60%. Oil rose slightly, but commodity prices in general have been falling as investors grow increasingly concerned about global growth being affected by the virus.
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FX Rates
January 28, 2020Rates are not real time. Rates are today's indicative mid-market rates as of time of publishing, which may vary. Please contact SVB for a current quote.
EUR/USD 1.1004 GBP/USD 1.2992 USD/CAD 1.3197 AUD/USD 0.6752 USD/JPY 108.98 USD/CNH 6.9753 USD/ILS 3.4590 USD/MXN 18.8515 USD/CHF 0.9726 USD/INR 71.3400
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USD
The dollar moved higher as the ultimate safe haven currency. The virus has spread from Asia to Europe, keeping pressure on currencies in those regions. US equity futures are poised to open higher as markets recoup from the recent sell-off. US Treasury 10-year yields dropped briefly to four-month lows at 1.57%. Traders await the Fed’s first meeting of the year, with expectations that rates will be kept unchanged.
GBPThe UK pound fell nearly to $1.30 as traders prepare for Thursday’s BoE decision, when a cut in rates is still a possibility.
EURThe euro fell nearly to $1.10 overnight, its lowest since December 2, but in-line with broad dollar buying. Germany confirmed their first case of the coronavirus.
CADThe USD/CAD currency pair is unchanged overnight, but only after first spiking just above 1.32, its highest level since early December. Ontario confirmed their first case of the virus.
ASIA/PACIFICThe Chinese yuan gained slightly after the People’s Bank of China issued a statement about providing ample liquidity to China’s financial markets when they reopen on February 3.
The Japanese yen was actively traded with swings related to changes in risk appetite associated with the coronavirus. Japanese health officials confirmed seven people are infected with virus.
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