Dollar strong as coronavirus sours sentiment
The dollar continues to rise on virus-impact concerns. Apple indicated that they don’t expect to meet revenue guidance for Q1 due to work slowdowns amid the coronavirus outbreak. Additional companies are expected to follow Apple’s lead. The pound was the only major currency advancing versus the dollar after UK Finance Minister Sunak confirmed a budget will be delivered on time.
ECONOMIC DATA:
Tuesday: German ZEW Survey, NAHB housing market index, December TIC flows, Empire Manufacturing
Wednesday: UK/CANADA/EC CPIs
Thursday: US Jobless Claims, Philly Fed
Friday: French Markit Manufacturing
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FX Rates
February 18, 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 1.0796 GBP/USD 1.3023 USD/CAD 1.3260 AUD/USD 0.6692 USD/JPY 109.93 USD/CNH 7.0031 USD/ILS 3.4220 USD/MXN 18.6153 USD/CHF 0.9835 USD/INR 71.5612
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USDThe dollar is trading higher versus G-10 peers to nearly a four-month high, its strength derived from expected economic impacts of the coronavirus on global economic growth. February Empire manufacturing came in better than expected, and NAHB Housing Market Index and Treasury International Capital (TIC) data (which measures flows of portfolio capital into and out of the US) are also due out today.GBP
The pound outperformed and pushed past $1.30 after British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed he will deliver a budget as planned on March 11. The pound reversed negative positions versus both the dollar and the euro on conflicting reports of EU/UK trade negotiation progress.
EURThe euro hit a three-year low versus the dollar in early trading after German ZEW missed expectations and as the coronavirus weakens Europe’s trade potential.
CADThe US dollar is stronger versus the loonie after Canada’s manufacturing sales fell in December. The USD/CAD currency pair rose to its highest level in six days.
ASIA/PACIFICUSD/JPY is tracking largely sideways as the safe haven currencies remain strong in the wake of the coronavirus. Japan posted is second-worst quarter in a decade, reporting GDP in Q4 ’19 fell 6.3% annualized driven by a drop in consumer spending.
USD/CNH traded to a one-month high of 7.0231 - above the psychologically important 7.00 figure - as Asia reacts to Apple’s warning, and the PBOC's lowering of repo rates in an attempt to mitigate short term consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.
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