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Fed comments support dollar, equities trade lower
Central banks controlled the airwaves the previous two days. The US Fed kept interest rates unchanged and signaled that they expect Congress to provide further stimulus to the American economy. The pound fell sharply versus the dollar as the BOE left rates unchanged, but commented that they had begun exploring how to implement negative rates. Bank of Japan also kept rates unchanged. The yen is the largest gainer today with the dollar close behind as markets trade risk-off.
“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”
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FX Rates
September 17, 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 1.1804 GBP/USD 1.2895 USD/CAD 1.3222 AUD/USD 0.7287 USD/JPY 104.70 USD/CNH 6.7718 USD/ILS 3.4231 USD/MXN 21.0240 USD/CHF 0.9102 USD/INR 73.6525
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USDThe dollar strengthened and held on following weak labor and housing data released this morning. Philly Fed index came in at 15.0 matching consensus and Initial Jobless Claims fell short of estimates. Yesterday, the FOMC announced interest rates could stay at zero through 2023 as the central bank tries to spur inflation. Jerome Powell reiterated “the path ahead remains highly uncertain” and stressed the need for further financial stimulus to be approved through Congress.GBP
The pound fell 0.7% versus the dollar and BOE kept rates unchanged but surprised investors by noting that they had begun exploring how negative interest rates may be implemented.
EURThe euro recovered steep earlier losses and is now just 0.1% lower versus the dollar. The pair reached its previous September low near $1.1750 after the greenback gained following comments by the Fed.
CADThe Canadian dollar slipped as the greenback strengthened ahead of data out of the US and Canada. Canada's ADP data showed that employment declined sharply in August, furthering the slide versus the dollar.
ASIA/PACIFICThe Japanese yen continues to extend its rally as markets trade risk-off. The BOJ kept monetary policy unchanged as expected with Governor Kuroda saying “The BOJ will continue with measures that are exerting positive effects on the economy."
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