Black Friday is Now! Don’t miss out on up to 60% OFF InvestingProCLAIM SALE

FOREX-Dollar off recent highs ahead of expected Fed rate hike

Published 15/03/2017, 11:55 am
© Reuters.  FOREX-Dollar off recent highs ahead of expected Fed rate hike
EUR/USD
-
USD/JPY
-

* Market prices in more than 90 pct chance of Fed lifting rates

* Euro off recent highs as Dutch vote looms

* Sterling nurses losses after plumbing 2-month lows

TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - The dollar was on tenterhooks in Asian trading on Wednesday as investors waited anxiously to see what clues the U.S. Federal Reserve would soon reveal on its monetary policy outlook.

The U.S. central bank began its two-day monetary policy meeting on Tuesday. With the futures market pricing in more than a 90 percent chance that it would raise interest rates, investors' main focus turned to what its statement would say about the pace of hikes this year.

Against its Japanese counterpart, the greenback edged down 0.1 percent to 114.67 JPY= , shy of last week's high of 115.51, which was its highest level since Jan. 19 as expectations built for the rate increase.

"I think the dollar might have trouble above the 115 level today, with Japanese exporters still seeking to sell above it ahead of the end of the Japanese fiscal year this month," said Kaneo Ogino, director at foreign exchange research firm Global-info Co in Tokyo.

"Of course, everyone is waiting for the Fed, so we're expecting range-bound trading until we get some clear signals about expectations for the rest of the year," he said.

U.S. inflation data overnight cemented rate hike expectations. U.S. producer prices rose more than expected last month, marking the most robust year-on-year gain in nearly five years. nursed its losses after tumbling to an eight-week low of $1.2110 GBP=D3 in the previous session, amid worries about a prolonged and painful process of the UK's exit from the European Union.

British Prime Minister Theresa May won parliamentary backing on Monday to begin the process of leaving the EU and start two years of talks that will shape the future of Britain and Europe, as Scotland mulled a possible second independence referendum. euro edged up 0.1 percent to $1.0613 EUR= but remained shy of its Monday high of $1.0714, its loftiest peak since early February, as concerns about a Dutch vote offset market speculation that the European Central Bank could be poised to wind down its stimulus programme.

The Netherlands will vote on Wednesday in an election that was seen as a test of anti-immigrant sentiment even before a rift with Turkey at the weekend put immigration and nationalism at the top of the political agenda.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.