💎 Fed’s first rate cut since 2020 set to trigger market. Find undervalued gems with Fair ValueSee Undervalued Stocks

FOREX-Euro struggles as French political concerns take toll

Published 20/02/2017, 11:27 am
© Reuters.  FOREX-Euro struggles as French political concerns take toll
EUR/USD
-
USD/JPY
-
NZD/USD
-
DX
-
DXY
-

* Euro struggles after fresh developments to French elections

* Euro nurses large losses vs dollar, yen

* Dollar feels relative strength of yen, sags vs Japanese currency

By Shinichi Saoshiro

TOKYO, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The euro struggled for traction against the dollar and yen early on Monday after suffering significant losses at the end of last week on renewed concerns about the upcoming French elections.

Markets, already nervous over the possibility of a win for far-right, anti-European Union candidate Marine Le Pen, were jolted after two French hard-left candidates late on Friday said they were discussing cooperation in their bid for the country's presidency. tensions over the political developments and what it could mean for the euro zone following Britain's shock decision last June to exit the EU were keeping the single currency under pressure.

The euro was 0.1 percent higher at 1.0619 EUR= after dropping 0.6 percent on Friday. The common currency nudged up 0.15 percent to 119.935 yen EURJPY= after plumbing an 11-day low of 119.650. It had slid nearly 1 percent on Friday against the yen.

"The latest round of risk aversion that supported the yen is likely to be a sporadic one, as equities are still well supported globally. It is not the typical 'risk off' that engulfs the broader financial markets and leads to the safe-haven buying of the yen," said Masafumi Yamamoto, chief forex strategist at Mizuho Securities.

For now, the dollar was held in check by the relative strength of the yen. The greenback extended Friday's drop and was down 0.1 percent at 112.850 yen JPY= , on track for a fourth straight session of losses.

Hopes of developments in fiscal stimulus plans under U.S. President Donald Trump have also not materialised yet, adding to the drag on the dollar.

A combative presidential news conference on Thursday raised doubts over how effective the Trump administration will be in pushing through its economic agenda.

The dollar index against a basket of currencies was down 0.15 percent at 100.800 .DXY .

Elsewhere, the pound rose 0.2 percent to $1.2431 GBP=D4 . The bounce was still modest in comparison to the 0.7 percent loss on Friday, after a surprise third monthly fall in British retail sales pointed to weakening consumer sentiment.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were little changed at $0.7667 AUD=D4 and $0.7180 NZD=D4 , respectively.

(Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

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.