Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Feb 20, 2018)

Markets will reopen today and another round of risk-taking could prompt weakness for the safe-haven currency. There are no major reports from the US today, so sentiment could be a main mover.

EUR

The euro was mostly weaker due to a lower than expected current account surplus. There were no other reports released from the region, leaving traders to price in expectations for the ECB minutes due later in the week. Today has German PPI and the ZEW economic sentiment figures lined up.

GBP

The pound also gave up ground to most of its peers when Brexit concerns resurfaced in the headlines. PM May's spokesperson said that ministers are setting plans for the post-Brexit EU deal, which reminded market watchers that a plan isn't actually set in stone yet. BOE Governor Carney's speech contained no surprises and the CBI industrial order expectations index is due next.

CHF

The franc slid lower to the yen and dollar but managed to hold its ground against the commodity currencies. There were no reports out of the Swiss economy then while today has the trade balance due. A larger surplus of 2.78 billion CHF is eyed compared to the earlier 2.63 billion CHF figure.

JPY

The yen gave back some of its previous gains as traders continued to book profits after last week's rallies. There were no reports out of Japan then and none are due today, which means that risk sentiment could be the prime mover of yen pairs.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

New Zealand printed stronger than expected quarterly PPI figures, keeping bulls hopeful that the RBNZ could shift its policy stance sooner rather than later. Still, PPI readings were slightly weaker compared to the previous quarter. The RBA minutes were released and it revealed that the central bank was slightly more optimistic about the consumer sector. Canadian wholesale sales and New Zealand's GDT auction are lined up next. 

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way