Headlines:
- ECB's Kažimír: We need to deliver two more 50 bps rate hikes
- BOJ continues to keep the bond bears at bay for now
- Yellen: Overall good feeling that inflation is coming down
- Bundesbank says German economy likely stagnated in Q4
- SNB total sight deposits w.e. 20 January CHF 531.6 bn vs CHF 536.2 bn prior
Markets:
- AUD leads, JPY lags on the day
- European equities slightly higher; S&P 500 futures up 0.1%
- US 10-year yields up 2.2 bps to 3.506%
- Gold flat at $1,927.16
- WTI crude up 0.6% to $82.15
- Bitcoin up 2.6% to $22,912
It was a largely quiet session as broader markets are taking a cue from Asia amid the Lunar New Year holidays. Overall trading sentiment was more mixed with a lack of key drivers to really get markets excited to start the new week.
Equities remain cautiously optimistic after Friday's gains while bond yields nudged higher and that kept the dollar in a mixed spot throughout the session.
The greenback was marginally lower but kept a decent advance against the yen, before we saw the pound also fall in European morning trade.
EUR/USD remains perky, riding on the back of more hawkish commentary by the ECB as of late. The pair touched fresh highs since April last year just above 1.0900 before retreating back to 1.0880 at the moment.
USD/JPY inched higher just back above 130.00 early on in the session and stuck there for the most part, though still being caught in a predominantly downside trend as mentioned here.
Meanwhile, GBP/USD ran up to test its December highs of 1.2443-46 in Asia trading before a steady retreat as European traders stepped in. The pair fell to 1.2350 before keeping closer to 1.2370 now, still down 0.2% on the day.
The aussie is the lead gainer, buoyed by the steadier risk mood with AUD/USD knocking on the door of key resistance at 0.7000 - up 0.5% today.
