Market News

The U.S. Dollar was broadly higher and the Index pushed to a 2-week peak during the Asian trading session following speculation that the Federal Reserve is on the verge of an interest rate increase.

Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday due to caution over the Federal Reserve's policy meeting and the health of China's property market.

The Japanese Yen eased from its recent highs versus the common currency Euro and the U.S. Dollar as investors’ concerns over the crisis in Ukraine appeared to be waning, at least for the present.

FX players have pushed the Japanese Yen higher, now beginning the trading week at the high of its recent trading range as markets seek out safe haven investments in the wake of an escalation of geopolitical tension in the Crimean section of the Ukraine

The geopolitical situation in Ukraine escalated once again and resulted in increased movement into the Japanese Yen and the Swiss Franc, safe haven currencies that FX players demand during times of uncertainty.

Risk appetite continued to be subdued as investors worries grow over the ongoing Ukraine crisis and the impending Chinese economic slowdown, with the result that FX traders moved strongly into safe haven assets such as the Swiss Franc and the Japanese Yen.

Concerns over the political crisis that is escalating in Ukraine and worries that China’s economy might be on the verge of a major slowdown have resulted in an increased movement into safe haven currencies.

The Japanese Yen was range bound against its main rival the U.S. Dollar during Tuesday’s Asian trading session as FX players waited for the Bank of Japan’s policy setting committee to hand down their latest decision.

Safe haven demand once again pushed the Japanese Yen broadly higher after disappointing economic data out of China reinforced investors’ concerns that the Chinese economy, the second largest in the world, was on the verge of a slowdown.

The common currency Euro held close to Thursday’s 2-month peak versus its main rival, the U.S. Dollar, as FX players show their relief after Mario Draghi and the European Central Bank maintained the status quo on monetary policy.

In Asian trading today, the Euro was on the defensive as investors await the outcome of the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting later today.

The Japanese Yen steadied against its main adversary, the U.S. Dollar, despite heavy losses incurred on Tuesday as investors’ risk appetite improved following the easing of geopolitical tensions in Ukraine.

European stock markets posted sharp losses on Monday as tensions in Ukraine escalated over the weekend with the U.S. and its allies confronting Russia about its latest move to occupy the country.

Demand for safe haven assets has increased significantly, pushing the Japanese Yen higher as a geopolitical continues to escalate in Ukraine following the mobilization of troops to counter those sent in by the government of Russia.

The U.S. Dollar steadied during Friday’s Asian trading session against both the Japanese Yen and the common currency Euro as investors’ risk appetite improved and gave the greenback the lift it needed to recoup earlier losses.