• December 11, 2024
  • 2 comments

The Dollar's Influence on Global Currencies

Advertisements

In the ever-shifting landscape of global finance, the U.Sdollar stands as a colossal force, akin to a tidal wave sweeping through the markets and noticeably impacting currencies such as the Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, and New Zealand dollarAs traders and investors navigate this complex terrain, the question arises: who or what will dictate the future of currency exchange rates?

Taking a closer look at the Japanese yen, we find ourselves at a crossroadsOn December 9th, amid Asian trading, the yen experienced a momentary uptick, buoyed by an upward revision of Japan's third-quarter GDP figures—an encouraging sign for the currencyYet, underlying this brief surge was a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Bank of Japan's potential interest rate adjustments in December or JanuaryThis ambiguity has led to conflicting opinions within the market, casting a shadow over the yen's potential for sustained growth

Investors possess a distinct apprehension regarding the long-term value of the yen, resulting in a hesitance to engage in significant buying activity.

Simultaneously, the prevailing sentiment anticipation surrounding the Federal Reserve's potential rate cuts in December has put downward pressure on U.STreasury yieldsNotably, there exists a complex interplay between Treasury yields and the yen; typically, a decline in U.Syields would reduce the dollar's allure, thereby benefiting the yen, which is traditionally viewed as a safe havenHowever, the unknown variables surrounding the Bank of Japan's monetary strategy are dampening enthusiasm for the yen, thus preventing a corresponding appreciation in its valueFurther complicating matters are geopolitical tensions and concerns regarding upcoming trade tariffs, which loom over the currency market—serving as unseen forces that impact exchange rates

Investors often turn to safe-haven assets in times of geopolitical unrest, which would generally favor the yen; conversely, uncertainty around U.Strade policies can cast a pall over global economic prospects, further influencing the yen's trajectory.

From a technical standpoint, analysts suggest that the U.Sdollar is currently in a bearish consolidation phase against the yenIndicators on the daily chart reveal an ongoing downside pressureKey support levels rest at the post-non-farm payroll report low of 149.35; if broken, the 149.00 mark and the 100-day moving average will come into play, potentially leading to further declines to the range of 148.10 to 148.00. Conversely, resistance levels exist around 150.55, 150.70, the round number 151.00, and the prior week's high of 151.20 to 151.25, which may prove challenging for the dollar against the yenThe future movement of the yen largely hinges upon the direction of the Bank of Japan’s monetary policies and the evolution of global trade and geopolitical climates.

Next, we turn our attention to the Canadian dollar, which also finds itself intertwined with the dollar's fluctuations, grappling with its own challenges

On December 9th, during early European trading, the USD/CAD pair continued its upward trajectory, peaking near 1.4170, while the Canadian dollar succumbed to pressures stemming from market expectations that the Bank of Canada would slash interest rates significantly at its upcoming meetingForecasts suggest a rate reduction of 50 basis points, bringing the benchmark rate down to 3.25%. This strong expectation has fundamentally dampened the attractiveness of the Canadian dollar as investors grapple with the implications of lower yields on their holdings.

With lower interest rates translating to diminished returns on Canadian dollar assets, funds are increasingly gravitating towards the allure of higher-yielding U.Sdollar assetsIn this context, the prospects for the Canadian dollar appear grimOn a technical basis, the risk of further declines in the Canadian dollar looms large, framed by the looming specter of rising tariffs on Canadian imports by the U.S., which is akin to a tempest escalating the downward pressure further

alefox

The outlook for the Canadian dollar will significantly depend on the forthcoming decisions made by the Bank of Canada regarding monetary policy and the developments in U.S.-Canada trade relations.

Should the Bank of Canada follow through with steep rate cuts and trade relations with the U.Sremain tense, the Canadian dollar could very likely remain stagnant at lower levels or even decline furtherConversely, should the Canadian central bank reconsider the extent of its rate cut or if signs of improving trade ties materialize, there could be a flicker of hope for the Canadian dollar.

Lastly, we analyze the New Zealand dollar, which has felt the pressure in the wake of a strengthening dollarOn December 9th, during early European sessions, the NZD/USD pair fell under pressure, dropping close to 0.5805—primarily attributed to heightened demand for the dollar

The forthcoming U.SConsumer Price Index (CPI) report for November is capturing market attention as traders speculate on its implications for Federal Reserve policyFederal Reserve officials seem poised to lower interest rates come December, with the market assigning an 85.1% probability to a 25-basis point cut, impacting the dollar's relationship with the New Zealand dollar.

Recent appreciation of the dollar might lead to a short-term profit-taking scenario, which could act as a limiting factor for further declines in the kiwiFrom a market perspective, when dollar investors capitalize on gains, it can result in decreased dollar demand, alleviating some of the depreciation pressure on the New Zealand dollarThe broader market sentiment suggests that upcoming inflation data could significantly influence the Fed's approach to rate cutsShould the Fed hint at a pause in its rate reduction strategy, the dollar could gain additional strength, placing greater pressure on the New Zealand dollar; conversely, if the Fed's cut aligns with or exceeds market anticipations, the kiwi might experience a reduction in downward momentum.

The future trajectory of the New Zealand dollar will rely heavily on the performance of U.S