iFOREX Daily Analysis : January 10,2018

 | Jan 10, 2018 02:41AM ET

The US Dollar traded higher against other major currencies, with the US Dollar Index (USDX) closing 0.17% higher. This was in part attributed to expectations that the Federal Reserve could further increase rates this year, while market participants are carefully watching FOMC member speeches this week. The Japanese Yen (JPY) traded higher against even the strong Dollar as the Bank of Japan reduced the purchase of long-dated government bonds and led to theories that the stimulus policy could end sooner than previously expected.

Gold was under pressure by the stronger US Dollar and also higher US Treasury yields. Oil closed at a 3-year record high, supported by confidence in OPEC production cuts as well as data from the API indicating significantly lower US oil stockpiles than expected.

US equity indices closed mixed with technology stocks lower but strong financial and health care stocks pushing the S&P 500 (US 500) to a new record close level.

While Bitcoin was again down by around 2%, Ripple significantly declined from its recent high. Ethereum continued its rise to a new all-time high and establishing itself again clearly as the second most valued cryptocurrency by market capitalization, ahead of Ripple. JP Morgan CEO mentioned that he does regret calling Bitcoin a “fraud”, while maintaining that he is still not actually interested in the cryptocurrency.

On Wednesday France publishes industrial production statistics. The United Kingdom will release global trade, manufacturing output and industrial production data. In the US import/export price, wholesale trade and mortgage market data is due to be released. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is due to publish its oil stockpile statistic.

EUR/USD

The EUR/USD [i] closed for the third consecutive day lower, despite positive economic data from Germany and steady unemployment figures in the European Union (EU). Some analysts explain this buy expectations that the US Federal Reserve would raise rates, while the ECB could be concerned about the strength of the Euro.

On Wednesday France publishes industrial production statistics. In the US import/export price, wholesale trade and mortgage market data is due to be released.