iFOREX Daily Analysis : January 23,2018

 | Jan 23, 2018 05:33AM ET

The US Dollar traded lower against other currencies with the US Dollar Index (USDX) closing 0.35% lower. While the Japanese Yen (JPY) was clearly weaker ahead of the Bank of Japan interest rate announcement, the British Pound Sterling (GBP) climbed to a new high against the Dollar – not seen after the Brexit referendum was decided. UK unemployment statistics, which are due to be released on Wednesday could give further impulses. The South African Rand (ZAR)/USD marked a new 2 ½ year low over optimism that the ruling ANC party will be successful in forcing President Zuma, who is seen as burden for the economy, to resign.

Gold traded within its previous day’s range as the government shutdown ended already on Monday with agreement from both parties to extend funding. However there seems to be some ongoing concern as the extension is again only short-lived and both parties demand significant concessions from each other. Oil closed higher supported by news that Saudi-Arabia and Russia want to keep production cuts going beyond the current year.

US equity indices continued to reach all-time high level over optimism about the ongoing earning season. Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) jumped in after hours trading as already positive estimates were surpassed.

Cryptocurrencies further declined in Monday’s trading with Bitcoin again testing the $10,000 level. Traders are concerned not only about further restrictions in China, which already clamped down significantly on the market but plans by Germany and France to put cryptocurrency regulation on the G20 meeting agenda in March this year.

On Tuesday the German ZEW economic and business survey results will be released. In the United Kingdom the CBI Industrial Trends Survey and in the US the Redbook Store Sales and Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index will be published.

EUR/USD

The EUR/USD traded higher on Monday even though there were reports suggesting that an agreement between Democrats and Republicans to restore US federal government funding would emerge shortly. Euro traders will look on Tuesday at the results of the German ZEW survey. The ongoing progress in forming a government coalition in Germany could also influence markets. The European Central Bank (ECB) meeting on Thursday is seen as a key event this week for the common market currency.