iFOREX Daily Analysis : September 19,2018

 | Sep 19, 2018 06:48AM ET

The US Dollar was again overall trading lower against other major currencies, with the US Dollar Index (USDX) trading at its lowest point since July. Some analysts see the Chinese countermeasures, following the announcement that the United States would seek to impose tariffs on $200 bn. worth of Chinese exports to the US possibly affecting the Dollar.

Despite the recent announcement of the central bank to raise interest rates, the Turkish Lira again extended its losses against hard currencies like the Dollar, after Turkish president Erdogan once again frightened investors after demanding that the stake in the Isbank, which is the largest bank in Turkey, belonging to the opposition party ‘CHP’ should be transferred to the Treasury.
Gold traded modestly higher, following the decline in Dollar value, while WTI oil traded again under $70, after data from the API indicated crude oil stockpiles up by 1.25 million barrels.

Cryptocurrencies mostly traded higher by a small margin, while Ripple managed to gain over 15% within 24 hours after it was revealed that in a test run, 12 previously not interconnected banks in different regions successfully settled transactions in Ripple tokens.

On Wednesday in the United Kingdom inflation data will be released and in the US data on new Housing Starts and Permits. In emerging market economies today South Africa releases its CPI data, Russia its GDP, Unemployment Rate and Retail Sales statistic and in Brazil the central bank is due to announce its interest rate decision.

EUR/USD

After reaching a new 2-weeks high, the EUR/USD traded with very limited upside on Wednesday morning. Analysts see the Dollar now also facing pressure over the extended trade conflict with China, as the Chinese side starts to announce its countermeasures.
Meanwhile Eurostat reported the highest job vacancy rate for the Euro area since 2004, with Belgium, Netherlands and Germany showing the highest percentage in this statistic. Due to the still strong economy companies find it increasingly difficult to fill open positions.

On Wednesday the European Central Bank (ECB) will publish its Current Account level statistic and later towards the afternoon a speech by ECB President Draghi is expected.