ACY

Last Friday’s non-farm payroll (NFP) data sent shockwaves through the US Stock markets, igniting a flurry of activity and significant price movements. The US dollar continued its relentless march upward, leaving currencies like the pound, euro, Aussie, and Kiwi tumbling. Meanwhile, equities faltered as inflation fears and interest rate uncertainty gripped investors.

The latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes and insights from Governor Christopher Waller provide a nuanced view of the Federal Reserve’s approach to monetary policy in early 2025. These developments highlight the central bank's cautious but forward-looking stance amidst persistent inflation concerns and evolving labour market conditions.

I’ve noticed that recently the market had some significant shifts, with recent data releases and central bank communications shaping market sentiment across major economies. A key focus remains on inflationary pressures in the United States, evolving monetary policy signals from the Bank of Japan (BoJ), and fiscal adjustments in Europe. Together, these dynamics have triggered notable currency movements and investor expectations.

Inflation is moving faster than the days themselves, and today’s market data sheds light on where we’re heading. The U.S. core CPI figures were released, surprising many, including me. The core CPI came in at 0.2%, lower than the expected 0.3%, while the regular CPI landed as anticipated at 0.4%. While the drop may seem minor, it’s an indication that inflation, though still sticky, is starting to slow down.

In December, US headline inflation climbed to 0.4% month-on-month, outpacing the prior month and Bloomberg's consensus estimate of 0.3%.

As inflation continues to shape the financial landscape, mastering its intricacies will remain indispensable for success in the forex market.

As 2024 comes to an end, traders, policymakers, are closely examining key currency trends and their ripple effects across the financial ecosystems...

Japan finds itself at a pivotal economic moment in 2024. After decades of stagnation and structural challenges, the nation is grappling with an unsettling mix of monetary tightening, cautious household spending, and global uncertainties.

The FX market offers a real-time snapshot of the global economy’s pulse.