Virus uncertainty concerns over the global economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak weigh on sentiment. Yet the impact on global demand is just starting to be felt.
As the coronavirus continues to cause turmoil in global markets, risk appetite is likely to remain weak.
In efforts to boost confidence amid the economic impact of the virus outbreak China cut tariffs as part of the Phase 1 trade deal. This move came days after Chinese policymakers prepared measures to support China’s economy jolted by the coronavirus outbreak. Chinese authorities have also pumped in billions of dollars into money markets this week in an effort to restore calm.
GBP/USD declined 2.4%, its worst week since mid-December. The pound enjoyed a strong week, pushing above the 1.32 line for the first time in a month. The pound last week notched up its biggest weekly fall against the dollar in seven weeks. Investors priced in the risk of Britain failing to agree a trade deal with the EU in the 11 months left of the Brexit transition period.
The AUD/USD started last week with gains, but these were erased on Friday as the pair recorded sharp losses. The RBA maintained the benchmark rate at 0.75% for a fourth successive month but expressed concern over the U.S.-China trade war and the coronavirus.
The USD/CAD pushed above the 1.33-line last week as the pair touched its highest level in 11 weeks. Canada posted strong job numbers in January. The Canadian dollar slipped 2 percent in January and continues to lose ground so far in February.
The Dollar/yen jumped 1.28% in the pair’s best week since October.
LQDFXperts – US data boosted dollar
The EUR/USD currency pair posted considerable gains at the end of the week, coming close to the 1.11 level.
US Jobs Data showed U.S. non-farm payrolls increased by 225,000 jobs last month. The Fed, in its latest monetary policy report released on Friday, cited the fallout from the spreading virus as one of the risks to the U.S. economic outlook.
The dollar index posted its largest weekly percentage gain in more than two years propelled by a strong U.S. non-farm payrolls report. The positive US Jobs data followed a spate of upbeat economic data last week. The U.S. dollar also hit a two-month high against sterling and the Canadian dollar, a six-week peak versus the Swiss franc. Also, the greenback hit a four-month high against the euro.
Euro has lost 1.3% which was its worst weekly loss since November after German industrial output recorded its biggest decline in a decade in December.
LQDFXperts – The week ahead – Virus uncertainty weighs on sentiment
The coronavirus continues to weigh on investor risk appetite, and with China still struggling to contain the outbreak, risk assets are likely to remain under pressure.
- On Tuesday (11.02) the UK’s Office for National Statistics will be releasing the advance GDP report for the quarter. The estimate for the fourth quarter stands at a flat 0.0%
- On Wednesday (12.02) the Reserve Bank of New Zealand will be holding its monetary policy meeting this week. No changes are forecast as the central bank will be holding interest rates steady at 1.0%.
- On Thursday (13.02) US Data this week will see the release of the monthly inflation figures as well as retail sales numbers.
- On Friday (14.02) all eyes are on Data from the United States that will see the release of the monthly inflation figures as well as retail sales numbers.
Follow this week’s economic calendar.
PLEASE NOTE The information above is not investment advice.
Sources: Reuters, CNBC, FX street