
EBC Markets Briefing | Yen seems devoid of self-correcting mechanisms
The historic joint US-Japan action last month has failed to shift the forces weighing on the yen. The currency stays close to a major psychological level, even though the greenback is losing credibility. Japan's economy slowed in Q2 and missed forecasts on softer household and business spending, but
EBC Markets Briefing | Oil prices higher after Washington threated to collapse Iran
Oil prices hit a nearly one-month high on Friday after Trump threatened to retaliate against countries supporting Iran as part of his efforts to end the war. The latest data shows that ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained far below pre-war levels. Before the conflict, about 20% of the
EBC Markets Briefing | Aussie dollar takes back seat in an AI-driven world
Speculators are increasingly betting the RBA will raise interest rates again in November as inflation remains above the 2% target. Governor Bullock repeatedly stressed that inflation risks remain skewed to the upside. "While positions wagering on a September hike have been cut back, bets on a Novemb
EBC Markets Briefing | Sterling holds ground in the wake of Treasury buyback plan
The British pound hovered around the highest level in more than 3 years on Thursday on new US Treasury plans to steady the bond market against soaring long-term borrowing costs. A jump in household energy bills pushed British inflation to a 4-month high in July as expected, and it will likely rise f
EBC Markets Briefing | Swiss franc awaits US-Iran negotiation outcome
The Swiss franc was directionless on Tuesday as traders walked back expectations of near-term monetary tightening, although the imminent threat of an escalation in the Middle East war left sentiment fragile. The 30-year Treasury yield hit its highest level in 19 years as oil prices rose, with worri
EBC Markets Briefing | Loonie up as Trump paused 50% tariffs on Canada
The Canadian dollar rose on Wednesday after Trump said Washington was not in any talks with Iran and has no plans to start new ones. He added that the Strait of Hormuz is open and cleared of water mines. Trump delayed a planned 50% tax on select Canadian goods for three days. He made the announcemen
EBC Markets Briefing | Oil traders wager on recurring supply jolt
Sentiment in the crude oil market has shifted to expecting prices to decline at the annual APPEC where the least-sighted animal was a bull in a sea of bearish participants. Brent crude prices are likely to fall to around $55 per barrel by year-end as OPEC continue to unwind production into the marke
EBC Markets Briefing | Oil prices unchanged as US eyes indefinite naval blockade of Iran
Oil prices steady on Friday after Washington threatened an indefinite naval blockade of Iran, after the previous session's fall on a weaker outlook for demand and a large build in US stocks. Iran and the US still cannot agree on how to stop the war in the Gulf. An Iranian leader said that latest me
EBC Markets Briefing | Yen strengthens despite unfavourable GDP data
The Japanese yen grew stronger on Monday, shrugging off negative economic data. GDP expanded 1.1% in Q2 on an annualized basis, missing expectations for 2% growth as softer domestic demand offset strong exports. PM Takaichi promised to stop cutting budgets and instead spend more money at home on fut
EBC Markets Briefing | US stocks extended losses without peace deal
The S&P 500 posted back-to-back losses on Tuesday, dragged down by major tech stocks as fading hopes for a reopened Strait of Hormuz worsened doubts about a US-Iran resolution. A senior Pakistani minister stated that the US and Iran are close to an arrangement over the Strait of Hormuz, providin
EBC Markets Briefing | UK equities are powered by a world in disarray
The FTSE 100 (100GBP) hit a historic peak July, successfully recovering from the market drop caused by the Iran conflict. This strong rebound was largely due to the UK stock market's minimal reliance on the tech sector. That coincided with a severe sell-off in semiconductor stocks, briefly pushing t
EBC Markets Briefing | Trade hostilities are re-igniting within North America and beyond
The Trump administration has decided not to renew its trilateral trade pact with Canada and Mexico, instead opting to conduct annual reviews of the treaty. The decision had been widely anticipated. This decision ensures the USMCA remains active for another 10 years, assuming no member country withdr
EBC Markets Briefing | Yen edges down as forex intervention risks linger
The yen remained weak on Thursday after a key inflation reading showed prices moderating across a range of goods and services in the US, possibly taking the urgency out of an imminent interest rate hike. According to Goldman Sachs, Japan still has about $200 billion to launch a few more massive yen-
EBC Markets Briefing | Bullion edges up after Trump backed Iran talks again
Gold rose on Monday as oil prices fell after Trump said he had called off the strikes and described a deal covering the Hormuz Strait and Iran's denuclearization as "imminent." Kuwait reported Saturday that its military intercepted and destroyed multiple Iranian drones after Tehran launched an aeria
EBC Markets Briefing | Euro firms as investor confidence has improved
The euro was little unchanged on Tuesday after Trump signalled that he was prepared to let the mounting economic distress take its toll on Iran rather than launch further military strikes. Iran maintains that the waterway will stay closed until the US meets its demands, and confirms that talks with
