Australian Dollar

By Chris Becker  Another week of record highs in US stocks, but other markets are less sanguine, as the really interesting moves are in currency and bond markets.

A pause in risk taking here in Asia today, with almost all stock markets retracing or treading water.

By Chris Becker A strange night on risk markets with key reversals in most stock markets while commodities burst higher precipitated by a big sell-off in USD.

A generally positive day in Asian stock markets, although Japanese stocks felt the weight of a strengthening Yen, but also a weaker USD as the Aussie pipped above 80 cents again.

From Westpac just now: Westpac has revised the outlook for the Federal Funds rate and the Australian dollar.

By Chris Becker The Trump trade war has not yet upset markets, overshadowed by stellar earnings result from tech heavies, which sent the NASDAQ soaring, pulling industrial stocks higher.

Via Financial Standard: One of Australia’s first funds to specialise in crypto asset investments is now open to wholesale investors with its first investment planned for February 1. Apollo Capital is accepting minimum buy-ins of $50,000 and will invest in digital currencies, other blockchain-based assets and initial coin offerings (ICOs).

A solid day in Asia with all stock markets putting on meaningful gains on the back of the re-opening of the US government overnight which led to more record highs on US bourses.

By Chris Becker All eyes were on the US Senate last night as the impasse over the government shutdown seems to be resolved, sending US stocks higher, surging late in the session, although helped along by very positive earnings.

Via Fortune: South Korea’s government is hitting the country’s cryptocurrency exchanges with massive tax demands, in its latest attempt to rein in the booming and volatile sector.

A mixed start to the week as Asia reacts to the surprise US government shutdown with only Chinese stocks advancing.

News flow over the weekend was DXY bearish and EUR bullish as the US government shutdown is proceeding, via Bloomie: The House and Senate are back in session Sunday with a federal government shutdown in its second day amid a spending-bill impasse in Congress.

By Chris Becker  Another week of new record highs on US stock markets and fear of missing out is still winning versus fear of the subsequent and inevitable correction.

A mixed end to the trading week here in Asia with again most of the action in bond markets as the Aussie 10 year yield up another 5 points as US Treasuries head to a yearly high.

The currency we love to hate is holding on here above the psychologically important 80 cent mark against USD, just shy of last week’s false breakout high: That’s not far at all now to matching the September 2017 high and if broken, a new three year high.

A couple of factors to mention that can be influential in sending DXY lower the very short term.

By Chris Becker All the action overnight was in bond markets as US stocks vacillated over the potential US government shutdown.