US dollar holds firm amid souring risk sentiments

Key Movers

The euro continued its negative trajectory against the USD, pressuring the EUR/USD pair to retreat near the 1.0570 level. Markets are considering the possibility of the European Central Bank (ECB) halting its tightening cycle, despite inflation levels surpassing the bank's target and concerns surfacing about the risk of an economic slowdown in the Eurozone. Nonetheless, the ECB is expected to keep the doors open to new hikes if required.

GBP performance was not up to expectations due to concerns of a mild recession in the United Kingdom. Additional factors adding to the poor performance were higher borrowing costs by the Bank of England (BoE), a poor demand outlook, and continuously deepening geopolitical tensions. The BoE is anticipated to hold interest rates at 5.25% in their decision next week. This would be the second consecutive hold and policymakers are expected to lower the growth outlook. Markets are waiting for the Q3 GDP data, which is expected to be published tomorrow.

The USD/CAD pair climbed steeply to near 1.3800 levels as the Bank of Canada (BoC) announced its decision to keep interest rates steady at 5%. BoC Governor Tiff Macklem announced a neutral interest rate decision for the second time in a row this year as inflation in Canada is softening. The Canadian economy is operating at 3.8% inflation, which is almost double the desired rate of 2%. Despite the BoC's hawkish tone, USD/CAD gathered bullish momentum in the immediate reaction and was last seen trading at its highest level since March near 1.3800 levels, rising 0.4% on the day. The BoC has revised the 2023 growth forecast down to 1.2%, 0.9% in 2024, and 2.5% in 2025. After leaving rates unchanged at 5%, the BoC hinted that it is prepared to raise rates again if needed, citing concerns over the persistence of underlying inflationary pressures. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil is down for the fifth consecutive day, trading close to 83.80 levels.