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US Dollar awaits testimony from new Fed Chair Jerome Powell

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27 February 2018

Written by
Matthew Ryan

Senior Market Analyst at Ebury. Providing expert currency analysis so small and mid-sized businesses can effectively navigate international markets.

The US Dollar edged higher against its major peers on Monday, before retracing some of its gains as investors eyed a speech by the new Chair of the Federal Reserve at 13:00 UK time today.

F
reshly appointed FOMC Chair Jerome Powell will be kick-starting a busy week in financial markets today when he makes his first congressional testimony before the US House of Representatives. Investors will be hanging on his every word during his first major public appearance, as they look to obtain a clearer picture on both the pace and timing of interest rate hikes in the US this year.

We do not expect many specific details from Powell and, while his comments are likely to remain in line with recent hawkish commentary out of the Fed, he will probably strive to maintain continuity regarding the Fed’s plan in an attempt to maintain a sense of market calm and limit volatility. Any indication that the Fed is ready to hike on four occasions in 2018, a faster pace than the market is currently pricing in, would be a significant positive for the US Dollar today.

President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi struck a fairly cautious tone during a speech on Monday, although his comments barely moved the Euro. Draghi claimed that slack in the Eurozone economy may be bigger than previously thought, which could slow the rise of inflation. This morning’s German inflation data will be the main economic data release in the Eurozone today.

Sterling loses gains despite hawkish Ramsden comments

Sterling had a mixed session yesterday, losing steam following a promising start to trading as broad Dollar strength cut short the UK currency’s rally, causing the Pound to slip by almost one percent from its earlier high.

The Pound had earlier risen to a ten day high as traders digested some hawkish comments from Bank of England member David Ramsden over the weekend that further reaffirmed expectations for another interest rate hike in the UK in May. Ramsden claimed that rates would rise somewhat sooner than he had expected should wage growth pick up pace early this year. Comments from Jeremy Corbyn also helped Sterling on its way, with the Labour leader claiming that he wanted Britain to negotiate a new customs union with the European Union.

With no economic data releases in the UK today, the Pound will likely take its cue from Jerome Powell’s testimony this afternoon.

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