Risk Aversion Boosts Pound, Yen, US Dollar. Euro Softer

Published: 16 May at 1 PM Tags: Euro, Dollar, Pound Sterling, America, UK, Eurozone, Australian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, China, Japan, South Africa,

Pound Sterling
GBP/USD – Trading in the Region of 1.6796
On Friday a bout of risk aversion helped the Pound recover losses against the US Dollar and Euro. Although a lack of UK news restrained Sterling movement slightly, it returned to trading in the region of a 16-month high against the common currency.

US Dollar
USD/GBP – Trading in the Region of 0.5952
Unexpected declines in US manufacturing and industrial production caused investors to turn their backs on higher-risk assets yesterday in favour of their safe-haven counterparts. While the ‘Greenback’ experienced some movement after the report was released, loses were tempered by an impressive US initial jobless claims figure.

Euro
EUR/USD – Trading in the Region of 1.3700
The less-than-impressive growth data to come out of the Eurozone yesterday put the Euro on the back foot. The common currency failed to claw back declines on Friday and looks set to end the week in a softer position.

Australian Dollar
AUD/USD – Trading in the Region of 0.9364
A loss of interest in higher-risk assets took a toll on the Australian Dollar overnight. The South Pacific currency slid against the Pound, ‘Greenback’ and Euro during a comparatively quiet local trading session.

New Zealand Dollar
NZD/USD – Trading in the Region of 0.8640
Despite an absence of pertinent domestic economic data, the ‘Kiwi’ still weakened against its rivals over the course of the Australasian session. Next week reports from New Zealand, China and Australia cold all take a toll on the commodity-driven currency.

Canadian Dollar
CAD/USD – Trading in the Region of 0.9191
Better-than-expected manufacturing shipments and existing home sales data for Canada left the ‘Loonie’ riding high on Thursday. At the close of the week the Canadian Dollar was clinging to gains against its US and British counterparts.

Japanese Yen
USD/JPY – Trading in the Region of 101.5000
Encouraging industrial production data for Japan and a demand for safe-haven assets pushed the Yen higher on Friday.

South African Rand
USD/ZAR – Trading in the Region of 10.3210
The Rand gave up gains on Friday as the US Dollar recovered ground and risk-aversion lessened the appeal of South Africa’s currency. Ongoing tensions in the domestic platinum mining sector also took a toll.
As of Friday, 16th May 2014, the Pound Sterling currency rates mentioned within this news item were as follows:

GBP EUR exchange rate was 1.2278, GBP USD exchange rate was 1.6813, GBP AUD exchange rate was 1.7953, GBP NZD exchange rate was 1.9487, GBP CAD exchange rate was 1.8263, GBP CNY exchange rate was 10.4805, GBP JPY exchange rate was 170.6785, and GBP ZAR exchange rate was 17.4108.

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