Exchange Rate News: Fed Tapers, US Dollar Surges

Published: 19 Dec at 10 AM Tags: Euro, Dollar, Pound Sterling, America, UK, Eurozone, Australian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Japan, South Africa,

Pound Sterling
GBP/USD– Trading in the Region 1.6372
In the hours ahead the pound could trim gains against the Euro as a result of a slightly mixed UK retail sales report. Furthermore, with the US Dollar enjoying a bullish relationship with its rivals as a result of the FOMC decision GBP/USD advances may be limited.

US Dollar
USD/GBP – Trading in the Region of 0.6106
The ‘Greenback’ surged against the majority of its rivals overnight as investors digested the FOMC’s decision to taper stimulus by 10 billion Dollars. However, if today’s US initial jobless claims or existing home sales reports fail to meet estimates the US Dollar could pare gains before the close of local trading.

Euro
EUR/USD – Trading in the Region of 1.3677
As the Euro derived support from the news that the Eurozone’s current account surplus swelled to a six-month high in October the common currency recovered ground against Sterling. Meanwhile, the EUR/USD pairing largely retained the losses recorded following the FOMC announcement.

Australian Dollar
AUD/USD – Trading in the Region of 0.8851
After enjoying short-lived gains on Wednesday the ‘Aussie’s bearish relationship with its rivals continued overnight as commodity-driven currencies lost their appeal and investors flocked to the US Dollar.

New Zealand Dollar
NZD/USD – Trading in the Region of 0.8188
While the ‘Kiwi’ was left struggling against the US Dollar the South Pacific asset strengthened against its British and Australian counterparts as New Zealand’s economy was shown to have swelled by more than forecast in the third quarter of the year.

Canadian Dollar
CAD/USD – Trading in the Region of 0.9340
Overnight the Canadian Dollar sank to fresh lows against the ‘Greenback’ and softened by the most for eight-weeks as investors considered the repercussions of reduced US stimulus. Although Canadian data is a little lacking today, tomorrow’s domestic inflation report may inspire notable ‘Loonie’ volatility.

Japanese Yen
USD/JPY – Trading in the Region of 103.9300
Although the Yen weakened beyond 104 per Dollar in the immediate aftermath of the FOMC announcement, the safe-haven currency later enjoyed a rebound as Japanese policy makers gathered to discuss the nation’s policy stance.

South African Rand
USD/ZAR – Trading in the Region of 10.3222
The Rand plummeted against the US Dollar during the North American session as investors flocked to lower-risk assets in response to the expectation that the Federal Reserve will continue tapering stimulus in the New Year.
As of Thursday, 19th December 2013, the Pound Sterling currency rates mentioned within this news item were as follows:

GBP EUR exchange rate was 1.1984, GBP USD exchange rate was 1.6364, GBP AUD exchange rate was 1.8463, GBP NZD exchange rate was 1.9968, GBP CAD exchange rate was 1.7465, GBP JPY exchange rate was 170.6619, and GBP ZAR exchange rate was 17.0057.

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