ForexLive European FX news wrap: Dollar a touch softer, BOE lowers threshold to unwind QE

Forex news from the European trading session - 5 August 2021

Headlines:

Markets:

• AUD leads, USD lags on the day
• European equities mixed; US futures up 0.2%
• US 10-year yields down 1 bps to 1.172%
• Gold up 0.1% to $1,812.81
• WTI down 0.2% to $68.05
• Bitcoin down 4.6% to $37,913

Major currencies started off relatively quiet but are starting to move a bit more as we approach North American trading, with the dollar easing slightly after gains yesterday.

Risk sentiment is more mixed in Europe but US futures are keeping a slight advance, although Treasury yields are sitting a little lower on the day now.

EUR/USD moved up from 1.1835 to 1.1850 levels currently after holding a more subdued range on the session, though large expiries are likely to keep price action in-check.

USD/JPY surrendered earlier gains from 109.75 to 109.45 as yields slipped but also keep in mind of a large expiry at 109.50 for the pair rolling off later today.

Besides that, the greenback is marked lower against commodity currencies in particular. USD/CAD fell from 1.2530 to 1.2500 on the session while NZD/USD pulled up from 0.7050 to 0.7070 as buyers look to target key resistance closer to 0.7100.

The aussie is the lead gainer even as Victoria, Australia's second largest state, entered a fresh seven-day lockdown. AUD/USD moved up from 0.7390 to 0.7414 on the session as buyers look to try and work towards a daily close above 0.7400.

The BOE was the other key highlight of the session but no imminent changes to policy was announced. The central bank did lower its policy rate threshold to unwind QE from 1.50% to 0.50% but the pound is seeing little change overall for now.

GBP/USD had a bit of a whipsaw between 1.3905 to 1.3945 but is sticking around 1.3910-20 levels now with the dollar a touch on the softer side.

August 06, 2021 at 12:09AM
Justin Low
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