👀 Ones to watch: The MOST undervalued stocks to buy right nowSee Undervalued Stocks

FOREX-Euro edges up; market cautious before Trichet

Published 09/02/2010, 08:07 AM
Updated 09/02/2010, 08:12 AM
EUR/SEK
-

* Euro up 0.1 pct vs dollar ; bond auctions support

* ECB leaves rates on hold as expected; Trichet awaited

* ECB seen extending offer of unlimited funds

* Swedish crown hits 2-yr high vs euro on Riksbank rate hike

(Releads, adds quote, updates prices)

By Jessica Mortimer

LONDON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - The euro edged up on Thursday after healthy results at Spanish and French bond auctions but investors cautiously awaited comments from European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet.

The ECB earlier left interest rates unchanged, as expected, at 1.0 percent. The decision had little impact on the euro. [ID:nFRK015200] Trichet was due to hold a news conference at 1230 GMT.

Market players were waiting to see whether the central bank extends lending support for banks, despite raising its growth forecasts, and will be watching to see how cautious Trichet is on the economic outlook. [ID:nLDE6420RY]

"Markets are a little cautious. If Trichet does sound concerned about the outlook then that would be negative for the euro," said Niels Christensen, currency strategist at Nordea in Copenhagen.

Earlier data confirmed the euro zone economy grew by 1.0 percent quarter-on-quarter between April and June. [ID:nBRL2KE64X]

Christensen said currency markets would also take their cue from developments on equity markets, while U.S. weekly jobless claims at 1230 GMT would be watched for signals on U.S. labour market health before payrolls data on Friday.

At 1147 GMT, the euro was up 0.1 percent at $1.2823 , gaining support after Spain and France drew decent demand as they sold a combined 12.2 billion euros in bonds. [ID:nLDE6810D5]

The next target for the euro was around $1.2873 -- a 38.2 percent Fibonacci retracement of its fall from its August peak of $1.3334 to its August low of $1.2588. The target after that would be $1.2923, touched on Aug. 18.

The dollar index, a gauge of the greenback's performance against six major currencies, fell 0.2 percent at 82.372 <.DXY> after falling 0.8 percent on Wednesday, its biggest one-day fall in six weeks. Support was seen at the Aug. 18 low of 81.912.

Upbeat U.S. and Chinese manufacturing data on Wednesday lured investors away from perceived safe-haven assets, lifting stocks, commodities and higher-yielding currencies.

"With so much uncertainty, the market is very volatile and moves depend on the daily data flow," said Lee Hardman, currency economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

SWEDISH CROWN GAINS

The Swedish crown rose to its highest in more than two years against the euro around 9.2955 after Sweden's central bank raised its key interest rate to 0.75 percent, as expected. [ID:nSAT008761]

It also left its forecasts for future interest rates unchanged from July, helping to lift the crown as many in the market had expected them to lower the profile slightly. The Riksbank was also upbeat on the economy. See [ID:nLDE6810FC]

However, traders and analysts said investors took profit on the crown below 9.300 crowns per euro, which provided psychological support. By 1147 GMT, the euro had recovered to 9.3165 crowns, though it was still 0.2 percent lower on the day.

"It was a surprise that the Riksbank kept their profile for rate hikes, but investors were quick to take profit below 9.3," Nordea's Christensen said.

The dollar was down 0.4 percent at 84.11 yen , close to a 15-year low of 83.58 yen hit last week. The yen showed limited reaction to Japan's political heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa saying action was needed to stem yen gains. [ID:nTKF106994]

(Additional reporting by Tamawa Desai)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.