Markets:
- NZD leads, JPY lags on the day
- European equities higher; S&P 500 futures up 0.5%
- US 10-year yields up 1.7 bps to 1.498%
- Gold down 0.8% to $1,756.43
- WTI up 1.0% to $78.40
- Bitcoin up 2.0% to $49,950
European indexes are bouncing back well, with US futures up about 0.5% at the moment, while the dollar made a little increase early on only to have gains reduced over the day and as we head into North American trade.
EUR/USD is hovering around 1.1600
USD/JPY has made some minor swings between 111.00 and 111.20, but is again back on the rise as Treasury rates have risen slightly (also helped by the improved risk mood).
GBP/USD had fallen to 1.3590 earlier, but has now risen to 1.3640 as buyers defended the 200-hour moving average, with the pair currently trading around 1.3620.
Commodity currencies initially trailed the dollar, with the aussie and kiwi losing 0.4% versus the greenback before recouping their losses and presently trading at flat levels on the day.
The AUD/USD pair has recovered from a low of 0.7250 to trade around 0.7270-80, while the NZD/USD pair has risen from 0.6930 to trade around 0.6960-70.
Other than that, oil prices remain buoyant, with Brent surging past $82 and WTI poised for a second run above $78 following yesterday’s breakthrough.
