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Swiss Franc declines ahead of Swiss Real Retail Sales, SVME PMI data

  • USD/CHF holds gains as the US Dollar remains stronger amid escalating geopolitical friction.
  • The CME FedWatch tool shows fed funds futures are pricing in a nearly 63% chance of a September rate hike.
  • Switzerland’s June KOF Economic Barometer beat expectations, climbing to a four-month high of 101.2 from May’s revised 98.6.

USD/CHF gains ground for the second consecutive day, trading around 0.8090 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. Traders will likely observe the upcoming Swiss Real Retail Sales and SVME Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data due later in the day.

The USD/CHF pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) gains ground on safe-haven demand tied to escalating geopolitical friction. Uncertainty is clouding the US-Iran Doha peace talks after US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Qatar to meet with mediators. Tehran’s subsequent announcement that it will not meet directly with the US envoys has dimmed prospects for a swift or lasting resolution, keeping geopolitical risk premiums alive and well in the market.

Simultaneously, the Greenback is drawing immense strength from rising hawkish sentiment surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook. At its June meeting, the Fed held its benchmark interest rate steady at a target range of 3.50% to 3.75% while notably removing previous language that hinted at future rate cuts. Reflecting this hawkish shift, the CME FedWatch tool shows that fed funds futures are now pricing in a nearly 63% chance of an interest rate hike by September.

Looking ahead, market momentum is expected to accelerate during the US session as traders digest major upcoming catalysts. Immediate focus is on Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s appearance at the ECB Forum in Sintra, alongside Wednesday’s releases of the ADP private employment report and the ISM Manufacturing PMI. Following these events, market attention will shift entirely to Thursday’s crucial Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) monthly jobs report, which will likely dictate the next major leg for the Dollar.

On Tuesday, Switzerland’s KOF Economic Barometer climbed to 101.2 in June from an upwardly revised 98.6 in May, hitting a four-month high and easily beating the market consensus of 98.2. This robust reading signals a stronger domestic economy, reducing the pressure on the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to cut interest rates to stimulate growth. Because steady or higher interest rates attract global investors looking for yield, demand for the Swiss Franc (CHF) may emerge.

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USD/JPY Price – Extends rally to near 162.70 amid soaring US bond yields

  • USD/JPY rises to near 167.73 as US Treasury Yields soar, following upbeat US JOLTS Job Openings data.
  • Investors shift their focus to the US ADP Employment Change and the ISM Manufacturing PMI data for June.
  • Japan’s officials have signaled that they are ready to intervene to support the Yen.

The USD/JPY pair trades 0.1% higher to near 162.73 during the European trading session on Wednesday. The pair reflects strength as surging United States (US) Treasury Yields have strengthened the US Dollar (USD).

In the European trade, 10-year US Treasury Yields are up 0.18% to 4.47%, extending Tuesday’s little over 2% gains. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, is up 0.16% to near 101.33.

US Dollar Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD0.12%0.14%0.08%0.10%0.36%0.02%0.05%
EUR-0.12%0.02%-0.04%-0.01%0.26%-0.11%-0.05%
GBP-0.14%-0.02%-0.06%-0.03%0.22%-0.13%-0.05%
JPY-0.08%0.04%0.06%0.00%0.29%-0.09%-0.01%
CAD-0.10%0.01%0.03%-0.01%0.27%-0.11%-0.02%
AUD-0.36%-0.26%-0.22%-0.29%-0.27%-0.37%-0.29%
NZD-0.02%0.11%0.13%0.09%0.11%0.37%0.09%
CHF-0.05%0.05%0.05%0.01%0.02%0.29%-0.09%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).

US bond yields are soaring due to signs of improving US job market conditions. On Tuesday, the US JOLTS Job Openings data for May arrived at 7.594 million fresh jobs, higher than 7.3 million estimates and the previous reading of 7.585 million.

Meanwhile, investors await the US ADP Employment Change and the ISM Manufacturing PMI data for June, which will be released during the North American session.

On the Tokyo front, investors expect the Japanese administration to intervene anytime soon to support the falling Japanese Yen (JPY). On Tuesday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that the administration is always ready to take necessary action on Forex; however, he didn’t deliver any comments regarding specific FX levels.

USD/JPY technical analysis

USD/JPY trades higher at around 162.73, extending its bullish bias as spot holds well above the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) at 161.19. The overall trend of the pair is bullish, following the breakout of the Rising Channel formation.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 78.45 sits deep in overbought territory, suggesting upside momentum remains strong but also warns that the pair could be vulnerable to bouts of corrective pullback even within the broader uptrend.

On the downside, immediate support is seen at the Rising Channel breakout region near 161.75, followed by the 20-day EMA near 161.19. Looking up, the pair could extend the rally towards 163.00 and 164.00.

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EUR/USD Price – Weakens to near 1.1400 as ECB hike bets recede, bearish vibe prevails

  • EUR/USD weakens to around 1.1410 in Wednesday’s early European session.
  • The negative outlook of the major pair remains intact below the 100-day SMA, with bearish RSI momentum.
  • The immediate resistance level is seen at 1.1485; the first downside target to watch is 1.1320.

The EUR/USD pair trades on a negative note near 1.1410 during the early European trading hours on Wednesday. Cooling inflation in Germany has lowered expectations for the European Central Bank (ECB) rate hikes, weighing on the Euro (EUR) against the US Dollar (USD).

Germany’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.3% in June, down from 2.6% in May, according to Destatis on Tuesday. This figure came in softer than the market expectations of 2.5%. ECB President Christine Lagarde last week said that there was no need for “forceful” action, citing falling energy prices and the lack of “second-round” effects like higher wage demands that could further stoke inflation.

Traders brace for the preliminary reading of the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) from the Eurozone. In case of hotter-than-expected outcomes, this could lift the shared currency in the near term.

On the US docket, the ADP Employment and ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) reports will be published later on Wednesday. All eyes will be on the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data on Thursday, which is expected to show 111,000 job additions in June.

Chart Analysis EUR/USD

Technical Analysis:

In the daily chart, EUR/USD maintains a bearish near-term tone as it holds below the 20-day Bollinger simple moving average (SMA) and the 100-day moving average (MA). The pair is drifting near the lower half of the recent Bollinger envelope, while the 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 36 suggests weak, still-negative momentum rather than an immediate oversold condition.

On the topside, initial resistance is seen at the 20-day Bollinger SMA near 1.1485, followed by the 100-day MA around 1.1632 and the upper Bollinger band close to 1.1650, which together outline a dense supply zone capping recovery attempts. On the downside, the June 29 low of 1.1381 acts as the next notable support. Any follow-through selling below this level could expose further weakness toward lower Bollinger band at approximately 1.1320, followed by the 1.1300 psychological level. 

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Canadian Dollar weakens as geopolitical uncertainty lifts US Dollar

  • USD/CAD rises as safe-haven demand boosted the US Dollar amid uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran peace talks in Doha.
  • US envoys arrived in Qatar for Iran peace talks, but Tehran refused direct meetings, clouding prospects for a deal.
  • The commodity-linked CAD struggles as Crude oil prices decline on easing supply concerns.

USD/CAD has recovered its recent losses from the previous day, trading around 1.4220 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) gains ground on safe-haven demand amid uncertainty over United States (US)-Iran Doha talks.

US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Qatar on Tuesday to meet with mediators regarding the implementation of an initial peace deal to end the conflict with Iran. However, Tehran stated it would not meet directly with the US envoys, clouding prospects for a lasting resolution and keeping geopolitical risk premiums alive in the market.

The Greenback received a boost from rising hawkish sentiment surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook. At its June meeting, the Fed held its benchmark interest rate steady at a target range of 3.50% to 3.75% while notably removing language that hinted at future rate cuts. According to the CME FedWatch tool, Fed funds futures are now pricing in a nearly 63% chance of an interest rate hike by September.

The USD/CAD pair also rises as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) faces challenges due to lower oil prices. Crude oil prices decline as traders weigh in on potential peace talks in Doha between the US and Iran.

Both nations are working toward a lasting resolution to ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz following recent military clashes. However, Tehran maintains its firm stance on controlling maritime traffic through the strategic waterway; both sides have halted their exchange of fire, allowing oil tanker traffic and shipments to steadily recover.

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EUR/JPY Price – Eyes 186.00 amid constructive bullish bias

  • EUR/JPY could test the upper boundary of a symmetrical triangle around 186.00.
  • The 14-day Relative Strength Index at 57 indicates firm bullish momentum, leaving plenty of room for further gains.
  • Initial support sits at VWAP and clustered EMAs just below 185.50, providing a solid floor for buyers.

EUR/JPY moves little after four days of gains, trading around 185.70 during the Asian hours on Monday. The currency cross is maintaining a constructive bullish bias as it holds above the session Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP) at 185.29 and both the nine-period and 50-period Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) around 184.95–184.99. This positioning suggests dip-buying interest remains in place.

Meanwhile, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) near 57.0 points to firm but not overextended upside momentum, leaving room for further gains as long as price stays supported above these nearby averages.

The technical analysis of the daily chart suggests that the EUR/JPY cross is positioned near the upper boundary of a symmetrical triangle around 186.00, indicating that the asset is gearing up for a potential breakout. Further advances above the triangle would strengthen the bullish bias and support the currency cross to test the all-time high of 187.95, which was recorded on April 17.

On the downside, initial support aligns first with the VWAP and clustered EMAs just below 185.50. A break below this confluence support zone would expose the symmetrical triangle’s lower boundary around 183.50, followed by the four-month low of 181.87, recorded on March 16, and the six-month low of 180.81.

Chart Analysis EUR/JPY
EUR/JPY: Daily Chart

Euro Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD0.16%0.21%0.16%0.16%0.42%0.19%0.13%
EUR-0.16%0.04%-0.02%-0.00%0.27%0.00%-0.04%
GBP-0.21%-0.04%-0.04%-0.03%0.21%-0.05%-0.06%
JPY-0.16%0.02%0.04%-0.02%0.27%-0.01%-0.04%
CAD-0.16%0.00%0.03%0.02%0.28%-0.00%-0.02%
AUD-0.42%-0.27%-0.21%-0.27%-0.28%-0.27%-0.29%
NZD-0.19%-0.01%0.05%0.00%0.00%0.27%-0.02%
CHF-0.13%0.04%0.06%0.04%0.02%0.29%0.02%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).

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AUD/JPY Price – Softens below 112.50, bias turns mildly bearish

  • AUD/JPY softens to near 112.20 in Wednesday’s early European session.
  • The cross maintains a mildly bearish bias in the near term, with soft RSI momentum.
  • The first upside barrier emerges at 112.32; the initial support level is located at 111.25.

The AUD/JPY cross trades in negative territory around 112.20 during the early European trading hours on Tuesday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) strengthens against the Australian Dollar (AUD) as traders are on alert for possible intervention from Japanese authorities.

Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Tuesday that the government was ready to take appropriate action against excessive currency moves. Additionally, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that the government will work to build an economy less vulnerable to foreign-exchange volatility while remaining prepared to intervene in currency markets if necessary.

On the other hand, a hawkish tone from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) might help limit the Aussie’s losses. According to the RBA Minutes from its June meeting, monetary policy needed to remain restrictive to remove excess demand in the economy. Markets were pricing only about 10 basis points (bps) of additional tightening by year-end, while pricing about 17 bps of easing by 2027, per Reuters.

Chart Analysis AUD/JPY

Technical Analysis:

In the daily chart, AUD/JPY keeps a mildly bearish near-term tone as it slips just under the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) and the Bollinger Bands midline. Price holding below these clustered moving-average resistances suggests rallies are likely to meet supply overhead, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 44 points to soft but not extreme downside momentum.

On the topside, initial resistance is seen at the 100-day SMA at 112.32, with the Bollinger midline around 112.62 acting as the next cap, ahead of the upper Bollinger band near 114.01. On the downside, the first noteworthy support emerges at the lower Bollinger band around 111.25, where a break would open the door to a deeper correction within the broader range.

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GBP/USD Price – Slides below 1.3250 after failing to break through 23.6% Fibo.

  • GBP/USD attracts fresh sellers on Wednesday as traders await speeches from central bank chiefs.
  • The broader technical setup favors bearish traders and backs the case for a further depreciation.
  • A sustained strength beyond the  23.6% Fibo. level is needed to back the case for any recovery.

The GBP/USD pair meets with a fresh supply during the Asian session on Wednesday and moves away from a nearly two-week high around the 1.3275 region, touched the previous day. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.3235 zone, down 0.20% for the day, as traders look to speeches from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey and Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Kevin Warsh for a fresh impetus.

From a technical perspective, the GBP/USD pair has been struggling to make it through the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level of the May-June downfall. This comes on top of the recent repeated failures near the 200-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart and a breakdown below the 1.3300 mark, which, in turn, favors bearish traders. However, mixed momentum indicators warrant some caution before positioning for deeper losses.

In fact, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering near 52, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is showing a fading positive bias. This, in turn, hints at limited upside while the GBP/USD pair remains capped by the clustered resistance overhead. In the meantime, the key support around 1.3139 remains the key structural floor, and a clear break below would open the door for a continuation of the broader downtrend.

On the topside, immediate resistance emerges at the 23.6% Fibo. level at 1.3260, with further barriers aligned at the 38.2% retracement around 1.3335 and the 200-period SMA at 1.3360, ahead of the 50.0% retracement near 1.3396. A sustained move beyond the said barriers would start to ease the broader bearish bias and pave the way for a more convincing recovery phase. However, a failure would leave the GBP/USD pair vulnerable to slide further.

GBP/USD 4-hour chart

Chart Analysis GBP/USD
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New Zealand Dollar Languishes Near 7-Month Low

The New Zealand dollar slipped to $0.566 on the first trading day of July, hovering near its lowest level in seven months amid a firm US dollar, while investors assessed the Reserve Bank’s interest rate outlook. Markets continue to price in a rate hike from the RBNZ next week, although analysts have become more divided on whether such a move is necessary given the recent decline in oil prices. Meanwhile, latest data showed business confidence improved in June, suggesting the economy may be holding up better than earlier feared. Although local economists still expect a contraction in the second quarter, they anticipate a recovery thereafter as fuel and other costs ease. The kiwi dropped 5.2% in June, marking its largest monthly fall since December 2024, and declined 1.2% in the second quarter.