ForexLive European FX news wrap: Major currencies subdued in quiet trading

Headlines:

• Lagarde reportedly has discussed cutting short ECB stint to head WEF
• ECB reaffirms that Lagarde is determined to complete her term at the central bank
• Swiss government says further development on tariffs is still uncertain
• Japan autos facing big impact from US tariffs, says Akazawa
• Euro area consumers see higher near-term inflation expectations – ECB survey
• Germany April import prices -1.7% vs -1.4% m/m expected
• Germany May unemployment change 34k vs 10k expected
• France Q1 final GDP +0.1% vs +0.1% q/q prelim
• US MBA mortgage applications w.e. 23 May -1.2% vs -5.1% prior

Markets:

• NZD leads, GBP lags on the day
• European equities lower; S&P 500 futures up 0.1%
• US 10-year yields up 1.9 bps to 4.453%
• Gold up 0.4% to $3,312.03
• WTI crude up 1.0% to $61.50
• Bitcoin down 0.6% to $108,929

It was a rather quiet session with not much in it really. There weren’t any meaningful headlines, just some transfer gossip about Christine Lagarde’s future. The word on the street is that she might be vacating her post at the ECB a little earlier than expected, in favour of a move to the WEF. Of course, the ECB was quick to come out to refute the report.

Other than that, there wasn’t too much else as markets wait on fresh catalysts ahead of month-end trading.

Major currencies were largely subdued with the dollar holding steadier and more mixed across the board. The changes on the day are light, with EUR/USD and USD/JPY more or less flattish ahead of US trading now at 1.1320 and 144.40 respectively.

In other markets, European indices are also looking more tepid today. The DAX is down 0.4% after having hit fresh record highs yesterday, with not much follow through for now. As for US futures, they are little changed but off the lows earlier in the day at least. The key risk event will only come after the market close in the form of Nvidia’s earnings release. Speaking of which, I can’t remember the last time Nvidia didn’t disappoint investors so we’ll see if they can keep that streak going.

In the bond market, yields are nudging back up a bit with the interesting part of this coming from a weak 40-year auction in Japan. That might be a signal that the recent bounce may have run its course with yields looking to move back up again.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.