With the end of Asia’s lunar new year celebration and the return of the US and Canadian markets after yesterday’s holiday, there is full liquidity in the global capital markets for the first time in over a week.  The currencies are mixed, with the yen, sterling and the Australian dollar posting modest gains, while the euro, Swiss franc and Canadian dollar have heavier tones.

The Chinese yuan has weakened for the second day after returning from the extended holiday and is near 2-month lows.  After reversing lower yesterday, the Shanghai Composite led the regional bourses lower with a 1.9% decline.  The Composite is approaching its 20-day moving average (~2365) which it has not traded below since early December.  European equity markets are higher and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is up a little more than 0.5% led by consumer goods and basic materials.  Of the main industrial sectors, only telecom is lower.  European bond markets, core as well as periphery are lower.  

Broadly speaking, we identify five factors that will shape foreign exchange rates in coming days.

…..read the 5 HERE