Labour Day (1 May 2024)

Risk sentiment shifted this week as Moody’s downgraded the US credit rating, weakening the dollar and supporting major currencies and commodities.

The U.S. dollar gained traction Monday after the U.S. and China agreed to pause retaliatory tariffs for 90 days, prompting a gap lower in EUR/USD to 1.1064. Meanwhile, Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating, citing fiscal concerns, sparking risk aversion and supporting safe-haven assets like gold and the yen. 

The U.S. dollar held near 100.8, heading for a 0.6% weekly gain as weak data increased Fed cut bets. The euro rebounded to $1.12 on firm inflation and ECB cut hopes. The pound hovered near $1.32 as UK jobs data raised BoE cut odds. The yen rose toward 145 despite Japan’s 0.2% GDP drop, with the BoJ staying cautious.