Forex Market Update: USD Headed Lower As Asian Equities Rallied

The FX majors maintained their familiar ranges in Asia, with little fresh impetus coming from the weekend G20. There was no specific mention on currencies, instead the meeting made the restoration of lending the key priority, along with tackling problems in the financial system. The statement reflected the will to use the full tools available, which included unconventional monetary policy measures and could mean more quantitative easing from other central banks ahead. The dollar started the session on a firmer footing, but speculative accounts and fund names were good sellers on strength as Asian equities moving broadly higher. EUR-USD traded above 1.2900 as a result and Cable was able to reclaim the 1.4000 handle. Elsewhere, USD-JPY experienced good two way flows, with JPY repatriation flow driving the pair to 97.57 before good importer buying and fund-related demand went through the crosses to lift it to a 98.49 peak. Elsewhere, the commodity bloc currencies benefited on the equity market resurgence, with AUD-USD moving back in to 0.6580, but remained capped ahead of Friday’s 0.6604 highs.