The dollar rebounded from the lower end of its recent ranges overnight as recent market moves toward riskier assets found little follow-through in generally quiet, eventless trade. The greenback had slipped against most of its major rivals in recent sessions as investors' appetite for riskier assets was revived, undermining some of the U.S. currency's safe-haven allure.
Moderating worries about a Greek debt crisis improved market sentiment and lured investors back into commodities and emerging market assets. However, given the lack of impetus for further appreciation in risk assets, profit-taking prompted a sizable reversal of market moves since Friday.
The pullback in crude oil from an eight-week high Monday undermined some of the recent allure of commodity currencies from Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Those currencies had stood out as some of the best performers in recent sessions.
The pound suffered from a string of disappointing economic news and warnings from credit agencies about the clouded outlook for U.K. public finances and the health of the nation's banking sector.
The yen firmed across the board, a move that was consistent with the general pullback in risk appetite overnight. Fiscal year-end capital repatriation also added to the yen's generally buoyant tone.
With no big U.S. economic data on tap today, investors will continue to focus on moves in commodities, equities and the general health of investor risk appetite.
USD: The dollar firmed off its recent lows overnight in generally uneventful, directionless trade. The greenback had come under selling pressure over recent sessions as improved risk appetite associated with moderating worries about a Greek debt crisis undermined some of the greenback's safe-haven allure.
This lack of economic news so far this week has provided little follow-through to the move higher in risk appetite and prompted a bout of profit-taking, which supported the low-yielding dollar and yen overnight. While choppy trading over the near term remains likely, the greenback's medium-term outlook remains somewhat rosier than current price action suggests.
Expectations for the U.S. to outpace most other major economies in recovery suggest that the Fed will ultimately lead in monetary policy normalization, an outlook that should see the greenback resume 2010's trend higher.
