The Russian ruble is weakening against its US counterpart in the middle of the holiday-shortened trading week. After multiple session gains this month, the ruble is trying to end the year on a high note after becoming one of the worst-performing currencies in global foreign exchange markets. Geopolitical tensions and disappointing economic data could serve as additional barriers for the ruble in 2021.
The New Zealand dollar traded largely flat today, though it managed to gain on some of the majors, including the US dollar. The kiwi got a boost from positive domestic macroeconomic data as well as better-than-expected reports in China.
The New Zealand dollar rose against most of its major rivals today. Markets still wait for the outcome of the US presidential election. But while uncertainty surrounding the election results make investors nervous, it seems markets are in a risk-on mode. As for New Zealand’s macroeconomic data released today, it was not bad, though it was not great either.
The South Korean won is recording modest gains against multiple currency rivals on Tuesday as the nation’s economy returned to growth in the third quarter. After enduring the sharpest economic downturn in more than a decade, Seoul was able to resuscitate the economy through a series of COVID-19 stimulus measures and surging exports.
The South Korean won is trading sideways against the US dollar on Tuesday as the national economy failed to improve in August as the effects of COVID-19 continue to linger in one of Asia’s biggest economies. With the coronavirus pandemic diminishing in Seoul, could one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies turn things around in the final quarter of 2020?
Both domestic macroeconomic data and the general negative market sentiment were detrimental to the New Zealand dollar. But that did not prevent the currency from holding its ground today, rising at least a bit against all other most-traded peers, except for the Australian dollar.
The New Zealand dollar traded either flat or lower against its most-traded peers today, though it managed to gain on few currencies, like the US dollar and the Japanese yen. The kiwi was soft despite the news about the lockdown easing in Auckland.
The South Korean won is trading choppy in the middle of the trading week as investors begin to weigh the possibility of another lockdown related to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite South Korea flattening the curve in March, the nation has been experiencing an uptick in infections for most of August. The country is already in a recession, so another wave of restrictions could exacerbate the downturn.
The New Zealand dollar traded largely lower against its most-traded peers but, surprisingly, demonstrated resilience versus safer currencies, such as the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc. Macroeconomic reports in China, New Zealand’s biggest trading partner, were decent but data in New Zealand itself was not good. Trading was subdued today, especially during the Asian session, as markets in Japan and Singapore were closed for a holiday.
The South African rand is extending its rally midweek, despite analysts warning that the emerging market currency may have already peaked. The rand recently touched its best level in nearly three months due to investors’ risk appetite increasing amid greater certainty, reopening economies, and accommodative monetary policy. Has the rand peaked, or does it still have room to rally?
