Here is what you need to know on Monday, August 17:
The dollar remained intrinsically weak, amid mixed US data and news indicating that the US Congress decided to take a month-long holiday without agreeing on a stimulus package. Major pairs, however, closed the week little changed and held within familiar levels.
The USD/JPY pair was an exception, reaching a fresh August high on the back of resurgent US government debt yields. Inflation and employment data released these days came in better-than-anticipated, fueling hopes of a sooner than expected US economic comeback. The yield on the benchmark 10-year note peaked at 0.72% this week, to settle at 0.70%.
On Friday, US President Trump said in a press conference that he will not cut a deal with Democrats on the coronavirus relief bill because of the money they are seeking for cities and states. Congress members have left for a month-long holiday last Thursday.
Tensions between the US and China continue. On Friday news showed that a review of the trade deal that was supposed to take place over the weekend had been postponed without any new date scheduled.
Wall Street posted a modest advance, but summer doldrums took their toll on equities as the three major indexes remain within limited intraday ranges.
Gold prices collapsed this past week after hitting all-time highs, to stabilize around $ 1,950 a troy ounce. The metal shed some ground on Friday but held around its new comfort zone. Crude oil prices, in the meantime, remained stable, with WTI ending the week at $42.10 a barrel.
Japan is set to report early Monday its Q2 GDP, foreseen -27.2%.
BTC/USD extends sideways grind after failed attempt to take $12,000