USD/CAD Upside Capped, Crude Oil Spikes on US Airstrikes – US Market Open

MARKET DEVELOPMENT –USD/CAD Upside Capped, Crude Oil Spikes on US Airstrikes

Crude Oil Prices Spike on Middle East Tensions
Japanese Yen the Clear Winner in FX Space
Gold Hits 4-Month High on Safe-Haven Flows

Data provided by

of clients are net long. of clients are net short.

Change in	Longs	Shorts	OI
Daily	28%	-7%	5%
Weekly	32%	-16%	-1%

Crude Oil: Overnight, geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran had escalated dramatically after US airstrikes killed Iran’s top general at Baghdad airport, which saw Iran’s Supreme Leader call for revenge on the attack. Consequently, crude oil prices spiked higher in response to renewed risk premium in the middle east with Brent crude oil hitting highs of $69.50. Focus in the region will be on how Iran will respond, which may keep oil prices on the front foot, provided the geopolitical risk premium is sustained.

JPY: The clear winner in the FX space has been the Japanese Yen as investors flock to safe-havens. In turn, USD/JPY has dropped to fresh 2-month lows having retested the 108.00 handle. That sad, with eyes on the ISM Manufacturing PMI, 108.00 may hold on a better than expected report, although, upside is likely to be limited with the 200DMA at 108.65.

Gold: Much like the JPY, gold has also benefitted to jump in geopolitical tensions with the precious metal hitting a 4-month high. As such, gold made a firm break above $1530 before stepping back from the $1550 level, focus on the upside will be on the 2019 peak situated at $1557.

CAD: The Canadian Dollar has faired slightly better against the USD compared to its counterparts, given the boost from oil prices. Subsequently, the 1.3000 has held firm yet again, as such, with the absence of domestic data, the price action in the Canadian Dollar remains somewhat muted.

Source: DailyFX, Refinitiv

Economic Calendar (03/01/20)

Source: DailyFX,

WHAT’S DRIVING MARKETS TODAY

“Sterling Price Outlook: GBP/USD Rattled by USD Rally, Support Levels Near” by Nick Cawley, Market Analyst
“Australian Dollar Technical Forecast: AUD/USD, AUD/NZD Risks Reversal” by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst
“Gold Prices Soar as US Airstrike on Iranian Military Leader Sparks Major Escalation in Tensions” by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst

— Written by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst

To contact Justin, email him at Justin.mcqueen@ig.com

Follow Justin on Twitter @JMcQueenFX

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