by: Easy Forex

U.S. Dollar Trading (USD) weakened substantially on the back of solid equity markets. Q1 GDP was worse than expected at -6.1% vs. -4.9% forecast. The FOMC also met and held rates at the 0-0.25% target range. Helping support sentiment was the FOMC statement that included ‘the pace of contraction appears to be somewhat slower’ which added to bottoming speculation. Crude Oil up $1.03 ending the New York session at $50.60 per barrel. In US share markets, the Nasdaq was up 38 points or 2.28% and the Dow Jones was up 168 points or 2.11%. Looking ahead, Weekly Jobless Claims forecast at 643k vs. 640K. Core PCE (March) forecast at 0.2% vs. 0.2% previously.

The Euro (EUR) continued to rise rapidly as sentiment improved and Eurozone confidence improved. Of concern was German GDP Growth was downgraded to -6.0% vs. -2.25% initially. The pair rallied to above 1.3300 before easing into the US close. Overall the EUR/USD traded with a low of 1.3122 and a high of 1.3340 before closing at 1.3260. Looking ahead, April German Unemployment Rate forecast at 8.3% vs. 8.1% Previously.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) was sold all day as Japan was away on holidays and sentiment/stocks improved. USD/JPY tested 98 on the topside and EUR/JPY reclaimed 130 after trading at 125 just 2 days ago. Industrial Production (March) rose 1.6% but the Jan-March Quarter was the steepest drop on record. Overall the USDJPY traded with a low of 95.65 and a high of 96.65 before closing the day around 96.50 in the New York session. Looking ahead, BOJ Rate Decision forecast to remain 0.1%.

The Sterling (GBP) tracked the EURO higher with the GBP/JPY especially buoyant. EUR/GBP remained in a tight range which underpinned the relationship of the majors. Overall the GBP/USD traded with a low of 1.4635 and a high of 1.4812 before closing the day at 1.4750 in the New York session. Looking ahead, April Nationwide House prices are forecast at -1.3% vs. 0.9% previously.

The Australian Dollar (AUD) broke higher towards the upper end of the 0.70-73 range on the back of heavy AUD/JPY buying which reclaimed the 70 Yen level. AUD/NXD shot higher this morning in Asia as the RBNZ cut rates by 0.5% and cautioned markets that rates were to remain low for some time. Overall the AUD/USD traded with a low of 0.7071 and a high of 0.7300 before closing the US session at 0.7250.

Gold (XAU) was able to translate USD weakness into a push back above $900 an ounce before easing into the end of New York on slumping safe haven demand. Overall trading with a low of USD$888 and high of USD$903 before ending the New York session at USD$894 an ounce.