ForexLive European FX news wrap: Dollar steady, franc gains on Swiss inflation beat

Headlines:

• Swiss franc gains after inflation data beat
• Switzerland April CPI +1.4% vs +1.1% y/y expected
• BOJ accounts suggest Japan intervened in FX market on 1 May
• Japan top currency diplomat says cannot overlook excessive FX moves
• Eurozone Final April Manufacturing PMI 45.7 vs. 45.6 expected
• Swiss April Manufacturing PMI 41.4 vs. 45.5 expected
• Swiss March Retail Sales Y/Y -0.1% vs. 0.2% expected and 0.2% prior.
• US April Challenger layoffs 64.79k vs 90.31k prior
• OECD upgrades global growth forecast on stronger US outlook
• OPEC+ reportedly could extend voluntary cuts beyond Q2

Markets:

• CHF leads, JPY lags on the day
• European equities mixed; S&P 500 futures up 0.6%
• US 10-year yields up 1.3 bps to 4.603%
• Gold down 0.8% to $2,298.84
• WTI crude up 0.6% to $79.52
• Bitcoin up 1.9% to $58,391

The session started with renewed focus in the yen again after Japan intervened once more right after the US market close. USD/JPY was sticking around 155.70-80 before slowly tumbling down now to just under 155.00 on the day. The pair is still up from the intervention lows of 153.00 though. But it looks like Japan is starting to chip at dip buyers’ resolve on the week.

The dollar was steadier throughout amid some light pushing and pulling. But it was the franc that saw a decent move higher with USD/CHF falling from 0.9160 to a low of 0.9100 after Swiss inflation data came in with a beat. The pair is now trading around 0.9120, still down 0.4% on the day.

Besides that, other dollar pairs saw limited movement as we get settled into the pre-NFP lull.

In the equities space, US futures are looking to bounce back after the late selling yesterday. S&P 500 futures held gains throughout the session and are seen up 0.6% now.

In other markets, gold is being pressured lower as the post-Fed jump fades in a drop under $2,300 now. Meanwhile, oil is keeping just under $80 after the slide yesterday with offers at the figure level and the 200-day moving average at $80.09 keeping a lid on things.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.