The United States dollar is under pressure once more as trading opens in the European session on Tuesday (May 20, 2025). This reflects negative sentiment due to the recent downgrade of the US credit rating by Moody’s.
Without any significant economic data being released from the US this evening, this sentiment is likely to continue influencing the market during tonight’s trading.
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
GOLD
The price of Gold (XAUUSD) has rebounded to $3,239.33 per troy ounce at the beginning of the European session, recovering from a previous dip to $3,204.75 per troy ounce. The struggles of the US dollar have allowed Gold to make this comeback.
Furthermore, market participants are still speculating on the potential impacts of the US credit rating downgrade, particularly since Moody’s has highlighted the escalating US debt, now at $36 trillion, alongside a steadily growing fiscal deficit. Such factors may undermine the US’s status as a primary investment destination globally and amplify government borrowing costs.
These circumstances seem to enhance Gold’s appeal as a safe haven, likely contributing to a positive sentiment around it.
OIL
Oil prices (CLS10) have been volatile, fluctuating between $61.58 and $62.61 per barrel at the early European session. Diminished prospects for a US-Iran nuclear deal diminish the likelihood of sanctions on Iranian oil exports being lifted any time soon. Thus, no additional global supply contributing to positive sentiment for Oil is expected.
Moreover, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has lowered the loan prime rate (LPR) to stimulate the economy, adding positive sentiment to Oil.
EURUSD
EURUSD has managed to maintain its strength at the start of the European session, even reaching 1.12778. Notably, data from Germany revealed that the producer price index (PPI) for April showed a year-on-year decline of -0.9%, lower than the forecast of -0.7% and down from -0.2% the previous month. Additionally, the monthly PPI reported a -0.6% drop, worse than the forecast of -0.3%.
The decline in PPI for April indicates decreased inflationary pressure at the producer level. Moving forward, this could lead to lower product prices and alleviate inflation pressures (consumer price index/CPI). Under these circumstances, the European Central Bank (ECB) might find room to cut interest rates, introducing a negative sentiment for EURUSD.
The ability of EURUSD to maintain its strength illustrates the weakening US dollar. This sentiment is expected to continue affecting trading activities tonight.
GBPUSD
GBPUSD has retraced its earlier gains after reaching a daily high of 1.33946. In addition to the pressure on the US dollar, this currency pair also benefits from positive sentiment surrounding the Bank of England (BoE), which is not anticipated to lower interest rates imminently, contributing positively to GBP.
USDJPY
USDJPY has dropped sharply at the start of the European session, reaching a daily low of 144.087 after peaking at 145.510 earlier today. This wide range of movement is attributed to conditions in Japan, particularly the bond market. A sell-off in Japanese bonds has created negative sentiment towards the yen, causing USDJPY to rise significantly.
However, USDJPY has since reversed, indicating that the US dollar remains weak. This sentiment is likely to continue impacting USDJPY movements throughout the night.
Nasdaq
The Nasdaq index fell at the start of the European session, dipping to a daily low of 21,393. The US credit rating downgrade initially drove the Nasdaq down earlier in the week before it rebounded following President Trump’s announcements regarding potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine that may not involve the US.
The Nasdaq is again approaching its highest levels in nearly three months but is currently facing profit-taking activities. This suggests that market participants are weighing the implications of the US credit rating downgrade. There is a chance that profit-taking may continue into tonight’s trading.
