Monthly Archives: February 2026
With key US data in focus, the dollar trades rangebound against the yen near 153.00
Written on February 17, 2026 at 4:09 pm, by davin
USD/JPY stayed range-bound near 153.00 after weak Japan GDP and holiday-thin trading. But shifting rates—BoJ hiking, Fed cutting—strengthen the Yen, favoring downside; watch US PCE surprises. – vtmarketsmy.com
EUR/JPY slips to 181.23 amid BoJ rate-hike speculation and Eurozone sentiment worries, down 0.40%
Written on February 17, 2026 at 3:09 pm, by davin
EUR/JPY dips to 181.23 as yen strengthens on earlier BoJ hike bets and bond rally. Euro weakens on softer sentiment. Past expectations misfired; volatility may be undervalued—consider options for breakouts. – vtmarketsmy.com
INGING’s Frantisek Taborsky expects Romania’s central bank to hold rates at 6.50% as inflation eases and leu flexibility increases gradually
Written on February 17, 2026 at 3:09 pm, by davin
Romania’s central bank may hold rates near term, but falling inflation (4.8%) and weak growth boost odds of faster cuts. Traders eye EUR/RON weakness, calls, and long-volatility plays. – vtmarketsmy.com
Ahead of the US market open, the Indian rupee holds steady near 90.80 against the dollar
Written on February 17, 2026 at 3:09 pm, by davin
Rupee stays stuck near 90.80: importers’ dollar demand supports USD/INR, RBI intervention caps gains. FIIs sold shares, oil-talk risks linger, Fed seen on hold—low volatility favors range-bound trading. – vtmarketsmy.com
During European trading, GBP/USD recovered half of its earlier losses but remained 0.23% lower near 1.3600
Written on February 17, 2026 at 3:09 pm, by davin
Pound fights back but stays weak near 1.3600 after UK jobs data worsens: unemployment hits five-year high, wages cool. Focus shifts to CPI, BoE-Fed divergence, and option trades. – vtmarketsmy.com
South Africa’s unemployment rate fell to 31.4% in Q4 from 31.9% in the previous quarter
Written on February 17, 2026 at 2:09 pm, by davin
South Africa’s jobless rate dipped to 31.4% in Q4 2025, boosting rand hopes and consumer stocks. With inflation at 5.4%, SARB cuts look unlikely—traders eye stronger ZAR, higher rates. – vtmarketsmy.com
BBH’s Elias Haddad expects January inflation to ease, keeping Canadian rates at 2.25% and Q1 price growth near target
Written on February 17, 2026 at 2:09 pm, by davin
Cooling Canadian inflation could lock in a steady Bank of Canada—and a sleepy USD/CAD. BBH sees 2.4% headline, 2.55% core, range 1.3500–1.3800, favoring low-volatility options trades. – vtmarketsmy.com
During European trading, AI-related risk aversion nudges US index futures slightly lower overall
Written on February 17, 2026 at 2:09 pm, by davin
US stock futures slip as AI fears cool risk appetite. Eyes turn to Fed minutes, key inflation data, and big earnings. Traders explore hedging puts, semi-vs-software pairs, or premium-selling. – vtmarketsmy.com
Italy’s EU trade deficit widens to €2.447B, down from €1.959B previously
Written on February 17, 2026 at 2:09 pm, by davin
Italy’s EU trade deficit widened to €2.447B in December—an economic warning sign. With falling industrial output and wider bond spreads, traders eye FTSE MIB puts, BTP-Bund bets, and EUR/USD volatility. – vtmarketsmy.com
MUFG’s Derek Halpenny says stronger JGBs are easing fiscal worries, but risk-off still dominates as the yen leads G10 on lower yields
Written on February 17, 2026 at 1:09 pm, by davin
Risk-off jitters hit markets: yields and stocks slid, gold fell, but the yen surged on strong JGB demand and easing fiscal fears. Traders eye USD/JPY downside, options plays, and lower volatility. – vtmarketsmy.com
