A drop in US yields has undermined the USD over recent days against major currencies although emerging market currencies remain under varying degrees of pressure. US 10 year Treasury yields have fallen by around a quarter of a percent since the end of last year, acting as a real drag on the USD.
A rise in risk aversion over recent days (the VIX fear gauge has risen by over 13% since its low on 10 January) appears to have resulted in increased demand for Treasuries and weaker equities, with markets ignoring generally firmer than anticipated US economic data this week including weekly jobless claims and existing home sales.
Emerging market currencies have come under strong pressure while the usual safe havens have strengthened most against the USD in particular CHF and JPY. The EUR has also made up some ground. Fortunately for the USD expectations of Fed tapering continue to fuel some buying of the currency, constraining any downside. Nonetheless, until US Treasury yields resume their upward movement the USD’s upside momentum will be limited.
ECONOMETER 
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