ForexLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Kashkari, Suzuki spoke
The Asia-Pacific trading session was relatively quiet, with the major currency pairs trading in narrow ranges. The focus was on the speeches from two central bank officials, Neel Kashkari of the Federal Reserve and Makoto Suzuki of the Bank of Japan.
Kashkari, who is known for his dovish stance, reiterated his view that the Fed should not rush to raise interest rates and should prioritize achieving maximum employment. His comments weighed on the US dollar, which remained under pressure throughout the session.
Suzuki, on the other hand, expressed concern about the recent appreciation of the Japanese yen and hinted at the possibility of additional monetary easing to counteract the currency's strength. His remarks supported the view that the BOJ could take further action to support the economy, which helped to limit the yen's gains.
Overall, the forex market in the Asia-Pacific region was subdued, with traders awaiting more significant developments later in the week, including the release of key economic data and central bank meetings. The lack of major catalysts kept trading activity muted, and the major currency pairs traded in tight ranges.
Looking ahead, market participants will be closely watching the upcoming events, including the US nonfarm payrolls report and the European Central Bank's policy decision. These events could provide fresh impetus for the forex market and lead to increased volatility in the coming days.