Commodity Currencies Slump Amid Falling Raw Material Prices

Commodity currencies, including the Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian dollars, fell to multi-week lows due to declining raw material prices and weaker demand, especially from China. The yen surged as short sellers exited positions before a central bank meeting. Market focus is now on upcoming economic data and potential rate cuts.

Commodity currencies plummeted to multi-week lows on Wednesday, driven by weakening raw material prices and diminished demand, with the yen surging to a two-month high as short sellers exited ahead of a central bank meeting. The Australian dollar declined by 0.5% to hover near its early June low, while the New Zealand dollar dropped to a nearly three-month low of $0.5914, and the Canadian dollar reached a three-month trough of C$1.38 per dollar.

Falling prices for industrial metals like iron ore and copper, tied to a pessimistic outlook for Chinese demand, alongside risk aversion in stock markets after disappointing U.S. earnings, contributed to these declines. In Europe, the euro slipped 0.2% against the dollar, unable to maintain last week's gains, yet advanced against the Norwegian and Swedish crowns.

In Asia, speculators closed profitable yen-funded carry trades with the Bank of Japan's policy review imminent. The yen was the best-performing G10 currency against the dollar in July, rising as dollar/yen fell nearly 1% on Tuesday and another 0.6% on Wednesday. The market's attention is now directed towards upcoming U.S. GDP and core PCE data, and Australian second-quarter inflation figures.

(With inputs from agencies.)