By Orbex
Dollar Hanging in There
The greenback ended on an even keel as investors digested Joe Biden officially beginning his first term in office.
The departing Donald Trump wished the new administration great luck and success but vowed that he will be back.
Stronger risk appetite, as evidenced by ever-higher US equities, has diminished some of the recent demand for the US dollar.
The impulse of further aid relief is likely to remain the key driver for the dollar in the coming days, amid an otherwise quieter US economic calendar through to the end of the week.
Investors Looks for ECB Relief
The euro closed 0.18% lower on Wednesday after initially touching the 1.21 handle.
Free Reports:
Get our Weekly Commitment of Traders Reports - See where the biggest traders (Hedge Funds and Commercial Hedgers) are positioned in the futures markets on a weekly basis.
Sign Up for Our Stock Market Newsletter – Get updated on News, Charts & Rankings of Public Companies when you join our Stocks Newsletter
Eurozone inflation was stuck at -0.3% as it remains in negative territory since August.
Warnings continued for the bloc as the extension of containment measures across the eurozone at the start of Q1 are likely to weigh strongly on services.
The ECB is in action this afternoon, with the markets expecting the press conference to be the key driver for the currency pair.
Sterling Hits 8-Month High
The pound was up by 0.21% yesterday, as intraday pricing saw the currency hit an 8-month high.
A faster pace of the UK’s covid-19 vaccine rollout fuelled hopes of accelerated economic recovery.
The price of goods in the UK as measured by the consumer price index rose at an annual rate of 0.6% in December.
This suggests that the Bank of England is less likely to make further cuts to interest rates that would dent the pound.
Wall Street Closes at Record High
Wall Street greeted new US President Joe Biden by climbing even higher on Wednesday, closing at record highs amid promises of big economic stimulus and relief aid.
The tech-rich Nasdaq led the charge, jumping 2%. This was fuelled, in part, by a huge gain in Netflix shares following a strong earnings report.
In addition, the Dow rose 0.8%, whilst the broad-based S&P 500 climbed 1.4%.
Gold Drives for $1,900
Gold closed almost 2% up yesterday capping off a 2-week high.
The precious metal was supported above a mixed US dollar, as investors favored the stock markets on Wednesday.
However, bulls sided with an element of caution, as previous rallies have lacked the conviction necessary to stage a confident break higher.
WTI Slips on API
Oil dropped by 0.20% on Wednesday as it fell through the $53 level.
The black gold stood on slippery ground as the latest API report saw a jump in inventories.
Also weighing on oil prices was Joe Biden’s decision to cancel the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline on his first day in office.
By Orbex

- GBP/USD Pauses Ahead of Bank of England Rate Decision Mar 17, 2026
- The RBA raised the rate to 4.1% amid a surge in fuel prices. The Canadian dollar strengthened following the inflation data release Mar 17, 2026
- RoboForex Launches Swap-Free Trading for All Clients Mar 16, 2026
- Gold Continues to Decline Amid Fed Expectations Mar 16, 2026
- Investors begin pricing in prolonged stagflation due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Mar 16, 2026
- Iran wants to maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz until the United States closes all its bases in the Middle East Mar 13, 2026
- USD/JPY at Highest Since July 2024: Market Awaits BoJ Intervention Mar 13, 2026
- Oil continues to rise despite record strategic reserve releases by the IEA Mar 12, 2026
- Gold Moderately Lower as Market Pressures Intensify Mar 12, 2026
- IEA deploys strategic reserves to halt soaring oil prices Mar 11, 2026