US Dollar ticks up as markets brace for Nvidia earnings

NEW YORK (November 20) The US Dollar (USD) recovers on Wednesday, with the DXY Index trading around 106.5, as market sentiment turns risk-on ahead of the Nvidia earnings release after the US closing bell. Overnight in the US session, markets reversed the initial concerns about the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is open to a peace deal brokered by President-elect Donald Trump. 

The US economic calendar is still rather empty on Wednesday, except for the weekly Mortgage Applications data. The focus shifts to the Federal Reserve (Fed), with four Fed speakers set to release comments for the markets. That December interest-rate cut remains in limbo, with traders unsure whether the Fed will stick to its previous commitment to cutting rates in December again. 

Daily digest market movers: Calm down 

• Geopolitical headlines on Ukraine and Russia point to an easing of tensions after Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that he would be open to a ceasefire discussion with President-elect Donald Trump, Reuters reports.
• At 12:00 GMT, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released the weekly Mortgage Applications. This week’s number came in at 1.7% against last week’s numbers, which was an increase of 0.5%. 
• Near 15:00 GMT, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr testifies about the oversight of prudential regulators before the House Financial Services Committee in Washington DC.
• Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook delivers a speech about the US economic outlook and monetary policy at the University of Virginia Department of Economics in Charlottesville, Virginia at 16:00 GMT.
• Near 17:15 GMT, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman delivers a speech about "approach to agency policymaking" at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida.
• Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins delivers remarks and participates in a conversation at an event organized by the Ford School in Ann Arbor, Michigan at 21:00 GMT.
• Equities have shrugged off the drag of the geopolitical headlines from Tuesday and are in positive spirits ahead of the Nvidia earnings release after the US closing bell. European stocks are up with US equity futures following suit. 
• The CME FedWatch Tool is pricing in another 25 basis points (bps) rate cut by the Fed at the December 18 meeting by 59.1%. A 40.9% chance is for rates to remain unchanged. While the rate-cut scenario is the most probable, traders have significantly pared back some of the rate-cut bets compared with a week ago.
• The US 10-year benchmark rate trades at 4.42%, sliding further away from the high printed on Friday at 4.50%.

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