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Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Hits Seven-Week High After Fed Hike

Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Hits Seven-Week High After Fed Hike.

Asian currencies traded mixed on Thursday as the U.S. dollar hovered near a seven-week high following the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate hike in three years. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen remained near a two-week low ahead of the Bank of Japan’s closely watched policy decision.

The U.S. Dollar Index held around 100.30 after gaining 0.7% overnight. The Fed unanimously raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, with policymakers projecting another increase this year. Rate futures indicate roughly a 90% probability of an additional 25-basis-point hike by year-end.

Markets increasingly expect the next Fed rate hike at the December 9 meeting rather than October 28. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh maintained his opposition to forward guidance and declined to provide his own rate projections.

The Japanese yen remained under pressure, with USD/JPY trading near 156.08 after reaching 156.32 earlier. Investors expect the BOJ to raise rates on Friday to their highest level in 31 years as persistent inflation and elevated oil prices strengthen the case for tighter monetary policy. Traders will closely monitor Governor Kazuo Ueda’s comments for clues about future rate increases.

Sterling was also in focus ahead of the Bank of England’s policy decision, with GBP/USD near 1.3377 and close to a six-week low. The European Central Bank raised its three key interest rates by 25 basis points last week amid renewed inflation risks from higher energy prices and Middle East tensions.

China’s yuan remained relatively stable, with USD/CNY and USD/CNH around 6.71. Beijing has expanded its onshore foreign-exchange clearing system to support more direct trading between foreign currencies and the yuan, part of efforts to increase the currency’s international use.

Elsewhere in Asia, USD/KRW gained 0.2% to 1,379.63 and USD/IDR climbed 0.6% to 17,755.1. USD/MYR rose 0.4%, while USD/INR declined 0.2%. The Singapore dollar strengthened slightly, while the Australian dollar gained 0.3% against the greenback.

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