Forex Today: central banks remain in focus, BOJ next

Here is what you need to know on Thursday, September 19th:

• The Fed delivered as expected, cutting the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a 1.75% - 2% range, although two voting members voted for a no-change.  The dot-plot shows that there are no more rate cuts in the docket for this year, and quite a split FOMC for 2020 in that regards. Economic growth has suffered a slight upward revision, although there were no changes to inflation projections when compared to June’s forecast. The dollar surged with the news, government bond yields bounced.
• The Pound remains the strongest, flirting with 1.2500 despite renewed dollar’s demand. The EUR weakened toward 1.1000 but remains within familiar levels.
• Post-Fed, the BOJ and the BOE will have monetary policy meetings this Thursday, although both are expected to maintain their status quo and their decisions to have a limited impact on the respective currencies.
• Crude oil prices edged lower as the weekly US Energy Information Administration report revealed that commercial crude oil inventories in the country increased by 1.1 million barrels in the week ending September 13 compared to analysts estimate for a draw of 2.5 million barrels.
• Safe-havens lost ground, despite Wall Street U-turned after an initial collapse post-Fed, to end the day with strong gains.
• New Zealand Q2 GDP, BOJ’s Monetary policy decision and Australian employment figures to be out during the upcoming Asian session.