Global trade: China extends port dominance – Standard Chartered.Global trade: China extends port dominance – Standard Chartered

U.S. Dollar Tests Weekly Highs Ahead Of FOMC Minutes: Analysis For EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, USD/JPY.The American currency gains ground, supported by encouraging economic reports.

United States 20-Year Bond Auction down to 4.664% from previous 4.846%.United States 20-Year Bond Auction down to 4.664% from previous 4.846%

Natural Gas, WTI Oil, Brent Oil Forecasts – Oil Gains 4% As Russia – Ukraine Talks Deliver No Progress.Traders are also worried that U.S. will strike Iran to put more pressure on the country.

USD/JPY Price Forecast: Volatility fades as pair holds near mid-Bollinger Band.USD/JPY Price Forecast: Volatility fades as pair holds near mid-Bollinger Band

Oil Prices Hold Firm as Iran Risk Offsets Bearish EIA Outlook.Oil prices are holding firm near recent highs as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East counterbalance a more cautious demand outlook from the EIA.

WTI crude oil surges on Iran nuclear talk uncertainty and Strait of Hormuz closure.WTI crude oil surges on Iran nuclear talk uncertainty and Strait of Hormuz closure

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Holds the OCR at 2.25%.The RBNZ held the OCR at 2.25% in its first decision under Governor Anna Breman. The Kiwi sold off as the rate forecast disappointed hawkish expectations.

Natural Gas Price Analysis – Natural Gas Continues to Flounder.The natural gas market looks absolutely lost as we continue to see a lack of demand being a major worry at the moment.

Crude Oil Price Analysis – Oil Bounces on Tensions.The crude oil markets continue to see consolidation, but the tensions between Russia and Ukraine have put a bit of a bounce into the market on Wednesday.

AUD/CHF, AUD/USD and AUD/JPY Forecast – Aussie Dollar Showing Risk Appetite Direction.The Australian dollar has been slightly mixed on Wednesday, as traders are trying to determine the overall direction of risk appetite, not only in the Aussie, but markets in general.

US Dollar Short-term Outlook: USD Coils Between Key Levels – Breakout Looms.The US Dollar stalled at resistance early in the month, leaving price action contained within a well-defined consolidation band. The recent pullback keeps the index within the confines of the late-January uptrend with the opening range now clearly established and the next sustained move beyond its boundaries is likely to dictate near-term direction.

US Dollar Forecast: DXY Eyes Breakout at 97.522 as Safe-Haven Flows Return.U.S. Dollar Index climbs toward 97.522 breakout level on Iran tensions and Euro weakness. Safe-haven buying drives DXY higher as Fed minutes loom.

DXY, USD/JPY, RUSSELL 2000 and PL Forecast – Markets in Motion on Wednesday.Several markets are in play at the moment, and there are even a few I am watching for a bit of a “heads up” on others.

United States Capacity Utilization came in at 76.2%, below expectations (76.5%) in January.United States Capacity Utilization came in at 76.2%, below expectations (76.5%) in January

United States Industrial Production (MoM) above forecasts (0.4%) in January: Actual (0.7%).United States Industrial Production (MoM) above forecasts (0.4%) in January: Actual (0.7%)

Fed Minutes to shed light on January hold decision amid hawkish rate outlook.Fed Minutes to shed light on January hold decision amid hawkish rate outlook

Natural Gas News: Forecast Points to Falling Demand, Surging Production Ahead.Natural gas futures drop on bearish weather forecast and 2.5-year high rig count. Lower demand meets surging production, sell-the-rally mode returns.

Dollar Leads as Markets Seek Guidance From Fed Minutes.Dollar trades slightly firmer as investors position ahead of FOMC minutes from January meeting. The hold decision itself is old news; what markets want to understand is how far policymakers are from resuming rate cuts.

Japan PM Takaichi hopes BOJ works closely with government to durably hit price goal.Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday she hopes the central bank works closely with the government to durably achieve its 2% inflation target accompanied by wage gains.

United States Redbook Index (YoY) rose from previous 6.5% to 7.2% in February 13.United States Redbook Index (YoY) rose from previous 6.5% to 7.2% in February 13

US durable goods orders fall -1.4% mom on transport drag, core demand firm.US durable goods orders fell -1.4% mom in December to USD 319.6B, slightly better than expectations for a -1.6% decline. The headline weakness was largely driven by transportation equipment, which dropped -5.3% mom to USD 113.5B and has now fallen in two of the past three months.

ECB succession talk puts Knot and De Cos in frame for top job.The former governors of the Spanish and Dutch central banks are seen as the front-runners to replace Christine Lagarde at the helm of the European Central Bank, likely in a broader political deal that could see both of them end up with a major job.

US housing starts for December 1.404M vs 1.309M estimate.Housing starts measure when actual construction begins (foundation work started), while building permits reflect government approvals to build — making permits a leading indicator and starts a confirmation of activity. The data are released monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau and reported as a Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) to smooth seasonal swings and express the pace as an annualized figure.

USD/JPY: Export surge and policy watch shape Yen – BNY.USD/JPY: Export surge and policy watch shape Yen – BNY

WTI: Oil Price Bounces Strongly After Cracking Strong Support Zone.WTI oil price bounced from two-week low on Wednesday, retracing so far a good part of Tuesday's 2.1% drop, sparked by mostly unjustified optimism over potential positive outcome of US-Iran talks.

investingLive European markets wrap: Dollar steadies, oil jumps on US-Iran tensions.In Europe, the big news is that we could see ECB president Lagarde proceed with an early departure from the central bank. It is being reported that she could be eyeing an exit before the French presidential elections next year.

USD: Data and FOMC minutes eyed for guidance – TD Securities.USD: Data and FOMC minutes eyed for guidance – TD Securities

Fed: AI, rates and volatility – Rabobank.Fed: AI, rates and volatility – Rabobank

Morning Bid: Changing of Lagarde.What matters in U.S. and global markets today