Market Sentiment Pulse – A brief update on what’s moving markets and why – February 4, 2026

Market Sentiment Pulse – Risk Appetite Shifts Amid Economic Data Releases This week has seen a notable shift in market sentiment as traders navigate through a series of economic data...

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Quick overview

  • Market sentiment has shifted as traders respond to recent economic data releases affecting major currency pairs.
  • The euro has strengthened against the dollar due to positive German manufacturing data, while the British pound remains volatile amid mixed UK indicators.
  • The U.S. job market showed strength with a significant increase in non-farm payrolls, leading to speculation about potential interest rate hikes.
  • Overall, the market sentiment is mixed, with a slight shift towards risk-on, but ongoing concerns about inflation and central bank policies persist.

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Market Sentiment Pulse – Risk Appetite Shifts Amid Economic Data Releases

This week has seen a notable shift in market sentiment as traders navigate through a series of economic data releases that have impacted major currency pairs. The focus remains on central bank policies and geopolitical developments that are influencing forex movements.

  • EUR/USD: The euro has strengthened against the dollar, trading around 1.0900, buoyed by stronger-than-expected German manufacturing data.
  • GBP/USD: The British pound remains volatile, currently hovering near 1.2500 as traders react to mixed economic indicators from the UK.
  • USD/JPY: The yen has weakened against the dollar, with USD/JPY reaching 145.50, influenced by rising U.S. Treasury yields.
  • AUD/USD: The Australian dollar has shown resilience, trading at 0.6500, supported by higher commodity prices and a stabilizing Chinese economy.
  • USD/CAD: The Canadian dollar continues to face pressure, with USD/CAD at 1.3700, primarily due to fluctuating oil prices.

Notable Economic Events and Their Impact

This week’s economic calendar has been significant, with several key reports influencing market trends:

  • U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP): The NFP report indicated a robust job market, with an increase of 250,000 jobs in September, leading to speculation of a potential interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve, thus strengthening the dollar.
  • German Factory Orders: A surprise rise of 3.1% in German factory orders has bolstered the euro, suggesting resilience in the Eurozone economy despite global uncertainties.
  • Bank of England (BoE) Meeting: The BoE maintained interest rates, but comments regarding inflation and potential future hikes have kept traders on edge, contributing to the pound’s volatility.
  • Australian Trade Balance: A surplus of AUD 8 billion reported has provided support for the AUD, reflecting stronger exports and demand from China.

Overall Market Sentiment

The overall market sentiment is currently mixed, as traders weigh the impacts of economic data against ongoing geopolitical tensions. The risk appetite appears to have shifted slightly towards a more risk-on tone, with equities rising and safe-haven currencies like the yen under pressure. However, concerns about inflation and central bank monetary policies continue to loom large, causing fluctuations in major currency pairs.

As we move forward, traders should remain vigilant, keeping an eye on upcoming economic indicators and geopolitical developments that could further influence market dynamics. The next few days will be critical as we approach key announcements and market reactions to the evolving landscape.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Louis Schoeman
Financial Writer
Louis Schoeman serves as the Lead economic analyst for the African Region, with an MBA Louis possesses strong understanding of Makro and political sphere affecting the African economy as a whole. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of the Shares and Indices in Africa , are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as SA Shares, Investing.com, Entrepreneur.com and MarketWatch to name a few.

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