Dollar Slips After Moody’s Downgrade as Swiss Franc and Yen Gain
June 10, 2025Ratings Shock and Trade Rhetoric Weigh on Greenback
The downgrade echoed earlier moves by Fitch (2023) and S&P (2011) and coincided with fresh warnings from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that President Trump will move ahead with threatened tariffs if partners “don’t negotiate in good faith.” Combined, the twin pressures knocked the dollar broadly lower, trimming a four-week winning streak built on recent hopes for a global trade thaw.
Safe-Haven Yen Also Firm, Euro and Sterling Advance
USD/JPY fell to 144.66, a low not seen since early May, while the euro climbed 0.6 % to $1.1232 and sterling gained a similar 0.6 % to $1.3355 after Britain sealed a broad reset of defence and trade ties with the EU. Despite dollar losses, New York Fed President John Williams noted no “large-scale move” out of U.S. assets, stressing the greenback’s reserve-currency status.
Market Mood Mixed as Talks Resume
A Financial Times report that Washington has re-opened serious trade talks with the EU lifted sentiment slightly, even as Moody’s action revived focus on U.S. fiscal fragilities. China called on Washington to adopt “responsible policies” to safeguard global financial stability, underscoring geopolitical tensions that keep investors parked in safe havens like the franc.
Commodity FX Rebounds Ahead of RBA
The Australian dollar rose 0.66 % to $0.6444 and the kiwi added 0.5 % to $0.5911 ahead of Tuesday’s RBA decision, where a 25-bp cut is widely expected. Still, risk-sensitive units underperformed CHF and JPY, highlighting the market’s preference for traditional safety under U.S. downgrade clouds.