Risk aversion failed to bolster the USD amidst a potential bank crisis in the US

The US cash equity markets are about to finish the week on the back foot. US regulators seized the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) after the institution failed to raise capital to meet its requirements. That sent shockwaves across different asset segments as worries for a spillover increased.

Aside from this, the US Department of Labor revealed the February Nonfarm Payrolls report. Figures exceeded forecasts of 205,000 and came at 311,000. Even though the headline made a case for a stronger US Dollar (USD), delving into the details, the Unemployment Rate edged to 3.6% vs. 3.4% estimates, a sign that the labor market is cooling. Average Hourly Earnings increased by 4.6% YoY, below 4.7% estimates.

In the Eurozone (EU) front, Germany reported inflationary data at 8.7% YoY, unchanged from the previous month. The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose 9.3% YoY, cementing the case for further tightening by the European Central Bank (ECB).