Greenback Reaches New 2021 Highs

Risk appetite was buoyed early Monday, as stocks globally bounced back from a particularly soft performance last week. This sentiment was partially echoed in currency markets, with CHF offered.

A solid greenback followed a round of soft Eurozone economic data, as German retail sales and a number of PMIs missed expectations, helping boost the USD index further above the 50-dma to hit the best levels of the year.

CHF was one of the weakest performers in G10, falling against most others, as equities traded well and risk appetite seemed to find some more solid ground. CHF downside protection was in vogue, with sizeable USD/CHF call options trading throughout European hours.

Focus Tuesday turns to prelim French CPIs, Italian growth data for Q4 and the RBA rate decision. The RBA are seen keeping rates unchanged, with markets watching for any mention of the RBA's asset purchase programme. ECB's de Cos, Fed's Kaplan and Mester are due to speak.