Expectations of Fed lift-off delay behind Sing dollar's rise: analysts

Singapore

MARKET expectations that the US Federal Reserve will delay its first interest-rate hike in nine years until after September are likely behind the Singapore dollar's recent strengthening against the US dollar and several other currencies as traders unwind positions, analysts said, though they added that the appreciation is unlikely to last long.

While the trend might continue at least until the end of this week's Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the market's focus will rapidly move on to the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) October policy meeting, analysts noted, cautioning the risk of Sing-dollar easing has risen.