- USDTHB: moving in the range 30.935 – 31.01 this morning, supportive level at 30.80 resistance level at 31.05
- SET Index: 1,296.4 (+1.02%), 20 Jan 2026
- S&P 500 Index: 6,796.9 (-2.08%), 20 Jan 2026
- Thai 10-year government bond yield (interpolated): 1.929 (+8.72 bps), 20 Jan 2026
- US 10-year treasury yield: 4.30 (+6.0 bps), 20 Jan 2026
- German investor optimism hits four-year high
- Japan 40-year bond rebounds as Katayama urges calm
- China's loan prime rates remain unchanged
- S. Korea early trade data show chip-led export strength
- BOT raises repatriation limit to USD 10 Million to ease Baht strength
- Dollar slides as Greenland tensions escalate; sterling and euro advance
German investor optimism hits four-year high
German investor optimism climbed to its highest level since mid-2021, boosted by government spending that is helping revive the manufacturing sector. The ZEW expectations index jumped to 59.6 in January from 45.8, beating forecasts, while the assessment of current conditions also improved to -72.7 from -81.0.
Japan 40-year bond rebounds as Katayama urges calm
Japan’s 40-year bond rebounded after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama called for calm following a selloff that sent yields to record highs. The yield fell 6.5 basis points after jumping more than 25 basis points on tax-cut pledges, but investors remain cautious ahead of the Feb. 8 snap election, with potential BOJ intervention in focus.
China's loan prime rates remain unchanged
China’s central bank left loan prime rates unchanged, signaling a preference for targeted support over broad easing as growth slows. The one-year LPR held at 3.0%, while the over-five-year LPR remained at 3.5%.
S. Korea early trade data show chip-led export strength
South Korea’s exports surged 14.9% year on year in the first 20 days of January, driven by strong semiconductor demand, with chip exports soaring 70.2%. Shipments of wireless communication and petrochemical products also rose sharply, up 48% and 18%, respectively. In contrast, auto exports fell nearly 11% amid weak global demand and higher U.S. tariffs, while ship exports declined 18%.
BOT raises repatriation limit to USD 10 Million to ease Baht strength
The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) have relaxed income repatriation rules, raising the per-transaction limit to USD 10 million from USD 1 million, effective 19 January 2026, in a bid to curb baht appreciation. The BOT noted that transactions below this threshold account for about 92% of total exports, and the change allows exporters to retain or use U.S. dollars without forced conversion, supporting exchange-rate stability, reducing transfer costs, and improving cash-flow management.
Dollar slides as Greenland tensions escalate; sterling and euro advance
The 10-year government bond yield (interpolated) on the previous trading day was 1.929, +8.72 bps. The benchmark government bond yield (LB353A) was 1.887, +9.00 bps. Meantime, the latest closed US 10-year bond yields was 4.30, +6.0 bps. USDTHB on the previous trading day closed around 31.16, moving in a range of 30.935 – 31.01 this morning. USDTHB could be closed between 30.80 – 31.05 today. The dollar remained under pressure as tensions escalated between US President Trump and EU leaders, with Trump threatening 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne after President Macron declined to join his Gaza peace board. In this environment, the CHF and EUR were favored as liquidity alternatives to the USD, with limited domestic developments; a stronger-than-expected German ZEW survey had little impact on EUR/USD but weighed somewhat on Bunds. Meanwhile, the JPY underperformed other G10 currencies despite reduced USD appeal from trade uncertainty, as concerns over fiscal sustainability intensified ahead of the upcoming snap election, driving a sharp sell-off in JGBs, while USD/JPY hovered around 158.20.
Sources : ttb analytics , Bloomberg, CNBC, Trading economics, Investing, CEIC
