Latest data released by Eurostat – 23 February 2021
– CPI +0.9% vs +0.9% y/y prelim
The preliminary report can be found . No change to initial estimates as this reaffirms a bounce in inflation figures to start the year.

Dollar pares earlier gains to sit lower on the day again
Elsewhere, commodity currencies have also pared their drop a few hours ago with AUD/USD turning back up to 0.7887 from 0.7860 earlier and NZD/USD moving back above 0.7300 after a brief dip below the figure level to start the session.

Lagarde is scheduled to speak some time around 1430 GMT
She will be speaking at the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU, where she will be delivering opening remarks alongside a host of prominent figures in the region. The agenda can be found .

EUR/USD moves back up as the dollar erases earlier gains on the session
The dollar is turning back lower after a bit of an advance earlier on, with commodity currencies creeping higher and cable also back above 1.4000.

ANSA news agency reports on the matter
Although vaccine optimism is providing hope for a better outlook in the euro area going into the summer, the current conditions still call for caution as the virus situation is still rather tense; although it has been improving in recent weeks.

Bild reports on the matter
The report says that German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is seeking a four-stage plan to loosen restrictions though she did not disclose the details in a CDU party meeting today. Adding that a working-level group is expected to work out said details tomorrow.

Non-stop rally in bitcoin continues
We’re at the point of the bitcoin rally where distant relatives call me up and ask if they should buy it. That’s a sign that we’re at least in the middle-innings of this rally. When they’re calling me up and telling me to buy it that’s the time to sell.

Forex news for North American trading
on February 19, 2021
The USD was the weakest currency at the close of yesterday and it continued the move to the downside today. Although it was not the weakest of the majors (the CHF was the weakest), it fell vs all the majors with the exception of the CHF.  The biggest declines

NASDAQ index and Dow industrial average close marginally higher. Russell index surges
a snapshot of the final numbers shows:

Fed Powell testifies. RBNZ rate decision
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday