The coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in China has resulted in contrasting moves among global currencies. Concerns over a slowing global economy have intensified due to the travel bans, port closures, city-wide lockdowns, and factory shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 scare. US dollar – A safe havenThe US dollar index is back near the 100-level and is up 2.8 percent year-to-date. Thai baht – bleak tourism outlookThe Thai baht is the worst performing currency in Asia year-to-date, down 5.1 percent. Temporary cancellations on some commodity supply contracts with China, on top of declining oil and commodity prices, have caused these currencies to weaken.

Source: Philippine Star February 16, 2020 16:00 UTC