SGD/USD - Rate Guide

Singapore Dollar (SGD)

Singapore was added to a US watchlist of suspected currency manipulators in May. Though that means little right now in terms of economic implications, it created some negative sentiment that spurred a rise in USD/SGD to a 6-month high (SGD low) of S$1.384.

Overall, it’s been a mixed 2019 for the Singapore dollar, with small gains (<2 percent) against the euro and Australian dollar, but small losses against the US dollar and pound.

In May, SGD was pressured by data showing core inflation at a 1-year low, by an escalation in US-China trade tensions, and after Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry downgraded 2019 growth forecasts. At 1.2 percent, quarterly growth in the Lion City has slowed to its lowest level in a decade.

All said, the Monetary Authority of Singapore will, at best, keep monetary policy unchanged when it next meets in October (there's a chance it could turn dovish).

Read more in the article SGD Forecasts.

United States Dollar (USD)

The US dollar has held its value this year despite a serious escalation in US-China trade tensions, mainly because the greenback is still considered a safer currency to own than most others. After grim employment data on June-7, the Dollar Index was up 0.5 percent on the year (it had fallen 2 percent from May’s 2-year high).

As in other parts of the world, interest rate cuts are now expected in the US following a drastic shift in economic forecasts. At least two Fed cuts are expected this year, with the first most likely to come in July.

Taking the blame for the economic downturn is US President Donald Trump, whose trade policies have set a ball rolling that could wipe $455bn from global output according to the IMF.

Read more in the article USD Forecasts.

The mid-rate is the rate you will see quoted online or the news. It is actually just the half-way point (hence mid-rate) between the last rate at which the SGD / USD was traded (bought or sold) in the international markets.

All foreign exchange providers charge a fee for providing their service and this fee is usually contained within the exchange rate margin (or difference to the mid-rate). Some providers such as Transferwise will quote you the mid-rate (or close to) and charge a separate percentage fee.