Foreign exchange fixings and returns around the clock

We document that intraday currency returns display systematic reversals around the major benchmark fixings, characterized by an appreciation of the U.S. dollar pre-fix and a depreciation post-fix. We propose an explanation based on constrained intermediation by foreign exchange dealers. Exploiting data from a major inter-dealer platform, we present evidence of an unconditional demand for U.S. dollars at currency fixings. Dealers hedge this demand pre-fix, driving intraday reversals in both over-the-counter and exchange-traded markets. Furthermore, order imbalances in futures markets are not related to intraday reversal patterns, suggesting that the marginal investors in foreign exchange markets are intermediaries.