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EUR/USD - ECB eyeing German, eurozone CPIThe euro has extended its decline on Thursday. In the European session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.1095 at the time of writing, down 0.22% on the day. The US dollar has rebounded against the euro this week, climbing 0.89%. Inflation is expected to ease in Germany and the eurozone, which could have significant impact on the European Central Bank rate announcement on Sept. 12. Inflation declined in German states and the national harmonized inflation rate is expected to fall to 2.1% y/y in August, down from 2.3% in July. The eurozone releases CPI on Friday. The market estimate for CPI stands at 2.2%, compared to 2.6% in July. The core inflation rate is expected to creep lower to 2.8%, down from 2.9% in July. A drop in inflation in Germany and the eurozone would support the case for another rate reduction next month. The weak eurozone economy and the fact that the Federal Reserve is also poised to lower rates have strengthened the case to cut rates. At the same time, concern about wage increases is a reason for the ECB to hold off on cutting rates. The Federal Reserve is poised to cut rates next month, which would mark the US central bank joining in the global trend of central banks lowering rates now that the threat of inflation has largely abated. Most FOMC members have come out in favor of a September cut but Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said on Wednesday that the Fed should wait for additional data before lowering rates as it would be a mistake to cut and then have to hike again. EUR/USD is testing support at 1.1087. Below, there is support at 1.1055 There is resistance at 1.1138 and 1.1170
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Australian CPI falls but markets not impressedThe Australian dollar continues to have a quiet week. AUD/USD is trading at 0.6796 in the European session, up 0.06% on the day at the time of writing. Australia’s inflation rate continued to decelerate in July, although the markets were hoping for more. CPI rose 3.5%, down from 3.8% in June but above the market estimate of 3.4%. This was the lowest figure since March but much of the decline was driven by electricity rebates which artificially lowered electricity prices. Core inflation eased but goods inflation remained flat. The markets weren’t impressed with the inflation data and the odds of a rate cut in November fell to 48%, down from 58% prior to the inflation release. The markets are more dovish than the Reserve Bank of Australia, which has discussed raising rates at recent meetings. The central bank is not satisfied with the pace of underlying inflation and has projected that it won’t return to the target band of 2% to 3% until the end of 2025. Governor Bullock has said that the Bank has no plans to cut for at least six months, but the markets are betting that the RBA won’t stay on the sidelines while the Fed and other major central banks are lowering rates. The financial markets are hanging onto every word from FOMC members and we’ll hear from members Christopher Waller later today and Rafael Bostic early on Thursday. As well, the US releases second estimate GDP for the second quarter on Thursday. The initial estimate showed the economy powering ahead with a 2.8% gain, double the 1.4% pace in Q1. The second estimate is expected to confirm the initial reading and confirm that the economy remains in solid shape, despite concerns about a weak employment labor which led to a market meltdown earlier this month. AUD/USD is testing support at 0.6784. Below, there is support at 0.6771 0.6805 and 0.6818 are the next resistance lines
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USD/CAD edges lower on strong Canadian GDPThe Canadian dollar is slightly higher on Thursday. USD/CAD is trading at 1.3537 in the North American session, down 0.23%. Canada’s GDP bounced back with a strong gain of 0.6% m/m in January, after a 0.1% in December. This beat the market estimate of 0.4%. The preliminary estimate for February’s GDP stands at 0.4%, which means that so far, growth in the first quarter is looking solid. This is a major turnaround for the Canadian economy, which narrowly avoided a technical recession in the second half of 2023. The Bank of Canada meets next on April 10th and the improvement in GDP would support the BoC taking its time before cutting rates. The BoC has held the benchmark rate at 5% six straight times and is looking for the economy to cool and inflation to fall further before it lowers rates. At the same time, households are groaning under the weight of high interest rates, which is putting some pressure on the BoC to provide some relief by lowering rates. The US also released GDP for the fourth quarter, with the third and final estimate being revised upwards to 3.4% y/y, up from 3.2% in the second estimate and beating the market estimate of 3.2%. The GDP release was respectable but sharply lower than the 4.9% gain in Q3, which indicates that the US economy is cooling down due to elevated interest rates. The Federal Reserve has sounded more hawkish about rate policy lately. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on Wednesday that inflation had not fallen as quickly as expected and “there is no rush to cut the policy rate”. Earlier in the week, Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bostic lowered his forecast to just one rate cut in 2024, after saying in February that he expected two rate cuts this year. USD/CAD is testing support at 1.3559. Below, there is support at 1.3503 1.3661 and 1.3717 are the next resistance lines
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USD/JPY drifting at start of weekThe Japanese yen is showing limited movement on Monday. In the North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 151.25, down 0.13%. Last week’s Bank of Japan was dramatic as the central bank raised interest rates for the first time since 2007. The move did not catch the markets completely by surprise, as some media reports ahead of the meeting said the BoJ would raise rates and investors were looking at both the March and April meetings as strong possibilities for a rate hike. The yen did not respond to the rate hike with gains, as might have been expected. There are several reasons for this. First, the actual tightening was limited, with rates rising from -0.10% to 0.10%. This means that although the BoJ rate is now in positive territory, the move had little impact on the wide USD/JPY rate differential. BoJ Governor Ueda said after the meeting that despite the hike, monetary policy would remain accommodative, saying that there was “some distance to go” until inflation climbs to the 2% target. As well, many investors approached the BoJ meeting with a “buy the rumour, sell the fact” approach and this resulted in heavy selling of the yen after the rate announcement. The yen slipped 1.60% last week and dropped as low as 151.86, its lowest level since November 2023. The Japanese yen has dropped to levels that could invite intervention - the Ministry of Finance intervened last September and October when the yen dropped to around the 152 line. If the yen continues to lose ground, the threat of intervention will become greater. In the US, the markets have priced in three rate cuts this year, and the Fed also projected three cuts this year at last week’s meeting. However, Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic sounded hawkish on Friday when he said that he expects only one quarter-point cut this year. Bostic said that he was “definitely less confident than I was in December” that inflation will continue to drop towards the 2% target, as he noted that inflation remains stubbornly high and the US economy has been more resilient than he expected. USD/JPY is putting pressure on resistance at 151.44. Above, there is resistance at 151.88 151.02 and 15058 are providing support
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Japanese yen takes a tumbleThe Japanese yen is down sharply on Wednesday. In the North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 145.74, up 0.86%. Japan's wage growth was a major disappointment in November, with a meager gain of 0.2%. This follows the October reading of 1.5% which was also the estimate. This marked the lowest gain since December 2021. The weak wage data will support the Bank of Japan in maintaining its ultra-loose policy. Governor Ueda has hinted at a shift in policy but has stressed that won't happen before inflation is sustainable at 2%, backed by higher wage growth. The BoJ is looking ahead to the annual wage negotiations in March. If workers win significant pay raises from employers, that could set the stage for the BOJ tightening interest rates in April. The US dollar has looked sharp early in 2024, despite the Fed pivoting sharply and signalling that it plans to raise rates this year. The dollar has surged 3.3% against the yen in January, after a 4.85% decline in December. Last week's nonfarm payroll report was stronger than expected, providing support for the Fed to maintain rates in restrictive territory until inflation falls closer to the 2% target. This 'higher for longer' stance was reiterated by Atlanta Fed President Bostic on Monday, who stated that he had a "natural bias to be tighter" and anticipated two rate cuts by the end of the year, with an initial one in the third quarter. This is a far cry from market expectations of up to six rate cuts this year, starting in March. USD/JPY has pushed above resistance at 144.93 and 145.37. Above, there is resistance at 146.13 There is support at 144.17 and 143.73
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Australian dollar falls despite solid retail salesThe Australian dollar is in negative territory on Tuesday. In the North American session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6685, down 0.51%. Australia's retail sales sparkled in November but the strong rebound wasn't reflected in the Australian dollar. Retail sales climbed 2.0% m/m in November, blowing past the estimate of 1.2% and recovering from a revised 0.4% decline in October. This was the highest reading since November 2021 as consumers came out and took advantage of Black Friday sales in late November. The boost in November sales could come at the expense of December sales, however, as consumers may have brought forward their Christmas shopping. Consumer confidence has improved on expectations that interest rates have peaked. Last week's ANZ consumer confidence index indicated that consumer confidence was at its highest level in a year and homeowners are also feeling optimistic as house prices have been rising. Australia will release the November inflation report on Wednesday, with expectations that inflation fell to 4.4%, down from 4.9% in October. The markets have priced in the first RBA rate cut in June but that could be brought forward if inflation falls below the estimate. The US will release the December inflation report on Wednesday as well, which could mean a volatile day for the Australian dollar. With the Federal Reserve on board for rate cuts this year, Fedspeak is being carefully monitored as investors search for hints as to the timing of a first rate cut. The markets have priced in an initial rate cut in March, but had to trim the odds after Friday's nonfarm payroll report was stronger than expected. Atlanta Fed President Bostic said on Monday that he was comfortable with a restrictive stance while inflation continues to move down toward the 2% target. AUD/USD tested resistance at 0.6732 earlier. Above, there is resistance at 0.6824 There is support at 0.6625 and 0.6533
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GBP/USD shrugs after mixed UK dataThe British pound is drifting on Friday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2701, up 0.08%. UK retail sales jumped 1.3% in November m/m, bouncing back from 0% in October and beating the consensus estimate of 0.4%. This was the sharpest pace of growth since January and the increase was felt in all sub-sectors. Yearly, retail sales edged up 0.1%, after a downwardly revised decline of 2.5% in October and above the market consensus of -1.3%. The GDP report was less cheery, as second-estimate GDP for Q3 came in at -0.1%, compared to 0% in the preliminary estimate. This has raised concerns that the weak UK economy could tip into a recession, as negative growth in the fourth quarter would officially be considered a technical recession. GDP for the second quarter was revised downwards to no growth, compared to the initial estimate of 0.2%. The Bank of England will have to decide what to do with this mixed bag of data. The weak GDP could put pressure on the BoE to cut interest rates, but the sharp rebound in retail sales supports the central bank continuing its 'higher for longer' stance. The BoE has maintained the cash rate at 5.25% for three consecutive times. In the US, Federal Reserve members have been pushing back this week against market expectations for rate cuts next year. The markets have priced in up to six cuts in 2024, but the Fed members have said that the markets are getting ahead of themselves and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said he expected two rate cuts in the second half of 2024. On Friday, the Fed will get a look at the PCE Price Index, the central bank's preferred inflation indicator. The headline and core readings are expected to remain unchanged in November, at 0.2% and 0%, respectively. GBP/USD is putting pressure on resistance at 1.2720. The next resistance line is 1.2750 1.2636 and 1.2582 are providing support
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GBP/USD calm after mixed UK jobs report, US retail salesAfter three straight days of sharp movement, the pound has settled down on Tuesday and is slightly lower, trading at 1.2496. Is the UK labour market showing signs of strain? Today's employment numbers are pointing in that direction. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9%, up from 3.8% which was also the estimate. Unemployment claims rose by 46,700, up from 26,500 and crushing the estimate of -10,800. At the same time, wage growth remains strong. Average Earnings excluding bonuses accelerated to 6.7%, up from 6.6% but shy of the 6.8% estimate. The uptick in wage growth will no doubt concern the Bank of England since it complicates its battle to curb inflation, which is galloping at a 10.1% clip. If the BoE can get a handle on sizzling inflation and if the labour market continues to cool down, that should translate into lower wage growth. The British pound is slightly lower on expectations that the BoE may pause its tightening shortly - the markets have priced in just one more rate increase this year. Federal Reserve members continue to send out a hawkish message to the markets, even though the Fed is expected to pause rates at the June meeting. Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin had a hawkish message for the markets on Monday, saying he saw "no barrier" if high inflation persisted. Barkin said that demand was easing but not fast enough for inflation to fall to the 2% target. As for the job market, Barkin said it had moved from "red hot to hot" and there were some signs of the labour market easing. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic poured cold water on rate cuts this year and warned that rates could go up, given the persistence of inflation pressures. GBP/USD is testing support at 1.2524. The next support line is 1.2369 1.2604 and 1.2676 are the next resistance levels
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AUD/USD slides on hawkish FedspeakThe Australian dollar has been relatively quiet during the week but is getting pummelled on Friday. AUD/USD is trading at 0.6685, down 0.84% on the day. The sharp drop can be attributed to technical factors and hawkish comments from Fed members on Thursday. The Federal Reserve is not yet ready to wrap up its current rate-tightening cycle and has sent out the troops to blitz the airwaves and reiterate the Fed's hawkish stance. On Thursday, Fed member Bostic said he favors one more rate hike and then an extended pause, saying the tightening will take time to work its way through the economy. Bostic noted that the banking crisis had led to tighter financial conditions, which has made the Fed's work easier. Fed member Mester also came out in support of more rate hikes but suggested that the economy would have a soft landing. A day earlier, Fed member Williams said "inflation is still too high" and the Fed would use monetary policy to "restore price stability". Williams added that he expected inflation to drop to 3.25% this year and hit the 2% target by 2025. The markets are hearing this message loud and clear, and have priced in a 25-basis point hike in May at 81%, according to the CME Group. Where the markets and the Fed differ is on rate cuts - the markets are anticipating cuts before the end of the year, while Fed members have said that it does not see the economy stalling to such an extent as to justify rate cuts. . AUD/USD Technical There is resistance at 0.6803 and 0.6896 AUD/USD is testing support at 0.6711. Next, there is support at 0.6618
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AUD/USD - Australian dollar takes traders for a wild rideThe Australian dollar has steadied on Monday, trading just above the 0.67 level. We could see further movement from the Aussie early on Tuesday, as China releases GDP. The markets received another clear sign on Friday that the US economy is slowing, after a disappointing March retail sales report. Headline retail sales fell by 1% and the core rate by 0.8%, worse than expected and marking a second straight decline for both. A soft US retail sales report is usually a recipe for US dollar weakness, but that wasn't the case on Friday, as AUD/USD fell by 1%. The US dollar received a boost from strong earnings results, higher inflation expectations and some hawkish Fed speak. Bank earnings impressed on Friday, with strong results from JP Morgan, Citigroup and Wells Fargo. This indicates that the bank crisis has been contained for now, although further contagion cannot be ruled out. On the inflation front, UoM inflation expectations for 12 months jumped 4.6% in April, up sharply from 3.6% in March. Consumer confidence has been on the low side as inflation remains high, and the weak retail sales report was clear proof that consumers are spending less due to high inflation and rising rates. Fed member Waller had a hawkish message on Friday, saying that the Fed would need to continue raising rates because inflation is "far above target" and the labor market remains "quite tight". Waller warned that the Fed would have to keep rates at a high level for an extended period and for longer than the markets expected. Fed member Bostic said he supported one or two more 25-bp hikes to end the current tightening cycle. The likelihood of a 25-bp increase in May has jumped to 80%, up from 68% prior to the retail sales release. There is resistance at 0.6897 and 0.6791 AUD/USD tested support below 0.6700 earlier today. The next support level is 0.6608
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EUR/USD dips as eurozone inflation easesThe euro remains busy and is down 0.40% on Thursday, trading at 1.0624. This follows the euro gaining 0.90% a day earlier. The euro's moves today and yesterday have in large part been dictated by inflation releases. Earlier today, Eurozone Final CPI came in at 8.6% for January, down sharply from 9.2% in December. Headline inflation eased for a third straight month, after hitting a peak of 10.6% in October. The core rate has not followed this downward trend and ticked higher to 5.3% y/y in January, up from 5.2% in December. The improvement in headline inflation eased worries that the ECB would have to deliver another 50-basis point hike in May, after the expected 50-bp increase at the March 16 meeting. These concerns that the ECB would remain aggressive pushed the euro almost 1% higher on Wednesday after German inflation edged up to 9.3% in February, up from 9.2% in January and above the estimate of 9.0%. The usual suspects were at play in driving inflation higher - food and energy. The government has provided energy subsidies, but energy prices still shot up in January by 23.1% y/y, while food prices surged 20.2% in January y/y. In addition to the German inflation report, France and Spain also recorded unexpectedly strong inflation. The eurozone data calendar will wrap up with German and eurozone Service PMIs, which have been showing improvement and are back in expansion territory, an indication of a pickup in economic activity. The German PMI is expected at 51.3 and the eurozone PMI at 52.3 points. In the US, the Federal Reserve remains hawkish with its message that higher rates are on the way. Fed member Bostic reiterated this stance, saying that the terminal rate would be between 5% and 5.25% and have to remain at that level well into 2024. The markets have priced in a terminal rate of 5.50%, but worries over sticky inflation have led to some calls for rates to rise as high as 6%. EUR/USD is testing support at 1.0655. Below, there is support at 1.0596 There is resistance at 1.0765 and 1.0894
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AUD/USD edges lower, CPI nextThe Australian dollar is in negative territory on Tuesday. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6898, down 0.21%. This follows a two-day rally in AUD/USD climbed over 2%. It could be a busy week for the Australian dollar, with Australia releasing CPI on Wednesday, followed by the US on Thursday. Australian headline inflation dropped to 6.9% in October, down from 7.3% a month earlier. The markets are bracing for inflation to rise again, with a forecast of 7.3% for December. As well, the trimmed mean rate (core CPI) is also expected to rise to 5.5%, up from 5.3%. The RBA is widely expected to continue its tightening at the February 7th meeting. The markets are currently pricing in a 25-basis point hike at 60%, and this will likely rise if inflation reverses directions and climbs higher on Wednesday, as expected. The RBA is well aware of the pain that high rates are causing to consumers and businesses and remains flexible with its rate policy. The minutes of the December meeting indicated that the RBA considered three options at that meeting - a 25 bp hike, a 50-bp hike and a pause. In the end, RBA members opted for the 25-bp increase. The Fed hasn't had much success in convincing the markets to adopt its outlook on interest rates. The markets have stubbornly clung to a dovish approach, pricing in a terminal rate of 4.93%. In contrast, the Fed dot plot indicates a terminal rate of 5-5.25%. But you can't fault the Fed for not trying. On Monday, two non-voting FOMC members reiterated the Fed's hawkish stance, saying that rates would likely rise above 5%. Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bostic said he expected rates to remain above the 5% level for "a long time" and that he would put rates on hold throughout 2024. Bostic added that if Thursday's inflation data showed inflation easing, it would strengthen the case for reducing the rate hike at the February meeting to 25 basis points. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly echoed this stance, saying that holding rates at its peak for 11 months was a "reasonable starting point." If inflation is stronger than expected, the markets may listen a bit more closely. Conversely, a soft inflation release will make it harder for the Fed to convince the markets that it is not planning to wind up the current tightening cycle with a "one and done" hike in February. AUD/USD has support at 0.6703 and 0.6620 There is resistance at 0.6841 and 0.6969
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Euro slips back below 1.13The euro is in negative territory on Monday, giving up some of Friday's huge gains. In the North American session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.1268, down 0.36% on the day. Uncertainty led to panic in the financial markets last week, as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 was detected outside of South Africa, leading to fears that the variant could cause a massive spike in Covid cases. This led to the US dollar losing ground on Friday to the traditional safe-havens, the Swiss franc and the Japanese yen. The euro also posted impressive gains, climbing 0.90%, its best one-day gain in 2021. Despite Friday's strong performance, the outlook for the euro remains bearish. Let's not forget that the EUR/USD has fallen 2.50% in November and has not had a winning month since July. The currency will likely struggle to make progress above the 1.13 line, barring a collapse in US Treasury yields. Even without the headache of the spread of Omicron, Europe was in the midst of a fourth wave of Covid, and the massive spike in cases in Germany and elsewhere could derail the EU's tenuous recovery. Things were looking rosy until now, with the EU forecasting a strong 5% growth rate for 2021, but that projection is in jeopardy as lockdowns are looking more likely around the normally busy Christmas shopping season. The Omicron variant has made a splash for only a few days, but already a Fed President has weighed in on this latest Covid development. On Friday, Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said he remained open to accelerating the pace of the Fed's bond taper as well as one or two rate hikes in 2022. Bostic noted that previous variants had caused less economic damage than the delta variant and remained hopeful that the US economy would carry through the next wave of Covid. EUR/USD has support at 1.1229. This is followed by support at 1.1135 There is resistance at 1.1373 and 1.1423
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