ECB: ECB Accounts: Very Difficult To Net Out Balance Of Inflation Risks

Small business optimism continued its improvement from lows seen after April tariff announcements in August. Both backward- and forward-looking price metrics pulled back further after some recent increases although a longer-term trend remains one at a level above that consistent with the 2% inflation target. 

• The NFIB small business optimism index firmed slightly more than expected in August as it ticked up to 100.8 (cons 100.5) from 100.3 in July for technically its highest since January.
• It extends what has been a trend recovery from the 95.8 seen after reciprocal tariff announcements in April. For context, the index saw a recent high of 105.1 in December, fully reflecting US election results, an average of 93 in 2024 and a very long-term 52-year average of 98.
• Ahead of Thursday’s US CPI report for August, the net share who increased prices compared to three months ago fell for a second month to 21% (lowest since Oct 2024) vs 29% in Jun and a recent high of 32% in Feb.
• It’s below the 23% averaged in 2024 but remains above pre-pandemic averages of ~12%.
• Also on the softer side, the net share expecting to increase prices over the next three months fell for a second month to 26%, the joint lowest since Sep 2024, having recently peaked at 32% in June.
• It’s back below the 28% averaged in 2024 but remains above the 22% averaged pre-pandemic.
• The two price metrics therefore point to some cooling in price pressures after an initial firming in the early stages of the second Trump administration, although from a longer-term trend perspective they continue to point to some stabilization at level above those historically consistent with 2% inflation. 

• In FX, the trend theme in EURUSD remains bullish. This week’s move higher reinforces current conditions and confirms a clear breach of 1.1743, the Aug 22 high. This highlights a short-term bullish development and signals scope for an extension towards 1.1829, the Jul 01 high and bull trigger. Support to watch is around the 50-day EMA, at 1.1625. A clear breach of this average would signal scope for a deeper retracement.
• GBPUSD is trading higher today as the pair extends the recovery from the Sep 3 low. The move higher has retraced the steep sell-off on Sep 2 and highlights a stronger bullish development. This also suggests the corrective cycle between Aug 14 - Sep 3 is over. Sights are on resistance at 1.3595, the Aug 14 high and a bull trigger. A break would strengthen a bullish condition. Initial support to watch is 1.3463, the 50-day EMA.
• USDJPY is trading lower as the pair extends the reversal from last week’s 149.14 high on Sep 3. The move down refocuses attention on key short-term support at 146.21, the Aug 14 low and a bear trigger. A break of this level would highlight a stronger bearish threat and expose 145.40, 50% of the Apr - Aug upleg. Clearance of the Sep 3 high is required to reinstate a bullish theme.

• RES 4: 114-10   High Apr 7 (cont.)
• RES 3: 114-00   Round number resistance 
• RES 2: 113-26+ 2.764 proj of the Jul 15 - 22 - 28 price swing 
• RES 1: 113-21+ High Sep 5
• PRICE:‌‌ 113-13+ @ 12:29 BST Sep 9
• SUP 1: 112-28+/112-11+ Low Sep 5 /  20-day EMA
• SUP 2: 111-26+ 50-day EMA
• SUP 3: 111-13+ Low Aug 18 and a key support  
• SUP 4: 110-25   Low Aug 1 

Treasury futures rallied sharply higher last Friday and the contract remains closer to its recent highs The move higher highlights an acceleration of the uptrend. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. This paves the way for an extension through 113-21 next (pierced), the 2.618 projection of the Jul 15 - 22 - 28 price swing. Initial firm support to watch is 112-11+, the 20-day EMA.