GERMAN DATA: IFO Employment Barometer Rises On Services But Remains Weak
The IFO employment indicator came in at 93.4 points in January in its first rise after 7 consecutive declines (December 92.4). The increase was driven by the services sector rising above the neutral threshold again, while employment prospects in the manufacturing sector declined further and are not far off pandemic lows any more. On the trade sector, which saw some bottoming out recently, IFO comments "fewer staff are needed due to weak consumer spending."
- Employment has stabilized in Q4 in Germany according to the monthly releases following a clear decline in Q3 (see lower chart which displays quarterly data).
- The German government expects overall broadly unchanged employment in 2025 - a continuously weak IFO employment at least suggests that upside risks to that estimate are limited for the time being.
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MNI EXCLUSIVE: Interview with BoF Senior Economist
Bank of France senior economist Klodiana Istrefi discusses expressions of uncertainty and interest rates. On MNI Policy MainWire now, for more details please contact sales@marketnews.com
SILVER TECHS: Bearish Cycle Remains Intact
- RES 4: $34.903 - High Oct 23 and the bull trigger
- RES 3: $33.125 - High Nov 1
- RES 2: $32.338 - High Dec 12 and a key resistance
- RES 1: $30.676 - 50-day EMA
- PRICE: $28.945 @ 07:58 GMT Dec 31
- SUP 1: $28.748 - Low Dec 19
- SUP 2: $28.446 - 76.4% retracement of the Aug 8 - Oct 23 bull cycle
- SUP 3: $27.686 - Low Sep 6
- SUP 4: $26.451 - Low Aug 8
A bear cycle in Silver that started Oct 23 remains in play. The metal has recently breached support at $29.642, the Nov 28 low. The break lower opens $28.446, a Fibonacci retracement. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position highlighting a dominant downtrend. Key resistance has been defined at $32.338, the Dec 12 high. A break of this level would signal a reversal.
USDCAD TECHS: Bullish Flag Formation
- RES 4: 1.4667 2.0% 10-dma envelope
- RES 3: 1.4539 3.382 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 2: 1.4508 3.236 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 1: 1.4467 High Dec 19
- PRICE: 1.4367 @ 07:52 GMT Dec 31
- SUP 1: 1.4336 Low Dec 20
- SUP 2: 1.4277/4103 20- and 50-day EMA values
- SUP 3: 1.4011 Low Dec 5
- SUP 4: 1.3928 Low Nov 25 and a key support
USDCAD bulls remain in the driver’s seat and the pair is holding on to the bulk of its recent gains. The latest pause appears to be a flag formation - a bullish continuation signal. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4508 next, a Fibonacci projection level. Initial firm support to watch lies at 1.42779, the 20-day EMA. A pullback would be considered corrective.
