EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fig 1: NZD/USD & NZ 2yr Swap Rate

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P./MNI
UK
BOE (MNI BOE WATCH): The Bank of England is widely expected to leave Bank Rate on hold at 3.75% on Feb 5, with attention on forward guidance and its 2026 pay survey. Analysts anticipate a seven-two or six-three vote for a hold, after two consecutive five-four votes. Divisions within the Monetary Policy Committee have already been highlighted by a change in the statement format to include separate paragraphs written by each individual member
INFLATION (MNI INTERVIEW): UK food prices would increase by only 0.5% even if farmers pass on to consumers all of the cost of the government's Net Zero targets, which encourage them to use less fertiliser and reduce livestock numbers, a report by the Resolution Foundation think tank said on Wednesday.
UNEMPLOYMENT (MNI BRIEF): UK unemployment will peak at 5.4%, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said in its quarterly forecast on Wednesday, as it expects 50 basis points of further cuts to Bank Rate this year.
UK-US (BBG): "Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump discussed the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, a point of contention between the two countries after the president reversed his previous support for a plan to return sovereignty of the island to Mauritius."
EU
EU-US (MNI BRIEF): The European Parliament's negotiating team is continuing to discuss how to “Trump-proof” an EU-U.S. trade deal - which stalled following the clash over Greenland - ahead of an official vote on whether to resume work on the deal.
EU-US (BBG): “ The European Union will pitch the US on a critical minerals partnership to curb China’s influence, looking to shape the Trump administration’s push to strike global agreements this week.”
SPAIN (BBG): " Banco Santander SA agreed to acquire Webster Financial Corp. in a $12 billion deal that will allow Spain’s largest bank to bet big on the US."
FRANCE (BBG): "French far-right leader Marine Le Pen should stay banned from the 2027 presidential race, according to a prosecutor who also sought a confirmation of her conviction for embezzling European Union funds."
US
FED (MNI BRIEF): Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran has stepped down from his position as chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, MNI confirmed. Miran joined the Trump administration’s Council of Economic Advisers in January 2025. He had been on leave from this post since September 2025, when he became a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. (See: MNI INTERVIEW: Fed’s Miran Sees Substantial Rate Cuts In 2026).
IRAN (BBG): "President Donald Trump reiterated that the US and Iran are maintaining diplomatic talks, even after an earlier skirmish in the Arabian Sea spooked oil markets amid heightened tensions between the two countries."
ECONOMY (MNI BRIEF): College graduates and higher income households continue to outspend their poorer counterparts in evidence of a bifurcated economy that raised concerns about the fragility of the expansion, New York Fed data published Tuesday showed.
FED (MNI BRIEF): The Federal Reserve should be ready to respond if labor market conditions deteriorate further but for now have taken some insurance against such deterioration, and data suggest a resilient economy and more inflation progress to come, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said Tuesday.
OTHER
NEW ZEALAND (MNI BRIEF): New Zealand’s unemployment rate rose 10 basis points to 5.4% in the fourth quarter, up from 5.3% in Q3, data released by Stats NZ on Wednesday showed. The underutilisation rate was unchanged at 13.0%, while the employment rate edged up to 66.7% from 66.6% in the previous quarter.
SHIPPING (BBG): ' Tankers moving crude from the Middle East to China charged the highest fees in more than two months this week, after tensions over Iran combined with tight vessel supply to drive up prices."
CHINA
YUAN (BBG): "Bank of America Corp. boosted its forecast for the yuan, joining other Wall Street banks in raising their estimates on bets that China’s central bank will tolerate further gains in the currency."
HOUSING (SECURITIES DAILY): "More cities are expected to carry out the acquisition of second-hand homes for affordable housing, after Shanghai kicked off the campaign, Securities Daily reported citing analysts."
MNI: PBOC Net Drains CNY302.5 Bln via OMO Wednesday
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) conducted CNY75 billion via 7-day reverse repos, with the rate unchanged at 1.40%. The operation led to a net drain of CNY302.5 billion after offsetting the maturity of CNY377.5 billion today, according to Wind Information.
MNI: PBOC Sets Yuan Parity Lower At 6.9533 Weds; +5.36% Y/Y
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the dollar-yuan central parity rate lower at 6.9533 on Wednesday, compared with 6.9608 set on Tuesday. The fixing was estimated at 6.9363 by Bloomberg survey today.
MARKET DATA
NEW ZEALAND Q4 EMPLOYMENT CHANGE Q/Q 0.5%; MEDIAN 0.3%; PRIOR 0.0%
NEW ZEALAND Q4 EMPLOYMENT CHANGE Y/Y 0.2%; MEDIAN -0.1%; PRIOR -0.7%
NEW ZEALAND Q4 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 5.4%; MEDIAN 5.3%; PRIOR 5.3%
NEW ZEALAND Q4 PARTICIPATION RATE 70.5%; MEDIAN 70.3%; PRIOR 70.3%
NEW ZEALAND Q4 PVT WAGES INC OVERTIME Q/Q 0.5%; MEDIAN 0.5%; PRIOR 0.4%
NEW ZEALAND Q4 AVERAGE HOURLY EARNIGNS Q/Q 0.7%; PRIOR 0.7%
AUSTRALIA JAN F S&P GLOBAL PMI SERVICES 56.3; PRIOR 56.0
AUSTRALIA JAN F S&P GLOBAL PMI COMPOSITE 53.1; PRIOR 52.8
JAPAN JAN F S&P GLOBAL PMI SERVICES 53.7; PRIOR 53.4
JAPAN JAN F S&P GLOBAL PMI COMPOSITE 53.1; PRIOR 52.8
CHINA JAN RATING DOG PMI SERVICES 52.3; MEDIAN 52.0; PRIOR 52.0
CHINA JAN RATING DOG PMI COMPOSITE 51.6; PRIOR 51.3
SOUTH KOREA JAN FX RESERVES $425.91BN; PRIOR $428.05BN
MARKETS
US TSYS: Neutral Bias Remains, Despite Yields Near 1 Month Highs
The US 10-Yr future traded in a 111-17+ to 111-21+ range today, treading water for much of the day even as many major equity bourses weakened. The 10-Yr moved lower initially but stabilized at 111-19+, just below its opening level of 111-20
Front end cash was flat with longer dated USTs only modestly higher in yield, having on a weak tone but with some modest improvement as equities stalled.
US equity futures are point pointing to a mixed start at this stage, and with Friday's NFP delayed, focus turns to the treasury refunding announcement, though not markets not expecting any surprises. There will be a US$17bn 17-week auction.
Investors remain sensitive to shifts in the "Fed regime" as the transition toward Warsh approaches. Bostic speaks Wednesday and markets will look for guidance on how the committee views the recent bounce in manufacturing activity .
ADP Employment change is key, with private sector employment is expected to show an increase of 45k for January, up from December's gain of 41,000.
This ISM Services Index is forecast to drop to 53.5 (from 54.4 in December). Markets will closely watch the Prices sub-index (forecast at 64.0) for signs of cooling inflationary pressure.
JGBS: Modest Rally Across Curve, 5Y Remains Vulnerable, 30Y Supply Tomorrow
JGB futures are stronger, +12 compared to settlement levels.

Source: Bloomberg Finance LP
AUSSIE BONDS: Post-RBA Weakness Remains
ACGBs (YM -4.0 & XM -3.0) are weaker, having extended yesterday’s post-RBA sell-off. ACGB futures are 3-7bps weaker than yesterday’s pre-RBA levels, with a flatter curve. Nevertheless, futures remain above yesterday’s intraday lows
BONDS: NZGBS: Q4 Jobs Report Extends Rally
NZGBs closed 4-5bps richer after today’s Q4 Employment Report.

Bloomberg Finance LP
JPY: USD/JPY - Drifts Above 156.00 As The Election Looms
The USD/JPY range today has been 155.70 - 156.39 in the Asia-Pac session, it is currently trading around 156.35. USD/JPY continues to grind back up as we get closer to the weekend elections. A large portion of the leveraged short Yen positions being built up heading into the elections would have been washed out thanks to the Fed/MOF rate check after the BOJ rate decision. This large move lower was more down to overextended positioning than fundamentals and as we head toward this weekend's election all the reasons for the Yen short will come back to the fore. This should see USD/JPY which has lost its immediate upward momentum remain well supported on dips as the market looks toward the 160.00 area once again. Resistance on the day should be around 156.50-157.00 and support is back towards the 155.00 area.
Fig 1 : USD/JPY Spot Daily Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
FOREX: USD - Treading Water Around The 1190 Area In BBDXY
The BBDXY has had a range today of 1187.30 - 1188.85 in the Asia-Pac session; it is currently trading around 1188. Risk could not hold onto the ISM gains and has quickly given them up as the rotation out of Tech picks up pace. The USD is treading water around the 1190 area and it is still tough to have any strong conviction on its next medium term direction. I suspect that bounces will continue to find sellers in the short-term as the USD still has few friends, but the caveat being if we do have some sort of a correction in Stocks will the USD safe haven bid come back ? The market is not positioned for this. On the day, the first resistance is toward the 1193-1198 area and then more importantly back above 1200 where I suspect sellers could return.
Fig 1: GBP/USD Spot Daily Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
AUD/USD - Holding Above 0.7000
The AUD/USD has had a range today of 0.7013 - 7036 in the Asia- Pac session, it is currently trading around 0.7020. The AUD is holding above 0.7000 for now even as stocks have another pullback from their highs stalling the pairs upward momentum momentarily. The AUD has been outperforming across the board as leveraged funds increased their longs anticipating yesterday's hike, I suspect these trades will now begin to be added to as further hikes are priced in. On the day, the first buy-zone is toward the 0.6970-0.7000 area, if this does not hold we could see a deeper pullback toward 0.6900 where I suspect buyers could be lining up. The AUD is looking to regain its upward momentum to test the pivotal 0.7100-0.7200 and potentially extend higher from there.
Fig 1: AUD/USD spot Daily Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
NZD/USD - Pulls Back From 0.6060 On Unemployment Data
The NZD/USD had a range today of 0.6028-0.6063 in the Asia-Pac session, it is currently trading around 0.6035, -0.20%. The NZD topped out above 0.6060 and moved lower as the unemployment rate is likely to keep the RBNZ on hold for now. On the day, the first support is around the 0.5985-0.6015 area as the market looks to regain its upward momentum. A break below here could signal a deeper pullback toward 0.5900 and put the test of 0.6100 off for a while.
Fig 1: NZD/USD Spot Daily Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
ASIA STOCKS: US Lead Weighs on Japan and China, India's Momentum Builds
The NIFTY 50 has opened modestly higher Wednesday, up over +3.5% since Sunday's close, having opened for the budget. The US tariff agreement continues to feed into an improved sentiment with the index above all moving averages, whilst largely neutral on momentum indicators, suggesting this positive momentum could continue.

OIL: EMAs Point to Bullish Uptrend as Oil Rises Again

GOLD: $5,000 Poses No Challenge for Gold as Rally Resumes

UP TODAY (TIMES GMT/LOCAL)
| Date | GMT/Local | Impact | Country | Event |
| 04/02/2026 | 0815/0915 | ** | S&P Global Services & Composite PMI (f) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 0830/0930 | Riksbank Minutes | ||
| 04/02/2026 | 0845/0945 | ** | S&P Global Composite & Services PMI (f) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 0850/0950 | ** | S&P Global Composite & Services PMI (f) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 0855/0955 | ** | S&P Global Composite & Services PMI (f) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 0900/1000 | ** | S&P Global Composite & Services PMI (f) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 0930/0930 | ** | S&P Global Composite & Services PMI (Final) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | ** | EZ PPI | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | *** | EZ HICP Flash | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | *** | EZ HICP Flash | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | *** | EZ HICP Flash | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | *** | EZ HICP Flash (2dp) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | *** | Italy Flash Inflation | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | *** | HICP (p) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | *** | Italy Flash Inflation | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1200/0700 | ** | MBA Weekly Applications Index | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1315/0815 | *** | ADP Employment Report | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1330/0830 | *** | Treasury Quarterly Refunding | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1445/0945 | *** | S&P Global Composite & Services Index (final) | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1500/1000 | *** | ISM Non-Manufacturing Index | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1500/1000 | Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent | ||
| 04/02/2026 | 1530/1030 | ** | US DOE Petroleum Supply | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1530/1030 | ** | DOE Weekly Crude Oil Stocks | |
| 04/02/2026 | 1700/1200 | Richmond Fed's Tom Barkin | ||
| 04/02/2026 | 2330/1830 | Fed Governor Lisa Cook | ||
| 05/02/2026 | 0030/1130 | ** | Trade Balance | |
| 05/02/2026 | 0700/0800 | ** | Manufacturing Orders | |
| 05/02/2026 | 0745/0845 | * | Industrial Production | |
| 05/02/2026 | 0830/0930 | ** | S&P Global Final Eurozone Construction PMI | |
| 05/02/2026 | 0900/1000 | * | Retail Sales | |
| 05/02/2026 | 0930/0930 | ** | S&P Global/CIPS Construction PMI | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1000/1100 | ** | EZ Retail Sales | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1200/1200 | *** | Bank Of England Interest Rate | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1200/1200 | *** | Bank Of England Interest Rate | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1230/1230 | BOE Press Conference | ||
| 05/02/2026 | - | European Central Bank Meeting | ||
| 05/02/2026 | 1315/1415 | *** | ECB Deposit Rate | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1315/1415 | *** | ECB Main Refi Rate | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1315/1415 | *** | ECB Marginal Lending Rate | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1330/0830 | *** | Jobless Claims | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1330/0830 | ** | WASDE Weekly Import/Export | |
| 05/02/2026 | 1345/1445 | ECB Press Conference |