CANADA DATA: Sales Activity Points To Potential Marking Up Of GDP Ests
There was mixed news on the housing and wholesale/manufacturing sales fronts this week, which on net look to slightly upwardly bias Q1 GDP estimates, pending next week's retail sales reading.
Housing starts blew through expectations at 278.6k in April (226.2k expected, 214.2k prior). This came after building permits fell a worse-than-expected 4.1% M/M in March as reported Wednesday.
- Meanwhile, he Canadian Real Estate Association reported existing home says April sales unexpectedly contracted -0.1% M/M (+1.0% expected, -4.8% prior). Sales are now down 9.8% Y/Y, while prices fell 1.2% M/M (3.6% Y/Y on the price index). (Link)
- Overall, confidence appears subdued, which is likely to translate into subdued activity.
On the sales front, March data was soft but positive versus expectations and could add a slight upward drift to Q1 GDP expectations.
- Manufacturing sales were less negative than expected at -1.4% M/M (-1.9% expected/flash estimate, -0.2% prior rev up 0.4pp). The decline was led by primary metals -6.5%, an area hit by U.S. tariffs, and oil -4.2%. Overall Q1 factory sales grew +1.6% vs prior +1.1%.(Link)
- Wholesales ex-petroleum and grains rose 0.2% in March, vs the advance estimate / consensus -0.3%. Sales volumes fell 0.3%. Overall Q1 wholesales rose 2.5%, led by machinery/equipment and autos/parts.
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MNI: US TSY TICS NET FLOWS IN FEB +$284.7B
- MNI: US TSY TICS NET FLOWS IN FEB +$284.7B
- US TSY TICS NET L-T FLOWS IN FEB +$112.0B
USDCAD TECHS: Bear Cycle Remains Intact
- RES 4: 1.4452/4543 High Mar 13 / 4 and a bull trigger
- RES 3: 1.4415 High Apr 1
- RES 2: 1.4237 50-day EMA
- RES 1: 1.4028/4151 Low Apr 3 / Low Feb 14
- PRICE: 1.3887 @ 16:11 BST Apr 16
- SUP 1: 1.3829/22 Low Apr 14 / Low Nov 6 ‘24
- SUP 2: 1.3744 76.4% retracement of Sep 25 ‘24 - Feb 3 bull run
- SUP 3: 1.3696 Low Oct 10 2024
- SUP 4: 1.3643 Low Oct 9 ‘24
USDCAD remains within range of recent lows but a bearish theme remains intact for now. Recent fresh trend lows marked a resumption of the downtrend and has signalled scope for a continuation near-term. Potential is seen for a move towards 1.3744, a Fibonacci retracement. Moving average studies are in a bear -mode position, highlighting a dominant downtrend. First resistance to watch is 1.4028, the Apr 3 low.
AUDUSD TECHS: Approaching Key Resistance
- RES 4: 0.6428 50.0% retracement of the Sep 30 ‘24 - Apr 9 bear leg
- RES 3: 0.6409 High Dec 9 and a key resistance
- RES 2: 0.6389 High Apr 3 and a reversal trigger & 3.0% 10-dma envelope
- RES 1: 0.6383 High Apr 15
- PRICE: 0.6382 @ 16:08 BST Apr 16
- SUP 1: 0.6243 20-day EMA
- SUP 2: 0.6116/0.5915 Low 10 / Low Apr 9 and the bear trigger
- SUP 3: 0.5830 2.000 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
- SUP 4: 0.5729 2.236 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
AUDUSD maintains a short-term bullish tone following recent gains. The pair has breached the 50-day EMA. The break of this average strengthens the reversal and signals scope for a continuation higher, towards 0.6389, the Apr 3 high and the next important resistance. For bears, a resumption of weakness would refocus attention on 0.5915, the Apr 9 low and bear trigger. First support lies at 0.6243, the 20-day EMA.
