FOREX: Weak US Data Weighs on Greenback, NOKSEK Breaches Multi-Year Support
Mar-03 18:25
- Weaker-than-expected growth and employment metrics in Monday’s release of ISM manufacturing data has weighed heavily on the greenback, culminating in the USD index declining over 1%. Gains across G10 have been broad based, although tariff sensitive currencies such as MXN, CAD and CNH are underperforming as the looming tariff deadlines maintain a sense of trepidation.
- The Japanese yen saw another volatile session, with the late European risk-on tone prompting a near 1% rally from the lows in USDJPY. Even more notable were the ~1.65% recoveries for the likes of EURJPY and GBPJPY which are now consolidating 0.85% advances on the session.
- Data today has supported a strong rally for EURUSD, which has risen 1.15%. Eurozone flash readings of CPI and core CPI coming in a tenth above consensus estimates helped boost the Euro, and the more constructive price action for European equities exacerbated the risk-on momentum.
- Today’s 1.15% advance has swiftly erased the majority of the three session decline seen late last week, and in the process we are flirting once again with the 1.05 handle. This leaves spot just 30 pips away from a cluster of resistance, a collection of daily highs between 1.0520/33 which will provide the key focus ahead.
- Also standing out in the G10 currency space on Monday has been the significant weakness for NOKSEK, following the breach of multi-year support at 0.9500. The cross is now 1.45% lower today at 0.9432 as we approach the APAC crossover. The likely close below 0.9500 represents an important bearish development and signals scope for a more protracted selloff towards the November 2020 low at 0.9274. EURSEK (-1.14%) meanwhile is through a cluster of support around 11.14 and is rapidly approaching the December 2023 low at 11.0030, another important chart point.
- On Tuesday, BOJ Governor Ueda is scheduled to deliver opening remarks at an event hosted by the IMF, in Tokyo. Elsewhere, the RBA minutes and Australia Jan retail sales will be released.
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FED: Powell To Deliver Semi-Annual Testimony In Mid-Feb
Jan-31 21:48
The House Financial Services Committee's website confirms that Fed Chair Powell will deliver his semi-annual Monetary Policy Report on Wednesday Feb 12 at 1000ET.
- The Semi-annual testimony will be closely eyed as Powell's first scheduled appearance since the January FOMC - and the House testimony on the 12th is the same day as the release of January CPI (and the week after nonfarm payrolls and benchmark revisions) so will be of particular interest.
US OUTLOOK/OPINION: Nonfarm Payrolls, Revisions Highlight Next Week In US Macro
Jan-31 21:39
Friday’s nonfarm payrolls for January highlights the US macro week. It's a highly anticipated report that could alter recent trends considering it will include annual benchmark revisions along with seasonal factors and an updated birth-death model.
- The preliminary estimate for the benchmark revision pointed to the level of payrolls being some 818k lower than currently reported for back in March 2024. There’s a broad expectation from what we can gather that the hit seen next week won’t be as large but it could still be significant. We also watch the seasonal revisions closely, as whilst they should have a zero-sum impact over the calendar year, we’ve noted some particularly favorable seasonal factors in recent months that have biased seasonally adjusted jobs growth higher.
- With these considerations in mind, the early days of the Bloomberg consensus points to nonfarm payrolls growth of 150k after a solid three-month average of 170k. Note that the unemployment rate from the separate household survey won’t be affected by these revisions, having already seen its own seasonal factor revisions last month. A population control will complicate month-on-month changes in the levels of employment and unemployment but shouldn’t be significant for the rate, which is seen unchanged at 4.1% having surprised lower with 4.09% in December. The recent high is technically 4.23% in November having first popped to 4.22% back in July.
- Two other special mentions for the week are: 1) rare remarks from FOMC Vice Chair Jefferson speaking on the economic outlook and monetary policy late on Tuesday with both text and Q&A, having last spoke on Oct 9. 2) ISM services on Wednesday after its priced paid series jumped 5.9pts to 64.4 in December for the highest since Feb 2023.
- Away from macro but still material, the coming week brings the US Treasury's quarterly refunding process - our preview is here.
MACRO ANALYSIS: MNI US Macro Weekly: Uncertainty Vindicates Fed’s Patience
Jan-31 21:37
In a largely positive week for economic activity data, including in core durable goods and MNI Chicago PMI, the Q4 GDP accounts stood out by showing a very strong end to 2024 for the consumer.
- As we go to press, though, President Trump has confirmed that tariffs would be imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China beginning this weekend – while also threatening further action against the likes of the European Union and across various import categories.
- The combination of solid growth and policy uncertainty, along with stubborn “supercore” PCE inflation for December, seemingly vindicated the Federal Reserve’s “hawkish hold” at its January meeting.
- A March rate cut is still a possibility but the bar for such an outcome has been set high.
- That gets us to the first key release between now and then: Friday’s nonfarm payrolls for January is the highlight of the US macro week, and could alter recent trends considering it will include annual benchmark revisions along with seasonal factors and an updated birth-death model.
- Other highlights in the upcoming week include ISM Services and the Treasury’s quarterly Refunding announcement (Wednesday), while FOMC Vice Chair Jefferson delivers commentary on the economic outlook and monetary policy Tuesday.
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