Disclaimer: The information and opinions in this report
are for general information use only and are not intended as an offer
or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any currency or
CFD contract. All opinions and information contained in this report are
subject to change without notice. This report has been prepared without
regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and
needs of any particular recipient. Any references to historical price
movements or levels is informational based on our analysis and we do not
represent or warranty that any such movements or levels are likely to
reoccur in the future. While the information contained herein was
obtained from sources believed to be reliable, author does not guarantee
its accuracy or completeness, nor does author assume any liability for
any direct, indirect or consequential loss that may result from the
reliance by any person upon any such information or opinions.
Weekly FX Commentary:
The Euro-zone will remain an important
short-term focus as uncertainty surrounding the Spanish situation
continues. There will be a series of important Summit meetings during
the month with Spain under intense pressure to make a bailout request.
There will, however, be the threat of increasing tensions, especially
given political protests and growing fears over the implications of
continuing recession. Central banks will maintain an aggressive
stance in providing substantial global liquidity which will help protect
risk appetite, at least to some extent.
Key events for the forthcoming week
Key events for the forthcoming week
Date | Time (GMT) | Data release/event |
Friday October 5th | 12.30 | US employment data |
Monday October 8th | Eurogroup meetings | |
Tuesday October 9th | 08.30 | UK industrial production |
Dollar:
The US economic releases have maintained a mixed tone during the week with stronger than expected readings for the PMI data increasing expectations of a stronger fourth quarter. The Federal Reserve, however, has stated its determination to maintain quantitative easing until unemployment falls which will limit any dollar support. The US should still gain some support from expectations of out-performance compared with the Euro-zone. International growth considerations will also remain important and there should be some underlying dollar support from fears over the outlook. The US currency will, however, find it difficult to gain strong support given reduced reserve support from reserve managers.
The dollar was unable to secure any significant gained during the week with an underlying lack of enthusiasm for the currency not offset by risk-related demand.
The latest US ISM manufacturing index was stronger than expected with the first reading above the 50 level for four months at 51.5. The latest ISM non-manufacturing index was stronger than expected at 55.1 for September from 53.7. There will be relief surrounding the orders data, but some disappointment surrounding the employment component which dipped to just above 50.
The US jobless claims data was slightly better than expected at 367,000 in the latest week from a revised 363,000 previously which offered some encouragement surrounding the labour market. The latest payroll data will inevitably be important for sentiment on Friday with employment gains and trends in the workforce watched very closely, especially given the potential political implications.
The Fed minutes were generally dovish as the Fed reinforced its unease surrounding employment trends. Some members were uneasy over further quantitative easing and there was also some pressure for the Fed to drop references to rates being left low for an extended period.
Euro |
There will be further
expectations that Spain will apply for a bailout package in an attempt
to stabilise the economy. This should provide some degree of support for
the Euro, but market anxiety will quickly increase if Spain continues
to resist. There will also be major unease surrounding the growth
outlook and prospects of growing political turmoil in peripheral
economies if recession intensifies. Greece remains in severe
difficulties and there will be increased friction between core and
peripheral economies. In this context, there will be threat of renewed
tensions within the Euro-zone and downward pressure on the Euro could
intensify rapidly.
The Euro maintained a firm tone during the week and pushed to challenge resistance levels above 1.30 against the US currency with the currency gaining underlying support from an underlying reduction of short positions. There were further expectations that Spain was close to requesting a bailout following media reports the previous day that only Germany was now resisting an early move. Prime Minister Rajoy did state that there was harmony between the central government and regions, but markets were broadly focussed on the bailout situation and Rajoy bluntly stated that a request was not imminent. There was some increase in tensions surrounding the ECB bond-buying programme with increased speculation that it could be declared illegal and that there was the possibility of legal action by the Bundesbank as underlying stresses remained high. There were mixed readings for the latest Euro-zone PMI data with the Italian services data figure for example stronger than expected, but the net tone was generally weak with particular concerns surrounding a sharp downturn in France and Spain. Markets have been extremely uneasy surrounding Spanish prospects for months and confidence in the French economy has also deteriorated amid fears that they could start showing the same vulnerability as peripheral economies. Uncertainty surrounding Spain continued with the Madrid government concerned over the terms of any loan package and warning over the threat to Euro stability. There were further uncertainties surrounding Greece with Finance Ministry suggesting that there were still big differences between the government and troika over austerity measures. The troika also suggested that GDP could contract by a further 5% in 2013. As expected the ECB left interest rates on hold at the latest council meeting with the benchmark rate at 0.75% and the deposit rate left at zero. President Draghi’s news conference was relatively subdued. He continued to emphasize the need for conditionality in the bond-buying programme, although also insisted that conditions did not need to be punitive. Draghi was generally downbeat over the economic outlook with the potential for growth and inflation forecasts to be lowered even with headline inflation set to remain above 2.0% through the remainder of this year. Yen: The Bank of Japan will remain under strong pressure to enact even more quantitative easing, especially with demands for the yen to be weakened and there is increased unease within the Finance Ministry with demands for the buying of overseas bonds. Markets remain very uneasy over the US and Euro-zone fundamentals which will still provide some degree of yen protection, especially if global growth concerns intensify. The dollar pushed to highs near 78.70 against the yen during Thursday, supported by a general improvement in risk appetite, but was unable to sustain the gains and weakened back to the 78.30 area. New Finance Minister Jojima stated that the Finance Ministry and Bank of Japan would work together to beat deflation which had some negative yen impact, especially as it reinforced speculation that the Bank of Japan could embark on fresh monetary easing at this week’s policy meeting. There was uncertainty surrounding the monetary policy decision, especially with underlying pressure for government action. The pressure on the bank and unease over the deflation threat was illustrated by attendance at the meeting by the Economy Minister for the first time in nine years. In the event, the Bank of Japan announced no further policy moves with quantitative easing held steady. The yen strengthened to highs in the 78.30 area against the dollar following the decision. |
Sterling | |||
| |||
|
No comments:
Post a Comment