FX News Today

The AUD, NZD and emerging nation currencies gained ground against the USD, JPY and other currencies, continuing to outperform as stocks in Asia built on weekly gains, posting the best winning streak of the year in many cases. AUDUSD logged a three-month high at 0.7376, and AUDJPY a one-month peak. USDJPY, meanwhile, recouped to near 114.00 from the low 113s. EURUSD consolidated in the mid-1.09s after yesterday’s short-covering rally following above-forecast data out of the Eurozone. In the stock market realm, Japan’s Nikkei closed 0.3% for the better, up by over 4% on the week, while the main Chinese indexes are set to make today the fourth consecutive daily gain. Oil prices have continued to consolidate the 30%-plus gains seen from January lows amid signs of an improving supply-demand balance. The PBoC’s cutting of its reserve requirement ratio for big commercial banks on Monday, expectations of more stimulus from the ECB at its meeting next Thursday, and encouraging data in the US this week, coupled with market-satisfyingly confident-but-cautious guidance from Fed policymakers have collectively underpinned the prevailing risk-on sentiment this week. Attention is now on today’s US payrolls report, which is expected to show a decent 190k headline gain.

Dallas Fed’s Kaplan sounded relatively dovish emphasizing patience on rate hikes and policy accommodation, especially relative to tighter global financial conditions so far this year. That said, he sees resilience in the US economy for 2016 with a 1.9% GDP forecast, once accounting for slowing global growth and tighter financial conditions. As a Texas-based policy maker he sees potential ripple effects from weakness in the energy sector, though oil inventories may begin to fall by mid-2017. He also forecasts the jobless rate falling at a slower pace this year, though a low rate is more sustainable given global overcapacity. Kaplan said that inflation as tracked by the Dallas Fed ticked up in January, which bears watching. Markets remain inert ahead of payrolls.

Yesterday’s US reports revealed disappointments across the factory goods, ISM-NMI, and claims figures that trimmed prospects for both GDP and payrolls, though the pattern of upside surprises in US data over the past week remains intact despite today’s setbacks. The productivity report tracked estimates with welcome Q4 boosts in productivity and output alongside big downward bumps in Q3 and Q4 compensation that allowed a hefty trimming in Q3 and Q4 growth for unit labor costs.

Talks between OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers are on the table potentially in the first half of April, according to a Gulf OPEC delegate, but have not been formally set just yet. The source believes the meeting would likely be held in Doha, or some other Gulf city. A production “freeze” at elevated levels was agreed between the Saudis and Russia, but a wider agreement remains to be hammered out. Oil prices continue to consolidate gains in the meantime.

Main Macro Events Today

• US Employment: February nonfarm payrolls are expected to increase by 190k, with a 180k private payroll gain. Forecast risk: upward, as improving claims could provide a lift. Market risk: downward, as substantial weakness could impact the path of rate hikes. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 4.9%. The workweek is expected to remain at 34.6 from January. Hourly earnings are expected to be up 0.1% which would leave a 2.5% y/y rise. Hours-worked should be up 0.1% for the month following a 0.4% increase last month.

• Canada Ivey PMI: Canada’s Ivey PMI is expected to drop to 60.0 in February after jumping to 66.0 in January. The run-up in the January Ivey did not mean sentiment across Canada switched from mild pessimism in December to a level of optimism not seen since February of 2012’s 66.5 reading. Underlying not seasonally adjusted data typically sees big swings over November, December and January that are proving difficult to adjust in the seasonally adjusted series. That was likely again the case this time around.

• Canada Trade: The trade deficit is projected to widen modestly to -C$0.8 bln in January (median -C$1.0 bln) from -C$0.6 bln in December. We see a 0.5% m/m gain in exports after the 3.9% surge in December. We see a 0.5% m/m gain in exports after the 3.9% surge in December. Imports are expected to rise 1.0% in January after the 1.6% bounce in December. Oil prices are a key risk, having plunged in January, which should weigh on import and export values.

Janne Muta

Chief Market Analyst

If you wish to get the latest forex brokers news,you can visit our Top Forex Brokers official website:

http://www.topforexbrokerscomparison.com

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

FX News Today

Caixin China Services PMI disappointed in February and came in at 51.2 while analysts expected a 0.2 point rise to 52.6 from January. Index is still an indication of expanding services sector but growth was modest and much weaker than the average growth in long term. The survey shows that contraction in the manufacturing sector can spill over into service sector. This could be a red flag for the government and push it to increase its stimulative efforts further. Chinese government has been trying to replace manufacturing and export with private consumption as a key driver for the economy.

Fed’s Beige Book reiterated growth expanded in most Districts, according to the report prepared by the KC Fed, with contacts generally optimistic over future economic growth. Consumer spending increased in most regions, but some weakness was noted in KC and Dallas. Auto sales remained elevated. Manufacturing was mostly flat, but conditions varied considerably across Districts. Most note weak demand originating from the energy sector, not surprisingly. Additionally, the stronger dollar and weaker global growth outlook were headwinds to exports. Nonfinancial services activity was up slightly, with demand for staffing services in the rise. Transportation was mixed. Residential real estate was mostly on the rise, while home inventories were low. Residential construction activity had strengthened. Nonresidential sales also improved. Labor market conditions continued to improve. Wage growth varied from flat to strong across the 12 Districts, and most noted consumer prices were holding steady.

SF Fed’s Williams said that domestic demand is overwhelming weakness from abroad and he sees the US service sector as the driver next year, while inflation should move back to 2% over the next couple years. He doesn’t see the stock market a good indicator of where the economy is going and doesn’t think that China will be a huge risk to the US economic outlook. Williams sees no tangible risk that the US will fall into recession and the Fed strategy of raising rates is the right one. He still sees some accommodation as needed, but over time favors normalization. This is in keeping with his more bullish view of the economy and consistent favoring of normalizing rates for this hawkish dove.

The 214k February ADP rise beat the analyst estimates. The mining-restrained 5k rise in February goods jobs included a big 27k increase for construction jobs follows yesterday’s solid construction spending report to signal encouraging prospects for that sector, though we saw a 9k drop for factory jobs. A stronger than expected 208k climb for service sector jobs explained the headline ADP overshoot, and countered fears of a weakening service sector. U.S. reports over the last week have largely countered the market narrative of a slowing economy despite the big hit to trade revealed in last Friday’s trade data.

Main Macro Events Today

• EMU Final Services PMI: The Eurozone Markit Services PMI for February, is expected to be confirmed at 53.0, unchanged from the preliminary reading. Confidence has been coming off, although mainly in the manufacturing sector, which is more focused on global headwinds and slowing emerging market growth. The services sector continues to benefit from robust domestic demand and PMI levels suggest ongoing expansion, but growth momentum is clearly slowing down and even a better than expected number would do little to dampen demands for further easing from the ECB.

• US initial jobless claims: Jobless claims are expected to be 270k in the week-ended February 27. Continuing claims are expected to fall to 2,229k for the week-ended February 20. Forecast risk: upward, as the end of the holidays should slow layoffs. Market risk: downward, as weaker than expected data could slow the path of rate hikes

• US Factory Orders: January factory orders are expected to grow 2.0% with inventories down 0.2%. Forecast risk: upward, given the stronger topline durable inventory numbers. Market risk: downward, as weaker data could impact the path of rate hikes.

Janne Muta

Chief Market Analyst

If you wish to get the latest forex brokers news,you can visit our Top Forex Brokers official website:

http://www.topforexbrokerscomparison.com

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

FX News Today

Swiss growth much better than expected at +0.4% q/q, up from -0.1% in Q3 (revised down from 0.0%). The median forecast had been for a 0.2% rise. The y/y figure was also +0.4%, down from 0.8% in Q3 but above the 0.1% median forecast. The jump in the franc in January 2015 following the SNB’s abandonment of its former cap, along with sluggishness in the Eurozone economy have been dragging on the Swiss economy, though the year finished well with the 0.4% growth the best quarterly performance of 2015.

ECB’s Draghi brandished his dovish bazooka again, noting that the bank’s policy review in March will be seen against the background of increased downside risks to the prior outlook and there “are no limits” to how far we are willing to deploy our instruments within our mandate to achieve our objective of inflation rates below but close to 2% over the medium-term. Moreover, Euro area inflation dynamics continue to be weaker than expected. Speaking from Frankfurt, Draghi continues to keep expectations high for action in March, which helped relegate the already weak euro to session lows after being weighed firmer rounds of US data earlier.

The US February ISM rose to 49.5 (median 48.5) from 48.2 in January while US construction spending grew by 1.5% (median 0.5%) in January following a 0.6% (was 0.1%) pace in December and US Markit manufacturing PMI slid to 51.3 in the final February print, from 52.4 in January, though it improved slightly versus the 51.0 flash February reading. This just beats the all-time low of 51.2 set in December.

Canada’s real GDP grew 0.8% in Q4, contrary to expectations (median flat) following the revised 2.4% bounce in Q3 (was +2.3%, q/q saar). The separate December GDP tally showed a 0.2% gain (m/m, sa) that topped expectations (median +0.1%) after the 0.3% bounce in November. The BoC expected a flat reading for real Q4 GDP, so these reports further trim the chances for a near term rate cut from the bank. Note, however that trade made a sizable contribution to growth as exports fell by less than imports, consumption slowed and business investment contracted. So at first glance the dynamics of the Q4 report appear to be roughly in-line with bank projections. Yet these are better than anticipated reports overall, notably the December GDP gain that shows the economy with some momentum going into 2016.

Main Macro Events Today

• Euro Area PPI: The Euro Area Producer Price Index (Y/Y) for January is released today and is expected to come in almost unchanged at -2.9%. December reading was -3.0%. This should put ammunition in the hands of the doves in the ECB.

• US ADP Employment Change: The ADP unemployment survey for February is due today with an expectation of 195K new jobs against the previous number of 205K.

• US Fed Beige Book: Traders look forward to this month’s Beige Book release as it is used by the FOMC to help in their interest rate decisions. In the previous release, the Philadelphia Fed stated that the economy was expanding moderately while consumer spending remained mixed.

Janne Muta

Chief Market Analyst

If you wish to get the latest forex brokers news,you can visit our Top Forex Brokers official website:

http://www.topforexbrokerscomparison.com

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

FX News Today

Reserve Bank of Australia held rates steady at 2.00%, as was widely expected. Policy remains, not surprisingly, data and event driven as the bank will follow new information to see if the improvement in the job market is sustainable and (repeating a key line from February) whether the “recent financial turbulence portends weaker global and domestic demand.” Notably, Stevens now says “continued low inflation would provide scope for easier policy” should that be needed to support demand. He said it “may” provide scope back in February. He was again largely constructive on domestic growth, saying that the expansion in the non-mining parts of the economy strengthened in 2015. On the exchange rate, he said it “has been adjusting to the evolving economic outlook.”

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), restarted easing operations on Monday. The bank added approximately $100 billion worth of long-term financing into the Chinese economy to mitigate the pain from increased unemployment and bankruptcies in those industries that have been suffered from overcapacity. According to a statement on PBOC website the bank was cutting the reserve requirement ratio, or the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves, by 50 basis points, taking the ratio down to 17 percent for the biggest lenders.

China’s manufacturing sentiment shrunk in February, adding to ongoing concerns over the pace of slowing in China’s economy. The official manufacturing PMI fell to 49.0 in February from 49.4 in January. The Caixin manufacturing PMI declined to 48.0 in February from 48.4 in January.

Yesterday’s US reports revealed a sharp 8-point Chicago PMI February plunge to 47.6 alongside a 3-point uptick in the Dallas Fed index to -31.8 from a -34.6 expansion-low. We also saw a 2.5% January drop in the pending home sales index to a lean 1.4% y/y rise, which reinforces the view that housing sector growth is moderating despite a winter weather-lift. Yesterday’s figures counter Friday’s more encouraging reports that documented resilience in the US economy to the global growth pull-back.

Main Macro Events Today

• EMU Unemployment Rate: So far the slowdown in confidence indicators hasn’t reached the labour market and jobless numbers continue to come down. We are looking for a further decline in the German sa number of 10K (median same) in February, which would leave the jobless rate unchanged at 6.2%. Eurozone January unemployment meanwhile is seen steady at 10.4%, with headline rates coming off highs, but disparities across countries remaining large and youth unemployment still much too high. With confidence indicators heading south and global headwinds getting stronger, it seems only a matter of time until the labour market starts to feel the chill.

• Canada GDP: The Q4 and December GDP reports are due today. These two releases are the key reports in a busy week. December GDP is expected to moderate to a 0.1% m/m pace (median same) following the 0.3% gain in November. The separate real GDP measure is seen edging 0.3% higher in Q4 (median is for no change) after the 2.3% bounce in Q3. The reports will show a domestic economy that was limping along, yet still expanding, going into the new year.

• US Manufacturing ISM: The February ISM is expected to decline to 48.0 (median 48.5) from 48.2 in January and 48.0 in December. Other measures of February producer sentiment have been mixed and despite some headline improvements the various components of the releases have remained weak which could spell downside risk for the ISM. Broadly speaking, we expect the ISM-adjusted average of all measures to decline to 48 for the month, a new cycle low, from 49 in January and 50 in December.

Janne Muta

Chief Market Analyst

If you wish to get the latest forex brokers news,you can visit our Top Forex Brokers official website:

http://www.topforexbrokerscomparison.com

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.