Date : 15th June 2020.

Events to Look Out for This Week.

Moving into a new week, the focus is now squarely on the EU-UK meeting on Monday and the monetary policy meetings in the world’s major economies (BoJ and BoE) and their potential for guidance regarding future stimulus actions. On the data front, the economic calendar is packed and focus will be on the UK economic data which will be scrutinized for any sign regarding the depth and length of the recession.

Tuesday – 16 June 2020

RBA Minutes (AUD, GMT 01:30) – The RBA minutes should provide guidance. The bank signalled in its last meeting that “the accommodative approach will be maintained as long as it is required”.

BoJ Interest Rate Decision and Conference (JPY, GMT 03:00 & 06:00)– No major changes are expected in the BoJ’s policy meeting next week, as the Bank already made it clear that it will do whatever it can, but warned the central bank may not be able to keep interest rates low without trust in Japan’s finances over the long term. Kuroda told lawmakers that the BoJ will actively buy T-bills and government bonds  and consider changing rates for its yield curve control if necessary. The BoJ would also consider expanding its special lending programs to further support firms if needed. Monetary easing should be continued until the BoJ’s price target is met, while extraordinary measures in response to the pandemic will fade out post-virus.

Average Earnings Index & ILO rate (GBP, GMT 06:00) – UK Earnings with the bonus-included figure are expected to rise to 2.6% y/y in the three months to April. UK unemployment is expected higher at 4.4%, as data from this month should capture the full effect of the lockdown, which started on March 23rd – mid May in the UK.

Economic Sentiment (EUR, GMT 09:00) – German June ZEW economic sentiment is expected to have sharply declined again to 32 from 51.

Retail Sales (USD, GMT 12:30) – May increases are expected to be seen of 9.5% for headline retail sales and 8.4% for the ex-auto figure, following April drops of -16.4% for the headline and -17.2% ex-autos.

Wednesday – 17 June 2020

Consumer Price Index (GBP, GMT 06:00) – Prices are expected to move up in May, with overall inflation to increase at 0.9% y/y, compared to 0.8% y/y last month.

Consumer Price Index (EUR, GMT 09:00) – The final Euro Area CPI for May is anticipated to rise to 0.4% y/y from 0.1%y/y last month. The core inflation is seen at 0.8% y/y from 0.0% y/y (revised from 0.7%).

Consumer Price Index and Core (CAD, GMT 12:30) – May BoC CPI is expected higher at 0.1% from its -0.4% m/m pace, after it revealed the expected sharp drop in April, as a full month of lockdown savaged the economy.

Crude Oil Inventories.

Gross Domestic Product (NZD, GMT 22:45) – The Q1 GDP is expected to grow at 0.5%, unchanged from last quarter.

Thursday – 18 June 2020

Employment Data (AUD, GMT 01:30) – While the Unemployment Rate is projected to have spiked at 8.3% in May, Employment change is expected to have decreased -575K.

SNB Interest Rate Decision and Press Conference (CHF, GMT 07:30) – SNB is expected to keep rate settings unchanged at the June meeting. The SNB would like to step out of the negative interest rate policy sooner rather than later, but with the world economy still in the grip of Covid-19 and data releases highlighting the fallout from the crisis, there is little the central bank can do if it wants to keep the currency under control. The SNB already signalled in March that it will step up interventions on forex markets to shield the CHF.

Interest rate Decision and Conference (GBP, GMT 11:00) – The economic data from the UK is expected to add pressure on the BoE to add further stimulus measures at next week’s meeting, even if officials continue to shy away from negative rates. Even though the consensus forecasts suggest no change in the policy rate in this meeting, a cut vote at 9-0 MPC is anticipated.

Jobless Claims (USD, GMT 12:30)– US initial jobless claims fell -355k to 1,542k in the week ended June 6 after sliding -226k to 1,897k (was 1,877k) previously.

BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes (JPY, GMT 23:50) – The BoJ minutes should provide further guidance for 2020.

Friday – 19 June 2020
European Council Meeting (EUR, Full Post) – The meeting will involve the Heads of State and Governments of member states.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 18th June 2020.

Central Banks keep markets choppy.

The SNB held rate settings unchanged at the June policy review, as widely expected. The central bank said in a statement that the “expansionary monetary policy remains necessary to ensure appropriate monetary conditions in Switzerland“. To this extent “and in light of the highly valued Swiss franc it remains willing to intervene more strongly in the foreign exchange market”. Under the SNB Covid-19 refinancing facility (CRF) the bank is also providing the banking system with additional liquidity. Not surprisingly the bank stressed that growth and inflation forecasts come with an unusually high degree of uncertainty at the moment, but under that proviso the bank projects CPI to fall to -0.7% this year and remain negative at -0.2% in 2021 before lifting to 0.2% in 2022. This is based on the assumption that the policy rate remains at -0.75%, which highlights that negative rates are unlikely to disappear any time soon.

SNB is sticking to aggressive fx intervention as the main tool to fight the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. SNB chief Jordan stressed that the currency is “highly valued” and repeated that the central bank will continue to sell it as needed. The bank now expects a contraction in economic activity of 6% this year, the most severe recession since 1970. Inflation forecasts were also cut but while the central bank maintains a dovish bias and previously said rates can be tweaked further, it is pretty clear that officials are reluctant to go below the current level of -0.75% for the key policy rate. Negative for longer remains the main message.

Low for Longer is also the message for Norges Bank.  Norges Bank left its policy rate unchanged at zero percent. Norway’s central bank said in a statement that “the committee’s current assessment of the outlook and balance of risks suggests that the policy rate will most likely remain at today’s level for some time ahead”. Lower for longer then is the main message as the pandemic leads to a “sharp downturn in the Norwegian economy”. The statement did say that since the May meeting “activity has picked up faster than expected”, “unemployment has fallen more than anticipated and oil prices have risen”, but despite this activity remains “substantially lower than at the start of the year”. There is also still “considerable uncertainty surrounding the path to recovery”. Against that background the bank argues that “low interest rates are contributing to speeding up the return to more normal output and employment levels”. Norges Bank’s latest policy rate forecast “implies a rate at the current level of the next couple of years, followed by a gradual rise as economic conditions normalise”.

Nonetheless, after today’s SNB conference, the bank is clearly trying to prevent a “disproportionately” strong Swiss franc. That said, as the Swiss franc came under strong upward pressure due to search for safe havens and as it still  remains highly valued according to SNB, the Swiss franc is expected to face a limited appreciation as SNB maintained that they will keep intervening strongly to limit the appreciation of the Swiss franc – as they have been doing over the past few months already.

As for today the conference looks to be an uneventful event as CHF has kept steady and USDCHF has stalled since the Asia session within the 0.9481-0.9500 area, while EURCHF  has been consolidating between 1.0667 – 1.0689 for 6 consecutive hours.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 22nd June 2020.

Events to Look Out for This Week.

Welcome to our weekly agenda, our briefing on all the key financial events globally.Virus jitters will remain a focus along with Beijing and several US states as real data continues to reveal the impact of the pandemic on the economy. Market attention is honed in on any trade escalations but also on next week’s agenda, the high frequency data of the world’s biggest economy remaining a major focal point for markets.

Monday – 22 June 2020

PBoC Interest Rate Decision (CNY, GMT 01:30) – The People’s Bank of China announced a more aggressive monetary stimulus in its first-quarter report. In this meeting they should provide guidances on the next move in Loan Prime Rates.

Tuesday – 23 June 2020

Markit PMI (EUR, GMT 07:30-08:00) – The prel. June composite PMI for Germany is forecasted to register an upwards reading  to 34.1 from 32.3, while the Eurozone’s number is expected to decline to 25.0 from 31.9.

Markit PMI (GBP, GMT 08:30) – The May final services PMI was revised up to 29.0 from 27.8 vs 13.4 in April, and final manufacturing PMI revised up to 40.7 from 40.6, vs 32.6 in April.

New Home Sales (USD, GMT 14:00) – A 1.1% May increase is seen for new home sales to a 630k pace, after a slight rise to a 623k rate in April. We saw a 12-year high of 774k as recently as January. The start of mandated closures in mid-March fueled the March-April pull-back for sales, following robust growth for all the housing measures through the winter, though a big Q2 hit is expected on home sales. As the economy reopens, the recovery for new home construction will likely be faster than for the rest of the economy, given solid fundamentals going into the crisis, and even lower mortgage rates.

Wednesday – 24 June 2020

Interest rate Decision and Conference (NZD, GMT 02:00) – RBNZ held rates steady at 1.75% in May, and this is expected to remain the case again in next week’s meeting.

German IFO (EUR, GMT 08:00) – June German IFO business confidence is expected to slow down to 78.3, after it unexpectedly rose to 79.5 in May.

Trade Balance (NZD, GMT 22:45) – The overall trade deficit of New Zealand is currently at -$2.5B.

Thursday – 25 June 2020

ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts (EUR, GMT 11:30) –The ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts, similar to the FOMC minutes, provide information with regards to the policymakers’ rationale behind their decisions.

Jobless Claims (USD, GMT 12:30)–  US initial jobless claims fell -58k to 1,508k in the week ended June 13 following the-331k drop to 1,566k (was 1,542k) in the June 6 week. That’s an 11th consecutive weekly decline since the record surge to an all-time high of 6,867k in the March 27 week.

Durable Goods (USD, GMT 12:30) – Durable goods orders are expected to rise 17.0% in May with a 105% surge in transportation orders, after a -17.7% headline orders decrease in April that included a -48.3% transportation orders decline.

US Final Gross Domestic Product (USD, GMT 12:30) – No net revision in the -5.0% Q1 GDP growth clip is anticipated. The revised Q1 data will still depict a quarter that was likely posting respectable 2% growth until mid-March, when mandatory shutdowns prompted a dramatic output plunge.

Tokyo CPI (JPY, GMT 23:30) – The country’s main leading indicator of inflation is expected to have declined at -0.2% y/y in June ex Fresh Food.

Friday – 26 June 2020

Personal Spending and Consumption (USD, GMT 12:30) – Personal consumption is expected to decrease by -5.7% in May after a 10.5% increase in April, alongside a 5.2% rebound in consumption that follows a -13.6% decrease in April. April income faced a big boost from the CARES Act that will be partly unwind into May.

Michigan Index (USD, GMT 14:00) – Michigan Index is the main US consumer confidence index and it is expected to remain flat following the lift to 78.9 from 72.3 in May.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 24th June 2020.

European stock markets are selling off.

European stock markets are selling off. The better than expected German Ifo reading failed to lift sentiment and after a mixed close in Asia stock markets are now selling off across Europe, with GER30 and UK100 down -1.8% on the day.

Meanwhile US futures have lost their modest overnight gains and are down -0.4 to -0.7% now with fears of a second wave of virus infections and warnings that the lockdowns will have a longer term impact on activity adding to caution.Markets already struggled during the Asian part of the session and Topix and Nikkei closed with losses of -0.4% and -0.07% respectively. The Hang Seng was -0.50% lower at the close, while CSI 300 and ASX managed gained of 0.4% and 0.2%.

Lets get back to GER30 and UK100 though. The interesting part is that both assets reversed away from the 61.8%-76.4% Fibonacci level set on the June’s downleg. Theoretically, 61.8% is the strongest retracement level, hence that confirms that from the technical side, the asset confirmed that retracement and further decline could find support on lower Fib. levels. However other that the slip away from 61.8% Fib. level, both assets breakout their 20-day SMA, suggesting that if the price action is been sustained by the end of the day below it, then the asset could be seen retesting June 11-15 low territory.

In regards to the EU data now……

German Ifo business confidence jumped to 86.2 in June, from 79.7 in the previous month. The current conditions index nudged higher, but less than hoped and the overall improvement was mainly due to a jump in the future expectations reading, which lifted to 91.4 from 80.4 in may. This is the highest reading since February, although the overall reading still fell back to an average of 80.1 in the second quarter of the year, from 92.6 in the first quarter. The numbers highlight the sharp correction in overall activity that was the result of lockdowns and the diffusion index, which gives the balance of positive and negative answers, still remained firmly in negative territory in June, with pessimists outnumbering optimists across all key sectors. A further indication then that things are improving, but that it will take a long time to overcome the slump. Against that background it remains to be see how many companies will survive and how the labour market will far once official wage support schemes are scaled back.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 29th June 2020.

Events to Look Out for This Week.

An important week is coming up as Brexit trade talks resume next week, with Boris Johnson holding a video link summit with the EU Commission President on Monday. In addition, NFPs will be out on Thursday and a broad range of PMIs and other early indicators are expected during the week.

Monday – 29 June 2020

Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 12:00) – The German HICP inflation is expected to hold at 0.5% y/y for June.

Tuesday – 30 June 2020

Gross Domestic Product (GBP, GMT 06:00) – The GDP is the economy’s most important figure. Q1’s GDP is expected to remain unchanged at -1.6% y/y and -2% q/q. As for the Q2 GDP,  a severe contraction is expected after the 20.4% m/m contraction seen in April.

Consumer Price Index and Core (EUR, GMT 09:00) – The Euro Area flash CPI for June is forecasted to remain steady, at 0.1% y/y.

Gross Domestic Product (CAD, GMT 12:30) – The April GDP is expected to contract at -18.2%. The Q1 GDP revealed a -8.2% pandemic driven drop,  marking a hefty pull-back in activity as lockdown measures shuttered much of the economy in the second half of March.

Consumer Confidence (USD, GMT 14:00) – Consumer confidence is expected to rise to 89.0 from 86.6 in May and a 6-year low of 86.9 in April. This compares to an 18-year high of 137.9 in October of 2018 and a recession-low of 25.3 in February of 2009. The present situation index is expected to improve to 78.5 from a seven-year low of 71.1 in May. All of the available confidence measures were oscillating near historic highs before being crushed by COVID-19, and even with big drop-backs, it’s remarkable how firm the consumer measures have stayed relative to prior recessions.

Treasury Secretary Mnuchin speech

Feds Chair Powell testimony

Wednesday – 01 July 2020

Canada and Hong-Kong – Holiday Day.

Caixin Manufacturing PMI (CNY, GMT 01:45) – The Caixin manufacturing PMI is expected to hold into the neutral zone in June.

Markit Manufacturing PMI and Unemployment data (EUR, GMT 07:55) – In June, the German PMI is expected to once again show weakness in German manufacturing and a lift in the jobless rate at 6.6%, despite the wage subsidies and announced stimulus from the government. These are unlikely to prevent a further rise in official jobless numbers to around the 3 million mark by the end of the year, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the economy.

ADP Employment Change (USD, GMT 12:15) – Employment change is seen spiking to 3.5 mln in the number of employed people in June, compared to the -2,760k May ADP drop.

ISM Manufacturing PMI (USD, GMT 14:00) – The ISM index is expected to rise to 49.0 in June from 43.1 in May.

Thursday – 02 July 2020

NFP and Labour Market Data (USD, GMT 12:30) – A 3,000k June nonfarm payroll increase is projected, after a 2,509k rebound in May and a -20,527 April collapse.An assumption has been made for a 600k factory jobs increase in June, after a 225k May rise, with a big lift from a re-opening vehicle sector. The jobless rate should fall to 12.0% from 13.3% in May and a 14.7% peak in April. The continuing claims data have been slow to moderate, but nearly all other measures of activity have risen into June from a trough just after the April BLS survey week. Average hourly earnings are assumed to fall another -1.0% in June with a continued unwind of the April distortion from the concentration of layoffs in low-wage categories. This would translate to a drop in the y/y gain to 5.3% from 6.7%.

Friday – 03 July 2020

United States – Independence Day.

Retail Sales (AUD, GMT 00:30) – Retail Sales are expected to flatten at 16.3% for May.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 1st July 2020.

US Data – ADP, PMIs & Vaccine News.

EURUSD, H1

US ADP reported private payrolls rose 2.369 million in June. Also, May was revised sharply higher, by 5.825 million to a 3.065 million increase (was -2.760 million). April’s -19.409 million was a record plunge. Jobs in the goods production sector increased 457,000, with construction jobs up 394,000. Service sector employment increased 1.912 million, with gains of 961,000 in leisure/hospitality, 283,000 in education/health, and 151,000 in professional/business services. A robust private payrolls. The ADP climb beats the modest improvement in the continuing and initial claims data for the period, but undershoots the bigger sales, sentiment, and output gains in other measures, and is in line with the payroll gain expected for tomorrow’s jobs report. ADP gains were fairly evenly dispersed across increases of 873,000 for large companies, 559,000 for medium companies, and 937,000 for small companies.

US final June Markit manufacturing rose to 49.8 (was 49.6 in the preliminary) from May’s 39.8. It is a fourth month of contraction and was at 50.6 a year ago. But the weakness is abating from the 36.1 record low from April amid re-openings of the economy. The 10-point surge in the index was a record jump, and it is now the highest reading since February. Output climbed to 47.5 from May’s 34.4, with new orders also moving higher.

US equity markets have opened in positive territory, rebounding from early losses on the futures market following reports of positive results on a vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.

EURUSD pushes towards 1.1250 following a dip to 1.1184 earlier, USDJPY pivots around 107.50, down from Asian session highs at 108.06 and the USA500 trades at 3115 and highs of the day. FOMC Minutes due at 18:00 GMT.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 9th July 2020.

14th consecutive decline in US claims.

EURUSD, H1

After it pared declines as a mostly risk-on session in Asia, led by a continued rally in Chinese stocks, gave way to a less certain session in European markets, Dollar was little changed after the slightly higher than consensus rise in jobless claims. EURUSD turned slightly lower to 1.1335 from 1.1340, while USDJPY was pretty much unchanged, bouncing between 107.17-107.40.

US initial jobless claims dropped -99k to 1,314k in the week ended July 4, close to forecasts. The prior report for June 27 was revised to show a -69k decline to 1,413k (was 1,427k). This is the 14th week of decline from the record 6,867k from March 27. It brings the 4-week moving average to 1,437.25k from 1,500.25k (was 1,503.75k). Continuing claims declined -698k to 18,062k in the week ended June 27 versus 18,760k (was 19,290k) in the June 20 week. And continuing claims are down from a May 9 high of 24,912k. The insured unemployment rate fell to 12.4% from 12.9% (was 13.2%).

Today‘s improvement was encouraging, though claims declines overall continue to fall short of the rebound we’re seeing in nonfarm payrolls, as well as the increases into the summer for most available supply and demand measures for the economy, though with some restraint in gains recently from pull-backs in re-openings.

Treasury yields are inching slightly lower, even as equity futures rally. There was no real impact from the 14th consecutive decline in initial jobless claims. The 10-year yield is 1.8 bps richer at 0.646%, while the 2-year has dipped to 0.157%. Equity futures are now in the green, albeit barely for the USA30, while the USA100 is 0.6% firmer and the USA500 is up 0.2%.

Caution over the coronavirus, with another record increase in US cases, and concerns over the reopening process are dictating a lot of the trade.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 14th July 2020.

Sterling in the Cross-hairs today.

GBPUSD, H1

UK data today has continued the pressure on Sterling, with the UK economy rebounding less than expected in May. Overall GDP lifted 1.8% m/m, compared to Bloomberg consensus of 5.5% m/m. With economic activity still falling -20.3% m/m in April, the modest uptick over the month still saw the annual rate falling back to -19.1%, from -10.8% y/y in the previous month. Industrial production actually lifted 6.0% m/m and construction output rebounded 8.2% m/m, but rebounds fell short of expectations and this also holds for the index of services, which lifted a mere 0.9% m/m, after still falling -18.9% m/m in April. Services are still down nearly 19% on last year’s levels, construction output is nearly 40% below the levels in May last year and overall industrial production 20%. Virus restrictions came later and subsequently were also lifted later in the UK compared to most other European countries, and forward looking confidence data are signalling that at least the construction sector is back in expansion territory. Still, the numbers highlight downside risks, especially as there is also not much progress in trade talks with the EU, leaving the risk that the transition period will end without a new deal in place.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) also issued their latest updates today and it makes sorry reading for the UK economy, with expectations of record peacetime levels of public debt and the largest decline in UK GDP in 300 years.

Cable carved out a six-day low at 1.2537, which has been partly a product of sterling underperformance following a much weaker than expected UK May GDP figure, and followed  through to test 1.2505 following the OBR report. EURGBP concurrently lifted to a seven-day peak at 0.9069, and GBPJPY traded into six-day low terrain at 134.17.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 16th July 2020.

EUR & ECB Preview.

Economic activity has rebounded on both sides of the channel as lockdowns were lifted, but the impressive rebound in confidence data in recent months has proven to be too optimistic on the speed of the recovery with real sector data for May actually looking weaker than hoped. That ties in with the moderation in market confidence, which was also reflected in German ZEW investor confidence, which pulled back from June highs in today’s July numbers. Central bankers meanwhile acknowledge that the second quarter may not have been as bad as initially feared and have essentially switched to a wait and see stance, after putting substantial crisis measures in place.

With that in mind the ECB is widely expected to keep policy settings unchanged at today’s meeting. Lagarde’s recent comments suggest that data releases have come in slightly better than officials had feared and the central bank seems ready to move out of crisis mode and into a wait and see stance. That doesn’t mean the ECB won’t keep the option of additional easing measures open, but for now officials should be able to afford to take a step back and monitor the impact of crisis measures already implemented.

Wait and see then is likely to be the main message at today’s council meeting, although Lagarde will, however, stress again the need for fiscal stimulus to support monetary policy and step up the pressure on politicians to come to an agreement on the proposed EUR 750 bln pandemic recovery fund, that will be discussed at the EU leaders summit later in the week. Central bankers have long stressed the need to complement monetary policies with appropriate fiscal policies and on the whole central bankers also seem to welcome the proposal for a jointly funded mechanism and a focus on grants rather than loans.

The debate will take place within the context of the EU’s next multiannual budget framework, and won’t be easy, as countries disagree on whether to focus on grants or loans and whether jointly backed market funding is the right way forward.

Markets have the fund pretty much priced in and the risk is of course that the reality of EU politics once again falls short of what investors are looking for.

DAX – GER30

Meanwhile European stock markets are broadly lower with peripheral markets outperforming slightly going into the ECB meeting. General risk appetite has waned again amid concerns about the global outlook and rising tensions between the US and China. The GER30 is currently down -0.8%, and the UK100 down -0.9%, while IBEX and MIB are posting losses of -0.1%. US futures are also heading south following on from a broad move lower across Asian markets.

GER30, despite the short term decline, sustains 4-month highs, close to the 13,000 area. The index filled May’s and June’s gap, while it has been trading well above Ichimoku cloud since May, suggesting an overall positive bias. All daily exponential moving averages (20, 50 and 200) are aligned northwards. Momentum indicators are gradually moving more positive as the market has pulled higher this week. RSI is above 60 and confirming higher lows since early June, inline with the uptrend in the price action along with strong positive configuration on Stochastics, despite the flattening of MACD lines that suggest consolidation. The bulls could be looking to use any near term weakness as an entry point. Hence Support could be seen at 12,500 (20-DMA and 76.4% Fib. level since January 2020).

It is interesting to see though that despite the positive technical background it struggles to break the 13,000 Resistance area.

EURO

The EUR fell back against a generally stronger US Dollar, with EURUSD trading slightly above S1 at 1.1384. Risk appetite waned again, amid concern about the world recovery, and US-China tensions and with the security breach at Twitter Inc not helping. Eurozone markets which traded unevenly yesterday are likely to remain cautious going into the ECB announcement today.

EUR intraday remains under pressure with fast MAs aligned lower and lower Bollinger bands extending southwards. Next immediate support could be found at 1.1350, and 1.1330 (200-EMA in 1-hour chart).  Volumes meanwhile declining suggesting that the bullish momentum seen since 10 of June is threatened.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

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Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 20th July 2020.

Events to Look Out for This Week.

The week ahead will be a quiet one due to the limited economic releases, with the most telling data the preliminary estimates of July manufacturing PMIs from across the globe.

Monday – 20 July 2020

PBoC Interest Rate Decision (CNY, GMT 01:30) – The People’s Bank of China announced heavy government and PBoC stimulus measures in the 1st half of the year. However, China’s central bank isn’t planning much more stimulus for the country as its economy looks to be recovering.

National CPI Index (JPY, GMT 23:30) – The Japanese price index should have zeroed on a y/y basis, compared to 0.1% in May.

Tuesday –  21 July 2020

RBA Minutes (AUD, GMT 00:30) – The RBA minutes will provide more insight on the views the Australian Central Bank has about the economy.

Retail Sales (CAD, GMT 12:30) – Core Canadian sales ex Autos are anticipated to have dropped by -13.5% m/m in May, but higher than April’s drift at -22% m/m.

Wednesday – 22 July 2020

BoJ Consumer Price Index and Core (CAD, GMT 12:30) – June BoC CPI is expected higher at 0.9% y/y from 0.7% y/y and at 0.2% m/m from 0.3% m/m in May.

Existing Home Sales (USD, GMT 13:00-14:00) – A 22.8% rebound is anticipated in existing home sales in June to a 4.800 mln pace, after a drop to 3.910 mln in May. The MBA purchase index surged by 40% in May and 17% in June, before a 3% rise thus far in July, after falling -21.8% in April. Existing home sales are tracked at closings, so sales by this measure remained weak into May even though the sector was bouncing. The median sales price is expected to rise to $285,000 in June to leave a y/y decrease of -0.1%, down from a 2.3% y/y rise in May, with potential downward pressure from a skewing of sales toward lower-cost areas. In Q1, we saw an average sales pace of an elevated 5.483 mln, and we expect a lower 4.347 mln pace in Q2.

Thursday – 23 July 2020

Jobless Claims (USD, GMT 12:30)–  US initial jobless claims declined -10k to 1,300k in the week ended July 11 following the -98k drop in the July 4 week to 1,310k (was 1,314k). It’s a 15th straight weekly decline since the record surge to a historic peak of 6,867k in late March.

Friday – 24 July 2020

Retail Sales (GBP, GMT 06:00) – Following the -9.8% m/m contraction in UK retail sales ex fuel in May, they are expected to decline further by -14.4% in June.

Services and Manufacturing PMI (EUR, GMT 08:00) – June PMIs marked contraction in manufacturing activity and a sharp slowdown in services sector growth. This picture is likely to be seen again in the preliminary readings for July, as German Manufacturing PMI has been forecast at 41.5 and composite at 44.2, which it is still below neutral. Meanwhile, Services PMI is expected to fall to 42.0. The Manufacturing and Services PMI for Eurozone is seen at 44.5 and 41 respectively.

UK Service PMI (GBP, GMT 08:30) – The preliminary services PMI for July are seen to remain in contraction levels at 47.0.

Services and Manufacturing PMI (USD, GMT 13:45) – Preliminary Manufacturing are expected to slip in July, to 48 from 49.8.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 22nd July 2020.

FX Update – July 22 – Dollar & Yen Down.

AUDUSD, H1

The Euro, along with the Aussie and Kiwi Dollars, posted fresh highs against the Dollar and Yen, despite a backdrop of flagging stock markets. EURUSD reached its highest level since January 2019, at 1.1547, the culmination of what has now been a five-week rally. EURJPY pegged a fresh six-week high at 123.34. Most other Euro crosses are also firmer, though remain below recent highs. Cable has moved below 1.2700, to 1.2660, below Tuesday’s six-week peak at 1.2768. USDJPY plied a narrow range just above the one-week low seen yesterday at 106.68, while EURJPY and the risk-sensitive AUDJPY scaled to respective six-week highs. GBPJPY and CADJPY, in contrast, remained below their respective six-week highs, which had been printed yesterday. AUDUSD reached a new 15-month peak at 0.7165, while NZDUSD ascended further into 18-month high territory. USDCAD settled around the 1.3450 mark, above the six-week low seen yesterday at 1.3422, concomitant with front-month USOil futures at $41.50, below the three-and-a-half month peak that was left at $42.40 yesterday.

Gold and silver prices have continued to surge, reflecting investors’ expectation for global monetary stimulus taps to remain open and the Dollar to remain weak. The gains in the non-yielding assets also reflect concerns that inflation might spike as a consequence of the stimulus. XAUUSD rallied to $1865 earlier before cooling to the $1850 zone, whilst XAGUSD ran to $22.80 (October 2013 highs) before trimming gains to R1 at $21.70.

In other news, the UK’s Telegraph newspaper reported that the UK government is pessimistic about reaching a trade deal with the EU, just days before Prime Minister Johnston’s end-of-July deadline for reaching a deal in principle. The FT also reported, citing unnamed senior government officials, that the UK government has abandoned hopes for reaching a trade deal with the US before the presidential election in November, which means that there will be zero hope for a deal by the time Britain leaves the EU’s single market at the end of the year. The pandemic gets the blame for the slow progress.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

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.

Date : 24th July 2020.

FX Update – July 24 – USD remains heavy.

USDJPY, H1

The Yen has outperformed today as risk aversion took a firm grip on global markets. The Dollar has so far failed to pick up safe haven demand, and has remained on a softening path. The narrow trade-weighted USDIndex carved out a fresh 22-month low at 94.49. The Dollar has lost appeal partly on the advent of the EU’s recovery fund, seen as a milestone by many analysts that has served to tip the balance out of the dollar’s favour, and partly amid expectations for dovish guidance from the Fed at next week’s FOMC, with some speculating that the US central bank is considering yield curve targeting. A Reuters survey highlighted increasing pessimism about the nearer-term US outlook given the extent of localized lockdown measures in response to the spike in coronavirus cases across many southern and western states. Intel also underwhelmed markets in its guidance for Q3 earnings.

Against this backdrop, EURUSD remained firm, although off from the 21-month peak that was seen yesterday at 1.1628. USDJPY dropped by 0.5% to a one-month low at 106.17. Yen crosses were concurrently weak, driven by safe haven demand for the Yen. EURJPY fell to a two-day low at 123.36, extending a correction from Wednesday’s seven-week peak at 124.30. AUDJPY has been the biggest mover of the day so far, dropping 0.6% to a three-day low at 75.32. AUDUSD fell by a lesser magnitude, but still managed to peg a three-day low, at 0.7074. USDCAD lifted to within a pip of its peak from yesterday, at 1.3428. Oil prices have remained heavy after yesterday sinking to three-day lows. Cable edged out a fresh six-week high at 1.2773. The pair has been trending higher for about three weeks, though recent daily price action has been jagged and upside momentum has been waning, with the Pound having been weakening against other currencies on signs, and confirmation at a press conference yesterday, that the UK and EU remain deadlocked on key issues in trade talks.

The first reading of July PMIs from the Eurozone and the UK both beat expectations earlier. The Markit Composite EZ number came in at 54.8, significantly above expectations of 51.1 and back in expansion territory over 50.0. The preliminary UK July PMI surveys smashed expectations, with the composite headline surging to a five-year high of 57.1, up from 47.7 in the final reading for June and well up on the median forecast for a 50.8 reading. This extends the strong rebound for a third consecutive month from April’s series-record low at 13.8. The services PMI rose to 56.6 from 47.1 and the manufacturing PMI lifted to 53.6 from 50.1. However, a note of caution accompanied the data, with Markit noting – “July’s PMI represents a step in the right direction, but there is a mountain still to climb before a sustainable recovery is in sight.”

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!

Click HERE to READ more Market news.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

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.