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European Open Preview – Rising yields bolster the dollar; eurozone flash PMIs in focus
April 23, 2018 8:26 amVideo
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Here are the latest developments in global markets:
Major movers: Dollar bolstered by rising yields; loonie plunges on disappointing CPIs
The US dollar index surged on Friday, touching its highest level since April 6, buoyed by a sharp rise in longer-term US bond yields. The yield on 10-year US Treasuries touched 2.979% on Monday, a fresh high last seen in 2014, helping to increase the appeal of the greenback.
Besides lingering concerns about US deficits, the recent spike in yields appears to be owed to rising oil prices fueling speculation for higher inflation down the road, as well as trade and geopolitical risks subsiding. In terms of geopolitics, North Korea pledged over the weekend to immediately suspend its nuclear and missiles tests. As for trade, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that he is considering visiting China for trade negotiations, amplifying speculation that the recent tensions may be resolved through talks, instead of escalating into anything bigger.
The yen started the week on a soft footing, trading 0.15% lower against the dollar and almost 0.1% down versus the euro. The fact that trade and geopolitical risks seem to be fading is diminishing demand for the Japanese currency, which is viewed as a safe-haven asset.
Elsewhere, the loonie plunged on Friday, extending its recent losses. The move came after Canada’s inflation data for March disappointed, diminishing expectations for an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Canada (BoC). BoC Governor Poloz reinforced this narrative over the weekend, indicating he is not worried about inflation being above 2%. He said the Bank has a 1-3% inflation target range, and that a temporary overshoot above 2% does not automatically imply a rate hike. While the BoC appears unlikely to hike in May given the cautious stance it has maintained lately, investors still seem convinced a hike will materialize in July, with the implied probability for such action resting at 76%.
Day ahead: Eurozone PMIs and US existing home sales on the agenda
Monday’s economic calendar features a few releases that have the capacity to lead to movements in forex markets. Perhaps most notable of those releases are the eurozone’s flash PMI readings for the month of April, especially in light of the fact that they come only a few days ahead of a European Central Bank meeting.
Eurozone’s preliminary PMI estimates for the manufacturing and services sectors, as well as the composite measure that blends the two industries, will be made public at 0800 GMT. Projections are for April’s figures to remain above the 50 contraction/expansion threshold, though point to further easing of activity after an upbeat start of the year. Such an outcome would support views that economic activity has peaked in the euro area and likely complicate the ECB’s “task” to normalize policy; the Bank is holding a meeting later this week, with a decision on monetary policy scheduled to be made public on Thursday.
The corresponding PMI prints for Germany and France, the eurozone’s two largest economies, are also due today ahead of euro-wide numbers. Germany’s numbers will hit the markets at 0730 GMT, while France’s were released at 0700 GMT (the manufacturing print was marginally below expectations, while the one on services positively surprised; the euro gained as a result).
Turning to North America, Canada will see the release of data on February’s wholesale trade at 1230 GMT, with the focus next turning to the US. Markit’s flash manufacturing PMI for April and figures on March existing home sales out of the world’s largest economy will be made public at 1345 GMT and 1400 GMT respectively. Manufacturing activity is anticipated to cool a bit though still remain in growth territory, and existing home sales are expected to marginally expand relative to February, a month during which they surged –supply-side issues are yet again likely to have affected home sales.
Google parent Alphabet and Halliburton will be releasing quarterly results today; the former after the US market close and the latter before the market’s open.
An appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance by Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz and Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins at 1930 GMT might be of interest for loonie traders, while ECB Board member Benoit Coeure will be participating in a conference at 1400 GMT.
Technical Analysis: EURUSD weak bearish sentiment in the short-term
EURUSD has lost ground after reaching a near four-week high of 1.2413 on Tuesday, eventually recording a two-week low of 1.2249 on Friday; price action is taking place roughly 30 pips above that trough at the moment. The RSI has fallen below its 50 neutral-perceived level, supporting a negative short-term picture, though the fact that the indicator is only moderately negatively sloped is an indication that bearish sentiment is not that strong.
Stronger-than-expected eurozone PMI prints later on Monday are likely to boost the pair, with resistance to advances potentially coming around the current level of the 50-day moving average at 1.2327. This is where the middle Bollinger line (a 20-day MA line) roughly lies as well, while the 1.23 round figure not far below might also act as a barrier to gains.
Conversely, weaker than forecasted prints are anticipated to push EURUSD lower. Support in this case might come around the lower Bollinger band at 1.2236; the range around this includes last week’s two-week low of 1.2249, as well as the near eight-week low of 1.2214 hit on April 6. The 100-day MA lies not far below at 1.2212.
US releases later in the day also have the capacity to move the pair.
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