Euro Posts on Forex Blog
Forex Calendar Aug 10 - Aug 15
Aug 9, 2008
The theme for this week in forex trading will be international GDP, CPI and trade balance reports. In all, continuing global economic deterioration could mean positive gains for the US Dollar.
Tuesday morning has several UK reports which may be Pound negative.
Tuesday night has 3 key reports from Japan - Trade Balance, GDP, and GDP annualized.
Thursday morning is laden with Euro-zone reports, including GDP and CPI for Germany (2am) France (2:45am) and the entire region (5am).
Sunday August 10
9:30pm Reserve Bank of Australia Monetary Statement
Monday August 11
4am Italy Consumer Price Index MoM (expect 0.5%, previous 0.5%)
4:30am UK July Producer Price Index Output Core MoM (expect 0.4%, previous 0.3%)
4:30am UK July Producer Price Index Output Core YoY (expect 6.5%, previous 6.4%)
4:30am UK Trade Balance (expect -£4.20. billion , previous -£4.25 billion )
8:30am Canada June Housing Starts (expect 0.1%, previous 0%)
7pm UK RICS July House Price Survey (expect -90%, previous -88%)
7:50pm Japan July Corporate Price Index MoM (expect 0.8%, previous 0.8%)
7:50pm Japan July Corporate Price Index MoM (expect 5.7%, previous 5.6%)
9:30pm National Australia Bank Business Survey
Tuesday August 12
2:45am France June Current Account
2:45am France July Consumer Price Index MoM (expect -0.2%, previous +0.4%)
2:45am France July Consumer Price Index YoY (expect 3.7%, previous 3.6%)
4:30am UK July Consumer Price Index MoM (expect -0.2%, previous +0.7%)
4:30am UK July Consumer Price Index YoY (expect 4.2%, previous 3.8%)
4:30am UK July Core Consumer Price Index YoY (expect 1.7%, previous 1.6%)
8:30am US June Trade Balance (expect -$61.9 billion, previous -$59.8 billion)
6:45pm New Zealand Q2 Producer Prices
7:50pm Japan June Trade Balance (expect ¥293.6 billion, previous ¥529.4 billion)
7:50pm Japan Q2 GDP (expect -0.6%, previous 1.0%)
7:50pm Japan Q2 GDP Annualized (expect -2.3%, previous 4.0%)
Wednesday August 13
5:30am Bank of England Quarterly Inflation
8:30am US July Retail Sales (expect 0.4%, previous 0.1%)
8:30am US July Retail Sales excluding Autos (expect 0.7%, previous 0.8%)
10:35am US Crude Inventories
9pm Australia Consumer Inflation Expectation
Thursday August 14
2am Germany Q2 GDP (expect -0.8%, previous 1.5%)
2am Germany July Consumer Price Index MoM (0.6%, previous 0.6%)
2am Germany July Consumer Price Index YoY (3.3%, previous 3.3%)
2:45am France Q2 GDP (expect 0.1%, previous 0.5%)
2:45am France Q2 Non Farm Payrolls (expect 0.2%, previous 0.4%)
5am Euro-zone GDP (expect -0.2%, previous 0.7%)
5am Euro-zone July Consumer Price Index MoM (expect -0.1%, previous 0.4%)
5am Euro-zone July Consumer Price Index YoY (expect 4.1%, previous 4.0%)
8:30am US July Consumer Price Index MoM (expect 0.4%, previous 1.1%)
8:30am US July Consumer Price Index YoY (expect 5.2%, previous 5.0%)
8:30am US July Core Consumer Price Index MoM (expect 0.2%, previous 0.3%)
8:30am US July Core Consumer Price Index YoY (expect 2.4%, previous 2.4%)
6:45pm New Zealand June Retail Sales MoM
Friday August 15
9am US Treasury International Capital (TIC)
10am US August Preliminary University of Michigan Consumer Confidence (expect 62.0, previous 61.2)
10:30am US Chicago Fed President Charles Evans to Speak on Economic Outlook
Euro, GDP, CPI, Yen, upcoming reports, Pound
Italian GDP Sends European FX Lower
Aug 8, 2008
Italy, the 3rd largest economy in the Eurozone, reported a preliminary -0.3% reduction in Q2 GDP overnight.
Previously, Italy had recorder a 0.5% increase for Q1 and -0.3% for Q4 2007.
News of the negative GDP has sparked a technical busting rally in the Greenback against the Euro, Pound, and Franc.
The EURUSD is trading at 1.5066, 100 pips below the 50% fibonacci retracement of 50%. This is a sharp drop below the 1.53 - 1.60 range the pair has traded at since March.
The GBPUSD is also seeing technical levels shattered. The pair is trading at 1.9201, 200 pips below the the 1.94 support.
The USDCHF is trading at 1.07, a 5 month high and well above 1.06 resistance.
In related news, ECB Governing Council Member Wellink indicated Friday the ECB was ready to raise rates should CPI climb higher. He also reinforced recent market expectations for negative Euro-zone GDP growth in the second quarter, stating "I think it won't look so good"
fibonacci, Euro, European Central Bank, GDP, EUR
Euro, Pound Fall on European Pessimism
Aug 7, 2008
The Euro is off sharply against most of the majors (EURAUD is currently the only exception). FX markets are adjusting for a rapid slow down in the Eurozone. Indeed, rumors abound that Eurozone Q2 GDP will be negative when reported Thursday August 14 at 2am est. Overall, the economic calendar is laden with UK and Euro reports, which may partly account for the 200+ pips drop in the EURUSD.
For the greenback, today's rally has to be somewhat of a head scratcher. Today&39;s news would have clobbered the dollar last month. Citigroup and Merrill Lynch announced they are buying back a combined $19 billion in securities from investors. AIG earnings disappointed big time. And, their was yet another pipeline attack, this time Turkey.
That the dollar is rallying in the face of such negative news may be a sure sign of a bottom.
The dollar is certainly favored in overnight index swaps, which are pricing in cuts of 50bps for the UK and 25bps for the ECB over the next 12 months. Conversely, the index is pricing in 75bps in US rate hikes over the next year.
Technically speaking, the Euro has fallen below a significant support at 1.53. The 50% fibonacci of 1.60 comes in at 1.5175, which should provide the next significant level of support.
Greenback, Euro, EUR, Pound, USD
Text of Trichet Speech
Aug 7, 2008
Below is the full press release put out by the ECB this morning to accompany the rate decision.
I have NOT added any emphasis.
Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the ECB,
Lucas Papademos, Vice President of the ECB
Frankfurt am Main, 7 August 2008
Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice-President and I are very pleased to welcome you to our press conference. We will now report on the outcome of today's meeting of the Governing Council.
On the basis of our regular economic and monetary analyses, we decided at today's meeting to leave the key ECB interest rates unchanged. The information that has become available since our previous meeting has further underpinned the reasoning behind our decision to increase interest rates in July. It has confirmed that annual inflation rates are likely to remain well above levels consistent with price stability for a protracted period of time and that risks to price stability over the medium term remain on the upside. This assessment is underpinned by continued vigorous money growth, with so far no signs of significant constraints on bank loan supply. In such a context, it remains crucial to avoid broadly based second-round effects in wage and price-setting. The latest economic data point to a weakening of real GDP growth in mid-2008, which in part was expected after the exceptionally strong growth in the first quarter. Against this background and in full accordance with our mandate, we emphasise that maintaining price stability in the medium term is our primary objective and that it is our strong determination to keep medium and long-term inflation expectations firmly anchored in line with price stability. This will preserve purchasing power in the medium term and support sustainable growth and employment. On the basis of our assessment, the current monetary policy stance will contribute to achieving our objective. We will continue to monitor very closely all developments over the period ahead.
Allow me to explain our assessment in greater detail, starting with the economic analysis.
The information on economic activity that has become available since the July press conference suggests that real GDP growth figures for mid-2008 will be substantially weaker than for the first quarter of the year. As indicated on previous occasions, this represents partly a technical reaction to the strong growth seen in the first months of the year. In addition, it also partly reflects a weakening in GDP growth due to factors such as slower expansion at the global level and dampening effects from high and volatile oil and food prices. In order to assess the underlying momentum of euro area economic activity and to avoid being misguided by highly volatile quarterly outturns, it is necessary to look through the volatility in quarter-on-quarter growth rates and monthly indicators.
Taking this perspective, growth in the world economy, while moderating, is expected to remain relatively resilient, benefiting in particular from sustained growth in emerging economies. This should support external demand for euro area goods and services. As regards domestic developments, in a medium-term perspective the fundamentals of the euro area are sound and the euro area does not suffer from major imbalances. Investment growth in the euro area has provided ongoing, though moderating, support to economic activity. Moreover, employment and labour force participation have increased significantly, and unemployment rates remain low in historical terms. However, these developments, which support household disposable income and consumption, are unlikely to fully compensate the loss of purchasing power caused by higher energy and food prices.
In the view of the Governing Council, the uncertainty surrounding this outlook for economic activity remains high, owing to, among other things, the very high and volatile levels of commodity prices and the ongoing tensions in financial markets. Overall, downside risks prevail. In particular, risks stem from the dampening impact on consumption and investment of further unanticipated increases in energy and food prices. Moreover, downside risks continue to relate to the potential for the financial market tensions to affect the real economy more adversely than currently anticipated. The possibility of disorderly developments owing to global imbalances also implies downside risks to the outlook for economic activity, as do concerns about the emergence of protectionist pressures. In this respect, the failure of the recent negotiations in the context of the World Trade Organization's Doha round on trade liberalisation is a major setback.
With regard to price developments, annual HICP inflation has remained considerably above the level consistent with price stability since last autumn, reaching 4.0% in June 2008 and, according to Eurostat's flash estimate, 4.1% in July. This worrying level of inflation rates results largely from both direct and indirect effects of past sharp increases in energy and food prices at the global level. At the same time, while labour productivity growth has decelerated, there are some indications that labour cost growth has been rising in recent quarters.
Looking ahead, on the basis of current futures prices for commodities, the annual HICP inflation rate is likely to remain well above a level consistent with price stability for quite some time, moderating only gradually in 2009.
Risks to price stability at the policy-relevant medium-term horizon remain clearly on the upside and have increased over the past few months. These risks include notably the possibility of further increases in energy and food prices and of increasing indirect effects on consumer prices. There is a very strong concern that price and wage-setting behaviour could add to inflationary pressures via broadly based second-round effects. The Governing Council is monitoring price-setting behaviour and wage negotiations in the euro area with particular attention. Furthermore, there are potential upside risks from unanticipated rises in indirect taxes and administered prices.
Against this background, it is imperative to ensure that medium to longer-term inflation expectations remain firmly anchored at levels in line with price stability. The shift in relative prices and the related transfer of income from commodity-importing countries to commodity-exporting countries require a change in the behaviour of companies and households. Therefore, broadly based second-round effects stemming from the impact of higher energy and food prices on price and wage-setting behaviour must be avoided. All parties concerned, in both the private and the public sector, must meet their responsibilities in this regard. In this context, the Governing Council has repeatedly expressed its concern about the existence of schemes in which nominal wages are indexed to consumer prices. Such schemes involve the risk of upward shocks in inflation leading to a wage-price spiral, which would be detrimental to employment and competitiveness in the countries concerned. The Governing Council therefore calls for such schemes to be avoided.
The monetary analysis confirms the prevailing upside risks to price stability at medium to longer-term horizons. In line with our monetary policy strategy, we take the view that the sustained underlying strength of monetary and credit expansion in the euro area over the past few years has created upside risks to price stability. Over recent quarters, these risks appear to have become manifest as inflation has trended upwards.
Not least in the face of the ongoing tensions in financial markets, the monetary analysis helps to support the necessary medium-term orientation of monetary policy by focusing attention on the upside risks to price stability prevailing at medium to longer horizons. While the growth of broad money and credit aggregates is now showing some signs of moderation, also reflecting the policy measures taken since 2005 to address upside risks to price stability, the strong underlying pace of monetary expansion points to continued risks to price stability over the medium term.
The current yield curve has led to very rapid increases in time deposits and to a substantial decline in annual M1 growth. Such effects and other temporary factors must be taken into account in assessing monetary developments. Overall, a broad-based analysis of the data, taking the appropriate medium-term perspective, confirms the underlying strength of money growth.
One of the main factors leading to this conclusion is the still high growth of MFI loans to the private sector, which is underpinning the robust nature of monetary growth. The pace, maturity and sectoral composition of bank borrowing suggest that, at the level of the euro area as a whole, the availability of bank credit has, as yet, not been significantly affected by the ongoing financial tensions. Higher short-term interest rates and housing market weakness in several parts of the euro area have dampened the growth of household borrowing over the past few years. By contrast, and notwithstanding tighter financing conditions and moderating economic growth, the expansion of bank credit to non-financial corporations thus far remains very robust.
To sum up, a cross-check of the outcome of the economic analysis with that of the monetary analysis clearly confirms the assessment of increasing upside risks to price stability over the medium term. Annual inflation rates are likely to remain well above levels consistent with price stability, and monetary aggregates continue to grow vigorously, with so far no signs of significant constraints on bank loan supply. The latest economic data point to a weakening of real GDP growth in mid-2008, which in part was expected after the exceptionally strong growth in the first quarter. Against this background, it remains crucial to avoid broadly based second-round effects in wage and price-setting. In full accordance with our mandate, we emphasise that maintaining price stability in the medium term is our primary objective and that it is our strong determination to keep medium and long-term inflation expectations firmly anchored in line with price stability, thereby preserving purchasing power in the medium term and supporting sustainable growth and employment in the euro area. On the basis of our assessment, the current monetary policy stance will contribute to achieving our objective. We will continue to monitor very closely all developments over the period ahead.
Regarding fiscal policy, there are risks that some countries will not achieve their fiscal targets this year. In this situation a rigorous implementation of budget plans and the avoidance of expenditure slippage are of crucial importance. Budget plans for 2009, which are currently being finalised in a number of countries, need to reflect European commitments. In particular, countries with still large deficits must provide ambitious and concrete deficit reduction plans, backed by clearly specified measures, preferably on the expenditure side. Where budgetary scope is available, automatic stabilisers can contribute to the smoothing of cyclical economic fluctuations.
As regards structural policies, measures which reduce adjustment costs and promote moderate unit labour cost growth are of the utmost importance, particularly in the current climate of high inflation and slowing real GDP growth. These include the removal of impediments to competition in the services sector in general, and at the various stages of the food supply chain in the retail and distribution sectors, as well as in the energy sector, more specifically. Equally, making labour markets more flexible and enhancing investment in education and training would foster productivity, thereby increasing the scope for increases in real incomes.
We are now at your disposal for questions.
Source European Central Bank
ECB, Euro, European Central Bank, interest rates, Trichet, Papademos
Euro, US Numbers In Line
Jul 31, 2008
Key economic indicators out of Europe and the US this morning fell within range of expectations.
At 5am, Eurozone CPI registered 4.1% as expected. While that is 2% better than the ECB mandate of 2% CPI, chances for an ECB rate hike next month appear slim. Deteriorating economic conditions across much of Europe has led the bank to conclude demand will naturally fall off and thus curb price pressures.
This view was further bolstered by a slight up tick in Eurozone unemployment (7.3% vs expected 7.2%) and German employment losses (down 20k jobs).
In the US, Q@ GDP came in an initial reading of 1.9%. However, the big news was a downward revision in 2007 Q4 from 0.6% to -0.2%. Q1 2008 GDP was also revised lower from 1.0% to 0.9%.
The combined events initially sent the EURUSD above 1.56. However, the pair has declined below 1.56 ahead of the Non farm Payroll Report.
Euro, GDP, CPI, jobs report, USD
EURUSD Preview
Jul 30, 2008
The EURUSSD pair could see significant action the next 2 days.
To recap, the pair remains in a 5 month range of 1.53 - 1.60. In early July, as the Indy Mac collapse and fears over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac swept through markets, the pair briefly went above 1.60.
In the last 2 weeks, as various levels of the US government moved to shore up banking, and oil has decline some 15%, the greenback has recovered.
Today, despite a 3% rise in crude oil futures, US stocks and the Dollar remained strong. The Dollar came within 66 pips of the the very important 1.55 support. Since April, every trend that has passed through 1.55 has been sustained for no less than 2 weeks.
As the week ends, the EURUSD pair can move on 3 key events.
Thursday
At 5am eastern Eurozone CPI and unemployment will be released.
On CPI, the number is likely to come in as expected (4.1%), as German CPI came in as expected Tuesday. Given recent drops in consumer confidence and growing signs of a slowdown spreading across Europe, the CPI would have to come in sharply higher to justify any speculation of a further ECB rate hike.
The monthly decline in French employment may signal some weakness in the unemployment. Though, any miss is likely to be very narrow at this stage.
At 8:30 am, US Q2 Annualized GDP will be released
Expectations are all over the map on this one. I have seen calls from 1.0% to 4%. Given the impact of stimulus checks and a jobs number that has stubbornly held below 5.8%, annualized 2% or better seems likely.
Tomorrow seems to hold 3 scenarios (Note: I have listed them in the order I think most likely to occur)
- If numbers come in as expected, look for the pair to hover around 1.55 as traders wait for the Non Farm payroll report Friday.
- If US GDP comes in over 2% and Eurozone CPI reads 4.1% or lower, look for the US Dollar to break the 1.55 support.
- Should Eurozone CPI come in extremely hot (4.3% or more) and the US GDP disappoint, look for the Euro to push up to 1.57 resistance.
Friday
At 8:30am US Nonfarm payrolls and Unemployment Rate will be released
While the ADP report can be widely inaccurate, last month, the number was foretelling (coming in at -79k vs -74k in the NFP). Today, the ADP came in at +9k, suggesting the NFP will beat expectations. With initial claims dipping below 400k, and the 4 week average declining, their is definitely room for optimism. Right now, markets expect a reading of -75k.
Should the NFP beat expectations, it will definitely be dollar bullish and expectations for a Fed hike in late 2008 are likely to increase.
At this point, I do think the EURUSD is likely to close below 1.55 this week.
Euro, GDP, CPI, jobs report, EUR, USD
Eurozone Slowing Down
Jul 9, 2008
Yesterday, German and Belgium finance ministers stressed the need for a balance between inflation and growth. In essences, they were suggesting that a slow down in the Eurozone would naturally reduce inflationary pressures.
Today, those comments were followed up with signs of a European wide slow down.
First, trade balances worsened in Germany and France.
Then, the Eurozone Q1 GDP was finalized at 0.7%, vs expectations for 0.8%. Still a healthy annualized growth rate of 2.2%,
But then the real kicker came in to play. The German IFO and suggested that annualized GDP at 1.6%. And this figure was based on the assumption oil prices stabilize at US $135 and the Euro remains around 1.57
In particular, they noted "the acceleration (in Q1 GDP) clearly overstated the underlying trend. Real GDP growth is forecast to slowdown considerably in the coming quarters, expanding at rates of 0.0% in Q2 and 0.3% in both Q3 and Q4"
The Ifo went on to report "The expansion of investment is likely to moderate considerably in the coming quarters as the demand outlook becomes dimmer, pressures on productive capacity are easing and external financing conditions are deteriorating."
And, most ominously, they warned of housing problems in other European countries. Noting, "the construction component of investment is depressed by the real-estate downturn observed in an increasing number of Euro-zone countries."
Outside of the Eurozone proper, the UK has gone into contraction in service, manufacturing, and construction.
And now Ireland, the Irish tiger, is also warning on a recession. Irish unemployment has climbed to 5.7%, property prices have dropped 10%, and the economy shrank by 1.5% in Q1.
Eventually, slow downs in the UK and Ireland will spillover to the Eurozone.
Forex markets could be facing a rather interesting situation later this year, as the Fed may be raising rates at a time when central banks across Europe are cutting.
Euro, GDP, housing, Ifo
Forex Events for June 29 - July 5
Jun 29, 2008
This could be the week the Euro breaks 1.60. A score of data out of Europe, the Thursday's rate decision, and US Non Farm Payrolls could give it the final push.
A list of the forex events likely to move markets this week.
All times listed in eastern standard time.
MoM = month over month
YoY = Year over Year
Monday June 30
4am Eurozone May PPI (expect 0.9% MoM, 6.8% YoY)
4:30am Great Britain May Mortgage Approvals (expect 51k)
5am June Eurozone CPI (expect 3.9% YoY)
5am Italy CPI
Tuesday July 1
12:30am RBA Rate Decision (expect hold w/hawkish statement)
10am US June ISM (expect 49.0)
Wednesday July 2
9:30pm Australian Trade Balance (expect -950 million)
Thursday July 3
1:45am Swiss CPI (expect 0.3% MoM, 3.1% YoY)
7am Bank of England Rates Decision (expect hold)
7:45am ECB Rates Decision (expect 25bps hike, watch commentary)
8:30am US June Non Farm Payrolls (expect -55k)
Friday
US markets closed for holiday
ECB, Euro, interest rates, trade balance, jobs report, RBA, rate hike, upcoming reports
German Investor Confidence Sinks, Euro Trade Balance Beats
Jun 17, 2008
The ZEW Survey of Economic Sentiment and Expectations hit a 15 year low today. The reading dropped 11 points to -52.4 vs expectations for a 1 point drop to -42.5. This is well below the historical average of +29.2. Expectations dropped for Germany and the Euro-zone as a whole.
Despite the expectations drop, European trade beat expectations to come in at +2 billion. Exports rose 6.2%.
At 7:30am est, the EURUSD has fallen below 1.55 to 1.5485.
Euro, ZEW Survey, trade balance
EUR Slips to $1.5547 on German Unemployment, US GDP
May 29, 2008
Perhaps the table has turned..
Last week it was the Euro looking like it had a bright future on expectations for a ECB rate hike.
The last 2 days,.a string of positives has put the greenback on a positive footing.
In the latest headlines, German unemployment rose by an unexpected 4k applicants. Expectations had been for a 25k drop. Adding to that, Eurozone consumer confidence fell to a 32 month low of -15. Expectations had been for a stable reading of -12. However, it would be a mistake to miss why the ez confidence number fell. It appears the main driver was a rise in consumer prices across the Euorzone, which rose 3.3%. This is consistent with the inflation rate of 3% reported by Germany yesterday.
On a more positive note, Eurozone Retail PMI rose to 53.1 from a reading of 41.8 in April. This is the largest year-over-year increase in 13 months. Sales rose in Germany and France, but fell in Italy.
Back here in the States, US Q1 GDP was revised up from 0.6% to 0.9%. The revision was largely driven by exports, as the annualized trade deficit fell to $480.2 billion. That is the smallest since 2002. In addition, Dallas Fed President Fisher and Minneapolis President Gary Stern came out with warnings on inflation. You can, and should, read their comments at CNBC.
In other news, Japanese retail sales fell to 0.1%, far below expectations for an 0.6% reading.
The EURUSD has fallen to $1.5533 in early hours on the West Coast. It may test the $1.550 resistance depending on comments later today from Fed Chairman Bernanke (2:30 est) and Vice Chairman Kohn (7pm est). The greenback has climbed to ¥105.164 yen, well above the 10 day moving average.
Greenback, Euro, GDP, jobs report, EUR, USD
EUR, GBP See Minor Breakouts, Retreat on Pessimism
May 27, 2008
Backing up comments from several prominent Germans last week, Q1 GDP for Germany came in at 1.5%. Annualized rates are at 2.6%, the strongest growth in 12 years for the Eurozone's largest economy. Digging deeper, construction and business investment were strong drivers for the German growth. The Euro reached as high as $1.5818.
However, the Euro run was short lived as the Gfk consumer sentiment index fell more than expected. The Gfk data came in at 4.9, far below expectations of a 5.8 reading. All 3 components - economic outlook, spending, and personal income were down. In late trading, the EURUSD is at $1.5709. The pair closed at $1.5775 on Friday.
The Pound reached $1.9825 before retreating. BBA mortgage approvals saw an 8.8% rise in mortgage approvals to slightly over 38,700. However, that is still almost 40% lower than last year. In late trading, the Pound is at $1.9751, slightly below Friday' close of $1.9794.
In other European news, the UBS consumption indicator - which measures domestic demand - fell to 2.18 in April from an upwardly revised reading of 2.25 in March. This is still above the long term average of 1.50, but may be a prime indicator of the global toll of the oil. The CHFUSD was $1.0315 at press time.
Euro, GDP, EUR, GBP, Pound
Euro Up on Comments, UK and US Holidays. But Face It, the Data was Bad This Week.
May 23, 2008
The Euro closed up at $1.5775 on Friday, just shy of the $1.58 resistance. Overall, the Euro gained 1.2% against the dollar this week.
Eurozone data finished a week of negative news with 1 more bad report. The Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) fell to 51.1, lower than the expected reading of 51.7 and last month's reading of 51.9. Services fell 1.4 to 50.6, manufacturing was also down slightly to 50.5. Germany and France - which are the 2 largest Eurozone economies - experienced significant declines in services.
Despite the string of negative news this week, forex traders remained in bull mode. This was fueled by growing expectations that the ECB may actually raise rates this year despite ever growing signs of a European slowdown.
Traders were also preparing for holidays in the UK and US Monday, when markets will be closed. closed market holidays typically create illiquid markets and greater volatility.
The Euro has a strong chance of testing $1.60 next few weeks, as the US will see a significant amount of macro data next week and then earnings reports from the major financial institutions in early June.
The British Pound rose slightly to $1.9794, testing the $19.8 level. UK GDP came in at 0.4% and remains on pace for an annual growth of 2.5%.
ECB, Euro, GDP, EUR, Pound
EURUSD Hits $1.5814, Then Retreats on Data, French Finance Minister
May 22, 2008
March Eurozone industrial orders dropped 1% month-over-month (MoM), twice the expected drop of 0.5%. Orders were down a whopping 7.3 Year-over-Year (YoY). Some traders who had predicted a testing of $1.60 (*cough* me), were stunned.
French Finance Minister Christine Lagard came out in favor of the Dollar, as she called the Euro's rise against the dollar "a major misalignment". Lagarde backed ECB concern over inflation, but hinted that Trichet may be "overly focused". She went on to say that other tools - including cash, and Trichet's comments when "he opens his mouth" were also available to the ECB chief. (Read more of Lagarde's comments at CNBC
On the other hand, ECB council member Axel Weber (another German, hmm, Eich bein Fx Manipulators?) came out today re-enforcing the notion the ECB may have to raise rates later this year.
In late trading, the EURUSD was at $1.5729
Greenback, Euro, EUR, Trichet, USD
Weak Manufacturing Data, Jobs Sends US Dollar Down Against Commodity Currencies.
May 15, 2008
US Manufacturin data continue to show signs of contraction on Thursday. The Empire Manufacturing index and the Philly Fed showed signs of contraction for a 6th month. The Empire Manufacturing reading came in at -3.2, down from 0.6. The Philly Fed did show some signs of life, rising to -15.6 from -24.9 Overall, Industrial production was down to -0.7%, after the biggest decline since Hurricane Katrina. In addition, jobless claims rose by 6,000 to 371k.
Depsite the bevy of bad news, the dollar was little moved agasinst non commodity currencies. (Perhaps these are lagging indicators?? Hmmmm). The greenback was up against the Swiss Franc and Euro.
Tomorrow could be a bigger day - with Housing Starts and the University of Michigan Confidence Index. reporting.
Read more at Yahoo
Greenback, Euro, jobs report, Franc, USD
US Dollar gains ground on Bad News Europeans
May 7, 2008
The US Labor Department reported Wednesday that worker productivity was up 2.2% for Q1 2008. Labor costs also slowed.
In contrast, Germany reported the worst euro-zone retail sales since 1995. Britain reported declining production and a lower consumer sentiment.
The Euro fell to $1.5401 (-0.0132),and the Pound fell to $1.9531 (-0.0199).
The European and British Central Banks will meet Thursday.
Read more at CNN
ECB, Euro, USD
Analysts Wrong - ZEW Survey Weak
Apr 15, 2008
The ZEW Indicator for German confidence fell an unexpected 8.7 points to -40.7 today. Market analysts had been expecting a minor improvement in the ZEW indicator. The historical average is 30.0. Overall confidence across the Eurozone declined 9.8 points to -44.8.
Despite this negative news, Germany is still expected to see GDP growth of 1.7% this year. And, analysts still do not expect the the European Central Bank to cut rates in the near future.
Read more at ZEW
Euro, ZEW Survey, GDP
German Confidence = High Euro, Weak Dollar
Apr 14, 2008
Investors expect a new German report will that faith in the economy remains strong. The Euro went as high as $1.5824, less than 1 cent below the all time high of $1.5913 reached April 10. Continued strength in the Eurozone has made ECB rate cuts less likely.
Read more at Bloomberg
ECB, Euro, European Central Bank, USD
ECB Holds rates Steady, Euro Hits Record $1.5912
Apr 10, 2008
As expected, the European Central Bank held rates steady at 4% Thursday. Prior to the announcement, the Euro hit an all time high of $1.5912. The previous high of $1.5904 was set just 3 weeks ago on March 17th.
In late trading, the 15 nation Euro currency gave back some pf the gains, trading at $1.5828.
Read more at Yahoo
ECB, Euro, European Central Bank
