LiteForex analitics. Morning Market Review
EUR/USD
Yesterday, EUR declined against USD, continuing the development of a poor “bearish” impulse formed at the beginning of the week, due to technical factors. In addition, investors are disappointed with the growth rate of the European economy, which is unable to reach the forecasted levels, despite the extremely soft monetary policy of the regulator. Moderate support was provided by macroeconomic statistics from the ZEW Institute. April’s German ZEW Economic Sentiment rose from 3.6 to 3.1 points, while the growth only to 0.8 points was expected. German ZEW Current Conditions for the same period decreased from 11.1 to 5.5 points, which was worse than market expectations of 8.0 points. April’s ZEW EU Economic Sentiment also grew steadily –2.5 to 4.5 points, with a forecast of 1.2 points. Today, investors are focused on March EU data on consumer inflation and the publication of the Fed’s economic review Beige Book.
GBP/USD
Yesterday, GBP fell against USD, receiving no significant support from the UK labor market report. The Unemployment Rate in February remained at 3.9% 3m/Yr, which coincided with market forecasts. Average Earnings without bonus decreased slightly by 0.1% to 3.4% 3m/Yr in February, as expected. March Claimant Count Change increased from 26.7 to 28.3K, while analysts had expected a decline to 20.0K. Today, during the Asian session, the pair is trading upwards, receiving minor support from Chinese publications. Investors are awaiting the release of March statistics on consumer inflation in the UK. It is predicted that the CPI will rise by 0.3% MoM, slowing down against the previous +0.5% MoM, and grow by +2.0% YoY. The market also expects the speech of the head of the Bank of England Mark Carney, who can tell about the plans of monetary policy in the context of new terms for Brexit.
AUD/USD
Yesterday, AUD moved in different directions against USD, ending the day session with almost zero results. In the morning, the price was under pressure by the published RBA protocols, which focused on growing external risks and a slowdown in the growth rate of the Australian economy. With the opening of the American session, the instrument was able to quickly recoup, as USD was under pressure from industrial production statistics. In March, the index fell by 0.1% MoM after rising by 0.1% MoM last month. Analysts were counting on acceleration to +0.2% MoM. Capacity Utilization fell from 79.0% to 78.8% in March, which also was worse than market forecasts of 79.1%. Today, during the Asian session, AUD is supported by strong statistics from China. March Retail Sales increased by 8.7% YoY after rising by 8.2% YoY in February. Industrial production for the same period rose by 8.5% YoY after rising by 5.3% YoY in February.
USD/JPY
USD is moving horizontally against JPY, remaining around local highs since March 5. The positions of USD are under pressure, as there is a lack of strong US macroeconomic statistics on the market, and investors are awaiting the resolution of the US-China trade negotiations. In addition, the market fears harsh statements by Donald Trump, who accuses the regulator of slowing economic growth and extremely weak inflation. The President urges the Fed to resume quantitative easing. Meanwhile, traders are following US and Japanese trade negotiations. While the parties are very optimistic but no specific decisions have yet been made. Japanese exports fell by 2.4% YoY in March, which was twice as bad as the decline in February. Imports, in contrast, rose by 1.1% YoY after a decrease of 6.6% YoY in February. Due to a sharp decline in exports, the overall March trade balance increased from 334.9 to 528.5 billion JPY.
Oil
Yesterday, oil prices resumed moderate growth, responding to new exacerbations in Libya and a decline in exports of petroleum products from Venezuela and Iran. The quotes, in turn, are under pressure from uncertain prospects of the OPEC+ transaction. In particular, Russia may decide to increase the rate of oil production in order to compete with the ever-increasing supplies from the United States. The further fate of the current transaction will be decided in June when the cartel gathers for the next summit. Published on the eve of the report of the American Petroleum Institute on oil reserves reflected the decline in stocks for the week of April 12 to 3.096 million barrels after rising by 4.091 million barrels for the previous period. Today, investors are awaiting publication of a report on production and reserves from the US Department of Energy.
EUR/USD
Yesterday, EUR declined against USD, continuing the development of a poor “bearish” impulse formed at the beginning of the week, due to technical factors. In addition, investors are disappointed with the growth rate of the European economy, which is unable to reach the forecasted levels, despite the extremely soft monetary policy of the regulator. Moderate support was provided by macroeconomic statistics from the ZEW Institute. April’s German ZEW Economic Sentiment rose from 3.6 to 3.1 points, while the growth only to 0.8 points was expected. German ZEW Current Conditions for the same period decreased from 11.1 to 5.5 points, which was worse than market expectations of 8.0 points. April’s ZEW EU Economic Sentiment also grew steadily –2.5 to 4.5 points, with a forecast of 1.2 points. Today, investors are focused on March EU data on consumer inflation and the publication of the Fed’s economic review Beige Book.
GBP/USD
Yesterday, GBP fell against USD, receiving no significant support from the UK labor market report. The Unemployment Rate in February remained at 3.9% 3m/Yr, which coincided with market forecasts. Average Earnings without bonus decreased slightly by 0.1% to 3.4% 3m/Yr in February, as expected. March Claimant Count Change increased from 26.7 to 28.3K, while analysts had expected a decline to 20.0K. Today, during the Asian session, the pair is trading upwards, receiving minor support from Chinese publications. Investors are awaiting the release of March statistics on consumer inflation in the UK. It is predicted that the CPI will rise by 0.3% MoM, slowing down against the previous +0.5% MoM, and grow by +2.0% YoY. The market also expects the speech of the head of the Bank of England Mark Carney, who can tell about the plans of monetary policy in the context of new terms for Brexit.
AUD/USD
Yesterday, AUD moved in different directions against USD, ending the day session with almost zero results. In the morning, the price was under pressure by the published RBA protocols, which focused on growing external risks and a slowdown in the growth rate of the Australian economy. With the opening of the American session, the instrument was able to quickly recoup, as USD was under pressure from industrial production statistics. In March, the index fell by 0.1% MoM after rising by 0.1% MoM last month. Analysts were counting on acceleration to +0.2% MoM. Capacity Utilization fell from 79.0% to 78.8% in March, which also was worse than market forecasts of 79.1%. Today, during the Asian session, AUD is supported by strong statistics from China. March Retail Sales increased by 8.7% YoY after rising by 8.2% YoY in February. Industrial production for the same period rose by 8.5% YoY after rising by 5.3% YoY in February.
USD/JPY
USD is moving horizontally against JPY, remaining around local highs since March 5. The positions of USD are under pressure, as there is a lack of strong US macroeconomic statistics on the market, and investors are awaiting the resolution of the US-China trade negotiations. In addition, the market fears harsh statements by Donald Trump, who accuses the regulator of slowing economic growth and extremely weak inflation. The President urges the Fed to resume quantitative easing. Meanwhile, traders are following US and Japanese trade negotiations. While the parties are very optimistic but no specific decisions have yet been made. Japanese exports fell by 2.4% YoY in March, which was twice as bad as the decline in February. Imports, in contrast, rose by 1.1% YoY after a decrease of 6.6% YoY in February. Due to a sharp decline in exports, the overall March trade balance increased from 334.9 to 528.5 billion JPY.
Oil
Yesterday, oil prices resumed moderate growth, responding to new exacerbations in Libya and a decline in exports of petroleum products from Venezuela and Iran. The quotes, in turn, are under pressure from uncertain prospects of the OPEC+ transaction. In particular, Russia may decide to increase the rate of oil production in order to compete with the ever-increasing supplies from the United States. The further fate of the current transaction will be decided in June when the cartel gathers for the next summit. Published on the eve of the report of the American Petroleum Institute on oil reserves reflected the decline in stocks for the week of April 12 to 3.096 million barrels after rising by 4.091 million barrels for the previous period. Today, investors are awaiting publication of a report on production and reserves from the US Department of Energy.