The US dollar traded higher against most of the major currencies on Tuesday despite weaker new home sales and cautious comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, says Kathy Lien of BKForex.com.
Along with his peers, Powell made it clear that they see only a temporary rise in inflationary pressures. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen avoided market-moving comments in their closely watched testimony. For the next 24 hours the focus shifts to Europe where PMI reports are scheduled for release.
This is a busy week for the British pound. Today’s labor market report will be followed by inflation and PMI numbers on Wednesday and retail sales on Friday.
Despite fewer than expected job losses at the end of the year and a lower unemployment rate, GBP/USD sold off for the fourth day in a row. So far, the UK has vaccinated more than 50% of its adult population, and as a result of this aggressive effort, yesterday’s death rate was the lowest since September 2020. Their success will pay dividends quickly, but for now investors are worried about vaccine supply from India slowing, tensions between the EU and UK on vaccine exports, the central bank’s dovishness, and the prospect of a summer-long travel ban. On Thursday, Parliament will vote on the country’s new “Roadmap Regulations” that will include a GBP5,000 penalty for vacations abroad.
Data was better but still not great. For the first time since the pandemic, the UK unemployment rate declined but with 147K job losses at the end of the year, joblessness is still near a five-year high.
UK inflation and PMI numbers are due for release tomorrow. Faster consumer and producer price growth is expected as commodity prices increased sharply last month, and the February PMIs showed rapid manufacturing and service sector price rises. Smooth vaccine rollout should also promote stronger manufacturing and service sector PMIs. All of this is positive for sterling, but will it be enough to renew the currency’s rise?
First off, if any of these reports surprise to the downside, we could see big losses in GBP because investors expect good numbers.
Weaker service or manufacturing PMIs could take GBP/USD to 1.36 easily. If the data is in line or better, how sterling trades will be dependent on the market’s broader appetite for risk and US dollars.
The risk of weaker Eurozone PMIs drove the euro lower against most of the major currencies.
In our last note, we said now is not the time to buy euros. One of our main arguments is ongoing weakness in the Eurozone economy. Tomorrow’s PMI reports should show just that, but more troubles lie ahead. The German government just announced a strict five-day, stay-at-home order for the Easter holiday as the region struggles under a third wave.
Meanwhile the biggest movers were the commodity currencies.
The New Zealand dollar lost more than 2% of its value after the New Zealand government took steps to rein in the housing market. From taxes on investors to restrictions on interest deduction and an increase in affordable housing, they are taking aggressive steps to drive prices lower. In just 12 months, house prices rose more than 23% as low interest rates encouraged investors to park their funds in real estate. They also doubled the bright line test, which requires investors to hold onto property for 10 instead of five years to avoid paying taxes.
The Australian dollar followed NZD lower, but the Canadian dollar resisted losses thanks in part to the Bank of Canada’s decision to end market-functioning programs introduced during the pandemic. With manufacturing activity slowing, New Zealand’s trade balance could disappoint, which would exacerbate the slide in NZD. Australian PMIs on the other hand may not be that weak.
To learn more about Kathy Lien visit BKForex.com.
