EUR/GBP: recovery after a series of bearish sessions
The EUR/GBP pair is showing cautious growth, trading around 0.8328, compensating for losses after mostly bearish sentiment, which this week led to the testing of minimum levels since November 15.
The stabilization of inflation in the eurozone, thanks to the efforts of the European Central Bank (ECB), opens up new challenges related to weakening domestic demand and economic uncertainty. Investors are looking forward to the publication of November business activity data in Germany and the eurozone. The S&P Global index of business activity in the eurozone services sector is expected to rise from 51.6 to 51.8 points, while the manufacturing index will remain at 46.0 points. A similar trend is forecast in Germany: the services sector is likely to show growth from 51.6 to 51.7 points, while the manufacturing index will remain at 43.0 points. Yesterday, the head of the Bank of France, Francois Villeroy de Gallo, expressed the opinion that the increase in duties on goods by the administration of the newly elected US President Donald Trump would not have a significant impact on the region's inflation forecasts. He stressed the need to continue the ECB's soft monetary policy with an emphasis on "flexibility and pragmatism" to adapt to changing conditions.
Against the British background, attention was drawn to the November consumer confidence index from Gfk Group, which rose from -21.0 to -18.0 points, surpassing forecasts of -22.0 points. CBI analyst Ben Jones noted that the US elections, with their unexpected results, continue to restrain consumer activity, although the situation may improve in the next quarter. Additionally, investors are studying statistics on UK government borrowing, which reached 17.4 billion pounds in October, the second highest figure since 1993. In the first seven months of the current tax year, the debt increased to 96.6 billion pounds, which is 1.1 billion more than the same period last year, raising concerns about the fiscal sustainability of the country.
- Resistance levels: 0.8326, 0.8340, 0.8350, 0.8359.
- Support levels: 0.8310, 0.8294, 0.8280, 0.8259.
AUD/USD: the expectation of statistics from the United States affects the dynamics of the pair
The AUD/USD pair is showing a moderate decline, continuing to form a weakly expressed "bearish" trend, which originated in the middle of this week. Quotes are once again trying to overcome the psychological support level of 0.6500, while the markets are waiting for fresh triggers to appear for movement.
Today's macroeconomic statistics from Australia could not significantly affect the dynamics of the instrument. Thus, the index of business activity in the manufacturing industry from S&P Global rose to 49.4 points in November from the previous value of 47.3 points, which indicates a slowdown in the recession. At the same time, the indicator in the services sector from Commonwealth Bank decreased from 51.0 points to 49.6 points, and the composite index decreased to 49.4 points against October's 50.2 points. These data indicate continuing problems in the economy, although growth in the service sector remains an important factor supporting the overall level of activity.
The attention of market participants is shifted to the upcoming American data. At 16:45 (GMT+2), business activity indices in the United States will be published, based on surveys of purchasing and supply managers. Forecasts suggest an improvement: the index in the S&P Global services sector may rise from 55.0 points to 55.3 points, and the indicator in the manufacturing sector from 48.5 points to 48.8 points. Already published statistics on the labor market show mixed dynamics: the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits for the week ended November 15 decreased from 219.0 thousand to 213.0 thousand, which is better than expectations of 220.0 thousand. However, the number of repeat applications increased to 1.908 million against 1.872 million, exceeding the forecast of 1.870 million. This highlights the resilience of the labor sector to the current monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve. It is noteworthy that the comments of the representatives of the regulator remain diverse. Michelle Bowman, a member of the Fed's Board of Governors, noted that inflation, although declining, still remains at a high level, and its slowdown requires a cautious approach to easing monetary policy. This statement adds uncertainty about the next steps of the US financial authorities, which puts pressure on investor sentiment and on the AUD/USD pair.
- Resistance levels: 0.6500, 0.6536, 0.6570, 0.6600.
- Support levels: 0.6478, 0.6440, 0.6420, 0.6388.
USD/TRY: Lira retains weak prospects for strengthening
In the morning, the USD/TRY pair is trading at around 34.5047, under pressure from weak macroeconomic data from Turkey and the growth of the US dollar.
In November, the consumer confidence index in Turkey fell from 80.6 to 79.8 points, which was the first deterioration in the indicator since June this year. However, the index value has remained below the neutral level of 100.0 points for more than five years, indicating continued pessimism among consumers. Serious reductions were recorded in the construction sector in the third quarter: the total area of facilities allowed for construction decreased by 18.9%, the number of building permits decreased by 18.8%, and apartments by 17.0%. This confirms the weakening of activity in one of the key sectors of the economy.
Meanwhile, the US dollar is strengthening, reaching 107.00 in the USDX index. This was facilitated by positive data on the US labor market. The number of initial applications for unemployment benefits amounted to 213.0 thousand, which was lower than both the previous week's figure (219.0 thousand) and analysts' expectations (220.0 thousand). The average value over the past four weeks has decreased from 221.50 thousand to 217.75 thousand, although the total number of repeated requests increased to 1.908 million from 1.872 million. This trend reinforces expectations of continued sustained economic recovery in the United States.
- Resistance levels: 34.6600, 35.5000.
- Support levels: 34.3000, 33.4000.
USD/CAD: price consolidates inside an expanding pattern
During the Asian session, the USD/CAD pair shows a correction, holding at 1.3982 amid the strengthening of the position of the US currency.
According to Statistics Canada (StatsCan), in October, the industrial goods price index rose by 1.2% compared to the previous month, breaking a two-month decline, and increased by 1.1% year-on-year, reaching the highest level since April. Commodity prices showed an increase of 3.8%, while the indicator excluding oil and electricity increased by 3.1% month-on-month and decreased by 2.8% year-on-year. This dynamic supports stable growth in industrial production due to lower costs.
The US dollar is strengthening, reaching the level of 107.00 in the USDX index — the highest since the end of autumn last year. The main driver of growth was positive indicators in the labor market: the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits decreased from 219.0 thousand to 213.0 thousand, while the total number of applications increased to 1.908 million people against 1.872 million a week earlier. The average number of applications over the past four weeks has decreased to 217.75 thousand, which was the lowest value since May. The stability of the labor market confirms the likelihood of the continuation of the "dovish" rhetoric of the US Federal Reserve, since current inflation remains localized in certain sectors, in particular, in real estate. This week, Lisa Cook, a member of the Fed's Board of Governors, said that next year the consumer price index could reach 2.2%, which is close to the target 2.0%, confirming the effectiveness of the monetary policy.
- Resistance levels: 1.4020, 1.4190.
- Support levels: 1.3930, 1.3780.