EUR/USD: economists see a likely ECB rate cut in December
The EUR/USD pair is trading with signs of corrective growth around 1.0574, which is facilitated by the weakening of the US dollar and support from positive data on the eurozone economy.
The publication of data on the gross domestic product (GDP) of the eurozone for the third quarter is expected today at 12:00 (GMT+2). According to analysts, the quarterly indicator will remain at 0.4%, and the annual indicator will adjust to 0.9% against the previous 0.6%, which indicates the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB). Meanwhile, investors have already assessed the published statistics on retail sales, which decreased by 0.5% on a monthly basis, which turned out to be worse than the predicted -0.4%. On an annualized basis, the decrease was 1.9%, which exceeded expectations of 1.7%, but still remains less significant compared to the previous 3.0%. The reduction of industrial orders in Germany to 1.5% in October after 4.2% earlier strengthened the arguments of supporters of the ECB's "dovish" rhetoric. A Reuters poll confirms experts' expectations: the cost of borrowing is likely to be reduced by 25 basis points at the December 12 meeting. Forecasts for 2024 suggest that the regulator will continue to adjust rates, reducing them by a total of 100 basis points next year.
- Resistance levels: 1.0610, 1.0740.
- Support levels: 1.0550, 1.0420.
AUD/USD: Australia's GDP growth rate was below market expectations
The AUD/USD pair is trading in a sideways range, holding near the 0.6430 mark, due to weak economic statistics from Australia and a decline in the position of the US dollar. Despite the small activity, investors remain cautious when assessing the current data on the dynamics of the Australian economy.
According to published data, in the third quarter, gross domestic product (GDP) growth amounted to 0.3% in quarterly terms, which is lower than analysts' forecasts of 0.5%. The annual rate also slowed from 1.0% to 0.8%, falling short of expectations of 1.1%. The indicators of foreign trade showed a more positive trend: exports increased from -4.7% to 3.6%, and imports moved into a positive zone, rising from -2.8% to 0.1%. The trade balance also improved, increasing from 4.532 billion to 5.938 billion Australian dollars. Although positive changes in exports may support the economy, the slowdown in GDP growth remains a key factor in the pressure on the Australian currency. Investors continue to assess the prospects for economic development, waiting for new signals from the Reserve Bank of Australia and additional data that may affect the further dynamics of the AUD/USD pair.
- Resistance levels: 0.6470, 0.6600.
- Support levels: 0.6400, 0.6260.
NZD/USD: the week ends with the weakening of the New Zealand currency
The NZD/USD pair is correcting downwards, testing the 0.5855 mark, almost leveling out the results of the growth observed on Thursday. Market participants prefer to take profits on long positions before the publication of the November report on the US labor market, forecasts for which remain contradictory.
Against the background of the lack of significant news from New Zealand, the main attention of traders was focused on data from China. The index of business activity in the service sector decreased from 50.2 to 50.0 points, while the same indicator in the NBS manufacturing sector rose slightly from 50.1 to 50.3 points. The Caixin indicator, on the contrary, showed a steady increase from 50.3 to 51.5 points, significantly exceeding the projected 50.5 points, which indicates an improvement in conditions for the manufacturing sector.
Analysts expect a gradual recovery in the New Zealand real estate market. Over the next two years, housing construction volumes could increase by 5.0%, helped by a 125 basis point reduction in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. At the same time, according to a Reuters poll conducted at the end of November, average rent growth will continue to outpace inflation, which will increase pressure on family budgets as house prices have doubled over the past seven years. Experts predict that in 2025 and 2026, the value of real estate will grow by 5.1% annually, while in 2023 a decrease of 0.3% was recorded. The Reserve Bank had previously assumed a similar recovery, forecasting a 4.0% price increase in 2025 and almost 7.0% in 2026.
- Resistance levels: 0.5888, 0.5920, 0.5950, 0.5975.
- Support levels: 0.5858, 0.5830, 0.5800, 0.5750.
USD/CAD: the former head of the Bank of Canada announced the beginning of a recession
The USD/CAD pair is showing a moderate increase, aiming to gain a foothold above the 1.4030 level. Trading activity remains subdued, as market participants are waiting for the release of important employment statistics in the United States and Canada, which may set the direction for further dynamics.
At a recent webinar organized by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, former head of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz said that the country is showing signs of a technical recession. According to him, despite the absence of two consecutive quarters with negative GDP growth, a significant increase in migration to Canada has changed the structure of consumption: the growing demand for basic goods contrasts with the reduction in spending by local residents, who are faced with a 30 percent increase in the cost of living amid the recent inflationary surge. Confirming Poloz's words, Statistics Canada last week reported that GDP per capita fell by 0.4% over the last quarter, extending a series of cuts to six in a row. Economists point to the weakness of domestic markets and the high burden on the budget of the population, which confirms the vulnerability of the country's economy.
- Resistance levels: 1.4050, 1.4100, 1.4145, 1.4200.
- Support levels: 1.4000, 1.3958, 1.3908, 1.3862.