EUR/USD: waiting for money from investing in Euros abroad
The European currency is retreating from the recent highs reached at the end of December 2023, and is currently testing the level of 1.1075 for a possible breakdown downwards. Market participants are preparing for the publication of July inflation data, which will take place today and will become an important guideline for the European Central Bank (ECB) in making monetary policy decisions.
Analysts predict that on a monthly basis, the consumer price index will decrease from 0.2% to 0.0%, and on an annual basis it will grow from 2.5% to 2.6%. The base monthly indicator may fall from 0.4% to -0.2%, and the annual indicator may remain at 2.9%. If these forecasts are confirmed, it will indicate a decrease in inflationary pressure in the European economy, which may strengthen market expectations regarding a possible reduction in interest rates in September. Currently, investors expect at least two rate adjustments before the end of the year. Today, data on industrial inflation in Germany were also published: in July, the index increased by 0.2% compared to the previous month, but the annual rate slowed by 0.8%, which, however, turned out to be better than the previous indicator of -1.6%.
In the morning at 20:00 (GMT+2), American investors are watching how registration takes place on the site, and how the date is set above 5.50%. Investors will look for signals in the document about a possible easing of monetary policy at the September meeting. However, the annual Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole will be of key importance for the dynamics of the dollar, where leading economists, including Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, are expected to speak, which is likely to touch on the topic of adjusting interest rates and the impact of prolonged hawkish policies on the economy. Recall that in early August, data on the US labor market raised fears of a recession, which led to expectations of a 50 basis point rate cut in September, but then the situation stabilized, and now investors estimate the probability of such a step at 30.0%.
- Resistance levels: 1.1100, 1.1150, 1.1200, 1.1243.
- Support levels: 1.1047, 1.1000, 1.0964, 1.0930.
GBP/USD: in November, UBS expects a 25 bps rate cut in Britain.
The pound sterling shows mixed dynamics in the pound/dollar pair, consolidating near the recently reached local highs since July 18. Market activity remains low, as investors are cautious, avoiding opening new positions before the publication of the minutes of the July meeting of the US Federal Reserve on monetary policy and speeches by representatives of world central banks at the annual Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole. The market is trying to estimate the probability of a 50 basis point interest rate cut in September, but as sentiment improves and fears of a recession decrease, this scenario becomes less likely.
On Friday the head of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, is expected to speak, during which he can clarify plans for further easing of monetary policy. UBS analysts at AG Group note that the latest UK inflation data indicate a gradual decline towards the 2.0% target, which significantly increases the likelihood of a 25 basis point rate cut in November and a possible acceleration of this process in 2025. In July, the consumer price index decreased from 0.1% to -0.2% on a monthly basis, and increased from 2.0% to 2.2% on an annual basis, which turned out to be lower than the projected 2.3%. The base index also decreased from 0.2% to 0.1% on a monthly basis and from 3.5% to 3.3% on an annual basis. However, the unemployment rate in June adjusted from 4.4% to 4.2%, and employment increased by 135.0 thousand against the forecast of 14.5 thousand, which indicates a significant excess of inflation targets.
- Resistance levels: 1.3000, 1.3050, 1.3100, 1.3150.
- Support levels: 1.2948, 1.2900, 1.2860, 1.2817.
USD/CHF: growth for the second time was 6.4%
The pair/demonstrates a corrective movement of the USD/CHF pair, holding near 0.8620 during the morning session, as the Swiss franc continues to strengthen against the background of positive macroeconomic data.
According to a report by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, in the second quarter of 2024, the secondary sector of the economy showed growth of 6.4% year-on-year, and turnover increased by 4.7%, reaching the highest level since 2021. Industrial production also showed strong growth: in April by 8.0%, in May by 8.6%, and in June by 5.6%, which led to an overall increase of 7.3% over the quarter. Positive dynamics is also observed in the construction sector, where turnover increased by 1.6%, with the highest growth rates in civil engineering (+13.1%). These data indicate a possible further strengthening of the Swiss franc, as business activity in these industries is likely to recover.
- Support levels: 0.8580, 0.8430.
- Resistance levels: 0.8670, 0.8790.
NZD/USD: RBNZ is ready for a long-term reduction in monetary rates
In the Asian session, the New Zealand dollar continues its steady growth, which began at the end of last week, and is approaching the 0.6120 mark, striving to overcome this level and update local highs from July 12. At this time, market participants are being cautious, refraining from active actions on the US currency, waiting for the publication of the minutes of the July meeting of the US Federal Reserve on monetary policy and speeches by leading representatives of central banks at the annual Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole, which starts on Thursday, August 22. Investors hope to receive new guidance on a possible interest rate cut in September, although the exact extent of the reduction — by a quarter or half a percent — remains in doubt.
At the same time, the New Zealand dollar continues to receive support thanks to statements by the head of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Adrian Orr, who expressed his willingness to continue the policy of easing monetary incentives. At the last meeting, the regulator lowered the interest rate by 25 basis points, for the first time since March 2020, noting positive trends in reducing inflation to the target range of 1.0–3.0%. Inflation is expected to fall to 3.85% by the end of 2025 from the current 5.25%. At the same time, Reuters reported that most astronomers expect long-range communication with the station by 50 basis points at the end of the year. Support for this trend was also confirmed by the latest statistics, which recorded a steady increase in inflation: The producer purchase price index rose by 1.4% in the second quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, which had forecast growth of only 0.5%. Local pressure on the New Zealand dollar was exerted by data on foreign trade: exports in July fell to 6.15 billion New Zealand dollars, while imports increased to 7.11 billion, which led to a trade deficit of 963.0 million New Zealand dollars, although a surplus of 331.0 million was expected.
- Resistance levels: 0.6130, 0.6153, 0.6175, 0.6200.
- Support levels: 0.6100, 0.6085, 0.6068, 0.6047.