EUR/USD: euro remains near local heights
The EUR/USD pair shows a slight decrease, rolling back from the local highs reached on September 6. Now the instrument is trying to break through the level of 1.1120, while investors are waiting for the results of the two-day meeting of the US Federal Reserve System (Fed), starting today. In recent weeks, Fed officials, including Chairman Jerome Powell, have repeatedly hinted at a possible interest rate cut this month. The deterioration of inflation indicators and the cooling of the labor market create conditions for easing monetary policy. Recently, markets have been increasingly predicting the likelihood of a more aggressive 50 basis point rate cut. The FedWatch tool of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Group) shows that the probability of such a move reached almost 60% at the beginning of the week, although just a week ago this scenario was estimated at 25-30%. By the end of 2024, the overall rate cut could reach 125 basis points. In addition, investors drew attention to the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which unexpectedly rose from -4.7 to 11.5 points in September, exceeding analysts' expectations of 3.9 points.
At the same time, macroeconomic statistics from the eurozone did not have a significant impact on the pair's exchange rate. The Italian consumer price index for August remained at 0.2% month-on-month and 1.1% year-on-year, indicating a gradual economic recovery and a return to pre-crisis indicators. The index calculated according to EU standards decreased from 1.3% to 1.2% in annual terms and from -0.1% to -0.2% on a monthly basis. The eurozone's trade balance in July, excluding seasonal fluctuations, decreased from 21.7 billion euros to 21.2 billion euros, although analysts had predicted a more significant decline to 14.9 billion euros.
- Resistance levels: 1.1150, 1.1200, 1.1243, 1.1300.
- Support levels: 1.1100, 1.1050, 1.1000, 1.0964.
GBP/USD: experts expect the US Federal Reserve to cut the rate by 0.5%
The GBP/USD pair is approaching its annual highs, trading around 1.3206. Among the currencies of developed countries, the pound stands out as the only one showing strengthening against the US dollar, having added 3.9% since the beginning of the year.
This positive trend is associated with the recovery of key sectors of the UK economy. Forecasts for the housing price index from Rightmove Group Ltd. They point to a possible increase in September: the indicator is expected to increase from -1.5% to 0.8% on a monthly basis and from 0.8% to 1.2% on an annual basis. Consumer inflation data for August, which will be released on Wednesday, are also in the spotlight. Analysts assume that the consumer price index will remain at 2.2% year-on-year, while the underlying indicator may accelerate from 3.3% to 3.5%. This may indicate the need to maintain the current course of the monetary policy of the Bank of England. In addition, the retail price index is expected to slow from 3.6% to 3.4% in August. These statistics will be key to the decision of the Bank of England, whose monetary policy meeting is scheduled for the next day. Experts assume that the regulator will leave the interest rate at 5.00%, but the comments of the bank's management will be carefully analyzed by investors to predict the further movement of the pound.
- Resistance levels: 1.3260, 1.3400.
- Support levels: 1.3176, 1.3040.
NZD/USD: New Zealand's services sector shows growth for the first time since April
The NZD/USD pair is showing an unstable decline, rolling back from the local highs reached on September 6. The instrument is currently testing the level of 0.6193 for a breakdown downwards, while traders are closely following the results of the two-day meeting of the US Federal Reserve System.
On the other hand, some support for the New Zealand dollar came from the country's macroeconomic statistics. At the end of last week, the market drew attention to the improvement in the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector in August, which rose from 44.4 to 45.8 points. In addition, the index of business activity in the service sector from Business NZ rose from 45.2 to 45.5 points, reaching its highest since April. Despite the fact that both indicators remain below 50.0 points, indicating a reduction in activity, their growth shows some signs of stabilization. The next meeting of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is scheduled for October 9. Until then, investors' attention will be focused on the GDP data for the second quarter, which will be released on Thursday. Forecasts indicate a possible contraction of the economy by -0.4% on a quarterly basis and by 0.5% on an annual basis. If these expectations are confirmed, the RBNZ will probably decide to keep the interest rate at 5.25%, refraining from further changes.
- Resistance levels: 0.6200, 0.6221, 0.6254, 0.6300.
- Support levels: 0.6177, 0.6158, 0.6124, 0.6100.
USD/CAD: markets are waiting for Canadian inflation data for August
During the Asian session, the USD/CAD pair is making attempts to recover, but the US dollar is under pressure due to rising expectations of a 50 basis point interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. The two-day meeting of the Federal Reserve begins today, and according to the FedWatch Tool of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Group), the probability of such a decision is now estimated at 59%. Investors also expect further rate changes before the end of the year.
Canada's inflation statistics attract the attention of traders, as they may affect the future decision of the Bank of Canada on monetary policy. Preliminary forecasts indicate a slowdown in the consumer price index in August — from 0.4% to 0.1% on a monthly basis, and maintaining at the level of 2.5% in annual terms. In addition, it is expected to publish data on the start of construction of houses, which are likely to show a decrease from 279.5 thousand to 256.0 thousand. Earlier, the head of the Bank of Canada, Tiff Macklem, expressed concerns about the cooling of the labor market, falling oil prices and a decrease in immigration. He admitted that the interest rate adjustment may be more significant than expected, up to 50 basis points, which is twice the current rate of decline of 25 basis points. This may become necessary if the economy demonstrates sufficient resilience. In August, the unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.6%, compared with a low of 4.8% in 2022, while in the United States this figure reached 4.2% against 3.4%. Macklem expressed concern about the weakness of the labor market, noting that the employment rate and the number of vacancies had decreased to the levels observed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since June, the Bank of Canada has already lowered the rate from 5.0% to 4.25%, which has slowed inflation to 2.5%, bringing it closer to the target level of 2.0%. Macklem stressed that a further decrease in inflation may be the reason for a more significant rate change.
- Resistance levels: 1.3607, 1.3622, 1.3650, 1.3675.
- Support levels: 1.3582, 1.3550, 1.3524, 1.3500.