EUR/USD: euro is losing ground after the May statistics on the German labor market
The EUR/USD pair shows mixed dynamics, consolidating around the 1.0880 mark. Yesterday, the instrument showed a slight decrease, retreating from local highs on March 21, despite a limited amount of macroeconomic data from the eurozone and the United States. Investors drew attention to the increase in the number of unemployed in Germany in May from 11.0 thousand (revised from 10.0 thousand) to 25.0 thousand, while analysts predicted that the indicator would remain at the level of 10.0 thousand. The unemployment rate remained at 5.9%. According to the Federal Employment Agency, 702.0 thousand vacancies were opened in May, which is 65.0 thousand less than a year ago. At the same time, the shortage of qualified personnel remains in 183 out of 200 key professions. Experts fear that the problems in the German labor market may worsen in the medium term due to the deterioration of the demographic situation.
Today, investors are focused on statistics on business activity in the services sector and industrial inflation in the eurozone. A meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) will be held on Thursday at 14:15 (GMT+2), from which analysts expect an interest rate cut of 25 basis points to 4.25%. At the same time, the regulator may announce more cautious further steps, given the ongoing inflationary pressure in some sectors of the region's economy.
- Resistance levels: 1.0900, 1.0930, 1.0964, 1.1000.
- Support levels: 1.0863, 1.0842, 1.0820, 1.0800.
GBP/USD: rhetoric of the Fed and the Bank of England is reflected in the dynamics of the pair
The GBP/USD pair has been growing for the second month in a row, updating the March high of 1.2817.
Earlier, investors feared that the US Federal Reserve would abandon monetary policy easing this year due to rising inflationary pressures in the first quarter. However, the latest macroeconomic data encouraged them: in April, the key core index of private consumption expenditures fell from 0.3% to 0.2%, job growth slowed to 8.059 million, and the May index of manufacturing activity fell from 49.2 to 48.7 points. As a result of weakening inflation and a possible economic downturn, officials may switch to a "dovish" course, and most experts expect the first rate cut in September and another before the end of the year.
The Bank of England, which previously planned to reduce the cost of borrowing in the summer, may postpone the adjustment to the end of the year, as in April the consumer price index rose by 2.3% instead of the expected 2.1%, and the economy remains stable: in May, business activity indices continue to grow, albeit more slowly. Additionally, the situation is complicated by the parliamentary elections scheduled for July 4, so officials have taken a break and do not comment on further actions.
- Resistance levels: 1.2817, 1.2890, 1.3061.
- Support levels: 1.2695, 1.2573, 1.2490.
NZD/USD: problem mortgages in New Zealand increased by 25% since the beginning of the year
The NZD/USD pair is showing moderate growth, recovering from a recent correction attempt, which did not allow it to gain a foothold at local highs from March 8. Now the quotes are testing the level of 0.6185, and investors are waiting for the publication of macroeconomic statistics from the United States. Today at 14:15 (GMT+2), the May report from ADP on private sector employment will be released, and at the end of the week, the final data from the US Department of Labor will be released. It is expected that the number of employees will decrease from 192.0 thousand to 173.0 thousand. At 16:00 (GMT+2), statistics on the ISM business activity index in the service sector will be published, the projected growth of which from 49.4 to 50.5 points may affect investors' expectations regarding the easing of the Fed's monetary policy by the end of the year. The main scenario assumes an interest rate cut of 25 basis points with a probability of 51.0% in September.
Craig Rennie, head of policy at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, noted that changing tax conditions could stimulate a decrease in demand in the economy, as high-income companies would not be able to distribute funds among shareholders. In his opinion, regular changes in duties will be more useful for the economy than adjusting the interest rate. He stressed that although the increase in the cost of borrowing has somewhat reduced demand, it has also contributed to the accumulation of savings by citizens in conditions of high inflation. This is confirmed by data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, according to which the volume of non-performing housing loans in April increased by 7.7% to $ 1.9 billion. Since the beginning of the year, this figure has increased by $ 384.0 million, or 25.3%, and over the past 12 months — by $ 796.0 million, or 72.0%.
- Resistance levels: 0.6200, 0.6230, 0.6250, 0.6300.
- Support levels: 0.6175, 0.6152, 0.6130, 0.6100.
USD/JPY: data on salaries and business activity in Japan met with a neutral reaction from investors
Against the background of the weakening of the US dollar and positive Japanese statistics, the USD/JPY pair is correcting downwards, trading near the level of 155.58.
The yen is correcting after strengthening at the beginning of the week, and reports on wages and business activity were perceived by investors neutrally: in April, the total income of employees increased by 2.1% after the previous 1.0%, and the average annual salary increased by 2.1% instead of the projected 1.7%. Overtime pay decreased by 0.6%, which is almost the same as last year's 0.5%. Thus, workers' incomes and salaries increased in the spring, supporting the local recovery. The index of business activity in the service sector decreased from 54.3 to 53.8 points, remaining in the "green" zone and is unlikely to significantly affect quotes. In this situation, the Bank of Japan may continue to tighten monetary policy, although an interest rate increase is still unlikely.
- Resistance levels: 156.40, 158.40.
- Support levels: 154.80, 152.80.