EUR/USD: euro strengthens to new highs before the US elections
The EUR/USD pair is showing moderate growth, recovering from the "bearish" trend of last Friday. The tool is testing new local highs reached on October 15, in anticipation of fresh drivers for movement.
On Monday, the EU will publish macroeconomic statistics for October on business activity from S&P Global. It is expected that the indicators will remain at the level of last month: the index of manufacturing activity in Germany will be 42.6 points, and for the eurozone as a whole — 45.9 points. Representatives of the German Federal Bank and the European Central Bank (ECB) are also scheduled to speak during the day, which may affect the prospects for changes in the monetary policy of the region. According to a study by Ernst & Young Global Ltd., 45.0% of German industrial companies plan to expand abroad, while only 13.0% intend to maintain operations in the country. At the same time, 29.0% of companies are considering moving their headquarters outside Germany, while only 4.0% prefer to manage their business from the inside. Two thirds of the managers surveyed predict job cuts in the coming years.
American investors are focused on the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for November 5th. The position of Republican candidate Donald Trump was strengthened by a weak report on the labor market, which is often used as an argument in favor of the current Joe Biden administration. In October, the US economy created only 12.0 thousand new jobs outside agriculture, with an expected 113.0 thousand, whereas in September the increase was 223.0 thousand. The average hourly wage increased from 3.9% to 4.0% and from 0.3% to 0.4%, indicating continued moderate inflation risks. Despite the initial decline in the dollar, it subsequently managed to recover, as such low figures were explained by the consequences of two major hurricanes and protests by employees of The Boeing Co.
- Resistance levels: 1.0900, 1.0930, 1.0950, 1.1000.
- Support levels: 1.0871, 1.0838, 1.0800, 1.0765.
GBP/USD: pair holds positions at local highs
The GBP/USD pair shows moderate growth, consolidating at the level of 1.2990 and the recent highs of October 31. Market activity remains low, as investors prefer to refrain from opening new positions before the US presidential elections, which will be held on November 5. The current dollar quotes include the probability of a victory for the Republican candidate Donald Trump, which may lead to a tightening of tariff policy and a slower reduction in interest rates by the Fed.
The October labor market report released on Friday had only a short-term impact, as markets no longer associate current economic data with a future administration. The US economy has created only 12,000 new jobs outside agriculture, which was the lowest result during Joe Biden's presidency. In September, this figure was 223 thousand, and in October, an increase to 113 thousand was predicted. The average hourly wage increased from 0.3% to 0.4% on a monthly basis and from 3.9% to 4.0% on an annual basis. The unemployment rate remained at 4.1%. Investors also noted a decrease in the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector from ISM to 46.5 points with a forecast of 47.6 points, after the previous value of 47.2.
On Thursday, the Bank of England will hold the last monetary policy meeting of the year. Economists polled by Reuters forecast a rate cut of 25 basis points to 4.75%, despite the recently presented draft budget from Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, which caused a contradictory reaction among investors. The budget assumes a significant tax increase to ensure revenue in the amount of 40 billion pounds. In particular, it is planned to increase companies' contributions to the National Insurance Fund (NI) to 15% and increase the capital gains rate (CGT) from 10% to 18% for low-income taxpayers and from 20% to 24% for high incomes. These changes can create pressure on the business, reducing its profitability, which worries investors who refuse to invest in the pound. The Bank of England has also raised its forecasts for GDP growth for the current and next years and expects the consumer price index to rise from 2.5% to 2.6% by 2025.
- Resistance levels: 1.3000, 1.3050, 1.3100, 1.3150.
- Support levels: 1.2948, 1.2900, 1.2860, 1.2817.
USD/CHF: mixed trading in the Asian session
In the morning, the USD/CHF pair shows a moderate decline, remaining near the 0.8650 level, amid a decrease in market activity before the announcement of the results of the US presidential election.
The victory of Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, may lead to a revision of monetary policy against the background of a new tariff strategy and a reduction in geopolitical tensions due to a more restrained foreign policy approach, which will potentially support the US dollar. The Fed is scheduled to meet on Thursday, and analysts expect a 25 basis point rate cut to 4.75%. Traders will pay special attention to the comments of the Fed representatives after the meeting in order to understand the prospects for another rate change this year.
In Switzerland, the consumer price index in October decreased from 0.8% to 0.6% in annual terms, while on a monthly basis the indicator rose from -0.3% to -0.1%, while analysts predicted zero values in both cases. In addition, retail sales in September adjusted from 2.7% to 2.2%, which was lower than the expected 2.5%.
- Resistance levels: 0.8669, 0.8700, 0.8730, 0.8776.
- Support levels: 0.8631, 0.8600, 0.8570, 0.8541.
NZD/USD: reduced trading volatility
The NZD/USD pair is correcting near the level of 0.6006 against the background of a weakening US dollar and positive macroeconomic statistics on the New Zealand real estate market.
In September, the number of approved applications for the construction of new homes increased from -5.2% to 2.6% on a monthly basis, although since the beginning of the year it has amounted to 33,677 thousand, which is 17.0% less than in the previous period. In the third quarter, the number of applications increased from -2.8% to 6.2%, but the indicator for non-residential facilities in September showed a decrease of -9.1 billion New Zealand dollars, which corresponds to a drop of 6.4% year-on-year and indicates the weakness of this sector.
The US dollar in the Asian session fell to the level of 103.50 in USDX amid lower volatility and expectations of the results of the US presidential election and the Fed's decision on monetary policy, which will be announced on Thursday. The chances of winning candidates from both parties are estimated to be approximately equal, so investors are following cautious tactics before the announcement of the election results. According to the FedWatch Tool from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the probability of a 25 basis point interest rate cut is 99.0%, and this scenario has already been taken into account in the quotes.
- Resistance levels: 0.6020, 0.6110.
- Support levels: 0.5980, 0.5880.