GBP/USD: british 10-year bonds have shown peak yields since 2008
The GBP/USD pair continues to remain in the correction phase, trading around the 1.2294 mark. This dynamic is due to the stable exchange rate of the US dollar and the sell-off in the market of British debt instruments. Investors are concerned about the growth of government debt and the consequences of the first decisions of the new US President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20.
The yield on 30-year UK bonds reached a record high of 5.455% in the last 26 years, while 10-year bonds rose to 4.921%. Despite these figures, the Ministry of Finance of the country does not see the need to take emergency measures. In 2025, it is planned to issue government bonds worth about 300 billion pounds, which, according to the authorities, can normalize the situation on the capital market. Rising yields can stimulate investor activity, and one of the possible steps to stabilize will be a short-term increase in the key rate, which will also support the fight against inflation.
Meanwhile, the US currency is strengthening, the USDX index rose to the level of 109.0 points. Today at 15:30 (GMT+2), market participants expect the publication of data on employment in the US non-agricultural sector. 154 thousand jobs are projected to be created, compared to 227 thousand in November. The average hourly wage is likely to slow down from 0.4% to 0.3%, while the unemployment rate will remain at 4.2%. If the forecasts are confirmed, this could be a weighty argument for the Fed in favor of slowing down monetary policy tightening. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, 93.1% of investors are confident in maintaining the rate in the range of 4.25%-4.50%. In addition, the published minutes of the Fed meeting indicate increased uncertainty about the economic course before the second term of Donald Trump. The regulator also noted the risks of accelerating inflation if the president's foreign trade and migration policies are fully implemented.
- Support levels: 1.2230, 1.2000.
- Resistance levels: 1.2380, 1.2610.
USD/CHF: correction of the franc against the background of strengthening the position of the US currency
The USD/CHF pair maintains a corrective trend near the level of 0.9125, demonstrating readiness for further growth. During the Asian session, the Swiss franc weakened slightly in the pair, which is explained by a decrease in market volatility and the strengthening of the US currency.
The market is focused on the latest macroeconomic data from Switzerland. On a monthly basis, the consumer price index decreased by 0.1%, reaching 106.9 points, while in annual terms, the indicator slowed from 0.7% to 0.6%. The average annual inflation rate for 2024 was 1.1%, which corresponds to the central part of the target range of 0.0–2.0% set by the Swiss National Bank. These indicators may support the regulator's decision to continue its soft monetary policy in 2025. The bank plans to reduce the borrowing rate to 0.25%, and the head of the regulator Martin Schlegel admits the possibility of introducing negative rates. However, such measures are not yet on the priority agenda.
- Support levels: 0.9090, 0.8960.
- Resistance levels: 0.9150, 0.9270.
USD/CAD: the expectation of data on the US and Canadian labor markets sets the tone for trading
The US dollar is showing moderate strengthening in the USD/CAD pair in morning trading, reaching the level of 1.4410. The upward momentum continues, but the pair remains under pressure from bearish sentiment after a sharp decline on Monday, January 6. Market participants are still showing restraint, awaiting the publication of employment data in the United States and Canada, which is scheduled for 15:30 (GMT+2).
Economists predict a decrease in job growth in Canada from 50.5 thousand to 25.0 thousand. The average hourly wage is likely to remain at 3.9%, and the unemployment rate may rise to 6.9% from 6.8%. Additionally, investors will pay attention to statistics on construction permits: an increase of 1.8% is expected in November after a decrease of 3.1% a month earlier.
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he would step down after the election of a new leader of the Liberal Party. Against this background, analysts are discussing the possible impact of political instability on the rate of the Bank of Canada. According to Bank of America experts, if, as CBC News polls show, the Conservative Party led by Pierre Pouillevre strengthens its position and wins a majority in the House of Commons, this will lead to a change in the political vector and increased fiscal discipline.
- Resistance levels: 1.4435, 1.4466, 1.4500, 1.4550.
- Support levels: 1.4400, 1.4350, 1.4300, 1.4250.
NZD/USD: holding positions at the minimum levels of October 2022
The New Zealand dollar is showing a multidirectional movement, remaining near the 0.5590 mark and the October 2022 levels, which were updated the day before. The pair is preparing to end the week with a slight correction related to the strengthening of the US dollar amid expectations for the publication of data on employment in the non-agricultural sector, scheduled for today at 15:30 (GMT+2).
In the absence of significant statistics from New Zealand, investors' attention is focused on China's inflation figures. In December, the consumer price index fell to 0.1% year-on-year, and showed zero monthly dynamics after falling 0.6% earlier. These data were in line with analysts' forecasts, but indicate a decline in business activity in the country. This situation forces the People's Bank of China to consider additional stimulus measures to support the economy. In addition, the situation is complicated by rumors about possible new import duties that the US republican administration may impose. This creates additional obstacles to the recovery of Chinese economic indicators.
- Resistance levels: 0.5607, 0.5641, 0.5672, 0.5700.
- Support levels: 0.5571, 0.5540, 0.5511, 0.5467.