Germany: Ifo Index and expectationsToday, the key indicator in the eurozone will be the publication of the German Ifo index, which investors are carefully comparing with yesterday's PMI data. Of particular interest is the component of expectations present in the Ifo and absent in the PMI, as it is able to better reflect the impact of trade conflicts, in particular, between the United States and China.USA: moderately positive signals and political noiseDespite weak regional reports from the Fed, the index of business activity in the US industry unexpectedly rose to 50.7, surpassing expectations of 49.1. At the same time, the services sector weakened to 51.4, but remained above the threshold of stagnation. The composite index decreased from 53.5 to 51.2, which still indicates moderate growth. The weakening of export orders in both sectors was offset by steady domestic demand: new orders increased in industry, while they decreased slightly in the service sector.However, against the background of macroeconomic statistics, the political factor has become more active again. There were reports that it was the ministers of finance and trade, Bessent and Latnik, who dissuaded the president from firing Fed Chairman Powell. Bessent also commented on the situation regarding trade negotiations with China, saying that a full-fledged agreement may take 2-3 years, and the resumption of dialogue is impossible without reducing tariffs, which now reach 145% on Chinese goods and 125% on American goods. The possibility of tariff cuts of up to 50% is being discussed on the sidelines, but the White House has not yet confirmed these rumors. This news caused cautious optimism and increased the probability of a deal with China to 38% from 34% previously.An additional boost to the market was given by information from the Financial Times, according to which the US administration may consider the possibility of partially exempting automakers from import duties after appropriate lobbying efforts by the industry.Eurozone: weakness in the service sectorThe combined eurozone business activity index fell to 50.1 in April, while the drop in the services sector to 49.7 was unexpected. On the contrary, the manufacturing PMI showed positive dynamics, exceeding forecasts and reaching 48.7. Despite this, pressure on the ECB towards additional easing remains, especially since the price components also indicate a weakening of the inflationary pressure. The employment rate in the service sector, however, remains positive at 50.8, which mitigates the negative effect of the decline in the overall index.The update of the ECB wage index also indicates a slowdown in wage growth in 2025, which strengthens the case for lower rates. According to current expectations, the deposit rate may be lowered to 1.5% by September 2025.UK: alarming signs of stagflationThe PMI figures for April in the UK turned out to be worse than expected across the board. The composite index fell to 48.2, signaling a reduction in business activity. The indices for services and production were 48.9 and 44.0, respectively. At the same time, there is an increase in both incoming and outgoing prices, and employment continues to decline. This combination indicates the risk of a stagflationary scenario, which significantly complicates the task of the Bank of England in terms of monetary policy.Energy market: uncertainty over OPEC+ quotasOil prices fell by 2% after reports that several OPEC+ countries called for an additional increase in production in June, similar to the decision taken in May. Kazakhstan, in turn, stated that it was not ready to compensate for the excess production of the previous period with cuts. Eight OPEC+ countries will meet on May 5 to discuss the future quota. Due to continued pressure on prices in the second quarter, the average Brent price is expected to be around $70 per barrel, with a subsequent recovery to $85 in the fourth quarter.Stock markets: rising amid political optimismBuyers prevailed on stock markets, despite contradictory macro data. Cyclical sectors led the way, both in the USA and in Europe. The market continues to live under the influence of paradoxes: rising bond yields, a strengthening dollar, and a simultaneous rally in risky assets. The profitable reports of the companies also added to the positive. Indices in the USA ended the day with growth: Dow +1,1%, S&P 500 +1,7%, Nasdaq +2,5%, Russell 2000 +1,5%. However, Asia has been showing a decline since this morning, and futures for the United States and Europe also point to a correction amid cooling political optimism.Bonds and the foreign exchange market: caution returnsWhile Finance Minister Bessant acknowledged the excesses of the current tariffs on Chinese goods, he emphasized the strategic task of redefining U.S. global economic relations. His speech cooled the euphoria of the markets: the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds rebounded from daily lows and reached 4.39%, indicating an increase in expectations for inflation and interest ...
USA: awaiting reports on the labor market and consumer sentimentTwo important macroeconomic reports will be released in the United States today — the March JOLTs on hiring dynamics and the April consumer confidence index from the Conference Board. Job vacancy data is a key indicator of the state of labor demand for the Fed. Despite the uncertainty caused by the tariff policy, stable data on daily job advertisements suggest that demand remains at an acceptable level.The Eurozone: Spanish inflation and business activityOn European platforms, attention will be focused on the publication of inflation data in Spain for April. This release precedes the general report on inflation in the eurozone, which will be released on Friday. The HICP index is expected to slow growth from 2.2% to 2.1% in annual terms.Of additional interest are data on lending and business sentiment in the eurozone for April, which will be able to reflect the first effects of the new US tariffs.China: expectation of a decline in manufacturing activityIn Asia, the PMI indices for April from NBS and private Caixin will be published. According to expectations, both indicators will show a decline, confirming the negative impact of the ongoing trade war. The previously published Emerging Industries PMI dropped sharply from 59.6 to 49.4 points.Sweden: macroeconomic releases and growth prospectsSwedish statistics today are rich in publications. At 08:00 CET, reports on retail sales and consumer lending for March are expected. The GDP indicator for the first quarter will attract special attention, however, due to its volatility, analysts prefer the NIER economic sentiment index, which will be released at 09:00 CET. Its further decline may signal a slowdown in the Swedish economy.Norway: retail sales remain questionableRetail sales statistics for March will be published in Norway. Despite the global instability, it is unlikely to be reflected in these data. Sales growth is forecast to slow to 0.1% month-on-month, although the effect of postponing holidays makes it difficult to assess the real state of consumer activity.Economic and market news: key eventsCanadian Elections: liberal victoryIn the last parliamentary elections in Canada, the Liberal Party under the leadership of Mark Carney retained power. Although the results had not yet provided them with a full majority in parliament at the time of publication, the victory marks the restoration of the party's position after the resignation of Justin Trudeau. Carney relied on his reputation, formed during the crisis of 2008 and the Brexit process.Macroeconomic data from Denmark, Sweden and NorwayIn Denmark, retail sales in March unexpectedly decreased by 0.1% compared to February, mainly due to lower food costs. However, clothing sales increased by 2.7%.In Sweden, the producer price index decreased for the second month in a row (-3.0% mom, -0.3% YoY), which reduces inflation risks and supports the Riksbank's position.In Norway, the unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in March, but the adjusted data remained unchanged at 4.1%. More recent unemployment statistics will be published on Friday.Geopolitics: the Truce in UkraineRussian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day truce from May 8-10 in honor of the anniversary of the end of World War II, inviting world leaders to events. Ukraine has criticized, insisting on the need for an immediate and full-fledged ceasefire. The White House supported the idea of a truce, but stressed that the goal should be a long-term peace initiative.Stock markets: stabilization and local successesThe trading session in the American markets passed without significant changes, while the European indices showed growth: the Stoxx 600 added 0.5%. Shares of companies in defensive sectors such as real estate, utilities and healthcare rose against the background of lower bond yields. The VIX volatility index has stabilized around 25 points, which may indicate prolonged uncertainty due to tariff policy.Debt and currency markets: declining yields in the United StatesAt the start of the week, US Treasury bonds continued to rise in price: the yield on 2-year securities decreased by 6 basis points, 10-year — by 3 bps, and 30-year— by 2 bps. European yields, on the contrary, rose slightly. The EUR/USD pair remained stable in the range of 1.13–1.14. The victory of the liberals in Canada led to a moderate strengthening of the Canadian dollar, and a further decline in the USD/CAD pair is expected to reach 1.37. The Norwegian krone also showed good results at the end of yesterday's ...
The beginning of the week promises to be relatively calm on the macroeconomic front. In Denmark, the retail trade index for March will be published today at 08:00 Central European time. According to its own expense monitor, real retail sales decreased by 2.5% year-on-year. However, the decrease is due to the calendar effect: Easter last year fell in March, and this year in April. Seasonally adjusted, real sales increased by 1.8% compared to February, and official statistics are expected to reflect this positive trend.In Sweden, the producer price index for March will be published at the same time. These data, as well as the results of the NIER price Expectations survey published earlier this week, will be important for shaping inflation expectations and, consequently, for further actions by the Riksbank regarding changes in interest rates.Main events of the weekDuring the week, investors' attention will be focused on a variety of key publications. On Wednesday, PMI data from China and a preliminary estimate of US GDP for the first quarter are expected. On Thursday, attention will turn to the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting. On Friday, preliminary data on inflation in the eurozone and the US employment report for April will be released.Friday and weekend eventsIn the United States, the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for April was revised upward to 52.2 points from an initial 50.8. Despite the revision, the index continues to decline for the fourth month in a row and is at its lowest level since July 2022. Uncertainty in trade policy and fears of rising inflation remain the reason for the deterioration in sentiment. Inflation expectations for the year ahead jumped to 6.5%, due to recent tariff initiatives, although the preliminary estimate was even higher — 6.7%.In Japan, Tokyo inflation (excluding fresh produce) accelerated to 3.4% in April, exceeding forecasts. This confirms the existence of stable inflationary pressures. The head of the Bank of Japan, Ueda, confirmed that further rate increases are possible if inflation approaches the target level of 2%. However, he noted that a trade war could weaken inflationary trends. Following this, we expect one of the two planned rate increases to be postponed to the fall and another to the first quarter of 2026.In China, industrial profits increased by 0.8% year-on-year in the first three months of 2025, which is a recovery from the recession at the beginning of the year. At the same time, private sector profits decreased by only 0.3%, which is significantly better than the previous drop of 9%.The US-China Trade War: conflicting signalsDespite President Trump's statements about the ongoing negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing has denied the fact of such negotiations. The US Treasury Secretary announced cooperation with Chinese representatives at the IMF meetings, but without discussing tariff issues. The Minister of Agriculture, in turn, noted the daily contacts on the topic of tariffs.Geopolitics: the meeting between Trump and ZelenskyIn Rome, as part of the funeral of Pope Francis, the first meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky took place since February. The negotiations were described as "very productive." Trump condemned Russia's recent attacks on civilian facilities in Ukraine and stressed the need to find alternative methods of pressure, including secondary sanctions. At the same time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the possible curtailment of peace initiatives if Russia and Ukraine do not show progress in negotiations.Greenland and Denmark strengthen their allianceAmid renewed U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, autonomy's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen visited Copenhagen. The meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen ended with a joint statement of unity: the fate of the island will be decided solely by the Greenlanders.Equity markets: recovery continuesThe past week has brought significant growth in the stock markets: the S&P 500 index has gained 5%, and the European and Scandinavian indexes — about 3%. Cyclical securities grew especially strongly, outperforming defensive assets by more than 5%. On Friday, the growth continued: the S&P 500 gained 0.7%, the Stoxx 600 - 0.4%. Asian markets are showing neutral dynamics this morning, and futures on US indices are slightly declining.Debt and foreign exchange markets: moderate movementsLast week ended with a decline in US government bond yields: yields on 2-year securities fell by 5 basis points, while 10- and 30-year yields fell by 8 points. The yield curve has straightened somewhat. In Europe, yields, on the contrary, rose slightly, despite the soft comments from ECB representatives. In the foreign exchange market, the EUR/USD pair consolidated in the range of 1.13–1.14. The franc and the yen weakened slightly amid an improvement in global risk appetite. This week, the focus will be on data on inflation, GDP and the labor market in the United States and the eurozone, as well as the meeting of the Bank of ...
The week ends with a fairly modest volume of macroeconomic statistics, and investors' main attention is focused on the revised University of Michigan consumer sentiment data for April. The preliminary estimate has already alarmed the markets due to a new surge in inflation expectations, which increases uncertainty about the trajectory of interest rates in the United States.Inflationary signals from JapanThe published inflation data in Tokyo for April exceeded expectations: the overall indicator accelerated to 3.5% in annual terms (the previous value was 2.9%), and core inflation rose to 3.4% (against the forecast of 3.2%). The main reason was the rise in prices for a wide range of goods and services. The beginning of a new fiscal year in Japan is traditionally accompanied by a review of companies' pricing policies, and this year rising costs have become the main reason for the increase in consumer prices. Taking into account the expected acceleration of wages, the Bank of Japan is likely to continue its course towards a gradual normalization of monetary policy, unless trade restrictions from the United States turn out to be critical.US data: short-term surge in ordersIn the United States, data on durable goods orders for March turned out to be significantly higher than expected, with an increase of 9.2% compared with a forecast of 2.0%. However, such a strong result is largely due to temporary factors, in particular, a sharp increase in aircraft orders (primarily Boeing). Excluding the aviation sector, the growth in orders was minimal, which caused a weak market reaction.Comments from the Fed representativesThe speeches of representatives of the Federal Reserve System demonstrated a divergence of opinion. The head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland spoke out with harsh rhetoric, insisting on a wait-and-see attitude regarding the impact of duties on the economy. At the same time, Christopher Waller, a member of the Fed's Board of Governors, took a softer stance, not ruling out an increase in unemployment. Neel Kashkari, who heads the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, said that the US trade policy causes him concern about possible mass layoffs in the future. On Saturday, the so-called period of silence begins before the May Fed meeting. The probability of a rate change is extremely low, and the baseline scenario assumes a decrease in June with subsequent steps of 25 bps each quarter to the level of 3.00–3.25% by mid-2026.Trade tensions: China is not backing downChina made a harsh statement yesterday, demanding that the United States completely abolish unilateral tariffs as a condition for starting negotiations. Despite Washington's statements about its desire to reduce tensions, negotiations are not underway yet. Moreover, the Chinese authorities have denied any rumors about current contacts.Companies are also responding to trade instability. According to the Financial Times, Apple plans to move iPhone production for the American market from China to India as early as next year.Germany: positive surprise from the Ifo indexThe Ifo business climate index for April in Germany surprised with growth. The indicator of the current situation rose to 86.4 against the expected decline, and the component of expectations decreased only slightly to 87.4. The construction sector and services made the largest contribution to maintaining positions, while signs of pressure were recorded in the manufacturing sector, including against the background of trade barriers. However, there has not yet been a large-scale negative similar to the PMI data.Stock markets: the positive remainsU.S. stock indexes continued to rise, with stocks of cyclical and technology companies particularly strong. The Nasdaq index gained 2.7%, the S&P 500 — 2.0%, and the Dow - 1.2%. Market participants continue to ignore the current economic data, focusing on the prospects for de-escalation of the trade conflict. Signals from the United States yesterday also indicated a softening of the position.In Asia, trading opened in the "green zone", which was facilitated by rumors about a possible cancellation by China of some tariffs on American goods. Stock index futures in the United States and Europe are also showing growth on the back of positive corporate reports.Debt and foreign exchange market: fluctuations without a clear trendDuring yesterday's session, there was an increase in bond prices and a decrease in yields in both the United States and the eurozone. The US dollar weakened slightly against the euro, but managed to regain its lost ground in the early hours of Friday morning. In conditions of a shortage of important macro statistics, market participants will monitor geopolitical statements and signals from ...
In Thursday's Asian session, the GBP/USD currency pair is showing a moderate correction, trading near the 1.3285 mark, after steady growth since the beginning of the month. The decline in quotations is due to weak UK macroeconomic statistics published the day before.The latest data on business activity indices in the UK for April turned out to be worse than market expectations. The indicator of activity in the manufacturing sector decreased from 44.9 to 44.0 points, reaching the lowest level in the last few years. For the first time since the beginning of the year, the services sector went below the growth level, dropping from 52.5 to 48.9 points, while the composite index fell to 48.2 points. Given this dynamic, which is related, among other things, to the effect of the trade tariffs imposed by the United States, market participants are anticipating the likelihood of monetary policy easing by the Bank of England at the next meeting.An additional factor of uncertainty was the negotiations between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. According to Bloomberg, London is counting on an agreement that will provide an easing of some tariffs, in particular in agriculture, and a reduction in the tax on digital services.US currency: moderate correction after volatilityThe dollar index (USDX) adjusted to the level of 99.40 against the background of a multidirectional fundamental picture, retreating from local highs. Despite this, the real estate sector in the United States continues to show signs of recovery: the number of building permits increased from 1,459 to 1,467 million in March, and new home sales jumped to 724 thousand, reaching their highest since September, indicating an increase in consumer demand in this segment.Technical analysis of GBP/USD for todayOn the daily timeframe, the GBP/USD pair is trading below the upper limit of the ascending channel, which runs in the range of 1.3350–1.2900. Distribution accumulation indicators indicate a possible weakening of the upward momentum.The EMA of the alligator indicator is approaching the signal line, and the Awesome Oscillator histogram shows a series of decreasing bars, but remains in the positive zone.Trading recommendationsWe are considering sales with a steady decline and consolidation of the price below the level of 1.3220 with benchmarks in the area of 1.3000. We plan to place the stop loss at 1.3300.To form long positions, it is worth waiting for the growth and consolidation of quotes above 1.3330 with the potential to move to 1.3520. It is advisable to set the stop loss at ...
The GBP/USD pair continues to show a downward trend, testing the support level around 1.3300. The corrective movement of the pound is due to both technical factors — the overbought British currency in recent weeks — and the continuing uncertainty around the Fed's monetary policy.Donald Trump's rhetoric against Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell remains in the focus of the markets' attention. Although the US president has denied rumors about the possible removal of the Fed chairman, his criticism of the central bank continues to create volatility. Trump insists on easing monetary policy, arguing that current interest rates are holding back economic growth. At the same time, he expressed moderate optimism about the prospects for trade negotiations with China, which temporarily supported market sentiment.Today, market participants will evaluate the latest data on business activity in the UK and the USA:- In the UK, PMI indices in the manufacturing and service sectors are forecast to decline, which may increase pressure on the pound.- In the United States, indicators are also expected to deteriorate, which limits the dollar's growth potential.Special attention will be paid to the speech by the head of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, who can give signals on the further steps of the regulator in the context of a slowing economy.The publication of City AM shows an increase in the number of bankruptcies of British companies — 25% more than in the same period last year. Economic difficulties, including high costs and declining consumer activity, continue to weigh on businesses. The revision of the UK's GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 1.0% further highlights the fragility of the recovery.Technical analysis of GBP/USD for today- The Bollinger Band indicator indicates the expansion of the price range, while maintaining the potential for growth.- The MACD indicator is showing signs of a downward reversal, forming a bearish signal.- Stochastic has moved out of the overbought zone, confirming the corrective scenario.Trading Recommendations- Short positions: at the breakdown of 1.3250 with a target of 1.3150 (stop loss of 1.3300).- Long positions: rebound from 1.3300 and rise above 1.3340 with a target of 1.3450 (stop loss of ...
Key events of the dayToday, the markets' attention is focused on the preliminary business activity indices (PMI) for April in the eurozone, the United States and the United Kingdom. These data will be the first indicator of the impact of uncertainty related to trade tariffs. In the eurozone, the manufacturing PMI is expected to decline to 48.2 from the previous level of 48.6, due to a drop in new orders from the United States. At the same time, the index in the service sector is likely to remain stable at around 51.0. Despite the fact that the PMI is usually less sensitive to sentiment, the risks of a negative effect still remain.In the United States, a similar dynamic is expected: a decline in industrial activity against the backdrop of gloomy data from the Philadelphia Fed index published last week. The service sector is expected to hold its position unless increased uncertainty begins to put pressure on consumption. However, March retail sales showed resilience, which reduces risks.Economic developments in AsiaIn Japan, the April PMIs showed mixed results. The manufacturing index continued to decline for the tenth month in a row, dropping to 48.5, partly due to concerns about U.S. tariffs. The service sector, on the contrary, grew to 52.2, driven by increased customer demand and the largest increase in sales over the past three months. Pressure on prices has increased: companies are recording the fastest cost growth in two years, leading to higher product prices. The composite index returned to the expansion zone, rising to 51.1 from 48.9 in March.Economic developments in the USAThe index of manufacturing activity of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond deteriorated in April to -13 from -4 in March. The shipment component decreased to -17, which, together with data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, signals a clear deterioration in the industrial situation. The effect of pre-accumulation of orders in the first quarter is being replaced by a slowdown due to increasing uncertainty.In the political arena, President Trump has eased pressure on the Fed, saying there are no plans to fire Jerome Powell. This led to a decrease in the probability of his resignation in the markets from 21% to 13%, supporting a positive mood among investors, strengthening the dollar and sending gold into a downward correction. Prior to Trump's statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessant also described the trade war with China as "unsustainable," which gave an additional boost to asset growth. At the same time, Trump expressed cautious optimism about the deal with China, noting that tariffs would eventually be "significantly lower" but not reduced to zero.Events in EuropeIn the eurozone, the consumer confidence index dropped to -16.7 in April, which is the lowest level since November 2023. The decline is mainly due to the effects of the trade war and falling stock markets. So far, this deterioration has not been reflected in real data — retail sales in the United States in March, as well as transaction data in Denmark, remain strong. Thus, the decrease in confidence so far looks more like an emotional reaction to external factors.According to the quarterly survey of the European Central Bank among professional forecasters, inflation expectations have slightly increased, and economic growth forecasts have been slightly revised downwards. However, the changes turned out to be insignificant, indicating moderate expectations of further consequences of the trade war. The next round of forecasts may be less optimistic due to the escalation of tariff conflicts between the United States and China in April.International trade and macroeconomicsTrade disputes remain in the spotlight: The International Monetary Fund has revised down its global economic growth forecast for 2025, noting particularly significant declines for the United States and China. The main threats are the further escalation of trade wars and the tightening of financial conditions.The situation in SwedenAn unexpected improvement was recorded in the Swedish labor market: the unemployment rate fell to 8.1% in March from 8.9% in February. At the same time, employment growth was higher than expected, and the increase in the workforce was in line with forecasts. However, risks of deterioration remain in the event of escalating tariff conflicts and turbulence in the stock markets.Geopolitical newsProgress has been made in relations between Russia and Ukraine. According to media reports, Russia offered to stop the offensive on the current front lines, and Ukraine expressed its readiness for negotiations after the establishment of a ceasefire.The raw materials marketOil prices have strengthened amid the introduction of new US sanctions against Iranian oil exports, as well as due to improved market sentiment following the softening of US rhetoric towards China. A barrel of Brent costs about $68 in the morning.Stock marketsGlobal stock markets showed solid growth, offsetting the drop at the beginning of the week. Cyclical stocks outpaced defensive sectors in growth. Bond yields declined, and the dollar strengthened. Major US indexes closed in positive territory: Dow +2.7%, S&P 500 +2.5%, Nasdaq +2.7% and Russell 2000 +2.7%. The positive mood remains for the morning in Asia, as well as on European and American futures.Debt market and foreign exchange marketThe weakening of Trump's rhetoric towards the Fed chairman and trade negotiations with China contributed to the relief in financial markets. Today's PMI releases will be an important indicator of the current state of the global economy and will play a key role in further decisions by central ...
Macroeconomic background: expectations for the dayToday promises to be a calm day in terms of the release of macroeconomic data. Market participants' attention remains focused on uncertainty in global trade and possible signals from US President Donald Trump.In the eurozone, the focus will be on the April consumer confidence indicator. After a significant increase last year, consumer sentiment began to deteriorate again, and trade tensions in April likely intensified this process.In Sweden, the latest data on the unemployment rate is expected to be published. Given the continuing risks for companies that constrain their staffing plans, the negative trend may continue. Nevertheless, we forecast a decrease in the unemployment rate by the end of the year, although it will take several months to be sure.Key events of the week: PMI and tariff negotiationsThe key events of the week will be the publication of business activity indices (PMI) for April, scheduled for Wednesday. These data will provide the first estimates of the impact of trade uncertainty after Liberation Day. Any progress in the negotiation process between the United States and China, as well as changes in investor sentiment, will continue to affect market dynamics.An overview of Easter Week eventsIn the US, March retail sales showed resilience, rising by 1.4%, which was in line with expectations. Despite the decrease in gasoline prices, which held back the overall figure, the growth in sales of cars and catering services supported the overall dynamics. This suggests that so far weak consumer sentiment indicators have not had a serious impact on real spending.The Philadelphia Federal Reserve's manufacturing activity indicator weakened sharply in April, falling from 8.7 to -34.2 points. This may indicate a possible deterioration in the PMI in the first release after the holidays.Fed officials in their statements during Easter confirmed their commitment to a wait-and-see attitude. Chairman Jerome Powell stressed the need for caution, and New York Fed President John Williams also does not expect urgent policy changes. At the same time, market participants' attention is focused on Trump's ongoing attacks on the Fed's independence.European policy: results of the ECB meetingThe European Central Bank, as expected, lowered interest rates by 25 basis points, bringing the deposit rate to 2.25%. The regulator's comments were generally "mild": the risks of a slowdown in economic growth were emphasized with a moderate assessment of inflationary threats. This caused a decline in European bond yields and a local weakening of the euro against the dollar, although weak statistics from the United States then supported the cross.Our forecast assumes the continuation of the ECB rate reduction cycle, with the aim of reducing the deposit rate to 1.50% by September 2025.China and the Trade WarsChinese regulators kept the base rates at 3.10% for one-year loans and 3.60% for five-year loans. However, on the political front, Beijing has accused the United States of abusing its tariff policy and warned other countries against entering into agreements with Washington to the detriment of China. This statement was made against the background of rumors about possible US pressure measures on third countries as part of a trade confrontation.UK inflation and Bank of England policyIn the UK, inflation in March was below forecasts. The annual growth rate of consumer prices decreased to 2.6%, mainly due to cheaper transport services and leisure goods. The slowdown in inflationary pressure reinforces expectations of another rate cut by the Bank of England at its meeting in May.Central bank decisions: Denmark, Canada, TurkeyThe central bank of Denmark followed the example of the ECB and lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.85%. The Bank of Canada maintained its rate at 2.75%, confirming its commitment to an inflation target of 2% and supplementing the forecast with two scenarios depending on the further escalation of the trade war.The central bank of Turkey unexpectedly raised the rate immediately by 350 basis points to 46%, which was a surprise to the markets.Japan: inflation and policy of the Bank of JapanIn Japan, core inflation rose to 3.2% year-on-year in March, in line with forecasts. The head of the Bank of Japan, Kazuo Ueda, confirmed his readiness to continue tightening monetary policy if inflation continues to accelerate, although a cautious approach remains amid uncertainty in global trade.Commodity markets: oil and goldOil prices dropped by more than 2% due to expectations of progress in negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. In the morning, Brent crude oil is trading around $67 per barrel.Gold prices continue to update records, approaching the level of $ 3,488 per troy ounce, reflecting the steady demand for safe haven assets.Stock markets: mood remains tenseAgainst the background of the Easter holidays, stock markets showed weakness. American indices have lost more than 4% over the past five trading days, while European markets have shown moderate growth. Volatility has increased: the VIX index has risen to 33 points. At the same time, the growth of the euro adds pressure on dollar assets in investors' portfolios.Debt market and currenciesThe US dollar continues to decline amid political instability and pressure on the Fed from the White House. Short-term rates in the United States have fallen, while long-term rates continue to rise, indicating an increase in the yield gap. Against the background of the ECB's softening position, yields in Europe continue to decline, and the EUR/SEK pair is moving towards fair levels around ...
The foreign exchange market is better known as Forex or FX. Trading in this market has become very popular in recent years. However, this is not the case - Forex trading raises a number of questions. For example: what is the foreign exchange market? Which currency pairs are best to trade? Is currency trading risky? Some of the answers to these questions will be found in this article.What is the Forex market?The foreign exchange market is also called the Forex market or the English foreign exchange market. It is simply a market where currencies are exchanged. According to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the foreign exchange market is the largest market in terms of total volume, with up to USD 5 trillion traded daily. It is not a physical place, but rather an electronic network where institutions or individuals trade with each other.The left-hand currency is called the base currency and the right-hand currency is called the quote currency. The second currency indicates the value relative to 1 unit of the base currency. For instance, the formula EUR/USD = 1.4000 implies that EUR/USD trades at 1.4000, i.e., 1 Euro has a value of $1.40. The first currency is always expressed in the second currency. USD/JPY at 110.50 means that one USD is worth JPY 110.50. EUR/USDWhat are the best currency pairs to trade?The best currency pairs to trade effectively depend on your trading style. If you have a short term strategy, for example, if you like to scalp, then the major currency pairs will be most profitable for you because of the low spreads.On the other hand, for a fundamental trader, smaller currency pairs will be of interest based on long-term analysis. The most profitable currency pairs may be those involving the Australian dollar, Japanese yen or Canadian dollar.The best forex currency pairs:EUR/USD: this pair has the lowest spread and is not very volatile.GBP/USD: this pair is interesting in terms of spreads and possible gaps, but it is quite volatile.USD/JPY: this pair has low spreads and offers some interesting possibilities. GBP/USDHow to get started trading currencies online?To start trading currencies online, follow these steps:- Choose a regulated and reputable broker- Choose a broker by the quality of execution of trading instructions- Decide on the trading style that suits you best (scalping, intraday trading, swing trading - you keep your position open for several days)- Determine the appropriate leverage effect in the stock market according to your strategy and experience.- Do not invest more than you can afford to lose.- Choose an intuitive, simple and secure trading platform such as MetaTrader 4.- Try all the above steps on a demo account, before trading live.Read more: Features of intraday trading on the Forex marketGoldIs online currency trading dangerous?Like any financial investment, currency trading online is subject to risks. However, there are different methods to control these risks:- Determine the price of the currency pair at which you want to close a position if developments are unfavourable (for example, if you buy and the price falls, or if you sell and the price rises),- Determine the size of the trade so that your potential loss should not exceed 2-3% of your capital per trade,- Estimate your risk/return ratio (loss/profit) before you open the trade. By default you should have a greater potential for profit than loss, e.g. risk 50 pips, but try to make a profit of e.g. 100 pips.For proper money management and risk reduction it is advisable to start trading on a demo account and try things out on the dirt first. Such an account will allow you to trade in real market conditions, but with fictitious capital, so that you have a complete understanding of the foreign exchange market without any risk.Read more: Forex broker: how to choose a good ...
In the foreign exchange market, the GBP/USD quote (the British pound against the United States dollar) is among the four most liquid instruments.Traders call the pair the word "cable". This jargon seemed to have arisen in the interval when the values of quotations were sent from the Old World to the New through a special wired highway passing through the bottom of the ocean.GBP/USD forecast (online) for todayIn one day, the pair passes from 150 to 200 points, therefore it is considered very mobile, it should be traded with all caution and foresight. The forecast for GBP/USD is based on 20 indicators and shows a fairly accurate picture.General characteristics of GBP USDThe total share of the pair's trading turnover in the foreign exchange market is about 14%.The quote demonstrates how much American dollars should be paid to buy one pound sterling.The GBP/USD exchange rate is characterized by sharp, emotional movements. Volatility is significantly higher than other pairs, for example, twice ahead of the swings of EUR/USD. When calculating the stop-loss level, it is necessary to take into account this feature of the quotation and focus on the furthest highs and lows that are only possible in the considered interval of the price chart.Factors of influence on GBP USD and what the exchange rate depends onThe forecast for GBP/USD should be checked with your own analysis, and in order to conduct it yourself, you need to know the factors influencing the currency pair.The decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England (an analogue of our Central Bank) have an important impact on the GBPUSD rate. It is this state body that regulates the establishment of official interest rates. The committee consists of 9 people who represent both employees of the Bank of England, including its chairman, and independent experts.Meetings and publication of their results take place monthly. The decision is published on the second day after the start of the work of the ministers. This happens at 16:00 Moscow time. Directly voting on decisions and official resolutions are made on the second day. In two weeks, a detailed countdown of the meeting is provided, including the points of view of the majority and minority of the voters.The quarterly "Inflation Report" and the "Quarterly Bulletin" can be distinguished from official documents.The first document describes in detail the possibilities of economic growth and the target inflation rate in the next 2 years. The second report includes the results of the current monetary policy and the prospects for the development of the UK economic system.Changes in the rates of the US Federal Reserve and the UK Monetary Policy Committee are reflected accordingly in the quotations of national currencies. Investors who have started working with this pair should be advised to enter the position in small lots and closely monitor the volume of transactions taking place. The price does not hold the overcome levels well, so GBP/USD very often rolls back, even after overcoming strong resistance lines. This feature is largely due to the fact that GBP/USD is noticeably suffering from low liquidity.The correlation of GBP/USD with another currency quote – EUR/USD is always noticeable. This connection is very logical, because the euro also stands on the side of the Europeans, sharing all the main news affecting the currency quotes of the EU member states.Read more: How much can you really earn on the Forex marketHow best to trade on the GBP USD currency pairThe GBP/USD currency pair has a ticker identical to its name. Most forex brokers have this tool in their arsenal, so there should not be any problems with finding this tool.The minimum lot, according to interbank standards, is 100,000 GBP. Naturally, the broker makes it possible to work with fractional parts.The spread is approximately 0.00005 - 0.00015.The trading session with this instrument coincides with EUR/USD, which allows you to work seamlessly with quotes.Given the dynamics of the pair and its predisposition to long trends, Moving Average indicators should be used in combination with power indicators, among which the most relevant are RSI and MACD. The Ichimoku indicator works successfully to determine the price levels of support and resistance on a currency pair. Also, as a more functional alternative to the RSI indicator, you can use Stochastic, which determines the oversold and overbought levels in the foreign exchange market.A sign of professional trading is a combination of technical and fundamental analysis data to open a position. This is also true for the GBP/USD pair.One of the interesting ways to make money on a currency pair is trading digital options. This is a very simple tool based literally on two buttons - UP and DOWN.Read more: Key participants of the forex marketFeatures of the currency pairEngland officially has a market economy with limited state control. The economy of the United Kingdom is the largest in the world and ranks sixth. In Europe, in terms of economic indicators, the UK is overtaken only by Germany. The Government includes the Treasury, which is headed by the Chancellor, who is responsible for the creation and implementation of economic and social policy by the British government.The Bank of England acts as the central bank of the island kingdom and is responsible for the issue of pounds sterling. Any news concerning these organizations can significantly change the dynamics of the GBP/USD exchange rate.The pound is the 3rd largest reserve currency in the international economy, after the euro and the dollar. Since 1997, the Monetary Policy Committee has been responsible for publishing the key interest rate at the required level. In fact, the responsible person is the Chancellor of the committee.GBPUSD is a complex currency pair that is very closely interrelated with EUR/USD. At the same time, it lacks such high liquidity, the lack of which translates into increased volatility. Nevertheless, working with GBP/USD is a great chance to increase or strengthen the position already opened on EURUSD. Technical analysis shows relative efficiency. Unjustified price breakouts in any direction will force the trader to adjust his strategy all the time, and will not allow him to earn on one trading idea for a long time.Read more: What time is better to trade ...
According to the general opinion, the origin and functioning of monetary systems are among the most difficult to understand issues of economic theory. In this situation, it is important at the initial stage to give clear and functional definitions of the basic concepts.Types of moneyMoney is considered to be assets that perform the functions of a means of circulation, account units and savings funds. Depending on the method of issue, three types of money can be distinguished:commodity moneycredit moneyfiat money.Commodity moneyCommodity money has been known since ancient times. Their value was determined by the value of the material from which they were made. Commodity money played an important role in metal monetary systems.Credit moneyCredit money (inside money) appeared with the emergence of the first banks. They were debt obligations of banks – banknotes or deposits. Their value was secured by the assets of the issuing bank. Credit money was important in countries where there was no state monopoly on the issue of money.According to the alternative history of money, the first money is often considered to be debts on commodity loans – they were used as a unit of account. After a while, the temples (as organizations that enjoyed unconditional trust) began to recognize these debts, and they became a means of circulation. Subsequently, with the emergence of large-scale production, for the organization and launch of which large-scale investments were required, money-debts turned into a full-fledged means of accumulation.Thus, according to representatives of the alternative concept, metal coins, traditionally considered "universal equivalent" and "real money", appeared later than debts and were derivatives in relation to them. An alternative history of money can provide another explanation for the development of the monetary sphere in the past, as well as its features in the present. According to this version, banks are not "money warehouses", but buyers of debts. Recognizing debts, modern banks, like temples in ancient times, turn them into money accepted by everyone. To do this, they do not need to accumulate goods (precious metals) or other types of means of payment.The basis of the value of a loan is the creditworthiness of its counterparty, that is, the confidence that the counterparty will repay its debt on time. This confidence was provided by organizations that, thanks to their reputation, massively accepted (bought) debts: in ancient times – temples, later – banks. The value of the accepted debts was ultimately given by the state:in the law, these funds were declared a national monetary unit, they were guaranteed state support;they were taken into account for the payment of taxes;citizens were obliged to repay their debts to each other with them.Fiat moneyFiat money or fiat currencies (outside money, from Lat. fiat - decree, instruction) were issued by the state in the form of treasury notes. Their value was based on trust in the state. With the emergence of the state monopoly on the issue of credit money created by banks, they were equalized in rights with fiat money. Therefore, all modern money can be considered fiat.Their value is based on trust in the monetary system as a whole. The state, represented by the central bank, not only issues cash, but also maintains confidence in non-cash money that banks create. In the future, we will use the term "fiat money" in relation to all modern money that is not provided with goods or other material values.Modern fiat money can be cash or non-cash. Cash and non-cash money can be exchanged in a ratio of 1:1. With the development of financial technologies, the popularity of cash is decreasing. The basis of the money supply in modern fiat money systems is non-cash money.From time to time, the attention of researchers and the general public is attracted by assets that can perform certain functions of money. Since the mid-2010s, cryptocurrencies issued by the private sector have been claiming this. Cryptocurrencies have separate properties of commodity and credit money.Digital currencies of central banks (central bank digital currencies) is one of the widely discussed projects in the field of monetary circulation in the early 2020s. If they fully perform the functions of money, by their nature they will belong to fiat money.Issue of fiat moneyIn metal monetary systems, the size of the issue is limited by bank reserves (liquid assets of banks). In fiat systems, such restrictions disappear. But it does not follow from this that the issue of fiat money is not limited by anything.Today, the credit activity of commercial banks is influenced by:interest rate policy of central banks;regulatory standards and measures aimed at achieving financial stability;strict limitations of modern banking risk management.Why did states switch to fiat moneyThe gold standard once played a certain positive role, contributing to the development of world trade and industry. At the same time, he had serious shortcomings:the flow of gold between countries, accelerated by higher rates, led to periodic crises;the more countries switched to the gold standard, the more gold was lacking;under the conditions of the gold standard, the central bank could not adequately perform the functions of a lender of last resort.The emergence of fiat money systems solved the problem of the lack of "money metal". But from the very beginning there were risks:for price stability - historically, the state has a reputation for "living beyond its means";for financial stability, fiat emission can lead to bubbles, and due to the growing interdependence of national economies, crises are becoming more "contagious".Maintaining financial stability for 2021 is still an unresolved ...
Scalping or scalping is a strategy that makes many demands on traders. Perhaps the most serious of them is to accept that everything you think you know about Forex trading will be wrong in this context.Forget about it. Scalping is an opportunity to quickly make money on price changes when transactions last 5-10 minutes.Avoid "political" currenciesDo you want to make money by trading a large amount of money in anticipation of some serious movement? No, scalping is earning money on small price movements. And, what is even more likely in relation to the Forex market, it is worth forgetting about searching for highly volatile pairs in the hope of getting a big profit. George Soros managed to do this in 1992, and you can try to repeat it on a smaller scale, but this will be an example of ordinary trading, not scalping.Successful scalping is based on the use of relatively insignificant price movements. And it depends on a good and thorough analysis of the relevant currencies.First, which currency pairs to choose for scalpingHighly "political" or inflation-prone currencies are not suitable in this context, because they are likely to be very volatile, and high volatility should be avoided.Read more: Volatility: types, how to track and how to useLanguage barriersIt is much better to find a currency pair that is relatively stable, so that its movement can be analyzed and predicted.The obvious candidate would be the EUR/USD exchange rate. This is the most popular currency pair in the world, for which the most transactions are made, and it has many functions that we need.But it has drawbacks.First, it may seem at first glance that these two currencies are, by and large, equivalent. Both are equally popular, issued by developed democratic states, controlled by independent central banks, but in fact they are not comparable.Read more: Causes of inflation and scientific approaches to their studyThe dollar is the currency of a successful political union, it is supported by the federal government and the national treasury, and the central bank, the Federal Reserve System, enjoys broad public support. The euro, the currency of 19 national states, is not supported by the federal government, is prone to crises, as can be seen from what happened to Greece after the 2008 financial crisis, and its management is often criticized.The second drawback is the complexity of the analysis of the European Central Bank, unlike the Fed. There are many, many variables; the position of individual members of the board of directors, the demands of the" southern", poorer countries, the position of the European Commission, which is responsible for economic affairs, and the wishes of Germany, a powerful economy of the European Union.This is compounded by various language barriers that need to be overcome when studying the statements of those who determine the behavior of the ECB.Finally, the ECB is much more autonomous than the Fed.Perhaps the USD/JPY pair may be a more suitable option? The Japanese currency, like the dollar, is the currency of a single state, and the two economies conduct extensive trade with each other. But the language barrier is even more pronounced, and the Bank of Japan is not independent, which means that it is potentially open to political interference.Read more: The European Central Bank (ECB)Communication across the AtlanticThe best candidate for scalping may be USD/GBP. The Fed and the Bank of England are independent but accountable central banks, there is no language barrier, and the legal systems of the two countries are very close.The recent dynamics of the pound against the dollar was quite high, which gives scalpers the opportunity for significant profits. The reasons for this movement include the signing of a trade agreement with the European Union and hopes for the recovery of the UK economy.To predict strong movements in the short term, traders need a thorough and constant analysis of the factors that affect the movement of currencies: economic expectations, fiscal policy and, of course, interest rates. Scalpers will be helped by the fact that both countries have the same attitude to economic management, giving priority to a strong private sector, competitive tax rates and high growth rates.Plus, the US and the UK have a long history of bilateral inter-Atlantic trade.Transactions with GBP/USD may lack the attractiveness of exotic currency pairs, but scalping is not an adventure in the Forex market, but a way to make a profit.Read more: Rich history of the Bank of ...