IC Markets Europe Fundamental Forecast | 17 April 2024
What happened in the Asia session?
Inflation in New Zealand edged higher from 0.5% in the previous quarter to 0.6% in the first quarter of 2024 which matched market expectations. Categories such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco, recreation and culture, and housing and household utilities saw the largest increase in prices. The Kiwi was lifted by this latest inflation print causing it to find support around 0.5970 before reversing to climb above 0.5900 as Asian markets came online.
What does it mean for the Europe & US sessions?
The Euro Area has seen inflationary pressures dissipate quite strongly over the past one year as the preliminary readings for March showed headline CPI and core easing further to 2.4% and 2.9% respectively YoY. The final estimates for both indices show no change and are likely to keep the Euro depressed.
During the US session, ECB President Christine Lagarde will be speaking at the International Monetary Fund/World Bank Spring meetings in Washington DC where she could shed more light on the outlook for future monetary policy action in the EU following last week’s interest rate announcement. The Euro found support around 1.0600 as Asian markets came online and could continue to edge higher during the Asia and Europe sessions.
The Dollar Index (DXY)
Key news events today
FOMC Member Mester Speaks (9:30 pm GMT)
FOMC Member Bowman Speaks (10:30 pm GMT)
What can we expect from DXY today?
There is another round of speeches by Federal Reserve policymakers today with Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester kicking things off with her address at the South Franklin Circle Dialogues Series in Ohio where audience questions are expected. Following which, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman is due to participate in a panel discussion titled “US Policy” at the Institute of International Finance Global Outlook Forum in Washington DC.
Following the recent robust economic data in the US, these officials could also sing a similar tune as per Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s fireside chat that was held yesterday, potentially functioning as another catalyst for the dollar bulls.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Federal Funds Rate target range remained unchanged at 5.25% to 5.50% for the fifth meeting in a row.
- The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2% over the longer run and judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are moving into better balance.
- The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks; inflation has eased over the past year but remains elevated.
- Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace while job gains have remained strong, and the unemployment rate has remained low.
- In considering any adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks and does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2%.
- In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, as described in its previously announced plans.
- Next meeting runs from 30 April to 1 May 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bearish
Gold (XAU)
Key news events today
FOMC Member Mester Speaks (9:30 pm GMT)
FOMC Member Bowman Speaks (10:30 pm GMT)
What can we expect from Gold today?
There is another round of speeches by Federal Reserve policymakers today with Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester kicking things off with her address at the South Franklin Circle Dialogues Series in Ohio where audience questions are expected. Following which, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman is due to participate in a panel discussion titled “US Policy” at the Institute of International Finance Global Outlook Forum in Washington DC.
Following the recent robust economic data in the US, these officials could also sing a similar tune as per Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s fireside chat that was held yesterday, potentially functioning as another catalyst for the dollar bulls which could cap the rise in gold.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish
The Australian Dollar (AUD)
Key news events today
No major news events.
What can we expect from AUD today?
Following the recent inflation data out of New Zealand, the Aussie found support 0.6390 before rising in tandem with its Pacific neighbour. This currency pair climbed above 0.6420 at the beginning of the Asia session and could remain elevated today.
Central Bank Notes:
- The RBA kept the cash rate target unchanged at 4.35%, marking the seventh pause out of the last eight board meetings.
- The headline monthly CPI indicator was steady at 3.4% over the year to January, with momentum easing over recent months, driven by moderating goods inflation. Services inflation remains elevated, and is moderating at a more gradual pace.
- The central forecasts are for inflation to return to the target range of 2–3% in 2025, and to the midpoint in 2026.
- While recent data indicate that inflation is easing, it remains high. The Board expects that it will be some time yet before inflation is sustainably in the target range.
- The path of interest rates that will best ensure that inflation returns to target in a reasonable timeframe remains uncertain and the Board is not ruling anything in or out.
- Next meeting is on 7 May 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Medium Bullish
The Kiwi Dollar (NZD)
Key news events today
CPI (10:45 pm GMT 16th April)
What can we expect from NZD today?
Inflation in New Zealand edged higher from 0.5% in the previous quarter to 0.6% in the first quarter of 2024 which matched market expectations. Categories such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco, recreation and culture, and housing and household utilities saw the largest increase in prices. The Kiwi was lifted by this latest inflation print causing it to find support around 0.5970 before reversing to climb above 0.5900 as Asian markets came online.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Monetary Policy Committee kept the OCR unchanged at 5.50% for the sixth meeting in a row.
- The Committee remains confident that the current level of the OCR is contributing to an easing in capacity pressures to ensure inflation returns to target.
- However, current consumer price inflation remains above the Committee’s 1 to 3% target range. A restrictive monetary policy stance remains necessary to further reduce capacity pressures and inflation.
- The Committee discussed upside risks to the inflation outlook: persistent services inflation remains a risk and goods price inflation remains elevated while anticipated near-term increases to local government rates, insurance, and utility costs, could also further slow the decline in headline inflation.
- The Committee discussed downside risks to the inflation outlook: ongoing restrictive monetary policy in an environment of weak global growth could lead to a more rapid decline in inflation than expected. Business and consumer confidence remain particularly weak which could lead to more unemployment and financial stress than expected while structural challenges facing the economy in China remain a concern given its importance for the global economy and for New Zealand’s trade.
- Next meeting is on 10 July 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Medium Bullish
The Japanese Yen (JPY)
Key news events today
No major news events.
What can we expect from JPY today?
Following the overnight comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, USD/JPY rose above 154.80 hitting a 34-year high. The weakness of the Japanese yen has increased significantly in 2024, raising concerns of a possible intervention in the open markets by the Bank of Japan. This currency pair is likely to tread higher with caution for the remainder of this trading week.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Bank considers that the policy framework of Quantitative and Qualitative Monetary Easing (QQE) with Yield Curve Control and the negative interest rate policy to date have fulfilled their roles. With the price stability target of 2%, it will conduct monetary policy as appropriate, guiding the short-term interest rate as a primary policy tool.
- The Bank of Japan decided on the following measures:
- The Bank will encourage the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain at around 0 to 0.1% while continuing its JGB purchases with broadly the same amount as before.
- In addition, the Bank will discontinue purchases of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and Japan real estate investment trusts (J-REITs) and will also gradually reduce the amount of purchases of CP and corporate bonds and will discontinue the purchases in about one year.
- Underlying CPI inflation is likely to increase gradually toward achieving the price stability target of 2%, as the output gap turns positive and as medium- to long-term inflation expectations and wage growth rise.
- Japan’s economy is likely to continue recovering moderately for the time being, supported by factors such as the materialization of pent-up demand, although it is expected to be under downward pressure stemming from a slowdown in the pace of recovery in overseas economies.
- Next meeting is on 26 April 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish
The Euro (EUR)
Key news events today
CPI (9:00 am GMT)
ECB President Lagarde Speaks (6:00 pm GMT)
What can we expect from EUR today?
The Euro Area has seen inflationary pressures dissipate quite strongly over the past one year as the preliminary readings for March showed headline CPI and core easing further to 2.4% and 2.9% respectively YoY. The final estimates for both indices show no change and are likely to keep the Euro depressed.
During the US session, ECB President Christine Lagarde will be speaking at the International Monetary Fund/World Bank Spring meetings in Washington DC where she could shed more light on the outlook for future monetary policy action in the EU following last week’s interest rate announcement. The Euro found support around 1.0600 as Asian markets came online and could continue to edge higher during the Asia and Europe sessions.
Central Bank Notes:
- The ECB kept the three key interest rates unchanged for a fifth consecutive meeting, keeping the main refinancing rate on hold at 4.50%.
- Inflation has continued to fall, led by lower food and goods price inflation with most measures of underlying inflation easing, wage growth is gradually moderating, and firms are absorbing part of the rise in labour costs in their profits.
- Financing conditions remain restrictive and the past interest rate increases continue to weigh on demand, which is helping to push down inflation but domestic price pressures are strong and are keeping services price inflation high.
- The Governing Council is determined to ensure that inflation returns to its 2% medium-term target in a timely manner and if the Council’s updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission were to further increase its confidence that inflation is converging to the target in a sustained manner, it would be appropriate to reduce the current level of monetary policy restriction.
- Next meeting is on 6 June 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish
The Swiss Franc (CHF)
Key news events today
No major news events.
What can we expect from CHF today?
The Swiss franc remains one of the weakest currencies in 2024 causing USD/CHF to climb above the threshold of 0.9100 in early April. Combined with low inflation and a central bank that has already cut its key policy rate once, this currency pair looks set to remain elevated.
Central Bank Notes:
- The SNB eased monetary policy by lowering its key policy rate by 25 basis points, going from 1.75% to 1.50% in March.
- For some months now, inflation has been back below 2% and thus in the range the SNB equates with price stability.
- According to the new forecast, inflation is also likely to remain in this range over the next few years.
- The forecast puts average annual inflation at 1.4% for 2024, 1.2% for 2025 and 1.1% for 2026, based on the assumption that the SNB policy rate is 1.5% over the entire forecast horizon.
- Swiss GDP growth was moderate in the fourth quarter of last year and it is likely to remain modest in the coming quarters.
- Overall, Switzerland’s GDP is likely to grow by around 1% this year.
- Next meeting is on 20 June 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish
The Pound (GBP)
Key news events today
CPI (6:00 am GMT)
BoE Gov Bailey Speaks (4:00 pm GMT)
What can we expect from GBP today?
Inflation remains relatively high in the UK for headline and core CPI, coming in at 3.4% and 4.5% respectively YoY in February. The March estimates of 3.1% and 4.1% points to further easing and should the final results print lower than market expectations, they could add further downward pressure on the Pound.
Later on, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey will be speaking at the Institute of International Finance Global Outlook Forum in Washington DC where he could provide further insights on the path of the official bank direction following last week’s monetary policy announcement. The Pound found support around 1.2420 at the beginning of the Asia session and could continue to edge higher during the Asia and Europe sessions.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 8-to-1 to maintain its Official Bank Rate at 5.25% for the fifth consecutive meeting.
- One member preferred to reduce the Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 5.0%.
- Twelve-month CPI inflation fell to 3.4% in February from 4.0% in January and December while Services consumer price inflation has declined but remains elevated, at 6.1% in February.
- CPI inflation is projected to fall to slightly below the 2% target in 2024 Q2, marginally weaker than previously expected owing to the freeze in fuel duty announced in the Budget.
- In the February Report projection, CPI inflation had been expected to fall temporarily to the 2% target in 2024 Q2 before increasing again in Q3 and Q4, to around 2.75%.
- Having declined through the second half of last year, UK GDP and market sector output are expected to start growing again during the first half of this year while the fiscal measures in Spring Budget 2024 are likely to increase the level of GDP by around 0.25% over coming years.
- Next meeting is on 9 May 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish
The Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Key news events today
No major news events.
What can we expect from CAD today?
Inflation in Canada continues to moderate lower as most metrics such as median, trimmed and common CPI slid lower in March to highlight the dissipation of inflationary pressures overnight. The Loonie has weakened significantly since the beginning of April, driving USD/CAD past the threshold of 1.3800. This currency pair hit 1.3846 during the US session and is likely to climb higher today.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Bank of Canada held its target for the overnight rate at 5.0% for the fifth meeting in a row while continuing its policy of quantitative tightening.
- Canada’s economy stalled in the second half of last year and the economy moved into excess supply but economic growth is forecasted to pick up in 2024. Overall, the Bank forecasts GDP growth of 1.5% in 2024, 2.2% in 2025, and 1.9% in 2026.
- CPI inflation slowed to 2.8% in February, with easing in price pressures becoming more broad-based across goods and services. However, shelter price inflation is still very elevated, driven by growth in rent and mortgage interest costs.
- Core measures of inflation, which had been running around 3.5%, slowed to just over 3% in February, and 3-month annualized rates are suggesting downward momentum. The Bank expects CPI inflation to be close to 3% during the first half of this year, move below 2.5% in the second half, and reach the 2% inflation target in 2025.
- The Governing Council is particularly watching the evolution of core inflation, and continues to focus on the balance between demand and supply in the economy, inflation expectations, wage growth, and corporate pricing behaviour.
- While inflation is still too high and risks remain, CPI and core inflation have eased further in recent months and the Council will be looking for evidence that this downward momentum is sustained.
- Next meeting is on 5 June 2024.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish
Oil
Key news events today
EIA Crude Oil Inventories (2:30 pm GMT)
What can we expect from Oil today?
API stockpiles jumped by 4.1M barrels of crude to mark the second consecutive week of increasing inventory levels which typically signals weaker demand for crude oil in the US. Prices for WTI oil remain capped under $86 per barrel and this commodity dipped under the $85-level as Asian markets came online. Downward pressures for crude are building and could push prices lower today.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bearish
