The Koreas will hold historic talks on Friday, aimed at formally ending hostilities between them and closing a chapter of their combined history. North Korea pledged to suspend missile and nuclear tests effective immediately, while South Korea has lifted border propaganda broadcasts. USDJPY has moved up to the 107.800 level, with resistance above at 108.000 and a breakout on further good news targeting 109.000. Risk-on is expected to continue in the markets after major indices declined on Friday, but only to retest key breakout supporting levels from the last two weeks. The US500 held the 2660.00 support area and the German30 Index held the 12500.00 area. Indices futures are indicating a higher opening for markets ahead of the European session, despite some weakness in Asia, and if these supporting levels hold it could be a very positive week. Gold has slipped lower, as demand softens and USD finds some strength in early trading that is likely to continue.
Canadian Consumer Price Index (MoM) (Mar) was 0.3% v an expected 0.4%, against 0.6% previously. BOC Consumer Price Index Core (YoY) (Mar) was 1.4% v an expected 1.5%, against 1.5% previously. BOC Consumer Price Index Core (MoM) (Mar) was as expected at 0.2%, from a prior 0.7%. Consumer Price Index (YoY) (Mar) was 2.3% v an expected 2.4%, against 2.2% previously. Consumer Price Index – Core (MoM) (Mar) was 0.0% against 0.2% previously. Canadian Retail Sales Ex-Autos (MoM) (Feb) was 0.0% v an expected 0.3%, against 0.9% previously, which was revised up to 1.0%. Retail Sales (MoM) (Feb) was 0.4% v an expected 0.3%, against 0.3% previously, which was revised down to 0.1%. These data points came in largely as expected, with slight softness in some readings. Retail sales were slightly stronger after missing expectations over the last two months, but last month’s figure was revised down. Retail Sales Ex-Autos showed a drop, but last month’s figure was revised up. The sales data is showing a lot of weakness as a result, with the 3-month average of Sales Ex-Autos at -0.4%, the lowest since 2015. USDCAD moved higher from 1.26328 up to 1.27450 after the release of this data, as the CAD weakened further for the third day.
The Baker Hughes US Rig Count was released with a headline number of 820. The prior number last Friday showed that there were 815 Oil rigs in operation, up from 808 the previous week. With oil at the highest levels in recent years, on the back of a bigger than expected draw in inventories on Wednesday, this data may set the tone for traders as they start the week.
EURUSD is down -0.13% overnight, trading around 1.22700.
USDJPY is up 0.18% in early session trading at around 107.806.
GBPUSD is up 0.11% this morning, trading around 1.40169.
USDCAD is down -0.07%, trading around 1.27553.
Gold is down -0.08% in early morning trading at around $1,334.50.
WTI is up 0.37% this morning, trading around $68.33.
