BoE to hike for sure, but by 25bps or 50bps?

    BoE is widely expected to continue tightening today, though the extent of interest rate hike remains a point of contention. Markets currently slightly favor a 25 bps increment to 5.25%. However, a more aggressive 50bps hike to 5.50% cannot be entirely dismissed. The Bank’s unexpected 50bps raise in June took markets by surprise, leading some economists to posit a strategic shift in the institution’s response strategy. Conversely, CPI for June, which slowed more-than-expected to 7.9%, was perceived as a positive development by BoE policymakers, and could argue for a return to slowing tightening.

    Regardless of today’s decision, it is widely understood that this will not conclude the ongoing tightening cycle. Compared to ECB and Fed, BoE is anticipated to continue tightening for an extended period. Nonetheless, expectation of terminal rate has been fluctuating widely recently though, swinging from as high as 6.5% to 5.75% in a matter of weeks, suggesting a persisting uncertainty about the path ahead.

    In addition to the anticipated rate decision, market observers will be closely watching two key aspects. First, today’s voting could provide insight into the approach of MPC’s newest member, Megan Greene, who recently succeeded known dove Silvana Tenreyro. If Greene presents a less dovish stance, Swati Dhingra may stand out as the only dissenter, making the vote an 8-1 majority.

    Secondly, BoE is also set to release its new economic forecasts. Governor Andrew Bailey has repeatedly suggested that inflation is expected to decline fairly swiftly in the second half of the year, prompting keen interest in whether this prediction will still be reflected in the forthcoming projections.

    Here are some readings on BoE:

    GBP/CHF’s technical picture is mixed for now, with some dovish favor. From the near term angle, recovery from 1.1057 is clearly corrective looking, favoring a downside breakout. But the pair has been trading in medium term range of 1.1024/1574 since last October, keeping it neutral-at-worst. Yet, prior rejection by 55 W EMA is keeping the long term outlook bearish to neutral-at-best.

    Still, further fall is more likely than not as long as 1.3105 support turned resistance zone. Decisive break of 1.1024 will bring deeper decline to 38.2% 1.0183 to 1.1574 at 1.0714 in rather quick manner. Let’s see how GBP/CHF would reaction to today’s BoE announcement.

    Eurozone economic sentiment rose to record 119.0, strong industrial and services confidence

      Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator rose to 119.0 in July, up from 11.79, above expectation of 118.8. That’s the highest level on record since 1985. Employment Expectations Indicator was flat at 111.7, well above pre-pandemic level.

      Looking at some more details, Eurozone industrial confidence rose from 12.8 to 14.6, eighth straight month of improvement and an all-time high. Services confidence rose from 17.9 to 19.3, highest since 2007. Consumer confidence dropped from -3.3 to -4.4. Retail trade confidence dropped from 4.7 to 4.6. Construction confidence dropped from 5.2 to 4.0.

      EU ESI rose 0.9 pts to 118.0. EEI was unchanged at 111.6. Amongst the largest EU economies, the ESI rose sharply in France (+4.0) and, to a lesser extent, in Italy (+1.7) and Spain (+1.7). Sentiment in Germany (+0.3) and the Netherlands (-0.3) stayed virtually unchanged, while it deteriorated mildly in Poland (-0.7).

      Full release here.

      UK retail sales volume down -1.0% mom in Dec, value down -1.2% mom

        UK retail sales volume declined -1.0% mom in December, much worse than expectation of 0.4% mom. Ex-fuel sales dropped -1.1% mom, below expectation of 0.4% mom. Sales value decreased -1.2% mom while ex-fuel sales value declined -1.0% mom.

        Between 2021 and 2022, retail sales volume fell by -3.0%, “as the lifting of restrictions on hospitality led to a return to eating out, and rising prices and the cost of living affected sales volumes.”

        Full release here.

        US ISM services fell to 54.4 in Oct, lowest since May 2020

          US ISM Services PMI dropped from 56.7 to 54.4 in October, below expectation of 55.2. That’s also the lowest reading since May 2020. Looking at some details, business activity/production dropped from 59.1 to 55.7. New orders dropped from 60.6 to 56.5. Employment dropped from -3.9 to 53.0. Prices rose from 68.7 to 70.7.

          ISM said: “Growth continues at a slower rate for the services sector, which has expanded for all but two of the last 153 months. The sector had a pullback in growth for the second consecutive month in October due to decreases in business activity, new orders and employment.”

          “The past relationship between the Services PMI and the overall economy indicates that the Services PMI for October (54.4 percent) corresponds to a 1.5-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis.”

          Full release here.

          SECO lowers Swiss 2019 growth and inflation forecasts significantly

            The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  lowered both 2018 and 2019 Swiss growth forecasts significantly. SECO cited that “this is mainly due to weak domestic demand”. Also, “In the wake of the decline in international growth, Swiss foreign trade decreased. The appreciation of the Swiss franc in the meantime additionally slowed exports, while domestic demand also failed to stimulate growth. ”

            • For 2018, growth projection is lowered to 2.6%, down from 2.9%.
            • For 2019, growth projection is lowered to 1.5%, down from 2.0%.
            • For 2020, growth is now estimated to be at 1.7%.

            On inflation

            • For 2018, CPI is projected to be at 1.0%, unrevised
            • for 2019, CPI is projected to be at 0.5%, down from prior estimate of 0.8%
            • For 2020, CPI is projected to pickup to 0.7%.

            On more thing to now is that SECO’s projection was based on assumption that the three month LIBOR interest rate will climb to -0.5% in 2020.

            Full release here.

            Japan’s CPI core unchanged at 3.1%, core-core at highest since 1981

              Japan’s CPI growth slowed from 3.3% yoy to 3.2% yoy, exceeding the expected 2.6% yoy increase. The CPI core (all items excluding food) remained unchanged at 3.1% yoy, in line with expectations. The CPI core-core (all items excluding food and energy) accelerated from 3.5% yoy to 3.8% yoy, surpassing the anticipated 3.4% yoy figure. This marks the 10th consecutive uptick and the highest level since December 1981.

              New BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda has recently committed to maintaining ultra-loose monetary policy. While no major changes to the bond yield control policy are expected at Ueda’s first policy-setting meeting next week, the spreading inflation from energy to the broader economy may keep market expectations alive that BOJ could begin phasing out its massive stimulus later this year. However, this will depend on whether wages increase sustainably and support consumption.

               

              ECB Lane: There is clear risk of self-fulfilling adverse dynamics

                ECB chief economist Philip Lane said in a speech over the weekend, “there is a clear risk of self-fulfilling adverse dynamics taking hold through which uncertain economic prospects induce households, firms and governments to hold back on expenditure plans, leading to a decline in overall demand that validates the loss in confidence about the future.”

                The risk is “compounded by the danger of real financial amplification channels by which lenders (banks or bond investors) become reluctant to lend and borrowers (households, firms or governments) become reluctant to take on debt because they fear that lower growth prospects would be amplified by declining creditworthiness and a tighter credit supply.”

                Hence, “it is essential that the ECB acts as a stabilising force and boost confidence by committing to the preservation of favourable financing conditions.” The commitment is delivered through the “full set of monetary policy instruments, including low policy rate and forward guidance, the APP asset purchase program, the PEPP pandemic emergency purchase program, the calibration of the TLTRO III, and the collatural policies.

                Full speech here.

                Fed chair Powell press conference live stream

                  YouTube

                  By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
                  Learn more

                  Load video

                  China MOFCOM: Consumption faces more challenges in 2019 after slowdown last year

                    Chinese Commerce Department’s Deputy Director of the Market Operation Wang Bin admitted that consumption growth in 2018 has slowed down. In particular, growth in products related to automobiles and housing have been weak. Additionally, there will be more challenges for consumption growth in 2019 than expected.

                    Wang added that there will be measures to boost consumption in five aspects. Those include polices on urban consumptions, rural consumptions, service consumptions, product circulations and consumption environments.

                    MOFCOM’s briefing here (in simplified Chinese).

                    ECB SPF downgrades 2023 headline inflation forecasts, upgrades core

                      In ECB Survey of Professional Forecasters for Q2 2023, respondents downgraded their expectations for headline HICP inflation in 2023 downward. The lower headline inflation expectations are primarily attributed to expectations of reduced energy price inflation, particularly for natural gas. Headline inflation expectations for 2023, 2024, and 2025 are now at 5.6%, 2.6%, and 2.2%, respectively, compared to Q1 forecasts of 5.9%, 2.7%, and 2.1%.

                      On the other hand, expectations for HICP inflation excluding food and energy in 2023 were revised upward, primarily results from recent data outturns and higher wage growth forecasts. Core inflation projections are at 4.9% in 2023, 2.8% in 2024, and 2.3% in 2025, comparing to prior forecasts of 4.4%, 2.8% and 2.3% respectively.

                      Real GDP growth is now projected at 1.2% in 2023, 1.6% in 2024, and 1.4% in 2025, compared to prior forecasts of 1.4%, 1.7%, and 1.4%.

                      Full release here of ECB SPF here.

                      An update on GBP/USD short, exit at market

                        Follow up on our GBP/USD short (entered at 1.3150) as last updated here. In short, we’ll exit the position at market now (1.3079), with 71 pips profit .

                        The stronger than expected rebound from 1.2921 raised the chance that rise from 1.2661 is not completed at 1.3297. That is, we’d probably see another test on 1.3297 before heading back to 1.2661 low.

                        In formulating the strategy, our biggest mistake was the view on EUR/GBP. We believed that the fall from 0.9097 was completed at 0.8847. And the pull back from 0.8894 was a corrective move. That is, Sterling will eventually underperform Euro and help pressure GBP/USD. But the acceleration below 0.8847 today invalidated this view.

                        Secondly, we gave the position another chance to see if NFP will give dollar a strong boost. But it doesn’t. So, we’ll exit the GBP/USD short for now with some profit and move on.

                         

                        RBNZ Orr: Single biggest risk is embedded inflation expectation

                          RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr told a parliamentary committee today, “the single biggest risk to this nation at the moment is enabling current high CPI inflation to become embedded in future ongoing inflation expectation.”

                          Orr said that a recession is not projected for New Zealand, even though he cannot rule it out. Challenges to growth were coming through significant downgrades to global growth, particularly China.

                          Singapore expects sharper contraction after circuit breaker extension

                            Singapore’s Trade and Industry minister Chan Chun Sing said today that, the country is “very likely” to see a sharper contraction in the economy due to coronavirus pandemic. He said, “we are really concerned that worldwide, this is going to lead to a more serious problem than many had anticipated just a month ago”.

                            GDP already experienced -10.6% annualized contraction in Q1, the worst in a decade. Back in March, the government forecast a contraction of 1-4% this year. However, coronavirus spread worsened this month, as infections surged from around just 1000 to over 10000. The government decided to extend the so-called “circuit-breaker” coronavirus containment measures by four weeks until June 1. Chan said he hoped to “progressively open” in a months time.

                            Separately, Citigroup said earlier this week that the Singaporean economy would contract by -8.5% this year after the “circuit breaker” extension. “The circuit breaker would cause close to 25%-30% of GDP to come to a standstill, with every month of extension further reducing 2020 GDP by 2% to 2.5%,” Citi’s economists wrote in a report. “The technical rebound after the lifting of the circuit breaker on 1st Jun will be capped by continued social distancing and only gradual recovery in exports.”

                            Gold pressing 1300 again after strong rally

                              Rising on risk aversion and Dollar’s weakness, gold surges to as high as 1299.67 so far today. The strong support from 4 hour 55 EMA is a sign of near term strength. Also, current development argues that fall from 1346.71 is merely a corrective move. It has also completed with three waves down to 1266.26. This will now be the favored case as long as 1281.97 support holds. Further rise should be seen to 1324.49 structure resistance first. Break will confirm and target 1346.73 high.

                              More importantly, gold also drew strong support from 55 week EMA, which is also a sign of medium term strength. That raises the chance of further rise for an eventual break of 1375.17 resistance as well as 38.2% retracement of 1920.70 to 1046.37 at 1380.36. We’ll monitor the momentum after breaking 1324.49 to gauge the chance again.

                              Sterling spiked on Brexit plan but reversed after Davis’s resignation

                                UK Prime Minister Theresa May appeared to have united her cabinet on the Brexit plan after the locked-up meeting at the Chequer last Friday. A key element of the plan is to establish a UK-EU free trade area with a common rule book for industrial goods and agricultural products. And the UK would commit by treaty to ongoing harmonization with EU rules on goods. However, on services, the UK will strike different arrangements for regulatory flexibility. And for financial services, the UK will seek arrangements that preserve the mutual benefits of integrated markets and protect financial stability. And, with the plan, the UK believed that the problem of Irish border would be avoided an a backstop plan won’t be needed. The full document is expected to be published this week.

                                Environment Secretary Michael Gove, on the the highest-profile Brexit campaigners, endorsed the plan. He told BBC that “One of the things about politics is that you mustn’t, you shouldn’t, make the perfect the enemy of the good. And one of the things about this compromise is that it unites the cabinet.” And he urged that “All those of us who believe that we want to execute a proper Brexit, and one that is the best deal for Britain, have an opportunity now to get behind the Prime Minister in order to negotiate that deal.”

                                However, the situation is complicated today as Brexit Minister David Davis resigned as he was not willing to be a “reluctant conscript” to the plan. He complained that “the general direction of policy will leave us in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one.” And the so called “common rule book” with the EU will hand “control of large swathes of our economy to the EU and is certainly not returning control of our laws”. Separately, it’s reported that Steve Baker, a minister in the Brexit department has also resigned.

                                Sterling spiked higher earlier today and reversed on Davis’s resignation.

                                US Empire State Manufacturing fell to 1.1, waning optimism and moderating price increases

                                  US Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed a decline in the headline general business conditions index, falling from 6.6 to a modest 1.1 in July, slightly above expectation of 0.0. While 29% of respondents reported improved conditions over the month, 27% reported a deterioration.

                                  Price increases showed a moderating trend. Prices paid index fell -5 pts to 16.7, and prices received index also declined by -5 pts to 3.9. Over the past year, the prices paid index has seen a near-50 point drop, while the prices received index has cumulatively fallen by -27 points.

                                  On the other hand, index for future business conditions declined from 18.9 to 14.3, signaling that although businesses are anticipating better conditions ahead, overall optimism remains relatively subdued.

                                  Full Empire State Manufacturing release here.

                                  EU Moscovici doesn’t want crisis with Italy, Austria said must reject the budget

                                    European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici talked about Italy again in Franc Inter radio today. He emphasized that the European Commission does not want any crisis with Italy over it’s budget. However, questions are there and the Commission is awaiting Italy’s answers.

                                    Moscovici said that “the European Commission does not want a crisis between Brussels and Rome.” And “my state of mind is that of constructive dialogue.” Though, he also reiterated that “when you are an EU member and a member of the single currency, of the euro zone, you must respect a number of joint rules.” Moscovici has been rather cautious in handling Italy. While last week’s letter to Italy regarding the budget was strongly worded, Moscovici later said he wanted to reduce tensions, and solve the budget issue through “constructive dialogue”.

                                    On the other hand, Austria Chancellor Sebastian Kurz warned that “if it is not amended, the European Commission must reject the budget” of Italy. Kurz added that “Austria is not prepared to stand up for the debts of other states while these states knowingly contribute to uncertainty in financial markets”. And he urged the EU to “prove that it has learned from the Greece crisis.”

                                    FOMC minutes said policy appropriate, Dollar index heading to 100

                                      In the minutes of January 28-29 FOMC meeting, it’s noted that policymakers generally judged that current monetary stance was “appropriate”. Maintaining current stance, with federal funds rate at 1.50-1.75%, will give the committee ” time for a fuller assessment of the ongoing effects on economic activity of last year’s shift to a more accommodative policy stance”. Fed expected growth to “continue at a moderate pace”.

                                      Trade uncertainties “had diminished recently” and there “signs of stabilization in global growth”. But uncertainties remained, including risks from the outbreak of the coronavirus that started in China. “The threat of the coronavirus, in addition to its human toll, had emerged as a new risk to the global growth outlook, which participants agreed warranted close watching.”

                                      Dollar index rose notably yesterday to close at 99.70, staying firm after FOMC minutes. Rally in USD/JPY was the main force lifting the DXY yesterday, while EUR/USD stayed weak after recent selloff. With 99.66 resistance broken, whole up trend from 2018 low of 88.26 is resuming. The strong support from 55 week EMA affirmed medium term bullishness too, even though upside momentum is a bit unconvincing in weekly MACD. DXY should now rise through 100 handle to 78.6% retracement of 103.82 to 88.26 at 100.49.

                                      Australia Westpac consumer sentiment dropped to 96.6 in Mar, worst since Sep 2020

                                        Australia Westpac consumer sentiment index dropped -4.2% to 96.6 in March, down from 100.8. That’s the worst reading since September 2020, which was also the last time thee index was below the 100-level.

                                        Westpac said: “The latest monthly fall comes as no surprise. The war in Ukraine; the floods in south- east Queensland and Northern NSW; ongoing concerns about inflation and higher interest rates were all likely to impact confidence, although the size of the decline is still notable.”

                                        Westpac maintained the view that the first RBA rate hike in the tightening cycle will start on August 2, following two more inflations reports of Q1 and Q2.

                                        Full release here.

                                        Gold topped at 1346, focus on 1276 to confirm bearish reversal

                                          Gold’s sharp decline last Friday confirmed short term topping at 1346.71 on bearish divergence condition in daily MACD. That came ahead of 1366.05/1375.17 resistance zone. Focus now turns back to 1276.76 cluster support (38.1% retracement of 1160.17 to 1346.17 at 1275.45). Decisive break there should confirm completion of whole rise from 1160.17. In that case, gold should have started another falling leg inside the long term range pattern. Deeper fall should then be seen back towards 1160.17 support. In case of another rise, we won’t expect firm break of f key fibonacci level of 38.2% retracement of 192.070 to 1046.37 at 1380.36.