The global financial markets will be off to a slow start on Monday, as a dearth of economic data will keep investors focused on a series of upcoming monetary policy meetings from around the world.
At 09:00 GMT, the Italian government will release its monthly retail sales report for October. Receipts at retail stores rose 0.9% during the previous month for an annualized gain of 3.4%.
At 11:00 GMT, Portugal will report on its global trade balance for October. The country reported a deficit of €3.543 billion in September.
Greece is also tentatively scheduled to release its industrial production numbers on Monday.
In North America, the US Labor Department will release the latest JOLTS job openings data for October. The report provides a snapshot of job openings in the world’s largest economy, which is seen as an important proxy for job vacancies.
Later this week, the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, European Central Bank and Swiss National Bank will deliver their final policy verdicts of the year. With the exception of the US Fed, no change in monetary policy is expected.
On the topic of the Fed, interest rates are widely expected to rise by 25 basis points on Wednesday to 1.50%. Market participants should therefore keep a close eye on the US dollar in the days leading up to the vote. The US dollar is coming off its best week of the year, according to Bloomberg.
The dollar index edged lower at the start of the week, and was last seen trading at 93.82.
On Friday, the US Department of Labor said the economy added 228,000 nonfarm jobs in November, following a downwardly revised gain of 244,000 the previous month. That was well ahead of forecasts, which called for a November increase of 200,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. Average hourly earnings climbed 0.2% month-on-month.
EUR/USD
Europe’s common currency consolidated Monday after a week of sharp declines. The EUR/USD was last seen trading at 1.1782 for a gain of 0.1%. All eyes will be on monetary policy this week, as both currencies will be highly sensitive to announcements made by the Fed and ECB.
GBP/USD
Cable was trading steady in early week trade as investors rejoiced after the UK and the European Union reached a Brexit breakthrough last week. GBP/USD was last seen hovering at 1.3400. Immediate resistance is found up ahead at 1.3420. On the downside, support is located at 1.3345.
USD/JPY
The dollar-yen exchange rate rose on Monday, as the pair climbed above 113.50 in a new show of strength. The USD/JPY is eyeing a re-test of the 114.40 region, which provides an important gateway to further upside. To get there, the pair will need to cross the 113.65 and 114.00 resistance levels. On the downside, immediate support is located at 113.10.
