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The Euro
No Tumble Despite Trouble

On Thursday night after the IFO numbers were released we noted, ’The IFO survey of German consumer confidence fell to a three year low piercing through the psychologically key 100 figure as it printed at 97.5 versus forecasts of 100.1. Sentiment has turned sharply lower as the German economy has finally succumbed to the triple punch combination of higher oil prices, higher interest rates and higher exchange rates.
Germany has been the primary driver of growth in the EZ and tonight’s data bodes badly for the region as a whole. Earlier in the night markets saw a big plunge in French business confidence and a much larger uptick in Spanish unemployment to 10.4% indicating that the environment in the rest of the 15 member union is even worse. Given such rapidly deteriorating economic conditions its is difficult to imagine that the ECB would be willing to tighten further and risk tipping the worlds largest economic zone into a full blown recession.’
Surprisingly enough however, the EURUSD held up relatively well as the unit continues to attract safe haven flows. This appears to be the single currency’s only source of strength, but for the being that may be enough to maintain the 1.55-1.60 range. The European economic calendar is relatively subdued next week with German Retail Sales and CPI estimates the only two events of note. The consumer in the region’s largest economy is likely to show further weakening, but the key report may be the inflation numbers. If they jump above 4% as projected, expect more hawkish rhetoric from the ECB which could lend support to the pair. - BS

The US Dollar
Can Dollar Rally Continue?

’Is the worst behind us?’ we asked last week. ’If crude continues to drip lower, ’ we concluded ,’it could provide yet another reason for a dollar counter trend rally.’ With oil falling below $125/bbl by end of trade Friday, the massive sigh of relief from dollar bulls could be heard around the world. As a result, the greenback picked up more than 100 points on the euro by end of the week although the US economic data was mixed at best.
Housing continued to be a problem as Existing Homes plunged -2.6% versus -0.1% projected and LEI data printed negative for 7th out of the past 9 months. However by Friday US economic data actually proved supportive with U of M survey jumping back to the 60 level and Durable Goods registering a surprise increase 0.8% versus forecasts of a -0.3% decline. Furthermore as we noted in our Friday note, ’with markets already so preconditioned to bad economic news from the U.S., the greenback may not weaken much further unless the data shows substantial deterioration from the prior month.’
With the greenback clearly stabilized for now, the question forward is can the rally continue? The answer as is so often the case may depend on the NFPs’. The front of the week may actually prove dollar positive as flash GDP for Q2 could show surprising strength of 2% versus only 1% the quarter prior. However, the labor data holds the key. If NFPs surprise to the downside, most importantly breaking the -100K barrier, dollar longs will be hard pressed to rally the unit as expectations of a severe slowdown in the second half of the year will only harden the view of the bears that the worst lies ahead. -BS

The Japanese Yen

After Yield Forecasts Curb A Carry Breakout Can USDJPY Push 108.50?
Like many of its major counterparts, USDJPY passed another week without deciding a dominate trend. Even more frustrating was the fact that a long-term buildup by the pair for a momentous breakout (in an ascending wedge) was completely deflated by a false breakouts over the past two weeks. Nevertheless, there are still key levels that still stand against the market finding a dominate direction (namely 108.50 to the upside and 104 for bears). Effectively, the quickly faded breakouts and ongoing congestion is a strong reflection of the fundamentals underlying the pair. This past week, risk appetite and carry interest were buoyed by second quarter earnings and write downs that were better than the market’s severely depressed forecasts (though they were still very disappointing numbers). However, 108.00 has held out for USDJPY, and the DailyFX Carry Trade Index has pulled back from resistance, due to concerns that the outlook for yields may not compensate traders for the threat of high volatility. Such apprehension was catalyzed by the surprise RBNZ rate cut. While interest rate expectations have long forecasted a spurt of policy tightening for key low yielders (USD, EUR, CHF) and relatively staid projections for the other end of the spectrum (GBP, AUD, NZD), few were prepared to actually see differentials start to contract. As long as there are credible fears over credit and financial market conditions (not to mention the drop in capital markets), risk appetite will be a guided by expectations for returns.
Elsewhere, the economic docket was dotted by a few notable indicators that have set the tone for the health of the Japanese economy. For the first half of the week, the May All Industry Activity Index and physical trade balance for the following month added a fundamental edge to price action. The activity gauge rose for a third consecutive month, but the market’s reaction was modest as most of the indicator’s components were known well in advance. The smallest trade surplus in five months was a little more influential though as exports actually fell for the first time in four years - suggesting the export dependent economy could be in significant trouble with the global slowdown. Top scheduled event risk was read in the national CPI numbers for June though. Headline inflation jumped to a decade high 2.0 percent clip while even the core figure (excluding food and energy prices) was just off a 10-year high after finally crossing back above 0.0 percent.
As the coming days burn on, we will once again see little interest in the fundamental direction of the Japanese economy, though employment, household spending, consumer wages, housing and retail sales data makes for a good mix. Instead, the greatest potential for finding direction will once again fall to the meanderings of general risk sentiment and the carry trade. Second quarter earnings is essentially behind us and the Fannie/Freddie issue has more or less faded into the background. This week, the real driver for risk trends is the US data (2Q GDP, NFPs) which will act as a benchmark for global growth and thereby a barometer for monetary policy. - JK

The British Pound
Cable Keeps its Cool

The economic data form UK provided little cause for celebration as virtually all of the releases disappointed to the downside. Most notably Retail Sales dropped by 3.9% versus -2.6% expected as purchases of apparel and food declined markedly. The UK consumer is clearly feeling pinched and although the BoE monetary policy is unlikely to ease before the year end, the situation on the street is becoming more troubling by the day as demand continues to contract. As we stated in our note on Thursday, ’If the recent drop in oil prices provides a boost to spending in the fall then BoE will maintain its neutral stance. However if conditions worsen materially Mr. King and company may have to take Mr. Blanchflower’s advice and lower rates quickly.’
Yet the key reason that cable displayed relative strength last week was precisely because the MPC minutes revealed a much more hawkish slat than most market participants expected. Instead of voting 8-1 to keep rates steady, the actual vote turned out to be 7-1-1 with one member voting to hike the. According to Ifrmarkets, ’’Tim Besley unexpectedly voted for a 25bps hike on the grounds the BOE credibility is suffering a great deal due to overshooting inflation, and a rate hike now would help restore its reputation.
The BoE therefore remains surprisingly stubborn in its attitude towards monetary policy but if as expected next week’s data shows a continuing contraction in economic activity, the pressure on Mr. King and company to ease before the year end is likely to rise. We remain convinced that cable’s 5% yield is vulnerable to a cut and therefore the 2.0000 level continues to form a relatively stiff resistance in the pair.- BS

The Swiss Franc
Inflation May Decide The Fate Of The Franc Next Week

The Swiss Franc would significantly weaken throughout the week as risk appetite increased on the back of comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser. Paulson’s reiteration of the importance of strong support from the government of the GSE’s would lead to Congress passing the bill to provide a line of credit to the beleaguered GSE’s. Plosser would immediately follow those comments with prepared remarks warning that U.S. monetary policy is too accommodative at present and must be adjusted prior to an economic turnaround fully taking hold or the US risks both increasing inflationary pressures and a crisis of confidence in the Federal Reserve. The remarks would spark broad based bullish dollar sentiment as markets re-priced interest rate expectations, ultimately rallying the pair over a 100 points. USDCHF would end the week rising above the 1.04 handle on the strength of a considerable improvement in U.S. Durable Goods Orders, before finding resistance
The Swiss economic docket provided very little impact on the currency’s price action despite a trade report showing weakening domestic demand. The Swiss trade balance surplus widened to a record high of 2.141 billion, as demand from Asian markets offset slumping orders from the U.S. and Europe. However, declining demand fro imports demonstrates the weakening demand from consumers, who continue to see their purchasing power diminish as inflation has risen to 2.9%- the highest in 15 years. Producer and import prices rose to the highest level in 19 years rising to 4.5% following 3.9% in May, signaling that consumer prices may continue to accelerate.
Next week’s calendar will provide insight into the level of inflationary pressures and its affect on consumer consumption. Indeed, Swiss consumer prices are expected to rise to 3.0% from 2.9%, as producers pass on the costs of increasing energy and raw materials. Despite , rising costs consumers have remained resilient with retail sales rebounding in May, the UBS consumption indicator will signal if demand will continue to remain firm or succumb to increasing costs. The KOF leading indicator is expected to show that the economic outlook I dimming as producers contend with slowing demand from their main trading partners. The Swiss Franc will be subject the prevailing risk sentiment which has been generating momentum with several U.S. banks reporting smaller write-downs than expected. However, many industry insiders are still expecting further fallout from the subprime crisis, which would send the pair lower. Technically the USDCHF is expected to see significant resistance until the 200 Day SMA at 104.06, which it may take aim at with continued positive earnings and the absence of credit concerns - JR Sources -

DailyFX.
Have a Great Week!

Source: iFOREX.bg