US data this week

February 24, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Despite a softer tone to US equity markets at the end of last week market tensions appear to be easing, with news over the weekend of the ousting of Ukraine’s President helping in this respect. Although US equities ended the week slightly lower the overall tone to risk appetite was firm.

The G20 meeting proved to be a non event in terms of immediate market impact although the aim to lift GDP by more than $2 trillion over the next five years appears to be ambitious to say the least. However, at least focus has shifted from austerity to growth in terms of G20 thinking.

Last week’s release of the February Markit US PMI manufacturing survey which revealed a stronger than expected reading helped to allay some concerns afflicting markets over the pace of US growth giving markets reason for optimism. Indeed, in general markets have attributed recent weakness in US economic data to adverse weather conditions rather than a shift in growth trajectory.

Unfortunately this week’s US data releases are unlikely to be particularly helpful in shaking off growth worries. Although February consumer confidence is likely to be unchanged at a relatively high reading (tomorrow) declines in new homes sales (Wednesday) and durable goods orders (Thursday) in January will not bode well while a revision lower to US Q4 GDP (Friday) will highlight a slower pace of growth momentum at the end of last year than previously recorded.

The US data is likely to be bond friendly helping to cap gains in Treasury yields as well as restraining the USD. Nonetheless, the message from a plethora of Fed speakers on tap this week will likely be one of continued willingness to maintain the current pace of tapering, with recent and current weakness in economic data being shaken off as bad weather related.

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What to watch this week

February 17, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Despite a slow start to the week there are plenty of events and data this week for markets to chew on for further direction including in the US the February Empire and Philly Fed manufacturing surveys, January housing starts and existing home sales, as well as CPI and PPI inflation and FOMC meeting minutes. Overall the data will look relatively unimpressive, with softer manufacturing confidence, weaker housing data and benign inflation readings likely.

In the Eurozone, the flash purchasing managers’ indices will capture most attention. A slight softening is expected but this will not alter the picture of gradual recovery in the Eurozone economy. Indeed, last week’s better than expected Eurozone GDP release revealing broad based growth of 0.3% in Q4 highlighted the positive recovery path, in turn maintaining positive sentiment for the EUR.

On the policy front the Bank of Japan decides on policy tomorrow but no change is expected despite a disappointing Q4 GDP release this morning, which revealed that growth came in at a paltry 0.3% QoQ compared to 0.7% expected. Nonetheless, the weaker GDP data highlights that the BoJ and government has a big job to do in the months ahead especially given the risks to growth from the upcoming consumption tax hike. USD/JPY may find some support if the data translates into expectations of more aggressive BoJ action.

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US dollar under pressure

February 17, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

US stocks have clawed back almost all their losses registered in the wake of the mini emerging markets crisis in January. The S&P 500 closed at 1838.63, up 0.48% on Friday. The rally in stocks is impressive considering the run of weaker than forecast US data releases over recent weeks although investors appear to be placing much of the blame on poor weather conditions. The gains in US stocks echoes the generalized improvement in risk appetite, with sentiment towards emerging markets also having stabilized.

The USD continues to be a casualty of the firmer risk tone, with a lack of upward momentum in US yields also not helping the currency (10 year US Treasury yield around 2.7428%). The USD index is now close to its lows for the year around 80.00, with the JPY and commodity currencies the biggest gainers so far this year among major currencies. In terms of emerging market currencies the Indonesian rupiah and Thai baht have been the best performers versus USD.

Despite the firmer tone to risk, gold prices have continued their ascent, closing above their 200 day moving average at the end of last week. As I wrote in Gold breaches its 200 day moving average, I don’t expect the rally in gold prices to be sustained. Some market consolidation is likely today with a lack of key data releases and a US holiday (President’s Day) keeping activity subdued.

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US dollar soft ahead of retail sales

February 13, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

The USD has lost a fair bit of ground in February failing to benefit from a renewed rise in US Treasury yields. A more positive risk environment recently has undermined some of the demand for USDs while some negative data surprises such as the ISM manufacturing survey and non farm payrolls have also weighed on demand for the USD.

The release of January retail sales data today will give another opportunity to gauge the path of consumption at the turn of the year but unfortunately for the USD a relatively flat outcome for sales will provide little rationale to buy the currency. The consensus expectation is for headline retail sales to post a 0% monthly reading, while sales ex autis is likely to rise by a measly 0.1%.

In the near term this implies little potential for a USD rebound but over but over coming weeks I expect the USD to rally in line with higher US yields. USD index (DXY) is likely to flatline around the 80 level in the coming sessions before rallying over coming weeks.

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A more constructive start to the week

February 10, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Following a period of heightened volatility markets ended last week on a more positive note. Despite another soft reading for US non farm payrolls in January which revealed jobs growth of 142k following a gain of 74k in the previous month, markets took some comfort from a drop in the unemployment rate to 6.6% which for a change was not related to a drop in the participation rate. The participation rate rose to 63.0% in January.

Against this backdrop Fed Chairman Yellen will be giving her first testimony to Congress this week and while there is likely to be little change to the Fed’s policy outlook there will need to be some reassessment of the Fed’s forward guidance, especially given the surprisingly quick drop in the unemployment rate. The USD index slipped last week but we expect a slightly firmer tone to ensue over coming days in line with higher US yields.

Markets will kick off the week much as they left off last week, with a calmer and more constructive tone likely. Aside from Yellen’s speeches, US data will be soft on the whole, with January retail sales likely to post a small decline, while industrial production will record a gain and Michigan sentiment will fall, with consumer confidence weighed down by weaker equity markets.

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