struggle

France/Germany flash PMIs (Jun) – 23/06 – One of the more notable trends we've seen in recent months has been an ongoing divergence between services sector activity and manufacturing activity. This trend has also started to manifest itself in China which is seeing its manufacturing sector start to struggle.   In France manufacturing activity remained steady at 45.7, while Germany slipped back to 43.2 from 44.5. Services continues to remain resilient but even here activity is cooling off a touch, with France slipping to 52.5 from 54.6, while Germany improved to 57.2 from 56.   In the UK the picture appears to be more upbeat, although even here manufacturing is struggling coming at 47.1 in May, while services also slowed to 55.2 from 55.9. Lower fuel costs may offer some support here; however, most services providers are struggling with higher costs, which by and large they are able to pass on.

On Tuesday, the EUR/USD currency pair struggled to establish itself above the moving average line, failing to surpass the Murray level of "3/8"-1.0925, resuming its downward trend in the latter half of the day. However, to label this movement as a "decline" would be an overstatement, as the day's total volatility was merely 40 points. As such, the past week better embodies the idea of a "flat" market rather than a trending one. Currently, the currency market is experiencing a tranquil period.   The fundamental and macroeconomic landscapes are intact, but the market appears saturated by them. Time and again, macroeconomic reports are in line with market expectations. Statements by representatives of the Fed and ECB do not offer traders any new or crucial information. The euro continues to maintain a relatively high position but has been static in recent weeks. The subject of interest rates is becoming less pertinent to traders. It's worth noting that when a monetary tightening or easing cycle initiates, the market endeavors to anticipate it. If this happens concurrently in two or more countries, as is usually the case, the market also strives to consider all changes preemptively.     For instance, last year, the Fed began raising rates ahead of the ECB, resulting in an initial surge in the dollar's value (taking geopolitics into account). Subsequently, as inflation in the US began to ease, the euro began to appreciate. It has been on an upward trend for the past ten months, although it has been largely consolidating in the 1.05–1.11 range for the last 5–6 months. Consequently, we do not foresee any significant triggers for a sudden upswing in the value of the euro or the dollar.   The pair will likely continue to consolidate within the outlined range, and it might take considerable time before this process reaches completion. The market has already accounted for 90% of all forthcoming interest rate hikes by the Fed and ECB.   Currently, neither the euro nor the dollar holds a distinct advantage. Many experts have been forecasting a downturn, recession, and deceleration for the US economy, particularly for the labor market. These predictions have been circulating since last year, yet official statistics suggest no signs of a looming recession.   Over the past three quarters, the US economy has grown by at least 2%, significantly more than the growth observed in the European Union or Britain. The labor market continues to demonstrate robust performance month after month, even with the Fed's rate escalating to 5.25%. Unemployment has seen minimal growth, while Nonfarm Payrolls consistently reveal at least 200 thousand new job additions each month.     As such, the Fed can continue its monetary tightening policy as required, especially now that inflation has fallen to 4%. This factor might play against the dollar in the medium term. Since inflation is already approaching the target level, the Federal Reserve will begin to soften monetary policy in 2024. It is unknown when the ECB, dealing with higher inflation, will begin to soften. Nevertheless, inflation in the Eurozone continues to decrease steadily. It initially rose more than in the US. Hence, it needs more time to return to 2%. However, the ECB began raising the rate after the Fed. Thus, everything is in its place. The European regulator may start reducing the rate a few months later than the Fed.   The monetary policy of the Fed and the ECB currently does not imply a strong strengthening of the dollar or the euro. The average volatility of the euro/dollar currency pair for the last five trading days as of July 5 is 70 points and is characterized as "average." Thus, we expect the pair to move between levels 1.0779 and 1.0915 on Wednesday. A reversal of the Heikin Ashi indicator upwards will indicate a new round of upward movement.

It’s been a relatively slow start to the week but there’s still plenty to look forward to, most notably the US inflation data on Wednesday. Friday’s jobs report did nothing to level the debate on whether to pause at the next Fed meeting in two weeks. In fact, it may have even cemented another 25 basis point hike despite the NFP number falling short of expectations and, to the relief of many, well short of the ADP release. Wage growth remains a concern and on that front, the report was hot. At 0.4%, the monthly increase was a little higher than anticipated, while the annual reading remained at 4.4% (after an upward revision to the May number) despite an expectation that it would drop to 4.2%. Markets now see another hike as being almost 90% likely which seems fair under the circumstances. Weak Chinese demand sees inflation flatline in June The data from China overnight paints quite the opposite picture. An economy struggling on the demand side, despite initially rebounding strongly following the abolishment of zero-Covid. Excess supply is causing deflation at the PPI level and even CPI is now flat on an annual basis. This is more pronounced in goods, a trend we’re seeing elsewhere as services remain where the demand is, but even here we’re seeing more weakness than expected. Stimulus feels inevitable but so far it hasn’t been forthcoming enough and when it does arrive it will likely continue to be very targeted.  

Eurozone, German Service PMI ease in December Euro snaps four-day rally The euro has snapped a four-day winning streak on Friday. In the European session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.0949, down 0.38%. The euro has enjoyed a strong week, with gains of 1.77%. Soft Eurozone, German services PMIs weigh on euro Eurozone Services PMI eased in December, indicating that the economy continues to struggle. The PMI fell from 48.7 to 48.1 and missed the consensus estimate of 49.0. This marked a fifth straight month of contraction in the services sector, with 50 separating contraction from expansion. Germany, the largest economy in the eurozone, also reported a decline, with the PMI falling to 48.4, down from 49.6 in November and short of the consensus estimate of 49.8. Euro soars after ECB pause The European Central Bank held the benchmark rate at 4.0% for a second straight time on Thursday. This move was expected, but the central bank pushed back against market expectations for interest rate cuts next year, sending the euro soaring 1.09% against the US dollar after the announcement. ECB President Christine Lagarde reaffirmed that the Bank would continue its “higher for longer” stance, saying that the Bank was not about to let down its guard and lower rates. Lagarde sounded hawkish even though the ECB lowered its inflation forecast at the meeting. Inflation has fallen to 2.4% in the eurozone, within striking distance of the 2% target. Lagarde acknowledged that inflation was easing but said that domestic inflation was “not budging”, largely due to wage growth.   There is a deep disconnect between the markets and the ECB with regard to rate policy. ECB President Lagarde poured cold water on expectations for rate cuts, arguing that inflation had not been beaten. The markets are marching to a very different tune and have priced in at least in around six rate cuts in 2024 and are confident that Lagarde will have to change her stance, with inflation falling and the eurozone economy likely in recession. . EUR/USD Technical EUR/USD is testing support at 1.0957. Below, there is support at 1.0905 1.1044 and 1.1096 are the next resistance lines