According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the U.K. shop prices declined by 2.1% year-on-year in November, after a 1.8% decline in October.
The decline was mainly driven by a drop in non-food prices, which plunged 3.3% year-on-year in November.
Food prices fell at an annual rate of 0.3% in November.
"Although the survey period does not cover Black Friday, it is likely that some retailers were discounting early in November in order to spread consumer spending over a longer period," BRC Chief Executive, Helen Dickinson, said.
Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker said in a speech on Wednesday that it is hard for young people in the U.S. to find a job.
"We recognize that while much of the economy has rebounded in recent years, significant barriers still exist for young people in the job market," he said.
"In order to meet the needs of our young people and to secure our long-term economic future, we need to make real investments in their training and employment today," Harker added.
He said nothing about the U.S. economy and the Fed's monetary policy.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) released its interest rate decision on Wednesday. The central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.50%, noting that the current monetary policy is appropriate. This decision was expected by analysts.
The BoC said that the Canadian economy is expected to expand moderately in the fourth quarter of 2015.
According to the central bank, the Canadian economy was adjusting to a drop in Canada's terms of trade, which was driven by the recovery in the U.S. economy, a lower Canadian dollar and stimulus measures by the BoC.
"The labour market has been resilient at the national level, although with significant job losses in resource-producing regions," the BoC noted.
Risks to the country's financial stability are evolving as expected, and risks around the inflation are roughly balanced, the central bank said.
The BoC added that "vulnerabilities in the household sector continue to edge higher".
Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart said in a speech on Wednesday that the Fed could rise its interest rate this month.
"Absent information that drastically changes the economic picture and outlook, I feel the case for liftoff is compelling," he said.
Lockhart noted that the next Fed's monetary meeting will be "historic" because it would be "the first increase in the policy interest rate in nearly 10 years".
Atlanta Fed president pointed out that the Fed's criterion of "further improvement in labour markets" has been met, while the downside effects on inflation were "transitory".
Lockhart is a voting member of the FOMC this year.
The U.S. Labor Department released its revised non-farm productivity figures on Wednesday. Revised productivity in the U.S. non-farm businesses rose at a 2.2% annual rate in the third quarter, up from the preliminary reading of a 1.6% increase, after a 3.5% increase in the second quarter. The second quarter's figure was revised up from a 3.3% gain.
The upward revision was driven by higher nonfarm business output, which rose 1.8% in the third quarter, up from the preliminary reading of a 1.2% gain.
Hours worked declined by 0.3% in the third quarter, up from the preliminary reading of a 0.5% fall.
Revised unit labour costs climbed 1.8% in the third quarter, up from the preliminary reading of a 1.4% increase, after a 2.0 gain in the second quarter. The second quarter's figure was revised up from a 1.8% drop.
USD/JPY 123.00 (USD 1bln)
EUR/USD 1.0500 (EUR 4.6bln) 1.0550 (650m) 1.0600 (4bln) 1.0650 (1bln) 1.0700 (1.3bln)
GBP/USD 1.5100 (GBP 241m)
USD/CHF 1.0250 (USD 420m)
USD/CAD 1.3300 (USD 200m) 1.3350 (200m) 1.3500 (530m)
AUD/USD 0.7200 (AUD 600m)
EUR/JPY 130.00 (EUR 1bln) 132.00 (491m)
EUR/CHF 1.0900 (EUR 388m)
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Deputy Governor Kikuo Iwata said on Wednesday that a further slowdown in China and other emerging countries is a risk to the central bank's 2% inflation target.
He also said that the BoJ is ready to add further stimulus measures if needed.
Iwata pointed out that the underlying trend in inflation was moving toward the 2% target.
Private sector in the U.S. added 217,000 jobs in November, according the ADP report on Wednesday. October's figure was revised up to 196,000 jobs from a previous reading of 182,000 jobs.
Analysts expected the private sector to add 190,000 jobs.
Services sector added 204,000 jobs in November, while goods-producing sector added only 13,000.
"Job growth remains strong and steady. The current pace of job creation is twice that needed to absorb growth in the working age population. The economy is fast approaching full employment and will be there no later than next summer," the Chief Economist of Moody's Analytics Mark Zandi said.
Official labour market data will be released on Friday. Analysts expect that U.S. unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 5.1% in November. The U.S. economy is expected to add 200,000 jobs in November, after adding 271,000 jobs in October.
Economic calendar (GMT0):
(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)
00:30 Australia Gross Domestic Product (YoY) Quarter III 1.9% Revised From 2.0% 2.3% 2.5%
00:30 Australia Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) Quarter III 0.3% Revised From 0.2% 0.7% 0.9%
01:00 U.S. FOMC Member Brainard Speaks
09:30 United Kingdom PMI Construction November 58.8 58.2 55.3
10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index, MoM October -0.4% Revised From -0.3% -0.4% -0.3%
10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index (YoY) October -3.2% Revised From -3.1% -3.2% -3.1%
10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI ex EFAT, Y/Y (Preliminary) November 1.1% 1% 0.9%
10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI, Y/Y (Preliminary) November 0.1% 0.2% 0.1%
12:00 U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications November -3.2% -0.2%
The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies ahead the release of the U.S. economic data. According to the ADP employment report, the U.S. economy is expected to add 190,000 jobs in November.
The Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen will speak at 17:25 GMT.
The euro traded lower against the U.S. dollar on the weaker-than-expected consumer price inflation data from the Eurozone. Eurostat released its consumer price inflation data for the Eurozone on Wednesday. The preliminary consumer price inflation in the Eurozone remained unchanged at an annual rate of 0.1% in November, missing expectations for a rise to 0.2%.
The preliminary consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco fell to an annual rate of 0.9% in November from 1.1% in October. Analysts expected the inflation to decline to 1.0%.
Food, alcohol and tobacco prices were up 1.5% in November, non-energy industrial goods prices gained 0.5%, and services prices climbed 1.1%, while energy prices dropped 7.3%.
Eurozone's producer price index declined 0.3% in October, beating expectations for a 0.4% drop, after a 0.4% decrease in September. September's figure was revised down from a 0.3% fall.
Intermediate goods prices fell 0.4% in October, capital goods prices were flat, non-durable consumer goods prices declined 0.2%, and durable consumer goods prices were stable, while energy prices decreased 0.4%.
On a yearly basis, Eurozone's producer price index dropped 3.1% in October, beating expectations for a 3.2% decrease, after a 3.2% fall in September. September's figure was revised down from a 3.1% drop.
Eurozone's producer prices excluding energy fell 0.7% year-on-year in October. Energy prices dropped at an annual rate of 9.7%.
The British pound traded lower against the U.S. dollar after the weaker-than-expected construction PMI data from the U.K. Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. fell to 55.3 in November from 58.8 in October, missing expectations for a fall to 58.2. It was the lowest level since April.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the construction sector.
The index was driven by a decline in all three broad areas of construction activity.
"The UK construction recovery is down but not out, according to November's survey data. Aside from a pre-election growth slowdown in April, the latest expansion of construction activity was the weakest for almost two-and-a-half years amid a sharp loss of housebuilding momentum," Senior Economist at Markit, Tim Moore, said.
The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar ahead of the release of the Bank of Canada's interest rate decision. Analysts expect the central bank to keep its interest rate unchanged.
EUR/USD: the currency pair declined to $1.0579
GBP/USD: the currency pair fell to $1.5022
USD/JPY: the currency pair increased to Y123.21
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
13:10 U.S. FOMC Member Dennis Lockhart Speaks
13:15 U.S. ADP Employment Report November 182 190
13:30 U.S. Nonfarm Productivity, q/q (Finally) Quarter III 3.3% 2.2%
13:30 U.S. Unit Labor Costs, q/q (Finally) Quarter III -1.8% 1.1%
15:00 Canada Bank of Canada Rate 0.5% 0.5%
15:00 Canada BOC Rate Statement
17:25 U.S. Fed Chairman Janet Yellen Speaks
19:00 U.S. Fed's Beige Book
20:40 U.S. FOMC Member Williams Speaks
EUR/USD
Offers 1.0635 1.0650 1.0665 1.0685-90 1.0700 1.0720-25 1.0745 1.0760 1.0780-85 1.0800
Bids 1.0600 1.0575-80 1.0560 1.0550 1.0525-30 1.0500 1.0485 1.0465 1.0450 1.0425-30 1.0400
GBP/USD
Offers 1.5085 1.5100 1.5120-25 1.5135 1.5150-55 1.5170 1.5180-85 1.5200 1.5230 1.5250
Bids 1.5050-55 1.5030 1.5015 1.5000 1.4985 1.4965 1.4950 1.4930 1.4900
EUR/GBP
Offers 0.7055-60 0.7075-80 0.7100 0.7125-30 0.7150
Bids 0.7035-40 0.7020 0.7000 0.6980-85 0.6965 0.6950
EUR/JPY
Offers 130.85 131.00 131.20 131.50 131.85 132.00 132.30 132.50
Bids 130.50 130.20 130.00 129.80 129.65 129.50 129.35 129.00
USD/JPY
Offers 123.20-25 123.35 123.50 123.75 124.00 124.30 124.50
Bids 123.00 122.85 122.65-70 122.50 122.20-25 122.00 121.80 121.50-60 121.30 121.00
AUD/USD
Offers 0.7350 0.7375 0.7400 0.7425-30 0.7450
Bids 0.7300 0.7285 0.7265-70 0.7250 0.7235 0.7200
Spain's labour ministry release its labour market figures on Wednesday. The number of registered unemployed people dropped by 27,071 in November, after a 82,327 increase in October.
Unemployment fell in all sectors.
The total number of people registered as unemployed was 4.15 million.
Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. fell to 55.3 in November from 58.8 in October, missing expectations for a fall to 58.2. It was the lowest level since April.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the construction sector.
The index was driven by a decline in all three broad areas of construction activity.
"The UK construction recovery is down but not out, according to November's survey data. Aside from a pre-election growth slowdown in April, the latest expansion of construction activity was the weakest for almost two-and-a-half years amid a sharp loss of housebuilding momentum," Senior Economist at Markit, Tim Moore, said.
Eurostat released its producer price index for the Eurozone on Wednesday. Eurozone's producer price index declined 0.3% in October, beating expectations for a 0.4% drop, after a 0.4% decrease in September. September's figure was revised down from a 0.3% fall.
Intermediate goods prices fell 0.4% in October, capital goods prices were flat, non-durable consumer goods prices declined 0.2%, and durable consumer goods prices were stable, while energy prices decreased 0.4%.
On a yearly basis, Eurozone's producer price index dropped 3.1% in October, beating expectations for a 3.2% decrease, after a 3.2% fall in September. September's figure was revised down from a 3.1% drop.
Eurozone's producer prices excluding energy fell 0.7% year-on-year in October. Energy prices dropped at an annual rate of 9.7%.
Eurostat released its consumer price inflation data for the Eurozone on Wednesday. The preliminary consumer price inflation in the Eurozone remained unchanged at an annual rate of 0.1% in November, missing expectations for a rise to 0.2%.
The preliminary consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco fell to an annual rate of 0.9% in November from 1.1% in October. Analysts expected the inflation to decline to 1.0%.
Food, alcohol and tobacco prices were up 1.5% in November, non-energy industrial goods prices gained 0.5%, and services prices climbed 1.1%, while energy prices dropped 7.3%.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Glenn Stevens said in a speech on late Tuesday evening that the Australian economy is respectable after a mining boom.
"Inflationary pressure was relatively contained on the way up, and while aggregate growth has been a little disappointing for the past couple of years, in the circumstances we face - including very difficult global conditions in the aftermath of the financial crisis - the outcomes are, I think, quite respectable," he said.
Stevens noted that he expects the Australian economy to continue to expand moderately.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its GDP data on Wednesday. Australia's GDP climbed 0.9% in the third quarter, exceeding expectations for a 0.7% gain, after a 0.3% rise in the second quarter. The second quarter's figure was revised up from a 0.2% increase.
On a yearly basis, Australia's GDP rose 2.5% in the third quarter, beating expectations for a 2.3% increase, after a 1.9% gain in the second quarter. The second quarter's figure was revised down from a 2.0% rise.
Final consumption spending was up 0.7% in the third quarter.
Terms of trade dropped 2.4% in the third quarter, while real net national disposable income decreased 0.1%.
Mining jumped 5.2% in the third quarter, while new and used dwelling construction climbed 2.0%.
OECD released its consumer price inflation (CPI) data on Tuesday. Consumer price inflation in the OECD area rose to 0.6% year-on-year in October from 0.4% in September.
Energy prices dropped at an annual rate of 11.6% in October, while food prices increased to 1.5% in October from 1.4% in September.
CPI excluding food and energy in the OECD area remained unchanged an annual rate to 1.8% in October.
October's CPI was 0.3% in Germany, Italy, Japan, 0.2% in the U.S, 1.0% in Canada, and -0.1% in the U.K.
The consumer price inflation in Eurozone was 0.1% in October, while the inflation in China was 1.3%.
The Fed Governor Lael Brainard said in a speech on Wednesday that the Fed should be cautious in raising its interest rate.
"The slow progress on inflation, together with the likely low level of the longer-term neutral real rate and the slow pace at which the very low shorter-term rate may move to the longer-term rate, suggest that the federal funds rate is likely to adjust more gradually and to a lower level than in previous expansions. In short, "gradual and low" is likely to be the new normal," she said.
"We should be cautious about raising rates, do so gradually, and carefully assess the effects on economic and financial conditions as we go," Brainard added.
Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said in a speech on Tuesday that the Fed should delay its interest rate hike until there are signs that inflation is accelerating toward 2% target.
"Before raising rates, I would prefer to have more confidence than I do today that inflation is indeed beginning to head higher. Given the current low level of core inflation, some evidence of true upward momentum in actual inflation would bolster my confidence," he said.
Evans noted that the Fed should hike its interest rates gradually once it starts raising its interest rate.
"To me, it is vital that when we first raise rates, the FOMC also strongly and effectively communicates its plan for a gradual path for future rate increases," Chicago Fed president said.
He thinks that the interest rate should be "under 1 percent at the end of 2016", and he expects the U.S. economy to expand about 2.5% in 2016.
Evans is a voting member of the FOMC this year.
USD/JPY 123.00 (USD 1bln)
EUR/USD 1.0500 (EUR 4.6bln) 1.0550 (650m) 1.0600 (4bln) 1.0650 (1bln) 1.0700 (1.3bln)
GBP/USD 1.5100 (GBP 241m)
USD/CHF 1.0250 (USD 420m)
USD/CAD 1.3300 (USD 200m) 1.3350 (200m) 1.3500 (530m)
AUD/USD 0.7200 (AUD 600m)
EUR/JPY 130.00 (EUR 1bln) 132.00 (491m)
EUR/CHF 1.0900 (EUR 388m)
EUR / USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.0769 (4167)
$1.0716 (2740)
$1.0679 (1136)
Price at time of writing this review: $1.0613
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.0582 (5546)
$1.0544 (3261)
$1.0488 (3232)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date December, 4 is 104470 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1100 (6239);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date December, 4 is 121852 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,0500 (10545);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.17 versus 1.20 from the previous trading day according to data from December, 1
GBP/USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.5301 (2550)
$1.5202 (1163)
$1.5105 (1338)
Price at time of writing this review: $1.5068
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.4997 (2550)
$1.4899 (2645)
$1.4800 (654)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date December, 4 is 28418 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5600 (3574);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date December, 4 is 31652 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5050 (4262);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.11 versus 1.14 from the previous trading day according to data from December, 1
* - The Chicago Mercantile Exchange bulletin (CME) is used for the calculation.
** - Open interest takes into account the total number of option contracts that are open at the moment.
Economic calendar (GMT0):
Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual
00:30 Australia Gross Domestic Product (YoY) Quarter III 1.9% Revised From 2.0% 2.3% 2.5%
00:30 Australia Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) Quarter III 0.3% Revised From 0.2% 0.7% 0.9%
01:00 U.S. FOMC Member Brainard Speaks
The euro declined against the U.S. dollar ahead of an ECB meeting. Many investors expect the bank to decide to expand its quantitative easing program. Speaking earlier at a European Banking Congress in Frankfurt ECB President Maria Draghi said that at the next meeting the central bank will assess the degree of stability of factors, which hold back inflation. He added if the 2% inflation target was at risk the central bank would use all tools available to support it.
Today the Bank of Canada will make a decision on its benchmark rate and release an accompanying statement explaining economic conditions, which determined the decision. Persistent low commodity prices keep weighing on the country's economy. The Bank of Canada has cut its rates twice this year to offset the impact of falling oil prices.
The Australian dollar was supported by optimistic GDP data. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the economy had expanded by 0.9% in the third quarter compared to Q2 and by 2.5% compared to the same period in 2014. These data were in line with expectations.
EUR/USD: the pair fell to $1.0610 in Asian trade
USD/JPY: the pair rose to Y123.10
GBP/USD: the pair fell to $1.5060
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)
09:30 United Kingdom PMI Construction November 58.8 58.2
10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index, MoM October -0.3% -0.4%
10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index (YoY) October -3.1% -3.2%
10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI ex EFAT, Y/Y (Preliminary) November 1.1% 1%
10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI, Y/Y (Preliminary) November 0.1% 0.2%
12:00 U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications November -3.2%
13:10 U.S. FOMC Member Dennis Lockhart Speaks
13:15 U.S. ADP Employment Report November 182 190
13:30 U.S. Nonfarm Productivity, q/q (Finally) Quarter III 3.3% 2.2%
13:30 U.S. Unit Labor Costs, q/q (Finally) Quarter III -1.8% 1.1%
15:00 Canada Bank of Canada Rate 0.5% 0.5%
15:00 Canada BOC Rate Statement
15:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories November 0.961 -1.250
17:25 U.S. Fed Chairman Janet Yellen Speaks
19:00 U.S. Fed's Beige Book
20:40 U.S. FOMC Member Williams Speaks
22:30 Australia AIG Services Index November 48.9
(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)
EUR/USD $1,0631 +0,63%
GBP/USD $1,5080 +0,17%
USD/CHF Chf1,0257 -0,29%
USD/JPY Y122,86 -0,20%
EUR/JPY Y130,67 +0,49%
GBP/JPY Y185,25 -0,03%
AUD/USD $0,7321 +1,30%
NZD/USD $0,6675 +1,41%
USD/CAD C$1,3357 -0,02%
(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)
00:30 Australia Gross Domestic Product (YoY) Quarter III 2.0% 2.3%
00:30 Australia Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) Quarter III 0.2% 0.7%
01:00 U.S. FOMC Member Brainard Speaks
09:30 United Kingdom PMI Construction November 58.8 58.2
10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index, MoM October -0.3% -0.4%
10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index (YoY) October -3.1% -3.2%
10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI ex EFAT, Y/Y (Preliminary) November 1.1% 1.1%
10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI, Y/Y (Preliminary) November 0.1% 0.3%
12:00 U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications November -3.2%
13:10 U.S. FOMC Member Dennis Lockhart Speaks
13:15 U.S. ADP Employment Report November 182 190
13:30 U.S. Nonfarm Productivity, q/q (Finally) Quarter III 3.3% 2.2%
13:30 U.S. Unit Labor Costs, q/q (Finally) Quarter III -1.8% 1.0%
15:00 Canada Bank of Canada Rate 0.5% 0.5%
15:00 Canada BOC Rate Statement
15:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories November 0.961 -1.1
17:25 U.S. Fed Chairman Janet Yellen Speaks
19:00 U.S. Fed's Beige Book
20:40 U.S. FOMC Member Williams Speaks
22:30 Australia AIG Services Index November 48.9