The Bank of Japan (BoJ) released its minutes from January meeting. Three BoJ's board members expressed doubts the central bank will achieve its 2% inflation goal in the targeted period.
The BoJ cut its consumer inflation forecast for fiscal 2015 starting in April to 1.0% from its previous estimate of 1.7%. For fiscal 2016, the central bank upgraded its inflation forecast to 2.2% from 2.1%.
The BoJ's board members remained satisfied with the pace of the Japan's economic recovery.
The U.S. dollar traded lower against the most major currencies ahead the U.S. existing home sales data. Sales of existing homes fell 4.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.82 million in January from 5.07 million in December. That was the lowest level since April 2014.
December's figure was revised up from 5.04 million units.
Analysts had expected a decline to 5.03 million units.
The euro traded higher against the U.S. dollar. Concerns over Greek bailout programme weighed on the euro despite Friday's new debt deal between Greece and the European Union. Greece and the European Union agreed on Friday to extend Greek bailout programme by four months.
German Ifo business climate index rose to 106.8 in February from 106.7 in January, missing expectations for a rise to 107.4.
The British pound traded higher against the U.S. dollar. The Confederation of British Industry released its monthly Distributive Trades survey on Monday. The CBI retail sales balance dropped to 1% in February from 39% in January, missing expectations for an increase to 42%. That was the lowest level since November 2013.
The drop was largely driven by lower supermarkets and department stores sales.
Sales expectations for March declined to 27% from 42% in February.
The New Zealand dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi traded lower against the greenback. Credit card spending in New Zealand rose 6.2% in January, after a 4.5% gain in December.
The Australian dollar traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie traded lower against the greenback in the absence of any major economic reports from Australia.
The Japanese yen traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the yen traded higher against the greenback after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) meeting minutes. The BoJ released its January meeting minutes. Three members of the BoJ's policy board expressed doubts the central bank will achieve its inflation target.
The National Association of Realtors released existing homes sales figures in the U.S. on Monday. Sales of existing homes fell 4.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.82 million in January from 5.07 million in December. That was the lowest level since April 2014.
December's figure was revised up from 5.04 million units.
Analysts had expected a decline to 5.03 million units.
The NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said that the labour market and economy support buyer demand.
Yun added that January data can be volatile.
USDJPY 116.65-75 (USD 1.4bln) 118.00 (USD 481m) 119.50 (USD 608m) 120.00 (USD 1.25bln)
EURUSD 1.1150 (EUR 400m) 1.1250 (EUR 1.4bln) 1.1300 (EUR 654m) 1.1320 (EUR 1bln) 1.1335 (EUR 629m) 1.1350 (EUR 488m) 1.1450 (EUR 636m)
USDCAD 1.2400 (EUR 290m)
NZDUSD 0.7445 (NZD 803m)
Economic calendar (GMT0):
(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)
00:00 China Bank holiday
02:00 New Zealand Credit Card Spending January +4.5% +6.2%
09:00 Germany IFO - Business Climate February 106.7 107.4 106.8
09:00 Germany IFO - Expectations February 102.0 103.0 102.5
09:00 Germany IFO - Current Assessment February 111.7 112.7 111.3
11:00 United Kingdom CBI retail sales volume balance February 39 42 1
The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies ahead the U.S. existing home sales data. The existing home sales in the U.S. are expected to decrease to 5.03 million units in January from 5.04 million units in December.
The euro dropped against the U.S. dollar despite new bailout deal between Greece and the European Union. Greece and the European Union agreed on Friday to extend Greek bailout programme by four months.
German Ifo business climate index rose to 106.8 in February from 106.7 in January, missing expectations for a rise to 107.4.
The British pound traded lower against the U.S. dollar after the weaker-than-expected data from the U.K. The Confederation of British Industry released its monthly Distributive Trades survey on Monday. The CBI retail sales balance dropped to 1% in February from 39% in January, missing expectations for an increase to 42%. That was the lowest level since November 2013.
The drop was largely driven by lower supermarkets and department stores sales.
Sales expectations for March declined to 27% from 42% in February.
EUR/USD: the currency pair declined to 1.1294
GBP/USD: the currency pair fell to $1.5331
USD/JPY: the currency pair rose to Y119.36
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
15:00 U.S. Existing Home Sales January 5.04 5.03
Today the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) published U.K's CBI Retail Sales Volume Balance with supermarkets and department stores reporting a massive slowdown in growth. The index slumped from a previous reading of 39 to 1 in February, missing expectations of a rise to 42. The reading far below estimates and the lowest reading since November 2013 is fuelling concerns over Britain's economy. The index value above zero implies sales growth, below means slowdown.
USDJPY 116.65-75 (USD 1.4bln) 118.00 (USD 481m) 119.50 (USD 608m) 120.00 (USD 1.25bln)
EURUSD 1.1150 (EUR 400m) 1.1250 (EUR 1.4bln) 1.1300 (EUR 654m) 1.1320 (EUR 1bln) 1.1335 (EUR 629m) 1.1350 (EUR 488m) 1.1450 (EUR 636m)
USDCAD 1.2400 (EUR 290m)
NZDUSD 0.7445 (NZD 803m)
Today data on German business climate came in at 10:00 GMT. The index rose to a 7-month high easing concerns over the health of Eurozone's biggest economy although being below expectations for a stronger increase. The IFO-index is based on a survey conducted by a munich-based research institute polling 7,000 German firms in the manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail sectors.
The IFO - Business Climate for February rose from 106.7 in the previous month to seasonally adjusted 106.8 points, below expectations of an increase to 107.4.
The IFO-Expectations, measuring business prospects came I at 102.5 from previous 102 points. Analysts expected an increase to 103.0.
The IFO Current Assessment came in at 111.3, declining from previous 111.7 points. Analyst expected a reading of 112.7 points.
BLOOMBERG
Yellen Faces Congress Amid Direst Threat to Fed Since Dodd-Frank
(Bloomberg) -- Chair Janet Yellen testifies before Congress this week with the Federal Reserve facing its gravest political threat since the drafters of the Dodd-Frank act tried to strip it of its supervisory powers.
The Fed is being pressured from the left and the right. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and other Democrats have blasted the central bank for being too cozy with the banks it oversees. Republicans, including potential 2016 presidential contender Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, have focused on its aggressive monetary policy.
Lawmakers from both parties are demanding greater transparency and accountability from an institution that has the power to impose capital requirements for banks and influence how much Americans pay for a mortgage or an auto loan.
REUTERS
Greece readies reform promises
(Reuters) - Greece's government prepared reform measures on Sunday to secure a financial lifeline from the euro zone, but was attacked for selling "illusions" to voters after failing to keep a promise to extract the country from its international bailout.
Leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has insisted Greece achieved a negotiating success when euro zone finance ministers agreed to extend the bailout deal for four months, provided it came up with a list of reforms by Monday.
Greeks reacted with relief that Friday's deal averted a banking crisis which fellow euro zonemember Ireland said could have erupted in the coming week. This means Tsipras has stood by one promise at least: to keep the country in the euro zone.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/22/us-eurozone-greece-idUSKBN0LO0O620150222
REUTERS
U.S. refinery strike affects one-fifth of national capacity
(Reuters) - The largest U.S. refinery strike in 35 years entered its fourth week on Sunday as workers at 12 refineries accounting for one-fifth of national production capacity were walking picket lines.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said talks may resume by mid-week to end the walkout by 6,550 members of the United Steelworkers union (USW) at 15 plants, including the 12 refineries.
Representatives of both sides said no date has been set to restart negotiations, however.
The strike comes as U.S. workers seek more pay in a strengthening economy. Wal-Mart Stores Inc has said its U.S. workers will get a raise to at least $9 an hour, while West Coast port workers have reached a tentative deal for a new contract after a months-long dispute.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/23/us-refineries-labor-strike-idUSKBN0LP06420150223
(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual
00:00 China Bank holiday
02:00 New Zealand Credit Card Spending January +4.5% +6.2%
The U.S. dollar traded higher against its major peers with exception of the Japanese yen. On Friday d better-than-expected data on the U.S. preliminary manufacturing purchasing managers' index supported the greenback. The index rose to 54.3 in February from 53.9 in January, beating expectations for a decline to 53.7.
On Friday a deal between Eurozone's finance ministers and Greece was reached to extend aid for Greece for four months under conditions. Today Greece must submit a list with planned measures and the EU will judged whether the list is sufficient or not.
On Tuesday all eyes will be on Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen who will speak in front of the Senate Banking Committee for an indication on when a possible interest rate may take place.
The Australian dollar lost against the dollar on Monday with no important data in the region published. Worries about low commodity prices weigh on the currency.
New Zealand's dollar declined against the greenback. Credit Card Spending for January came in at +6.2% compared to an increase of +4.5% in the previous month.
The Japanese yen traded slightly higher against the greenback on Monday after minutes of the January policy meeting of the Bank of Japans showed that some members of the board questioned the extension of the massive quantitative easing program started in October this year and that the QE may need to stop before reaching the 2% inflation target, although it was technically feasible to continue.
Chinese markets remained closed for a public holiday.
EUR/USD: the euro traded weaker against the greenback
(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)
09:00 Germany IFO - Business Climate February 106.7 107.4
09:00 Germany IFO - Current Assessment February 102.0 103.0
09:00 Germany IFO - Expectations February 111.7 112.7
11:00 United Kingdom CBI retail sales volume balance February 39 42
15:00 U.S. Mortgage Delinquencies Quarter IV 5.85%
15:00 U.S. Existing Home Sales January 5.04 5.03
EUR / USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.1514 (3000)
$1.1476 (1945)
$1.1449 (699)
Price at time of writing this review: $1.1376
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.1331 (3577)
$1.1285 (5152)
$1.1223 (4741)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date March, 6 is 106523 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1500 (6051);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date March, 6 is 116684 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1200 (5424);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.10 versus 1.05 from the previous trading day according to data from February, 20
GBP/USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.5701 (1160)
$1.5603 (2320)
$1.5505 (3064)
Price at time of writing this review: $1.5388
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.5294 (2088)
$1.5197 (2097)
$1.5098 (1644)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date March, 6 is 30078 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5500 (3064);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date March, 6 is 34474 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5200 (2097);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.15 versus 1.15 from the previous trading day according to data from February, 20
* - 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.
(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)
EUR/USD $1,1376 +0,18%
GBP/USD $1,5387 -0,17%
USD/CHF Chf0,9405 -0,94%
USD/JPY Y119,06 +0,10%
EUR/JPY Y135,44 +0,18%
GBP/JPY Y183,19 -0,06%
AUD/USD $0,7841 +0,65%
NZD/USD $0,7524 +0,12%
USD/CAD C$1,2543 +0,39%
(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)
00:00 China Bank holiday
02:00 New Zealand Credit Card Spending January +4.5%
09:00 Germany IFO - Business Climate February 106.7 107.4
09:00 Germany IFO - Current Assessment February 102.0 103.0
09:00 Germany IFO - Expectations February 111.7 112.7
11:00 United Kingdom CBI retail sales volume balance February 39 42
15:00 U.S. Mortgage Delinquencies Quarter IV 5.85%
15:00 U.S. Existing Home Sales January 5.04 5.03