The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies after nonfarm productivity in the U.S. Preliminary nonfarm productivity increased 2.5% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations for 1.4% gain, after a 4.5% drop in the first quarter. The first quarter's figure was revised down from a 3.2% fall.
Preliminary unit labour cost in the U.S. rose 0.6% in the second quarter, missing expectations for 1.3% increase, after a 11.8% gain in the first quarter. The first quarter's figure was revised up from a 5.7% rise.
The U.S. currency came under pressure as after news reported that Russia could de-escalate the Ukraine conflict.
The euro traded higher against the U.S. dollar after mixed economic data from the Eurozone. Germany's trade surplus decreased to €16.2 billion in June from €18.8 billion in May. Analysts had expected the trade surplus to increase to €19.8 billion.
French industrial production climbed 1.3% in June, beating forecasts of a 1.1% rise, after a 1.6% fall in May. May's figure was revised up from a 2.3% decline.
The British pound traded lower against the U.S. dollar after the weaker-than-expected trade data from UK. Britain's trade deficit rose to £9.41 billion in June from £9.15 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £9.20 billion. Analysts had expected the deficit to decline to £8.90 billion in June.
The Swiss franc climbed against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.2% in July, in line with expectations.
The Canadian dollar dropped against the U.S. dollar after the disappointing labour market data from Canada. Canada's unemployment rate declined to 7.0% in July from 7.1% in June, in line with expectations. The unemployment rate declined as fewer people went looking for a job.
Canada's economy added only 200 in July, missing expectations for a rise of 25,400, after a 9,400 drop in June.
The New Zealand dollar traded higher against the U.S dollar. In the overnight session, the New Zealand dollar declined against the greenback due to risk aversion of investors. Investors preferred safe-haven assets as geopolitical tensions in Iraq and Ukraine weighed on markets. U.S. President Barack Obama has authorised airstrikes against militants in Iraq. A build-up of Russian troops on the Ukraine border also makes investors cautious.
The kiwi was also sapped after dairy prices decreased to a 2-year low.
No major economic reports were released in New Zealand.
The Australian dollar traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight session, the Asutralian dollar traded lower against the greenback due to risk aversion of investors as geopolitical tensions in Iraq and Ukraine weighed on markets.
The Reserve Bank of Australia's quarterly monetary policy statement also put the Australian currency under pressure. The RBA lowered its GDP forecast for 2014 to a range of 2% - 3%, down from a range of 2.25% - 3.25%.
The better-than-expected trade data from China helped the Aussie to trim its losses. China's trade surplus rose to $47.30 billion in July from $31.6 billion in June. Analysts had expected to narrow to $26 billion.
Home loans in Australia climbed 0.2% in June, missing expectations for a 0.7% rise, after 0.0% in May.
The Japanese yen traded slightly lower against the U.S. dollar. The Bank of Japan released its interest rate decision. The BoJ's interest rate remained unchanged at 0.10%. Japan's central bank will continue to increase the monetary base at an annual pace of 60 trillion yen to 70 trillion yen.
Japan's adjusted current account balance decreased to 125.6 billion yen in June from 384.6 in May, beating expectation for a fall to 110.0 billion yen.
The Bank of Japan released its interest decision on Friday. The BoJ's interest rate remained unchanged at 0.10%. Japan's central bank will continue to increase the monetary base at an annual pace of 60 trillion yen to 70 trillion yen.
The BoJ said that Japan's economy has continued to recover moderately. But exports and factory output "have shown some weakness", so the central bank.
The BoJ added the employment and wage growth is improving steadily, but private consumption and housing investment have remained resilient.
EUR/USD $1.3200, $1.3300, $1.3330, $1.3400, $1.3425, $1.3500
USD/JPY Y101.50, Y101.80, Y102.00, Y102.15, Y102.30, Y102.50
EUR/GBP stg0.8000
AUD/USD $0.9275, $0.9300, $0.9315, $0.9350
EUR/AUD A$1.4300
NZD/USD $0.8450
USD/CAD C$1.0825, C$1.0850, C$1.0860, C$1.0920, C$1.0930, C$1.0950, C$1.0975, C$1.1000
Statistics Canada released the labour market report today. Canada's unemployment rate declined to 7.0% in July from 7.1% in June, in line with expectations. The unemployment rate declined as fewer people went looking for a job. The labour force participation rate dropped to 65.9%. That was the lowest level since October 2001.
Canada's economy added only 200 in July, missing expectations for a rise of 25,400, after a 9,400 drop in June.
Part-time jobs increased by 60,000 jobs last month, while full-time jobs decreased by 59,700.
Construction, health care and social assistance sector were affected by the most job losses.
EUR/USD
Offers $1.3530, $1.3500-10, $1.3485, $1.3445-50, $1.3400
Bids $1.3320, $1.3300, $1.3295
GBP/USD
Offers$1.6700, $1.6926, $1.6890/00
Bids $1.6785/80, $1.6750, $1.6700-693
AUD/USD
Offers $0.9505, $0.9465, $0.9400, $0.9370
Bids $0.9200, $0.9135, $0.9100, $0.9045
EUR/JPY
OffersY138.80, Y138.50, Y138.00, Y137.30, Y137.00, Y136.45
Bids Y135.70, Y135.00, Y134.05/00
USD/JPY
OffersY104.00, Y103.50, Y103.15, Y102.90, Y102.45
Bids Y101.30, Y101.05, Y100.80
EUR/GBP
Offers stg0.8100, stg0.8000, stg0.7985
Bids stg0.7920, stg0.7900, stg0.7885, stg0.7870
Economic calendar (GMT0):
(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)
01:50 Japan Current Account (adjusted), bln June 384.6 110.0 125.6
03:30 Australia Home Loans June 0.0% +0.7% +0.2%
03:30 Australia RBA Monetary Policy Statement Quarter III
04:00 China Trade Balance, bln July 31.6 26.0 47.3
05:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision 0.10% 0.10% 0.10%
05:00 Japan Bank of Japan Monetary Base Target 270 270 270
05:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement
07:00 Japan Eco Watchers Survey: Current July 47.7 48.7 51.3
07:00 Japan Eco Watchers Survey: Outlook July 53.3 51.5
07:45 Switzerland Unemployment Rate July 3.2% 3.2% 3.2%
08:00 Germany Current Account June 12.2 Revised From 13.2 15.0
08:00 Germany Trade Balance June 18.8 19.8 16.2
08:45 France Industrial Production, m/m June -1.6% +1.1% +1.6%
08:45 France Industrial Production, y/y June -3.7% +0.1%
09:30 Japan BOJ Press Conference
10:30 United Kingdom Trade in goods June -9.2 -8.9 -9.4
The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies ahead of nonfarm productivity in the U.S. Preliminary nonfarm productivity is expected to increase 1.4% in the second quarter, after a 3.2% drop in the first quarter.
The euro traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after mixed economic data from the Eurozone. Germany's trade surplus decreased to €16.2 billion in June from €18.8 billion in May. Analysts had expected the trade surplus to increase to €19.8 billion.
French industrial production climbed 1.3% in June, beating forecasts of a 1.1% rise, after a 1.6% fall in May. May's figure was revised up from a 2.3% decline.
The British pound traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after the weaker-than-expected trade data from UK. Britain's trade deficit rose to £9.41 billion in June from £9.15 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £9.20 billion. Analysts had expected the deficit to decline to £8.90 billion in June.
The Swiss franc traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.2% in July, in line with expectations.
The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar ahead of the labour market report from Canada. The unemployment rate is expected to decline to 7.0% in July from 7.1% in June.
Canada's economy is expected to add 25,400 jobs in July, after a loss of 9,400 jobs in June.
EUR/USD: the currency pair traded mixed
GBP/USD: the currency pair traded mixed
USD/JPY: the currency pair was up to Y101.98
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
14:30 Canada Employment July -9.4 +25.4
14:30 Canada Unemployment rate July 7.1% 7.0%
14:30 U.S. Nonfarm Productivity, q/q (Preliminary) Quarter II -3.2% +1.4%
14:30 U.S. Unit Labor Costs, q/q (Preliminary) Quarter II +5.7% +1.3%
16:00 U.S. Wholesale Inventories June +0.5% +0.6%
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released its quarterly monetary policy statement today. The RBA lowered its GDP forecast for 2014 to a range of 2% - 3%, down from a range of 2.25% - 3.25%.
Australia's central bank said that Australia's "financial conditions remain very accommodative". The RBA added that the Australian currency remains high by historical standards.
The labour market remained subdued, but the labour market improved a little this year, so the RBA. "There remains a degree of spare capacity in the labour market", the statement said.
The RBA lowered its inflation forecast. Inflation is to be lower in 2014/15, but a bit higher in 2015/16.
The central bank reiterated that the most prudent course of RBA's monetary policy is likely to be "a period of stability in interest rates".
EUR/USD $1.3200, $1.3300, $1.3330, $1.3400, $1.3425, $1.3500
USD/JPY Y101.50, Y101.80, Y102.00, Y102.15, Y102.30, Y102.50
EUR/GBP stg0.8000
AUD/USD $0.9275, $0.9300, $0.9315, $0.9350
EUR/AUD A$1.4300
NZD/USD $0.8450
USD/CAD C$1.0825, C$1.0850, C$1.0860, C$1.0920, C$1.0930, C$1.0950, C$1.0975, C$1.1000
Economic calendar (GMT0):
(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)
01:50 Japan Current Account (adjusted), bln June 384.6 110.0 125.6
03:30 Australia Home Loans June 0.0% +0.7% +0.2%
03:30 Australia RBA Monetary Policy Statement Quarter III
04:00 China Trade Balance, bln July 31.6 26.0 47.3
05:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision 0.10% 0.10% 0.10%
05:00 Japan Bank of Japan Monetary Base Target 270 270 270
05:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement
07:00 Japan Eco Watchers Survey: Current July 47.7 48.7 51.3
07:00 Japan Eco Watchers Survey: Outlook July 53.3 51.5
07:45 Switzerland Unemployment Rate July 3.2% 3.2% 3.2%
08:00 Germany Current Account June 12.2 Revised From 13.2 15.0
08:00 Germany Trade Balance June 18.8 19.8 16.2
08:45 France Industrial Production, m/m June -1.7% +1.1% +1.6%
08:45 France Industrial Production, y/y June -3.7% +0.1%
09:30 Japan BOJ Press Conference
10:30 United Kingdom Trade in goods June -9.2 -8.9 -9.4
The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies. The greenback was supported by yesterday's U.S. economic data. The number of initial jobless in the U.S. in the week ending August 2 dropped by 14,000 to 289,000 from the previous week's figure of 303,000.
The New Zealand dollar declined against the U.S dollar due to risk aversion of investors. Investors preferred safe-haven assets as geopolitical tensions in Iraq and Ukraine weighed on markets. U.S. President Barack Obama has authorised airstrikes against militants in Iraq. A build-up of Russian troops on the Ukraine border also makes investors cautious.
The kiwi was also sapped after dairy prices decreased to a 2-year low.
No major economic reports were released in New Zealand.
The Australian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar due to risk aversion of investors as geopolitical tensions in Iraq and Ukraine weighed on markets.
The Reserve Bank of Australia's quarterly monetary policy statement also put the Australian currency under pressure. The RBA lowered its GDP forecast for 2014 to a range of 2% - 3%, down from a range of 2.25% - 3.25%.
The better-than-expected trade data from China helped the Aussie to trim its losses. China's trade surplus rose to $47.30 billion in July from $31.6 billion in June. Analysts had expected to narrow to $26 billion.
Home loans in Australia climbed 0.2% in June, missing expectations for a 0.7% rise, after 0.0% in May.
The Japanese yen rose against the U.S. dollar due to increasing demand for safe-haven currency as U.S. President Barack Obama has authorised airstrikes against militants in Iraq.
The Bank of Japan released its interest rate decision. The BoJ's interest rate remained unchanged at 0.10%. Japan's central bank will continue to increase the monetary base at an annual pace of 60 trillion yen to 70 trillion yen.
Japan's adjusted current account balance decreased to 125.6 billion yen in June from 384.6 in May, beating expectation for a fall to 110.0 billion yen.
EUR/USD: the currency pair traded mixed
GBP/USD: the currency pair decreased to $1.6800
USD/JPY: the currency pair fell to Y101.60
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
14:30 Canada Employment July -9.4 +25.4
14:30 Canada Unemployment rate July 7.1% 7.0%
14:30 U.S. Nonfarm Productivity, q/q (Preliminary) Quarter II -3.2% +1.4%
14:30 U.S. Unit Labor Costs, q/q (Preliminary) Quarter II +5.7% +1.3%
16:00 U.S. Wholesale Inventories June +0.5% +0.6%
EUR / USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.3501 (2789)
$1.3451 (2711)
$1.3403 (1706)
Price at time of writing this review: $ 1.3361
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.3340 (3253)
$1.3299 (2681)
$1.3249 (1412)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date August, 8 is 34938 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,3600 (4265);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date August, 8 is 32878 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,3500 (5485);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 0.94 versus 0.95 from the previous trading day according to data from August, 7
GBP/USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.7100 (2737)
$1.7000 (1625)
$1.6900 (1094)
Price at time of writing this review: $1.6809
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.6700 (1134)
$1.6600 (431)
$1.6500 (1047)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date August, 8 is 20968 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,7100 (2737);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date August, 8 is 26593 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,6800 (3119);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.27 versus 1.28 from the previous trading day according to data from August, 7
* - 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.