The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in January 2018 was €178.6 billion, an increase of 9.1% compared with January 2017 (€163.7 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €175.4 bn, a rise of 6.3% compared with January 2017 (€165.0 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €3.3 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in January 2018, compared with a deficit of €1.4 bn in January 2017. Intra-euro area trade rose to €159.8 bn in January 2018, up by 8.8% compared with January 2017.

In 2017, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world rose to €2 194.0 bn (an increase of 7.1% compared with 2016), while imports rose to €1 958.0 bn (an increase of 9.8% compared with 2016). As a result the euro area recorded a surplus of €236.0 bn, compared with +€265.3 bn in 2016. Intra-euro area trade rose to €1 844.1 bn in 2017, up by 7.6% compared with 2016.

In January 2018 the industrial production index seasonally adjusted decreased by 1.9% compared with the previous month. The percentage change of the average of the last three months with respect to the previous three months was +1.0%.

The calendar adjusted industrial production index increased by 4.0% compared with January 2017 (calendar working days being 22 versus 21 days in January 2017).

The unadjusted industrial production index increased by 7.3% compared with January 2017.

• Deposits of domestic banks at 466.352 bln sfr in week ending march 16 versus 464.341 bln sfr a week earlier

EUR/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.2467 (3284)

$1.2421 (2005)

$1.2375 (847)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.2265

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.2215 (3676)

$1.2176 (4047)

$1.2134 (5507)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options and PUT options with the expiration date April, 6 is 98441 contracts (according to data from March, 16) with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2150 (5507);

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.4105 (2540)

$1.4062 (1722)

$1.4033 (307)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.3923

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.3891 (1318)

$1.3865 (1129)

$1.3834 (3339)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date April, 6 is 31209 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,4300 (2787);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date April, 6 is 29971 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,3800 (3584);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 0.96 versus 0.96 from the previous trading day according to data from March,16

* - 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.