SGM-FX insights
Our Daily Brief provides insights into the news and views driving today’s foreign currency exchange rates.
UK consumer prices declined 0.5% in January
UK consumer prices declined 0.5% in January and, although the year-on-year rate increased to 1.8% from 1.6% which was the highest rate since June 2014, this was slightly lower than the consensus forecast of a sharper increase to 1.9%. There was significant upward pressure on transport costs which was offset by a decline in […]
US NFIB small-business confidence index edges higher for February
SGM-FX
Wed 15 Feb 2017
The US NFIB small-business confidence index edged higher to 105.9 for February from 105.8 previously while there was a stronger than expected reading for producer prices with a 0.6% monthly gain. In her prepared comments to the Senate Banking Committee, Fed Chair Yellen reiterated that it was dangerous to wait too long before raising […]
Flash Q4 reading update
SGM-FX
Wed 15 Feb 2017
Euro-zone GDP growth was revised down to 0.4% in the updated flash Q4 reading from the provisional 0.5% which will tend to dampen expectations that the Euro-zone economy is gaining momentum. There was also a weaker than expected reading for the German ZEW investor sentiment index, although the overall market impact was limited.
NY Federal Reserve notes increase in inflation expectations
SGM-FX
Tue 14 Feb 2017
According to the New York Federal Reserve, one-year inflation expectations rose to 3.0% in the latest survey from 2.8% previously and the highest reading since the middle of 2015. Inflation expectations will be an important element of Fed thinking over the next few months, especially as the FOMC had worried previously that low expectations […]
EU Commission revised its 2017 Euro-zone GDP growth forecast
SGM-FX
Tue 14 Feb 2017
The EU Commission revised its 2017 Euro-zone GDP growth forecast marginally higher to 1.6% from 1.5% previously, although this was still lower than the 2016 outcome and the underlying tone remained generally downbeat with a high degree of uncertainty over both domestic and US developments. The inflation forecast for this year was revised higher […]
Sterling fails to make headway against dollar
SGM-FX
Tue 14 Feb 2017
Sterling was unable to make any headway against the dollar during the European session on Monday, but it was able to strengthen against the Euro for the sixth successive session as the single currency dipped to lows around 0.8460. According to data from Visa, UK consumer spending slowed to a five-month low of 0.4% […]
The EU Commission revised its 2017 Euro-zone GDP growth forecast marginally higher
SGM-FX
Tue 14 Feb 2017
The EU Commission revised its 2017 Euro-zone GDP growth forecast marginally higher to 1.6% from 1.5% previously, although this was still lower than the 2016 outcome and the underlying tone remained generally downbeat with a high degree of uncertainty over both domestic and US developments. The inflation forecast for this year was revised higher […]
One-year inflation expectations rose to 3.0% in the latest survey from 2.8% previously
SGM-FX
Tue 14 Feb 2017
According to the New York Federal Reserve, one-year inflation expectations rose to 3.0% in the latest survey from 2.8% previously and the highest reading since the middle of 2015. Inflation expectations will be an important element of Fed thinking over the next few months, especially as the FOMC had worried previously that low expectations […]
