US fourth-quarter GDP was unrevised at 1.9% compared with expectations of an upward revision to 2.1% as a higher estimate for consumer spending was offset by a downward revision to government spending and investment.
The Chicago PMI index was notably stronger than expected with an increase to 57.4 for February from 50.3 with robust gains in employment and prices on the month. The latest consumer confidence reading was also stronger than expected with an increase to 15-year highs of 114.8 from 111.6 in January which underpinned confidence in the spending outlook.
The dollar was still unable to gain any support as the Euro broke above 1.0600 with choppy trading into the London fix. San Francisco Fed President Williams stated that a March rate increase was up for serious consideration given full employment and accelerating inflation which provided fresh dollar support. New York Fed President Dudley stated soon after, that the case for interest rate increase is now more compelling and that there had been a very large rise in household confidence together with very buoyant financial markets.
Dudley’s comments had a more substantial impact in boosting the US currency as futures markets indicated that the chances of a March rate increase were now well above 50%. The Euro retreated to test support near 1.0550 as the dollar gained strong support against all majors.
Never a dull non-farm Non-farm payrolls data almost always provides the observers an opportunity to witness and potentially trade with some volatility in the markets. More often than not the salience of the event and the mixed expectations moving into it leads to more price fallout from the noise generated from the event instead of […]
alse Illusions On Friday last week markets had got very exuberant over comments made by the Federal Reserve Chair the day prior. As a result of the interpretation of those comments, the US Dollar had dropped several cents to trade at its recent lows. There was a narrative that was being pieced together and justified […]
Calling the bluff As expected, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates in the United States yesterday evening by a further 50 basis points. As a result of this policy adjustment, immediate target policy levels now stand at 4.25-4.5%. As also expected, the Fed pushed back fairly hard on the idea that it is ready to […]