Yesterday’s Overview
Very quiet day in FX markets yesterday with US markets closed for Martin Luther King Day. Markets seem hesitant to choose a clear direction on USD pairs at the moment. The biggest moves were on GBPJPY as markets are likely positioning themselves ahead of the BoJ meeting on Wednesday.
Today’s Overview
Data from the UK’s job market will put pressure on the BoE after wages increased higher than expected to 6.4%. Unemployment stayed near record lows of 3.7%, indicating the job market is still far too tight for the Bank. The BoE put a dovish tilt to its rate statement in December, but it seems that data remains supportive for the Bank to hike by 0.5% in February. GBP is supported in early trade.
German inflation eased in December by 0.8% as expected by markets, keeping the year-on-year figure at 9.6%.
On the risk appetite front, data out of China showed that the economy grew by 2.9% versus an expectation of 1.6%, despite the uptick in an outbreak of Covid-19. The China recovery story will be a big theme for 2023, with focus on how the economy performs this year, and what this will do for risk appetite.
Canada’s inflation print will draw some attention today, given the expectation for further easing in prices. Market pricing for future interest rate moves suggest that we are near peak rates in Canada with another 0.25% priced in, taking rates to 4.50%, before we see interest rates cuts taking the year rate lower to 4%. Could see the potential for further gains on GBPCAD as a result. Movement back to the highs in December 2022 suggests a 3% gain on the currency pair.
Markets are showing optimism in Europe again, with GBPEUR near the lows of September, and EURUSD up at June 2022 highs. Will be interesting to see if the ZEW surveys share that same optimism when the data is released this morning.
On the USD front, still very interesting to see the USD not selling off as perhaps you would have expected following that lower inflation print last week. Yields on 2-year treasury bonds are back up to 4.24%, which is where they were prior to the inflation data – this seems to be giving the USD support. Buyers of USD need to be careful about waiting for higher moves on GBPUSD. We need to be mindful of the fact that GBPUSD has risen by over 15% over the last 4 months.
Equals Money Market Analysis– 17th January 2023
Today’s Market Rates
Today’s Interbank Rates at 09:44 am against sterling movement.
GBP>EUR – 1.1290
GBP>USD – 1.2214
EUR>USD – 1.0817
GBP>CAD – 1.6397
GBP>AUD – 1.7566
GBP>SEK – 12.725
GBP>AED – 4.4852
GBP>HKD – 9.5480
GBP>ZAR – 20.898
GBP>CHF – 1.1280
Today’s Highlights
Data supports the notion that the UK jobs market remains perhaps too tight for the Bank of England, with unemployment still near record lows, and the biggest wage increase on record taking the bounce-back from Covid out of the equation.
Tomorrow’s inflation print will be the next big data point to perhaps confirm whether the BoE hike by 0.25% or 0.50%. Current pricing suggests that markets are leaning towards a 0.50% hike next month.
· CAD BoC Consumer Price Index Core (YoY)(Dec)
This document has been prepared solely for information and is not intended as an Inducement concerning the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. By its nature market analysis represents the personal view of the author and no warranty can be, or is, offered as to the accuracy of any such analysis, or that predictions provided in any such analysis will prove to be correct. Should you rely on any analysis, information or report provided as part of the Service it does so entirely at its own risk, and Frank eXchange Limited/Manor House Foreign eXchange Limited accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage you may suffer as a result. Information and opinions have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. No copy of this document can be taken without prior written permission.
