Dollar still in the Doldrums

So far this week its been a generally sideways show for all the major currencies. The pound

seems to have run into some decent selling around 1.32 and fallen back again, below 1.31 as

the markets continue to try and extrapolate the meat from the potatoes on Brexit- more on

that at the end of this update.

The dollar has continued to tread water with the EURUSD holding its characteristically tight

range again and this week that appears to be anything you want it to be inside 1.1200-

1.1250. However, the latest economic news from Europe in general and Germany in

particular has been alarmingly weak again.

The March Eurozone CPI data earlier in the week missed the mark to the downside and only

yesterday morning the February reading of German factory orders dropped off a cliff, falling

by a whopping 4.2 % on the month and down over 8% on an annualized basis. Doubtless

some analysts will still try to spin a positive out of those numbers, but I certainly can’t.

Perhaps one reason why the EURUSD has held its ground and the USD index has continued

to hold below that important 97.71 breakout level is probably down to the pound and in

terms of the EURUSD, surely more about a rebound in the EURGBP over the past 24 hours.

Beyond that there’s almost certainly some of the usual reserve manager suspects still

soaking up EURUSD supply at the lows and to a lesser degree, the EURJPY too it seems.

A dovish policy message from the RBA sent the AUD lower earlier in the week, only for it to

rebound just a day later following much better than expected retail sales and trade data.

That has led some big players to turn long on the AUD now and more especially on the

AUDNZD. The US investment banking giant, Goldman Sachs is calling for that cross to head

back towards 1.09 from cited levels around 1.05.

Meanwhile, the equity markets have continued to push ahead despite further warnings and

downgrades to the 2019 global growth outlook from a number of quarters. However, none

of those have yet dented enthusiasm for equities and the move higher in that space might

in part be down to continued optimism over a US/China trade deal.

Possibly, it’s more likely linked to the charge higher in oil prices this week. I can refer you

back to an article I wrote on December 7th which is on the website, where I outlined just

how closely correlated the equity markets are to Oil prices. Looking at what has taken place

so far this week that might better explain the move in stocks.

Later today at 1.30pm we will find out just how many jobs the US economy added in March.

The ADP report earlier in the week certainly didn’t portend to anything special, but lately

those numbers have been inconsistent at best. Beyond that, the markets will be watching

the wage inflation data closely as usual and looking out for any sizeable revisions to

previous payroll numbers. Ahead of this the dollar is certainly still poised to breakout to the

upside.

The question is; can it do so if there’s a robust employment report today? Personally I think

if all things were equal and we do get a good report then it should, but it just depends on

who is standing in the way of it doing so and furthermore what, if any stops reside south of

1.1175 on the EURUSD. On the flip side of this; two weak monthly US payroll reports in a

row will not do the dollar any favours.

Finally, today a word about the pound. Both the GBPUSD and EURGBP are showing signs of

GBP stress again and given the developments this week that’s perfectly understandable. The

Bank of England issued grave warnings as have many on the continent about the increased

risks of a no deal Brexit.

I suppose that is a major problem for May and Corbyn, as they seek to find some last minute

middle ground because time is fast running out for them to do that. Previously, all the

comments from the EU suggested that the can would not be kicked down the Strasse again

and April 12 th was the final make your mind up time.

However, this morning according to newswire reports, the EU is preparing to offer the UK a

flexible 12 month A50 extension. Well, if there’s any truth in that then its hasn’t yet had

much of a positive impact on the pound. I think the simple reason for that is any lengthy

delay will require the approval of all the EU 27, and even then it will not solve the political

uncertainty. After all a year is plenty of time to hold a general election isn’t it?

Important Economic Releases Due later today

05/04- 1.30pm Canadian March Unemployment Report

05/04- 1.30pm US March Unemployment Report