End of Month Flows Push and Pull at FX


Market Drivers March 30, 2015
EOM Flows push and pull FX
UK Mortgage approvals in line
Nikkei 0.65% Europe 1.12%
Oil $48/bbl
Gold $1188/oz.

Europe and Asia:
JPY Preliminary IP -3.4% vs. -1.8%
GBP Mortgage Approvals 62K vs. 62K

North America:
USD PCE 8:30
USD PS/PI 8:30

It's been a directionless night of trade in the currency market with no meaningful economic news and most of the moves dictated by end of month flows that suggest a mild dollar bias for the time being

The EUR/USD seesawed between 1.0825 and 1.0875 most of the night while cable remained decidedly weaker falling towards the 1.4800 level before finally finding some bids. It remains unclear if the weakness in the pair is a result of end of month positioning or something far more troubling.

UK fundamental data has been consistently better than the rest of the G7 universe - yet the pair has been a relative laggard for the past month. Part of the problem may be concerns about the upcoming UK election which remains highly contested and therefore could inject a greater level of uncertainty into the investment landscape. Still the underlying strength of the UK economy and the more hawkish policy posture of the BOE vs. the ECB should provide cable with better support than it is currently showing in the market.

Next week we will get a slew of UK data including all the PMIs and if the unit is unable to rally off what is generally expected to be respectable growth numbers than it is will clearly demonstrate that market sentiment simply does not believe that UK growth is sustainable. For now the 1.4600 level remains key support, while 1.5000 continues to cap any rally.

Meanwhile in North America the only report of note will be personal income/spending data with analysts looking for a rebound in spending and another 0.3% jump in income. So far the decline in gas prices and the bump in wages growth has not translated into robust consumer demand which may be a critical factor in Fed's decision to delay any action on monetary normalization. Therefore any upside surprise in the data set could help the dollar even further and propel USD/JPY through the 120.00 figure as the day proceeds.

Recommended Content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD hovers around 0.6500 amid light trading, ahead of US GDP

AUD/USD hovers around 0.6500 amid light trading, ahead of US GDP

AUD/USD is trading close to 0.6500 in Asian trading on Thursday, lacking a clear directional impetus amid an Anzac Day holiday in Australia. Meanwhile, traders stay cautious due ti risk-aversion and ahead of the key US Q1 GDP release. 

AUD/USD News

USD/JPY finds its highest bids since 1990, near 155.50

USD/JPY finds its highest bids since 1990, near 155.50

USD/JPY keeps breaking into its highest chart territory since June of 1990 early Thursday, testing 155.50 for the first time in 34 years as the Japanese Yen remains vulnerable, despite looming Japanese intervention risks. Focus shifts to Thursday's US GDP report and the BoJ decision on Friday. 

USD/JPY News

Gold price treads water near $2,320, awaits US GDP data

Gold price treads water near $2,320, awaits US GDP data

Gold price recovers losses but keeps its range near $2,320 early Thursday. Renewed weakness in the US Dollar and the US Treasury yields allow Gold buyers to breathe a sigh of relief. Gold price stays vulnerable amid Middle East de-escalation, awaiting US Q1 GDP data. 

Gold News

Injective price weakness persists despite over 5.9 million INJ tokens burned

Injective price weakness persists despite over 5.9 million INJ tokens burned

Injective price is trading with a bearish bias, stuck in the lower section of the market range. The bearish outlook abounds despite the network's deflationary efforts to pump the price. Coupled with broader market gloom, INJ token’s doomed days may not be over yet.

Read more

Meta Platforms Earnings: META sinks 10% on lower Q2 revenue guidance Premium

Meta Platforms Earnings: META sinks 10% on lower Q2 revenue guidance

This must be "opposites" week. While Doppelganger Tesla rode horrible misses on Tuesday to a double-digit rally, Meta Platforms produced impressive beats above Wall Street consensus after the close on Wednesday, only to watch the share price collapse by nearly 10%.

Read more

Majors

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures