Macro Events & News

Dr. Nektarios Michail HFM

FX News Today

10-year Treasury yields are up 0.7 bp at 2.598% and JGB yields climbed 1.8 bp to -0.015%, as stock market sentiment got a boost from Chinese data releases that beat expectations.

Chinese GDP growth came in at 6.4% y/y, in the first quarter, unchanged from Q4, while production surged 8.5% y/y and retail sales 8.7% y/y.

Data were taken as a sign that the government’s stimulus measures are starting to take effect. While it may be too early to call the all clear on the world economy, together with signs that US-Sino trade talks are making progress, the data will go some way to bolster confidence, especially after positive surprises on credit and housing data last week.

The data underpinned Asian stock markets, as Topix and Nikkei posted gains of 0.29% and 0.27% respectively. The Hang Seng is up 0.01% and CSI 400 and Shanghai Comp gained 0.11% and 0.34%.

Broader Asian indices are at the highest level since last July, even as the ASX underperformed and closed with a loss of -0.35%, dragged down by the materials sector.

US futures are also posting broad gains and the front end WTI future moved up to now USD 64.50 per barrel.

Charts of the Day

Technician’s Corner

EURUSD moved past 1.13 early today and has been moving towards the 1.1315 Resistance level. Key Resistance remains at 1.1320 while the Support at 1.1279 is still strong after being hit twice yesterday. Indicators support an upwards move.

GBPUSD has been moving downwards but unable to break through the psychological 1.30 level, fluctuating around the 1.3067-1.3026 levels. Indicators are giving mixed signals.

USDJPY found support again under the 112.00 mark, and continued to trade there yesterday, with the Japanese data releases causing only some volatility. Indicators are showing mixed signals.

XAUUSD is trading at lows, after breaking through the 1285 Support level. Gold appears unable to break through the 1275 level, with the MACD and Stochastics showing upwards signals.

Main Macro Events Today

UK RPI and CPI inflation (GBP, GMT 08:30) – Both the RPI and the CPI are expected to have declined in March, reaching 2.1% and 1.6% respectively, down from 2.5% and 1.9% respectively.

EU CPI inflation (EUR, GMT 09:00) – Both the core and the overall CPI inflation rates are expected to have remained at the same levels, at 0.8% and 1.4% respectively.

Canada CPI Inflation (CAD, GMT 12:30) – The BoC Core price index is expected to have remained at 1.3% y/y, while the overall CPI index is forecast to rise to 1.9% y/y in March compared to 1.5% in February.

Support and Resistance

Author

Dr. Nektarios Michail

HFM

With more than 4 years of experience at the Central Bank of Cyprus where he obtained hands-on experience with real-life economics, Dr Nektarios Michail is a supporter of a balanced approach between science and art when it comes to

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