Make the most of Australian market movements tonight [Video]

Today's Highlights

• Sterling slips on UK inflation drop

• Eurozone Gross Domestic Product (GDP) awaited

• US inflation likely to disappoint, whatever the number

 

Current Market Overview

Happy St Valentine’s day everyone. I hope you had heaps of smooshy lovey-dovey cards on your doorstep this morning and hopefully, a few that you didn’t send to yourself.

Not a happy Valentine’s for the UK

It follows a poor day for the Pound, after UK inflation dropped by more than expected. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure was forecast to have dipped just below 3.0%, but the actual number was just 2.7%. That casts doubt on the Bank of England (BoE) having to raise interest rates any time soon; hence the sell off as investors seek yield elsewhere. There is a distinct lack of UK data today, so, barring anything interesting being said about Brexit, the Pound will tread water. 

A busy day for the Euro

The Euro had a good day at the office, in spite of the lack of EU data, but that may not be sustained. Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund manager, with $160 billion under management, has positioned itself to benefit from a drop in the value of some of the largest conglomerates in Germany. Apparently some $14 billion in ‘short’ positions have been placed and that is a very negative on the German economy. The negative view from Bridgewater could be offset by Eurozone GDP data, due this morning. An annualised rise is forecast from last quarter’s 2.6% to 2.7% but we are also expecting a slowdown in industrial production and that would unsettle the markets. So the Euro is in for a busy day.

Much-hyped US inflation data today

Today’s big news is the US inflation data. This release has been hypoed up to the point where it cannot possibly live up to – or down to – the market expectations. A drop from 2.1% to 1.9% is the most likely scenario and that would weaken the US Dollar somewhat. It’ll fall further if US retail sales show a smaller than 0.2% rise on the month to January.

Make the most of Australian activity overnight

Overnight tonight we get a swathe of data from Australia, including unemployment and inflation data. We are not expecting much change on these, which means that, if there are large movements in the data, the Australian Dollar will be volatile. This is a great opportunity for automated orders on either the buying or selling side of the market. These can react in an instant and so will not miss the volatility even if we do because we are sleeping off a Champagne headache. 

A very British Valentine’s Day?

And, for those who need a very British Valentine’s Day quote, may I humbly offer the following. “Annoyingly, I like you more than I had originally planned.” I saw it on a card yesterday. I tutted… obviously.