The dollar is strengthening ahead of the Nonfarm payrolls that will released as usual the first Friday of the month at 2.30pm. Expectations are anyway strong with markets awaiting a release slightly below 200k.
The greenback is driven higher and is now trading at levels around two-week highs against the single currency. In the same time US equities continue to increase. The famous Christmas Rally has already started and the NFPs will bring everything but stop the equity rally. Yet this definitely seems timid compared to what is happening now for Bitcoin.
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Amid the NFPs’ release, we will also carefully consider the hourly wages growth which will likely provide any hints of inflationary pressures. Expectations are of an increase to 2.7 y/y from 2.4. This is also why we maintain our view that inflation is coming back up in the US and even though the Fed will raise rates next week, markets are still unsure about what will be the Fed monetary policy for 2018. Three rate hikes a year seem like difficult to achieve as pressures on all asset classes will not be sustainable. This may be one opportunity to buy back the euro against the dollar on the dip this afternoon.
This report has been prepared by Swissquote Bank Ltd and is solely been published for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any currency or any other financial instrument. Views expressed in this report may be subject to change without prior notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by Swissquote Bank Ltd personnel at any given time. Swissquote Bank Ltd is under no obligation to update or keep current the information herein, the report should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment.
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