Richard Perry
Independent Analyst
Summary
What is the outlook for the markets today? The chart of the day is Euro/Yen.
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EUR/USD accelerates losses, focus is on 1.1800
EUR/USD’s selling pressure is gathering pace now, opening the door to a potential test of the key 1.1800 region sooner rather than later. The pair’s pullback comes on the back of marked gains in the US Dollar following US data releases and the publication of the FOMC Minutes later in the day.
GBP/USD turns negative near 1.3540
GBP/USD reverses its initial upside momentum and is now adding to previous declines, revisiting at the same time the 1.3540 region on Wednesday. Cable’s downtick comes on the back of decent gains in the Greenback and easing UK inflation figures, which seem to have reinforced the case for a BoE rate cut in March.
Gold picks pace, flirts with $5,000
Gold is back on the front foot on Wednesday, shaking off part of the early week softness and pushing higher towards the key $5,000 mark per troy ounce. The move comes ahead of the FOMC Minutes and is unfolding despite an intense rebound in the US Dollar.
Fed Minutes to shed light on January hold decision amid hawkish rate outlook
The Minutes of the Fed’s January 27-28 monetary policy meeting will be published today. Details of discussions on the decision to leave the policy rate unchanged will be scrutinized by investors.
Mixed UK inflation data no gamechanger for the Bank of England
Food inflation plunged in January, but service sector price pressure is proving stickier. We continue to expect Bank of England rate cuts in March and June. The latest UK inflation read is a mixed bag for the Bank of England, but we doubt it drastically changes the odds of a March rate cut.
Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, February 18:
Investors assess the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's policy decisions and January inflation data from the UK in the European morning on Wednesday. In the second half of the day, Durable Goods Orders, Housing Starts and Building Permits data for December will be featured in the US economic calendar, alongside January Industrial Production figures. Later in the American session, the Federal Reserve will publish the minutes of the January policy meeting.