Eurozone HCOB Composite PMI declines to 51.9 in October vs. 52.7 expected

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

HCOB Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in the Eurozone declined to 51.9 in October's flash estimate from 53.1 in September, showing that the business activity expanded at a softening pace. This print came in below the market expectation of 52.7.

In this period, the Manufacturing PMI fell to 52.4 from 52.9, while the Services PMI declined to 51.7 from 53.

Assessing the survey's findings, "the Eurozone economy starts the fourth quarter with businesses reporting further robust growth, the flash PMI being consistent with GDP growing at a 0.3% quarterly cadence," noted Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

"While that’s below the pace enjoyed in September it is still among some of the best performances seen over the past three years," Williamson added.

Market reaction to Eurozone PMI data

EUR/USD struggles to gain traction and trades in negative territory, slightly below 1.1200 following the PMI data.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

AUD/USD consolidates above 0.7000; remains close to monthly top

AUD/USD holds steady above 0.7000 during the Asian session on Friday, trading just below the previous day's monthly low amid diverging forces. A hawkish RBA continues to support the Aussie, while the recent decline in US bond yields keeps the US Dollar depressed near a three-week low. However, oil-driven inflation fears reinforce Fed hike bets, which, along with geopolitical risks, could benefit the safe-haven buck and cap the currency pair.

USD/JPY bounces off one-month low; climbs to 157.00 amid reviving USD demand

USD/JPY rebounds from the 156.00 neighborhood, or a one-month low touched during Friday’s Asian session, with bulls looking to extend momentum beyond 157.00 amid the emergence of some US Dollar buying. Meanwhile, Japan's National CPI rose to a nine-month peak and reaffirmed BoJ rate-hike bets, which could support the Japanese Yen and cap gains for the currency pair.

Gold stalls recovery from three-month low as Fed hike bets and USD uptick cap gains

Gold struggles to capitalize on a modest intraday bounce from levels below the $4,000 psychological mark, or a three-month low set during the Asian session, and sticks to a negative tone for the second straight day. The Federal Reserve recently signaled that there is no urgency to raise interest rates. Traders, however, are still pricing in around an 80% chance that the US central bank will raise borrowing costs again at its December policy meeting.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple rebound as major support levels cap recent sell-off

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple rebound modestly on Friday after correcting and testing their key support zone the previous day. BTC holds the 50-day EMA, ETH finds support around the 100-day EMA, while XRP holds the horizontal floor near $1.300. The price action of these top three cryptocurrencies suggests a recovery if this critical support zone holds; a decisive close below these levels suggests a deeper correction.

The week ahead – UK budget, Shell, BP and HSBC and NatWest results

Financial markets have undergone another turbulent week with concerns about public sector debt levels, the impact of energy policy and higher oil and gas prices, and what events in France might mean for the UK economy going forward.

What November 3 means for the Fed's rate path and the US Dollar

The USD faces a decisive period ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. While markets anticipate another interest rate increase from the Fed in December, the battle for control of Congress could reshape fiscal policy expectations and, indirectly, the path of US monetary policy in 2027.