|

US: Chicago Fed National Activity Index drops to -0.35 from 0.41

  • Chicago Fed's National Activity Index drops into negative territory in December.
  • US Dollar Index continues to fluctuate in tight range above 97.50.

The economic growth in the US slowed down in December with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's National Activity Index (CFNAI) dropping to -0.35 from 0.41 in November. This reading came in slightly worse than the market expectation of -0.3 as well.

"The CFNAI Diffusion Index, which is also a three-month moving average, edged down to –0.27 in December from –0.25 in November," Chicago Fed noted in its publication. "Twenty-five of the 85 individual indicators made positive contributions to the CFNAI in December, while 60 made negative contributions." 

Market implications

The US Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback's value against a basket of six major currencies, largely ignored this data and was last down 0.08% on the day at 97.54.

Author

Eren Sengezer

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.

More from Eren Sengezer
Share:

Editor's Picks

GBP/USD gains traction above 1.3400 as softer US CPI dampens Fed rate hike expectations

The GBP/USD pair gains ground to near 1.3405 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The US dollar weakens against the British Pound as softer-than-expected US inflation in June tempered expectations for US Federal Reserve policy tightening. The release of the US June Producer Price Index report will be in the spotlight later in the day. 

EUR/USD gathers strength above 1.1400 after soft US inflation data

The EUR/USD pair gains ground to near 1.1425 during the early Asian trading hours on Wednesday. The US Dollar weakens against the Euro as softer-than-expected US inflation data temporarily eased pressure on the Federal Reserve. Traders will take more cues from the US Producer Price Index report, which is due on Wednesday. 

Gold returns to the red below $4,050 amid fresh US-Iran hostilities

Gold resumes the previous day's late pullback from $4,100 and falls back below $4,050 early Wednesday as escalating US-Iran tensions keep the geopolitical risk premium in play. However, reduced bets for a Fed rate hike keep the US Dollar on the back foot, which could cap the downside in the non-yielding bullion.

Ethereum climbs 7% amid declining inflation, weak retail and whale participation

Ethereum jumped more than 7% above $1,850 on Tuesday following a weaker-than-expected US Consumer Price Index report for June. The inflation data fell to 3.5% below expectations of 3.8%, marking a month-on-month decline of 0.4%, its largest monthly drop since May 2020. Core CPI also fell to 2.6% below forecasts of 2.8%.

Fed Chair Warsh reaffirms they will deliver price stability

While testifying on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report before the US House Financial Services Committee, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh reiterated that the Fed is making a commitment on price stability and the goal of 2% inflation.

Five sessions, one round trip: Why the whipsaw is exactly what Warsh ordered

Markets opened July with a December hike as the base case and spent five trading sessions unlearning and relearning it. A 57K payrolls print bled the tightening bets out of the strip; a re-shut Strait of Hormuz is pushing them back in. Wednesday's minutes from the June FOMC meeting landed mid-round-trip, describing a world that had already stopped existing.