|

USD Jobless Claims: We are now using millions – BMO

The first signs of the economic hit from COVID-19 are beginning to be seen from the 'official' data, Jennifer Lee from BMO Economics reports.

Key quotes

“Those applying for UI for the first time (initial claims) surged in the week of March 21st to a record-high 3.283 mln from 282,000 in the week prior.”

“U.S. real GDP was up 2.1% a.r. in Q4 (with a small upward revision to consumer spending and residential structures noted). But that was so last quarter. The current quarter (Q1), and the next quarter (Q2), will bring huge declines.”

Author

FXStreet Team

Composed of a group of economic journalists and FX experts, the FXStreet content team produces and oversees all content published on FXStreet. It provides a purely journalistic approach to the Forex market.

More from FXStreet Team
Share:

Editor's Picks

GBP/USD extends weekly uptrend, trades above 1.3400

GBP/USD clings to moderate gains and holds above 1.3400 in the European session on Friday. The British Pound gains amid optimism on the UK government leadership transition and Bank of England rate hike bets. Meanwhile, the US Dollar loses ground on Middle East de-escalation and receding Fed rate hike expectations.

EUR/USD rises to 1.1450 area on softer USD

EUR/USD continues to edge higher in the European session on Friday and trades near 1.1450. The US Dollar (USD) struggles to find demand as the US says they are committed to finding a diplomatic solution to end the conflict in the Middle East. Later in the day, the Federal Reserve will publish its Semiannual Monetary Policy Report.

Gold flat lines above $4,100 amid weaker USD, Fed hike bets and Iran risks

Gold reverses a modest Asian session dip to the $4,109-$4,108 region, though it lacks bullish conviction. The US Dollar selling remains unabated for the third consecutive day in the wake of Wednesday's less hawkish FOMC Minutes and offers some support to the commodity. However, prospects of a Fed rate hike in 2026 remain active.

Canada Unemployment Rate forecast to remain unchanged in June

Markets are anticipating a fairly stable report when Statistics Canada releases its Labour Force Survey on Friday. While the Net Change in Employment is predicted to rise by 10K in June, adding to the 87.8K gain in May, the Unemployment Rate is forecast to stay at 6.6%.

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 Federal Open Market Committee meeting landed mid-round-trip, describing a world that had already stopped existing.

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.