GBP

Market Overview:

• European inflation came in at 0.1% for the second quarter of 2023 revised lower than the initial 0.3% following a rise of 0.1% in the previous quarter.
• The Bank of Canada left rates unchanged overnight at 5.0%, the Bank of Canada is expected to hold through to year end.
• Poland’s central bank has cut interest rates from 6.75% to 6.0% vs 0.25% expected.
• Bank of England’s Bailey is tipping for reasonable falls to inflation as the labour market continues to ease.
• Chinese August trade data -8.8% y/y vs expected -9.2%as China industry struggles.
• Chinese “Purchasing Managers Index” PMI prints well down at 51.8 vs 53.6 forecast – 54.1 previous.
• Goldman Sachs is predicting rate cuts for the Federal Reserve starting second quarter 2024. However, the chances of a hike at the Sep 21 meeting are now at 50/50.
• The US Dollar (USD) has been the strongest currency this week with Australian Dollar (AUD) the worst performing currency.

Prices in the Euro (EUR), Australian Dollar (AUD) extended last week’s run Monday reaching 0.6005 (1.6650) a 5-week high, before reversing into morning trade to 0.5985 (1.6700). German Trade Balance was down 0.9% from June to July, lower than expected at 15.9B compared to 17.6B highlighting a struggling economy. Today’s RBA cash rate release should reflect no change to 4.10% as their tightening campaign to slow inflation looks to be working. Also of interest on the calendar is Australian GDP for the June quarter predicted to come in at 0.3% up from first quarters 0.2%. Downside moves in the pair could restore this week.

Current Level: 1.6716
Resistance: 1.7065
Support: 1.6665
Last Weeks Range: 1.6672 – 1.6878

The Australian Dollar (AUD) clocked a fresh 6 week high of 0.6007 (1.6645) against the Euro (EUR) but couldn’t hold here dropping back to 0.5980 (1.6715), clearly the cross is not ready to make a move above the key 0.6000 level just yet. Chances of the ECB raising rates this Thursday from the current 4.25% have eased to around 40% from mid August’s 60%. We see chances of a hike in the 4th quarter at 70% depending on how CPI prints. Expectations are for decent drops in both September and October. Direction this week in the cross will mostly come from the ECB.

Current Level: 0.5981
Resistance: 0.6110
Support: 0.5860
Last Weeks Range: 0.5919- 0.6006

The Australian Dollar (AUD) closed slightly up on the British Pound (GBP) for the week at the 0.5130 (1.9500) area compared to 0.5100 (1.9620) last week as market moving economic data was non-existent. US employment data was down on expectations Friday helping to boost the Aussie into the close, however apart from this we had very few shifts. The UK economy still has upward pressures on inflation – the highest in the G10, a September 21 hike is not a given at this stage, but chances are the Bank of England may rise from 5.25%. Looking at this week’s docket we have the RBA tomorrow with no change from 4.1% expected.

Current Level: 1.9561
Resistance: 2.0000
Support: 1.9420
Last Weeks Range: 1.9478 – 1.9651

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is a little weaker off Monday’s open against the Euro (EUR) dropping to 0.5500 (1.8180) this morning as risk sentiment erodes. German Trade Balance came in light overnight printing at 15.9B compared to 17.6B predicted showing the country’s economy continues to waiver. A very thin calendar of events this week could see the EUR gather pace on a fundamental level.

Current Level: 1.8185
Resistance: 1.8485
Support: 1.8050
Last Weeks Range: 1.8081 – 1.8376

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is a little weaker off Monday’s open against the Euro (EUR) dropping to 0.5500 (1.8180) this morning as risk sentiment erodes. German Trade Balance came in light overnight printing at 15.9B compared to 17.6B predicted showing the country’s economy continues to waiver. A very thin calendar of events this week could see the EUR gather pace on a fundamental level.

Current Level: 0.5499
Support: 0.5410
Resistance: 0.5540
Last week’s range: 0.5441 – 0.5530

In a light week of economic data, the English Pound (GBP) for the second week running dropped back slightly against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) opening the week around 0.4725 (2.1160). This week’s only data is the monetary policy hearing minutes Thursday. Global risk sentiment should dictate the week’s moves, we suspect the Pound may recover recent losses especially if markets remain “risk off”. Buying GBP currently north of 0.4700 (2.1276) looks decent given prices 2 weeks ago were well below this level.

Current Level: 2.1285
Resistance: 2.1600
Support: 2.0700
Last Weeks Range: 2.1127 – 2.1388

In a light week of economic data, the English Pound (GBP) for the second week running dropped back slightly against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) opening the week around 0.4725 (2.1160). This week’s only data is the monetary policy hearing minutes Thursday. Global risk sentiment should dictate the week’s moves, we suspect the Pound may recover recent losses especially if markets remain “risk off”. Buying GBP currently north of 0.4700 (2.1276) looks decent given prices 2 weeks ago were well below this level.

Current Level: 0.4698
Resistance: 0.4830
Support: 0.4630
Last Weeks Range: 0.4675 – 0.4733

RBA later today will be about the tone and not the release with the cash rate widely expected to remain unchanged at 4.10% for now. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) recovered losses late in the week to 0.9225 (1.0840) but hasn’t been able to hold here falling away into Tuesday to 0.9190 (1.0880) as markets position for RBA. With price below multiple moving averages we expect the NZD/AUD momentum to edge lower into the weekly close.

Current Level: 1.0865
Resistance: 1.0930
Support: 1.0750
Last Weeks Range: 1.0832 – 1.0895