Aussie grinds lower ahead of key economic data

Key Movers

It was all quiet on the domestic front to start the week as China starts their week long New Year celebrations. With liquidity light, so were movements as the only news of note was the increase by 5% for the month in building consents which measures the number of new buildings approvals issued.



Opening at 0.6890 vs the Greenback, The New Zealand Dollar peaked at 0.6904 failing to build any momentum back above the 69 US cent handle. An eventual decline to intraday lows of 0.6970 and maintained its tight trading range till open this morning.



This morning sees the release of ANZ Commodity prices for the month of January with all eyes on Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address slated for this evening.

The New Zealand Dollar opens this morning at 0.6883.


The Great British Pound enjoyed mixed fortunes through trade on Monday, closing marginally below open having enjoyed a brief rally above 1.31. Sterling tracked sideways for much of the day before reports British customs will waive checks on goods imported from the EU as part of a 3-month amnesty and bid to limit backlogs should the UK and Europe split without a divorce deal in place. The report alleviates investors’ concerns surrounding the cost and impact of disruptions caused by a chaotic and messy no deal exit.


Brexit remains the primary driving forward behind broader Sterling direction. The Rally enjoyed throughout January is evidence of a wider spread optimism and expectations a deal will be reached, however as we move close to the March 29 deadline the likelihood of a disorderly exit increases. All our focus over the coming weeks will be on key votes within UK parliament. ON February 13 May will attempt to obtain approval on a revised Brexit plan and should this fail parliament will vote again on next steps and the possible extension of Article 50.


Having met selling pressures on moves approaching 1.31 we anticipate sterling could drift back toward 1.29 in the lead up to and wake of the BOE monetary policy decision Thursday. Investors are re-pricing expectations and anticipate the MPC will leave rates on hold as policy makers look to Brexit outcomes before issuing definitive forward guidance.


The USD index grinded higher throughout Monday’s session touching a high of 95.92 shrugging of weaker-than-expected U. S data. Factory Orders fell 0.6% amid a lower demand for machinery. The Greenback strength has been put down to last weeks strong job numbers which reaffirms the economy remains on a solid footing.



The US 10-year treasury yield rose from 2.68% to 2.72% and the US 2-year yield rose 3 basis points to 2.54%. Futures markets continued to price little chance of any further Fed rate hikes in this cycle.



In other news, Gold has slipped for a second day in a row down to $1316.40. Despite the slide of the past two days, gold was still in firm $1,300 territory, with enough resilience to make new 2019 highs thanks to the Federal Reserve's promise to be patient with rate hikes, say some analysts.


On a slow news day the Euro moved to the rhythm of the Greenback, trading within a tight range, albeit, slightly lower than yesterdays start. Opening this morning at 1.1435, the Euro looks to maintain its position ahead of eurozone PMI data due out later tonight.



Global foreign exchange markets had little to digest overnight with China on holiday and a slow economic calendar. Nevertheless, the United States Dollar did enjoy broad-based support, finding its feet and appreciating marginally across the board. The Euro was no exception to this, conceding ground to the worlds reserve currency, albeit modestly.



Tuesday is set to be a slightly more interesting day for the Euro with PMI data set for release across the eurozone. The United States is also set to release an important ISM PMI reading.


The Canadian Dollar edged lower through trade on Monday, following oil prices lower and succumbing to broader USD strength. Having touched three month highs on Friday the Loonie retraced gains as oil prices fell amid concerns of a broader global slowdown, driven by softness across US factory orders. Cured Oil fell almost one and a half percent through trade on Monday, while the USD found safe haven support amid expectations labour market strength will continue to drive domestic growth, pushing the USD higher against major counterparts.


Despite Monday’s sell off the CAD remains the years top performer when compared with the USD, with corrections in US monetary policy expectations and a near 30% appreciation in oill prices since mid-December driving demand for the commodity led unit. As long as oil prices remain supported and the gap in US and BoC monetary policy is maintained then we expect the CAD will hold onto gains through the short term.


With little of note on the domestic docket today we looked to Fridays labour market data for broader macroeconomic direction with interim influences driven by fluctuating oil prices and global appetite for risk.