FOREX Week Ahead

Disappointing US GDP and contradictory comments on currency strength at Davos burden dollar

The USD depreciated against majors as soft Q4 GDP numbers on Friday and mixed comments on the desired strength and weakness of the currency made at the World Economic Forum in Davos put downward pressure on the greenback. The Trump administration is pushing its tough stance on trade, but tried to soften the tone in an effort to be more inclusive. Economic fundamentals and monetary policy have been supportive of the currency, but political lack of stability has hurt the buck. Next week the market will focus on the U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. non farm payrolls (NFP).

• US President Trump to deliver his first State of the Union Address
• Fed anticipated to keep rates on hold at 1.25-1.50 percent
• US forecasted to have added 184,000 jobs in January

Dollar Confused Ahead of US Jobs Report and Fed Statement

The EUR/USD gained 1.73 percent in the last five days. The single currency is trading at 1.2426 after contradictory statements from the Trump administration confused markets. Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin said on Wednesday that the weaker dollar was good for the US in relation to trade. The USD retreated and the EUR touched three year highs. Next day President Trump said the he ultimately wants to see a strong dollar as the currency is a reflection of the strength of the economy. The USD recovered some ground versus the EUR, but the damage had already been done and the EUR advanced 0.27 percent on Friday.

The first estimate for US GDP for the fourth quarter was released and it was short of expectations at 2.6 percent. The forecast the market was looking for was 3.0 percent, but given its the advanced estimate there will be two more released that could see the final GDP figure higher in the following months.

The EUR has been rising despite the words from European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi. The central bank kept its rate and massive quantitive easing program untouched. Draghi made sure to mention that stimulus would remain for as long as needed, but had to concede there were few chances it will change interest rates. The ECB President made a comment warning about using verbal intervention to talk down a currency when asked about the Davos statement from Mnuchin.

US President Trump will deliver its first Sate of the Union address on Tuesday, January 30, at 9:00 pm EST. Failing to avoid a government shutdown Trump will focus on the positives during his first year. His achievements in passing legislation came late in 2017 but he is sure to mention the tax reform bill. The stock market record breaking pace and overall strength of the economy while inherited will also be mentioned with the infrastructure plan something to look for in the immediate future. The USD got a Trump bump in late 2016 when just after winning the elections

The U.S. non farm payrolls (NFP) will be published on Friday, February 2 at 8:30 am EST. Economists are expecting the US to add 184,000 positions in January. Last month’s report came in lower than expected but the saving grace for the USD was that hourly wages grew 0.3 percent as expected. There are similar gains forecasted for January wages with a special emphasis on inflationary data as the Fed ponders what to do with stagnant wages despite a strong job component.

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Source: marketpulse.com

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