Bitcoin and Ethereum stay bearish as rebound lost momentum

    Bitcoin dips notably this week, following overall risk sentiment. Overall outlook stays bearish, with price actions from 17575 low displaying clear corrective structure. Upside of the recovery was also capped below 25083 support turned resistance. Rejection by 55 day EMA is also another bearish sign. On resumption, next target is 61.8% projection of 32368 to 17575 from 24264 at 15121.

    Ethereum’s corresponding rebound from 878.50 low was relatively stronger, as it’s support by medium term calling channel line. Yet, upside was also limited below 1674.60 support turned resistance. Thus, outlook is staying bearish for now. Break of 1316.80 minor support should resume larger down trend through 878.50 low.

    BoJ minutes: Board members spoke of importance of wage increases

      In the minutes of June meeting, BoJ board said price rises have been broadening. But massive support is still needed for the economy while uncertainty surrounding the outlook was “extremely high”.

      “Many members spoke about the importance of wage increases from the perspective of achieving the BoJ’s price target in a sustained and stable fashion.”

      “Japan must create a resilient economy at which consumption continues to rise even when companies raise prices,” one board member said.

      “The BOJ must maintain monetary easing until wage hikes become a trend, and help Japan achieve the bank’s price target sustainably and stably,” another member said.

      ECB Kazaks: September rate hike needs to be quite significant

        ECB Governing Council member Martins Kazaks said that even after last week’s 50bps hike, stronger rate hikes may not be over.

        “I would not say that this was the only front-loading,” Kazaks said. “I would say that the rate increase in September also needs to be quite significant.”

        Nevertheless, he admitted that uncertainty is clouding the plans for later moves.

        Germany Ifo dropped to 88.6, on the cusp of recession

          Germany Ifo Business Climate Dropped from 92.2 to 88.6 in July, below expectation of 90.5. That’s the lowest level since June 2020. Current Assessment index dropped from 99.4 to 97.7, below expectation of 98.2. Expectations index dropped from 85.5 to 80.3, below expectation of 83.0.

          By sector, manufacturing dropped from 0 to -7.1. Services dropped from 10.9 to 0.9. Trade dropped from -14.7 to -21.6. Construction dropped from -9.7 to -17.0.

          Ifo said: “Companies are expecting business to become much more difficult in the coming months. They were also less satisfied with their current situation. Higher energy prices and the threat of a gas shortage are weighing on the economy. Germany is on the cusp of a recession.”

          Full release here.

          WTI heading back to 90 as rebound lost momentum

            WTI crude oil turns weaker today as the recovery from 90.97 lost momentum ahead of 106.19 resistance. The selloff came on the back on gloomy economic outlook, as indicated by the poor PMI data from Eurozone and US released last week. There’s growing expectation that a global recession is inevitable as central banks move to tighten monetary policy to curb inflation.

            Development in WTI suggests that fall from 124.12 is still in progress and further decline would be seen to 90.97 support and below. Current decline from 134.12 is seen as the third leg of the corrective pattern from 131.82. Deeper fall could be seen to 85.92 resistance turn support (100% projection of 131.82 to 93.47 from 124.12 at 85.77). Stronger support should be seen there to finally complete the pattern to bring sustainable rebound. This will remain the favored case as long as 106.19 resistance holds.

            ECB Holzmann: We’ll need in autumn to decide to do another 0.5% or less

              ECB Governing Council member Robert Holzmann told Austrian broadcaster ORG on Sunday, “the economy will grow less strongly, the forecasts point in this direction, that has made us somewhat cautious.”

              “We will see in the autumn what the economic situation is. Then we can probably decide if we do another 0.5% (rate hike) or less,” he added.

              He also noted that ECB might have to accept a moderate recession to curb inflation. “We hope that won’t become necessary,” he said.

              ECB Lagarde will keep raising rates for as long as necessary

                In a blog post, ECB President Christine Lagarde said that last week 50bps rate hike, the first rate increase in 11 years, was “only the latest step in our journey to unwind the special measures we had to take to fight a series of crises”, following the end of the net asset purchase programs.

                “With these actions, we are sending a clear message to companies, workers and investors: inflation will return to our 2% target over the medium term,” she added. “We will keep raising rates for as long as necessary to bring inflation down to our target over the medium term.”

                While Europe is facing great uncertainty, “not least over the war and energy prices… the Governing Council will review the situation and decide on the right pace for our next steps depending on the incoming data.”

                Full blog post here.

                US PMI composite dropped to 47.5, indicative of -1% annualized GDP contraction

                  US PMI Manufacturing dropped from 52.7 to 52.3 in July, a 24-month low. PMI Services dropped from 52.7 to 47.0, a 26-month low. PMI Composite dropped from 52.3 to 47.5, a 26-month low.

                  Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said:

                  “The preliminary PMI data for July point to a worrying deterioration in the economy. Excluding pandemic lockdown months, output is falling at a rate not seen since 2009 amid the global financial crisis, with the survey data indicative of GDP falling at an annualised rate of approximately 1%. Manufacturing has stalled and the service sector’s rebound from the pandemic has gone into reverse, as the tailwind of pent-up demand has been overcome by the rising cost of living, higher interest rates and growing gloom about the economic outlook.

                  “An increased rate of order book deterioration, with backlogs of work dropping sharply in July, reflects an excess of operating capacity relative to demand growth and points to output across both manufacturing and services being cut back further in coming months unless demand revives. However, with companies’ expectations of future growth slumping to the lowest since the early days of the pandemic, any such revival is not being anticipated. Instead, firms are already reassessing their production and workforce needs, resulting in slower employment growth.

                  “Although supply constraints remained problematic, constraining economic activity, the weakening demand environment has helped to alleviate inflationary pressures. Average prices charged for goods and services consequently rose at a much reduced rate in July, the rate of inflation still running high by historical standards but now down to a 16-month low to provide some much needed good news amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.”

                  Full release here.

                  Canada retail sales rose 2.2% mom in May, and 0.3% mom in Jun

                    Canada retail sales rose 2.2% mom to CAD 62.2m in May, above expectation of 1.6% mom. That’s the fifth consecutive growth where sales were up in 8 of 11 subsectors. Excluding gasoline stations and motor vehicles and parts, sales rose 0.6% mom.

                    Statistics Canada estimated that sales increased 0.3% mom in June.

                    Full release here.

                    Bundesbank: Germany inflation could rise again in September

                      Bundesbank said in its monthly report, “the German economy is likely to have stagnated in spring 2022.” High inflation is having a negative impact on the purchasing power of private households. Also, poor consumer mood due to the uncertainty about further economic development was noticeable in the sharp fall in sales in retail and vehicle trade

                      On prices, Bundesbank continues to expect high inflation rates in the coming months. Inflation could even rise again in September because the temporary relief measures will no longer apply. The further development of the energy commodity markets is very uncertain, especially with regard to natural gas deliveries from Russia. The risks for the price development are pointing upwards.

                      Full release here.

                      ECB Villeroy: Starting rate hike faster does not mean ending higher

                        ECB Governing Council member Francois Villeroy de Galhau said today, “starting the increase in interest rates faster does not mean that (the cycle of increases) will end higher”.

                        Regarding the new Transmission Protection Instrument (TPI), Villeroy said, “if needed, we will be as determined in activating (the programme) as we have been in setting it up, and there are no pre-defined limits on the amount of possible purchases.”

                        Another Governing Council member Pablo Hernandez de Cos said the political crisis in Italy this week was not the reason behind the creation of anti-fragmentation tool. He added that the rate decision for September will be data-dependent.

                        UK PMI composite output dropped to 17-mth low, growth slowed to a crawl

                          UK PMI Manufacturing dropped from 52.8 to 52.2 in July, above expectation of 52.0. that’s the lowest level in 24 months. PMI Services dropped from 54.3 to 53.3, above expectation of 53.2. That’s the lowest level in 17 months. PMI Composite dropped from 53.7 to 52.8, a 17-month low.

                          Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: “UK economic growth slowed to a crawl in July, registering the slowest expansion since the lockdowns of early-2021. Although not yet in decline, with pent-up demand for vehicles and consumer-oriented services such as travel and tourism helping to sustain growth in July, the PMI is now at a level consistent with just 0.2% GDP growth….

                          “The concern is that rising interest rates, as the Bank of England seeks to control inflation, will cause demand growth to weaken further in the coming months. To be hiking interest rates at a time of such weak business growth is unprecedented over the past quarter-century of survey history.

                          Full release here.

                          Eurozone PMI composite output dropped to 49.4, indicative of -0.1% quarterly GDP contraction

                            Eurozone PMI Manufacturing dropped from 52.1 to 49.6 in July, below expectation of 51.0. That’s the lowest level in 25 months. PMI Services dropped from 53.0 to 50.6, below expectation of 52.0. That’s the lowest level in 15 months. PMI Composite Output dropped from 52.0 to 49.4, a 17-month low.

                            Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: “The eurozone economy looks set to contract in the third quarter as business activity slipped into decline in July and forward-looking indicators hint at worse to come in the months ahead…

                            “Excluding pandemic lockdown months, July’s contraction is the first signalled by the PMI since June 2013, indicative of the economy contracting at a 0.1% quarterly rate. Although only modest at present, a steep loss of new orders, falling backlogs of work and gloomier business expectations all point to the rate of decline gathering further momentum as the summer progresses…

                            “With the ECB raising interest rates at a time when the demand environment is one that would normally see policy being loosened, higher borrowing costs will inevitably add to recession risks.”

                            Full release here.

                            Germany PMI composite output dropped to 25-mth low, outlook turning increasingly negative

                              Germany PMI Manufacturing dropped from 52.0 to 49.2 in July, below expectation of 50.6. That’s the lowest level in 25 months. PMI Services dropped from 52.4 to 49.2, below expectation of 50.6. That’s the lowest level in 7 months. PMI Composite output dropped from 51.3 to 48.0, a 25- month low.

                              Paul Smith, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence said:

                              “Having enjoyed a growth boost from the previous easing of virus-related restrictions, a collision of various headwinds in July served to push the German economy into contraction territory for the first time in 2022 so far.

                              “Ongoing supply-delays and the uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine continued to be reported as factors weighing on company performance, but based on a reading of anecdotal evidence, inflation and the pressures these are having on budgets was a noticeable feature behind the worst performance of private sector activity since the height of the first pandemic wave in the spring of 2020. With this in mind, whilst we are seeing a downward trend in our price indices, inflation rates remain stubbornly elevated according to the July survey.

                              “The decline in output was broad-based, with the downturn in manufacturing deepening, and service sector activity dropping into contraction territory for the first time since December. Moreover, given the noticeable falls in new business across both sectors, activity was somewhat prevented from experiencing a sharper fall thanks to the availability of previously secured contracts. With signs that this supportive prop is coming to an end, and warehouse inventories rising at a near-record rate in manufacturing, the outlook for output is turning increasingly negative. No wonder then company expectations have subsequently dropped into negative territory for the first time in over two years.”

                              Full release here.

                              France PMI composite dropped to 16-mth low, heading towards a recession

                                France PMI Manufacturing dropped from 51.4 to 49.6 in July, below expectation of 50.6. That’s the lowest level in 20 months. PMI Services dropped from 53.9 to 52.1, below expectation of 52.7. That’s the lowest level in 15 months. PMI Composite dropped from 52.5 to 50.6, a 16-month low.

                                Joe Hayes, Senior Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: “July ‘flash’ PMI data raises further concerns that the French economy is heading towards a recession as data signalled worsening trends across a number of key indicators. The level of output was up only marginally from June and solely reflected activity growth at services firms. The manufacturing sector is already in a steep downturn, with production levels falling at the fastest rate since the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. The growth trend in the service sector meanwhile worsened further, and momentum is clearly to the downside here.

                                “Demand is being adversely impacted by the intense inflationary environment, with clients reluctant to place orders at these elevated prices. Consequently, new business fell for the first time since February 2021. It’s difficult to imagine the near-term trend improving when anecdotal evidence from panellists continues to portray a picture of worsening health for demand. This is especially the case for the services economy, which is rapidly losing support from the post-pandemic recovery in consumer spending.”

                                Full release here.

                                UK retail sales down -0.1% mom, -5.8% yoy in volume; up 1.3% mom, 14.4 yoy in value

                                  In volume term, UK retail sales dropped -0.1% mom in June, better than expectation of -0.3% mom. Ex-fuel sales rose 0.4% mom, above expectation of -0.3% mom.

                                  Compared with the same period a year earlier, sales volume dropped -5.8% yoy, versus expectation of -5.3% yoy. Ex-fuel sales dropped -5.9% yoy, versus expectation of -6.2% yoy.

                                  In value term, retail sales rose 1.3% mom, 14.4% yoy. Ex-fuel sales rose 1.3% mom, 12.9% yoy.

                                  Full release here.

                                  Japan CPI core ticked up to 2.2% yoy, core-core up to 1.0% yoy

                                    Japan all-item CPI dropped from 2.5% yoy to 2.4% yoy in June. CPI core (all-items ex-fresh food), rose from 2.1% yoy to 2.2% yoy, matched expectations. CPI core-core (all-items ex-fresh food, energy) rose from 0.8% yoy to 1.0% yoy.

                                    The CPI core reading has now stayed above BoJ’s 2% target for a third consecutive month. The core-core reading was also the strongest since February 2016.

                                    BoJ left monetary policy unchanged yesterday. According to the new economic forecasts, core CPI will hit 2.3% this year, but then slowed back to 1.4% in fiscal 2023, and then 1.3% in fiscal 2024.

                                    Japan PMI manufacturing dropped to 52.2 in July, services down to 51.2

                                      Japan PMI Manufacturing dropped from 52.7 to 52.2 in July, below expectation of 53.1. PMI Services dropped from 54.0 to 51.2. PMI Composite output dropped from 53.0 to 50.6.

                                      Usamah Bhatti, Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “Flash PMI data indicated that activity at Japanese private sector businesses rose at a softer rate during July. The expansion in output was the softest recorded since March and only marginal as companies noted that shortages of raw materials and rising energy and wage costs had increasingly dampened output and new order inflows. This was notably evident at manufacturers, who recorded a reduction in production levels for the first time in five months. Service providers meanwhile reported the slowest rise in activity since April”.

                                      Full release here.

                                      Australia PMI composite dropped to 6-mnth low, further deceleration in growth

                                        Australia PMI Manufacturing dropped from 56.2 to 55.7 in July. PMI Services dropped from 52.6 to 50.4, a 6-month low. PMI Composite dropped from 52.6 to 50.6, also a 6-month low.

                                        Laura Denman, Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: “Latest survey data has pointed to a further deceleration in the rate of private sector growth. Panellists suggested that interest rate increases, alongside persistent inflationary pressures, have been a pivotal factor contributing to the weakened private sector improvement this month. Further interest rate increases by Australia’s central bank present a downside risk to the private sector, with sentiment slipping to a 27-month low.”

                                        Full release here.

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