Mon, Dec 15, 2025 @ 06:30 GMT
Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
Live Comments Page 322

Live Comments

Latest

UK GDP grew 0.8% mom in Jan, all sectors were up

    By
    ActionForex
    -

    UK GDP grew 0.8% mom in January, well above expectation of 0.2% mom. All sectors grew in the month, with services up 0.8% mom, production up 0.7% mom, and construction up 1.1% mom.

    GDP is now 0.8% above pre-conronavirus level in February 2020. Services is 1.3% above the pre-coronavirus level, construction 1.4% above. But production remains -2.0% below the level.

    Also released, industrial production rose 0.7% mom, 2.3% yoy in January, versus expectation of 0.3% mom, 1.9% yoy. Manufacturing production rose 0.8% mom, 3.6% yoy, versus expectation of 0.2% mom, 3.1% yoy. Goods trade deficit widened to GBP -26.5B, versus expectation of GBP -12.6B.

    Full UK GDP release here.

    New Zealand BNZ manufacturing rose to 53.6, next result may see fallout from Russia/Ukraine conflict

      By
      ActionForex
      -

      New Zealand BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index rose from 52.3 to 53.6 in February. Looking at some details, Production rose from 51.1 to 52.1. Employment rose from 49.5 to 51.7. New Orders rose from 53.6 to 58.2. Finished stocks dropped from 52.5 to 50.0. Deliveries dropped from 54.0 to 53.5.

      BNZ Senior Economist, Craig Ebert stated that “underlying unease will certainly be piqued by the sustained high COVID case numbers as we go into March.  The next PMI result may also see fallout from the Russia/Ukraine conflict, whose global impacts will be felt far and wide.”

      Full release here.

      RBA Lowe: It’s prudent to plan for an interest rate increase

        By
        ActionForex
        -

        RBA Governor Philip Lowe said it’s “plausible” for interest to be lifted from the current 0.1% this year. “It would be prudent to plan for an increase,” he added. “For many borrowers that’s going to come as quite an unwelcome development, although I know from the letters that I get every day when I turn up at work that many depositors have a different view,”

        Meanwhile, he said “I don’t feel mounting pressure,” on raising rates. “We do what we think is the right thing at each of our meetings, so the pressure, it’s great for media stories, but I don’t feel that myself.”

        IMF Georgieva: Global growth forecast to be downgraded, but remains in positive territory

          By
          ActionForex
          -

          IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told CNBC yesterday, “we think that we would be downgrading our growth projections as a result of the crisis (in Ukraine), but we still expect the world to be in positive growth territory.”

          In the January outlook IMF projected global growth of 4.4% in 2022. For now, it’s unsure how the global economy would be affected by Russia invasion on Ukraine. “Obviously, how long this war goes is the main uncertainty factor we face,” Georgieva said.

          Separately, Georgieva also said, sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine would cause an abrupt contraction of the Russian economy. Russia is facing a “deep recession” this year, and sovereign debt default is no longer seen as “improbable”.

          ECB upgrade inflation forecasts significantly, downgrades GDP forecasts

            By
            ActionForex
            -

            ECB President Christine Lagarde said in the post meeting press conference, inflation has “continued to surprise on the upside because of unexpectedly high energy costs.”, and prices rises became “more broadly based”. GDP growth was revised down for the near term, owing to the war in Ukraine.

            Inflation projections were revised up “significantly” to 5.1% in 2022 (up from 2.6%), 2.1% in 2023 (up form 1.8%), and 1.9% in 2024 (up from 1.8%).

            Excluding food and energy, inflation is projected to average 2.6% in 2022 (up from 1.9%), 1.8% in 2023 (up from 1.7%), and 1.9% in 2024 (up from 1.8%).

            The economy is projected to grow 3.7% in 2022 (down from 4.2%), 2.8% in 2023 (down from 2.9%), and 1.6% in 2024 (unchanged).

            Lagarde also said, “the Russia-Ukraine war will have a material impact on economic activity and inflation through higher energy and commodity prices, the disruption of international commerce and weaker confidence. The extent of these effects will depend on how the conflict evolves, on the impact of current sanctions and on possible further measures.”

            Full introductory statement here.

            US initial jobless claims rose to 227k, above expectations

              By
              ActionForex
              -

              US initial jobless claims rose 11k to 227k in the week ending March 5, above expectation of 205k. Four-week moving average of initial claims rose 500 to 231k.

              Continuing claims rose 25k to 1494k in the week ending February 26. Four-week moving average of continuing claims dropped -31k to 157k, lowest since March 28, 1970.

              Full release here.

              US CPI rose to 7.9% yoy in Feb, highest since 1982

                By
                ActionForex
                -

                US CPI rose 0.8% mom in February, matched expectations. Over the 12-month period, CPI accelerated from 7.5% yoy to 7.9% yoy, matched expectations. The 12-month increase is the largest since January 1982.

                CPI core rose 0.5% mom. For the 12-month period, CPI core accelerated from 6.0% yoy to 6.4% yoy, matched expectations. The 12-month increase was the highest since August 1982.

                Energy index rose 25.6% yoy. Food index rose 7.9% yoy, highest since July 1981.

                Full release here.

                ECB sets faster APP purchase wind-down schedule

                  By
                  ActionForex
                  -

                  ECB left interest rate unchanged as widely expected. Main refinancing, marginal lending facility and deposit rate are held at 0.00%, 0.25%, and -0.50% respectively. ECB added that “Any adjustments to the key ECB interest rates will take place some time after the end of the Governing Council’s net purchases under the APP and will be gradual.”

                  The pandemic emergency purchase program (PEPP) will stop net purchases as planned at the end of March. The purchase schedule for the regular asset purchase program (APP) is revised, with monthly net purchase at EUR 40B in April, EUR 30B in May and EUR 20B in June.

                  ECB added that the calibration for APP net purchases in Q3 will be ” data-dependent and reflect its evolving assessment of the outlook”. If medium term inflation outlook “will not weaken after the end of the net purchases, ECB will conclude net APP purchases in Q3. Also, ECB leaves it open to revise the schedule, size and duration of the purchases.

                  Full statement here.

                  Some previews on ECB, a look at EUR/CHF

                    By
                    ActionForex
                    -

                    A tremendous amount of uncertainty was added to ECB outlook from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. There were expectations that ECB could announce an earlier end to its asset purchase program at today’s meeting, paving the way for a rate hike later this year. But now, it’s more likely for the central bank to keep options open for the moment.

                    Nevertheless, facing increasing risk of prolonged high inflation, hawks in the councils could push for at least a move to a “neutral” guidance. That could come in form of dropping the reference to a rate cut in the guidance. ECB might also remove the stipulation that rate hike would come “shortly” after end of net asset purchases.

                    The new economic projections would also be scrutinized while President Christine Lagarde would be asked for her views on risk of stagflation in Eurozone.

                    Here are some previews for today’s ECB meeting:

                    Euro is staging a strong rebound since yesterday, while gold and oil prices are in deep retreat. The situation came as markets are exiting the phase of initial shock of Russia invasion. But clearly, the clouds are still there. Today’s ECB announce might give Euro some temporary volatility, but the next move will still very much depend on the development in Ukraine.

                    Technically, for EUR/CHF, 0.9970 is theoretically a good place to bottom. It’s not unreasonable to say that the down trend from 1.1149 has ended as a five-wave move, just hitting, 100% projection of 1.0936 to 1.0298 from 1.0610 at 0.9972. Parity can also provide additional psychological support. Yet, firm break of 1.0298 support turned resistance is still needed to be the first sign of major bottoming. Otherwise, risk will remain heavily on the downside.

                    Japan PPI rose record 9.3% yoy in Feb, led by energy and commodities

                      By
                      ActionForex
                      -

                      Japan corporate goods price index rose 9.3% yoy in February, above expectation of 8.7% yoy. At 110.7, the index hit the highest level marked since 1985. That’s also the highest rise on record, as led by skyrocketing energy prices. Coal and petroleum prices jumped 34.2% yoy. Electricity, city gas and water prices also surged 27.5% yoy.

                      Commodity prices also surged with iron and steel up 24.5% yoy. Nonferrous metal rose 24.9% yoy. Lumber and wood products rose 58.0% yoy.

                      Import prices rose 34.0% yoy while export prices rose 12.7% yoy.

                      Bitcoin extending triangle consolidation, back at 42k

                        By
                        ActionForex
                        -

                        Bitcoin is back at 42k handle over risk sentiment improves. Currently, price action from 33000 are seen as developing into a corrective pattern, probably in form of a triangle. Thus, upside of the current rebound should be limited by 45313 resistance. Eventually, larger decline from 68986 is still expected to resume through 33000 at a later stage. Nevertheless, firm break of 45313 will dampen this view and argue that the trend might be reversing.

                        Gold back pressing 2k as rally lost momentum ahead of record high

                          By
                          ActionForex
                          -

                          Gold dips notably today, after failing to break through 2074.84 record high earlier. With the depth of the retreat, more corrective trading is now likely for the near term. While gold cold gyrate below 2000 handle, downside should be contained by 1960.83 support to bring another rally. Decisive break of 2074.84 will pave to way to next medium term target at 61.8% projection of 1160.17 to 2074.84 from 1682.60 at 2247.86.

                          However, break of 1960.83 support will delay the bullish case. Gold could then be in correction to rise from 1682.60 (the preferred case), or it’s starting a third leg of the corrective pattern from 2074.84 (less preferred case). But both ways, Gold could have a test on 1877.80 support before setting on the next move.

                          China PPI slowed to 8.8% yoy in Feb, CPI unchanged at 0.9% yoy

                            By
                            ActionForex
                            -

                            China PPI slowed from 9.1% yoy to 8.8% yoy in February, above expectation of 0.8% yoy. Senior National Bureau of Statistics statistician Dong Lijuan said, PPI was “affected by the increased commodity prices globally such as crude oil and non-ferrous metals”.

                            CPI was unchanged at 0.9% yoy, above expectation of 0.8% yoy. affected by the Chinese New Year holiday and the fluctuation of international energy prices, CPI saw a bigger month on month increase,” added Dong after CPI rose by 0.6 per cent month on month.

                            Australia Westpac consumer sentiment dropped to 96.6 in Mar, worst since Sep 2020

                              By
                              ActionForex
                              -

                              Australia Westpac consumer sentiment index dropped -4.2% to 96.6 in March, down from 100.8. That’s the worst reading since September 2020, which was also the last time thee index was below the 100-level.

                              Westpac said: “The latest monthly fall comes as no surprise. The war in Ukraine; the floods in south- east Queensland and Northern NSW; ongoing concerns about inflation and higher interest rates were all likely to impact confidence, although the size of the decline is still notable.”

                              Westpac maintained the view that the first RBA rate hike in the tightening cycle will start on August 2, following two more inflations reports of Q1 and Q2.

                              Full release here.

                              RBA Lowe: A rate hike this year is plausible

                                By
                                ActionForex
                                -

                                RBA Governor Philip Lowe reiterated in a speech that Australia has the “scope to wait and assess incoming information” before working on interest rates.

                                He highlighted two issues that policymakers are “paying close attention to”. The first is the “persistence of supply-side price shocks” and the extent of impact from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Secondly, that’s “how labor costs in Australia evolve”.

                                He noted that “given the outlook, though, it is plausible that the cash rate will be increased later this year.” There is both a risk to “waiting too long” and “moving too early”. But Low finished with the point that “it is only possible to achieve a sustained period of low unemployment if inflation remains low and stable”. And, “recent developments in Europe have added to the complexities here.”

                                Full speech here.

                                Fitch downgrades Russia rating to C, sovereign default is imminent

                                  By
                                  ActionForex
                                  -

                                  Fitch Ratings has downgraded Russia’s Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘C’ from ‘B’. The ‘C’ rating reflects Fitch’s view that a sovereign default is imminent.

                                  The rating agency said developments since March 2, the last downgrade to “B”, “further undermined Russia’s willingness to service government debt.”

                                  It added, “the further ratcheting up of sanctions, and proposals that could limit trade in energy, increase the probability of a policy response by Russia that includes at least selective non-payment of its sovereign debt obligations.

                                  Full release here.

                                  US goods and services trade services widened to USD 89.7B

                                    By
                                    ActionForex
                                    -

                                    US exports of goods and services dropped USD 3.9B to USD 224.4B in January. Imports rose USD 3.8B to USD 314.1B. Trade deficit widened to USD 89.7B, versus expectation of USD 85.7B.

                                    The January increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of USD 7.1B to USD 108.9B and a decrease in the services surplus of USD 0.6B to USD 19.2B.

                                    Year-over-year, the goods and services deficit increased USD 24.6 B, or 37.7%, from January 2021. Exports increased USD 29.9 B or 15.4%. Imports increased USD 54.4B or 21.0 %.

                                    Full release here.

                                    Eurozone Q4 GDP growth finalized at 0.3% qoq, EU at 0.5% qoq

                                      By
                                      ActionForex
                                      -

                                      Eurozone Q4 GDP growth was finalized at 0.3% qoq while employment grew 0.5% qoq. For 2021 as a whole, GDP grew 5.3%. GDP was 0.2% above pre-pandemic level in Q4 2019.

                                      EU Q4 GDP growth was finalized at 0.4% qoq while employment grew 0.5% qoq. For 2021 as a whole, GDP grew 5.3%. GDP was 0.6% above pre-pandemic level in Q4 2019.

                                      GDP growth by Member State: Slovenia (+5.4%) recorded the highest increase of GDP compared to the previous quarter, followed by Malta (+2.3%), Spain and Hungary (both +2.0%). Decreases were observed in Ireland (-5.4%), Austria (-1.5%), Germany (-0.3%), Croatia, Latvia and Romania (all -0.1%).

                                      Full release here.

                                      BoJ Kuroda: Inappropriate to scale back stimulus while wage growth remains low

                                        By
                                        ActionForex
                                        -

                                        BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda told the parliament today that inflation expectations and wages growth in Japan are still low. Even if inflation exceeds the 2% target, “it’s inappropriate to deal with by scaling back stimulus or tightening monetary policy,” he said.

                                        “If crude oil and commodity prices drive up inflation while wage growth remains slow, that would hit households’ real income and corporate profits, and hurt the economy,” he said. “Such conditions won’t lead to sustainable achievement of 2% inflation.”

                                        Regarding global sanctions on Russia, Kuroda said, “the rouble and Russian government bond prices are falling sharply. We can’t rule out the possibility debt payment from Russia could be disrupted. The chance of Russia defaulting on its debt cannot be ruled out”.

                                        Australia NAB business confidence rose to 13, getting back on track

                                          By
                                          ActionForex
                                          -

                                          Australia NAB business confidence rose from 4 to 13 in February. Business conditions rose from 2 to 9. Looking at some details, trading conditions rose from 8 to 10. Profitability condition rose from 2 to 5. Employment condition rose from -1 to 8.

                                          “Overall, the February survey shows that the economy is quickly getting back on track as the Omicron wave recedes,” said said NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster. “The outlook is fairly strong with supply disruptions and cost pressures now the major challenge facing businesses.”

                                          Full release here.

                                          Load more

                                          ActionForex.com was set up back in 2004 with the aim to provide insightful analysis to forex traders, serving the trading community for over a decade. Empowering the individual traders was, is, and will always be our motto going forward.

                                          Contact us: contact@actionforex.com

                                          © ActionForex.com © 2025 All rights reserved.