The U.S. dollar was seen trading on firmer ground yesterday amid a busy trading day. Investor appetite was seen improving across the board.
Economic data from the UK showed that the unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, which was better than the expected 4.3% level. Wage growth was however subdued, rising 2.8% on the month. This was below forecasts of 3.0% increase from the previous month.
Data from the United States showed that building permits increased 1.35million which was higher than the previous month’s 1.32 million.
Looking ahead, the economic calendar today will see the release of the UK’s inflation data. Economists forecast that inflation will rise at the pace of 2.7%, the same pace of increase as the month before. Core CPI is expected to slightly accelerate 2.5% on the year ending March.
The Bank of Canada will be holding its monetary policy meeting today. Interest rates are expected to remain unchanged at 1.25% on the month. The central bank is expected to however strike a hawkish tone. Later in the day FOMC members, Quarles and Dudley are expected to speak.
New Zealand quarterly inflation data will be coming out later in the evening. Economists forecast that quarterly inflation increased 0.5% during the first quarter. This marks a slight increase from 0.1% seen in the previous quarter.
