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Eurozone PMI data for December pointed to a clear loss of momentum heading into year-end. PMI Manufacturing slipped from 49.6 to 49.2, an eight-month low. PMI Services also eased from 53.6 to 52.6, dragging PMI Composite down from 53.8 to 51.9 and signaling a broader slowdown in activity.

According to Hamburg Commercial Bank, the weakness was driven mainly by Germany, where the industrial downturn intensified. France showed tentative signs of industrial stabilization, but that improvement was offset by stagnation in services. Germany’s service sector, by contrast, continued to expand solid. Overall, the data suggests that "the runway into the new year seems pretty unstable".

Cost inflation in the service sector accelerated to its highest level in nine months, reinforcing the ECB’s concern over wage-driven price pressures. With the central bank meeting on December 18 and closely monitoring services inflation, the PMI data is likely to validate its stated preference to leave interest rates unchanged, despite softer growth signals.

Full Eurozone PMI flash release here.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.9341; (P) 0.9353; (R1) 0.9369; More....

Intraday bias in EUR/CHF remains neutral and more consolidations could be seen below 0.9394. On the upside, break of 0.9394 will resume the rebound from 0.9178 to 0.9452 structural resistance. Decisive break there will carry larger bullish implications. However, firm break of 0.9311 support will argue that the rebound has completed, and turn bias back to the downside for retesting 0.9178 low.

In the bigger picture, EUR/CHF has breached long term falling channel resistance as the rebound from 0.9278 extends. Considering bullish convergence condition in W MACD, sustained trading above 55 W EMA (now at 0.9316) will indicate medium term bottoming at 0.9178, and suggests that it's already in larger scale rebound. Further break of 0.9452 resistance will bring stronger medium term rally towards 0.9928 resistance next. Nevertheless, rejection by 55 W EMA will retain bearishness for another fall through 0.9278 at a later stage.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.3748; (P) 1.3768; (R1) 1.3789; More...

A temporary low should be in place at 1.3746 and intraday bias is turned neutral in USD/CAD. With 1.3870 resistance intact, further decline remains in favor. Sustained trading below 61.8% retracement of 1.3538 to 1.4139 at 1.3768 will argue that whole fall form 1.4791 might be ready to resume. Retest of 1.3538 low should be seen next. On the upside, however, break of 1.3870 resistance will indicate short term bottoming, and turn bias back to the upside for stronger rebound.

In the bigger picture, current development suggests that price actions from 1.4791 is developing into a deeper, larger scale correction. In the less bearish case, it's just correcting the rise from 1.2005 (2021 low). But even so, break of 1.3538 will pave the way to 61.8% projection of 1.4791 to 1.3538 from 1.4139 at 1.3365. This will remain the favored case as long as 1.4139 resistance holds, in case of rebound.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.6630; (P) 0.6643; (R1) 0.6655; More...

AUD/USD is staying in consolidations below 0.6685 and intraday bias remains neutral. On the upside, firm break of 0.6706 will confirm resumption of whole rise from 0.5913. Next target is 61.8% projection of 0.5913 to 0.6706 from 0.6420 at 0.6910. However, break of 55 D EMA (now at 0.6555) will extend the corrective pattern from 0.6706 with another falling leg.

In the bigger picture, the break of multi-year falling trend line resistance suggests that rise from 0.5913 is possibly reversing whole down trend from 08006 (2021 high). Decisive break of 38.2% retracement of 0.8006 to 0.5913 at 0.6713 will solidify this case, and bring further rally to 61.8% retracement at 0.7206. On the downside, however, firm break of 0.6420 support will suggest rejection by 0.6713 and retain medium term bearishness.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 154.70; (P) 155.35; (R1) 155.85; More...

Intraday bias in USD/JPY remains neutral as corrective pattern from 157.88 is extending. On the downside, break of 154.33 will target 55 D EMA (now at 153.66) and possibly below. On the upside, above 156.94 will bring retest of 157.88. Firm break there will resume whole rally from 139.87 to 158.85 key structural resistance.

In the bigger picture, corrective pattern from 161.94 (2024 high) could have completed with three waves at 139.87. Larger up trend from 102.58 (2021 low) could be ready to resume through 161.94 high. Decisive break of 158.85 structural resistance will solidify this bullish case and target 161.94 for confirmation. On the downside, break of 150.90 resistance turned support will dampen this bullish view and extend the corrective range pattern with another falling leg.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.7942; (P) 0.7958; (R1) 0.7978; More…

Intraday bias in USD/CHF remains neutral for the moment. Corrective pattern from 0.7828 is still extending. On the downside, below 0.7923 will target 0.7877 support. On the upside, though, break of 0.7990 support turned resistance will bring stronger rebound towards 0.8084.

In the bigger picture, outlook will stay bearish as long as 0.8332 support turned resistance holds (2023 low). Long term down trend from 1.0342 (2017 high) is still in progress. Next target is 100% projection of 1.0146 (2022 high) to 0.8332 from 0.9200 at 0.7382.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.1723; (P) 1.1737; (R1) 1.1753; More….

A temporary top should be in place at 1.1768 in EUR/USD and intraday bias is turned neutral first. Some consolidations would be seen but further rally is expected as long as 1.1614 support holds. Above 1.1768 will resume the rebound from 1.1467 and target a retest on 1.1917 high.

In the bigger picture, as long as 55 W EMA (now at 1.1373) holds, up trend from 0.9534 (2022 low) is still in favor to continue. Decisive break of 1.2 key psychological level will carry larger bullish implication. However, sustained trading below 55 W EMA will argue that rise from 0.9534 has completed as a three wave corrective bounce, and keep long term outlook bearish.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.3354; (P) 1.3378; (R1) 1.3401; More...

Intraday bias in GBP/USD remains neutral as consolidations continue below 1.3438. With 1.3286 support intact, further rally is expected. As noted before, fall from 1.3787 should have completed as a three-wave correction to 1.3008. Above 1.3428 and firm break of 1.3470 resistance will pave the way back to retest 1.3787 high. However, sustained break of 1.3286 support will mix up the near term outlook.

In the bigger picture, current development suggests that fall from 1.3787 is merely a corrective move, and larger rise from 1.0351 (2022 low) is still in progress. Firm break of 1.3787 will target 1.4248 (2021 high) key structural resistance. This will remain the favored case as long as target 38.2% retracement of 1.0351 to 1.3787 at 1.2474 holds, in case of another fall.

Sterling is steady in early European trading after UK labor data reinforced a familiar theme of softening employment alongside stubborn wage pressures. Job losses continued, while pay growth remained elevated. The data is unlikely to derail the BoE’s widely expected 25bps rate cut to 3.75% later this week.

While markets remain comfortable with the view that policy easing will continue into 2026, it's highly uncertain on how much further the BoE can realistically go. Inflation has peaked lower than previously feared, but at 3.6% in October it remains well above target. With estimates of the UK neutral rate clustered around 3.25–3.75%, the scope for aggressive easing appears limited.

Even if the neutral rate proves slightly lower, there may only be room for one or two additional cuts unless inflation falls materially. That constraint is helping anchor Sterling and temper expectations for an extended easing cycle.

Attention now shifts decisively to the US, where markets await the delayed November employment report. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is due to publish the data on Tuesday following the 43-day government shutdown, alongside a partial update for October that will exclude the unemployment rate and several household-based measures.

Nonfarm payrolls are expected to have risen by around 50k in November, while October lacks a formal consensus estimate. One key wildcard is whether September’s 119k gain is revised lower, which would reopen concerns about a sharper deterioration in labor conditions after a weak summer.

With tariff-related inflation pressures proving far milder than worst-case scenarios, Fed officials have increasingly shifted their focus toward labor market health. A January FOMC hold remains the base case and is unlikely to be challenged barring an extreme surprise, but March remains finely balanced and could be swayed by today’s data.

On trade, US Customs and Border Protection reported that more than USD 200bn in tariffs have been collected this year under new duties imposed via over 40 executive orders. That comes as the Supreme Court weighs arguments over the legality of those tariffs, with potential refunds at stake.

In FX markets this week, Yen leads, followed by Euro and Dollar. Kiwi lags, trailed by Aussie and Sterling. Swiss Franc and Loonie sit mid-pack, reflecting a mild risk-off tone, but that could shift quickly on US jobs data.

In Asia, Nikkei fell -1.56%. Hong Kong HSI is down -1.58%. China Shanghai SSE fell -1.11%. Singapore Strait Times is down -0.10%. Japan 10-year JGB yield fell -0.002 to 1.957. Overnight, DOW fell -0.09%. S&P 500 fell -0.16%. NASDAQ fell -0.59%. 10-year yield fell -0.012 to 4.182.

UK payrolls decline deepens even as earnings stay elevated

UK labor market data for November pointed to further cooling in employment conditions. Payrolled employment fell by -38k on the month, a -0.1% mom. Annual drop widened to -171k, or 0.6% yoy. Annual payroll growth has now been negative every month since March.

Wage indicators showed clearer signs of easing at the margin. Median monthly pay growth slowed sharply to 2.7% yoy, down from 3.7% previously and less than half the pace seen in August. At the same time, the claimant count rose by 20.1k.

That said, broader earnings data remains elevated. In the three months to October, unemployment rate edged up from 5.0% to 5.1%. Average earnings growth surprised to the upside, rising 4.7% yoy including bonuses and 4.6% yoy excluding bonuses.

Japan's PMI composite falls to 51.5, slowing momentum but manufacturing nears expansion

Japan’s December PMI data pointed to a modest cooling in overall momentum, while offering tentative signs of stabilization in manufacturing. PMI Manufacturing rose from 48.7 to 49.7. PMI Services eased from 53.2 to 52.5, while PMI Composite slipped from 52.0 to 51.5, indicating slower but still positive private-sector growth.

According to S&P Global, Japan’s private sector ended the year on a relatively strong footing, with output continuing to expand and new business rising further. Firms responded by stepping up hiring, with employment growth accelerating to its fastest pace in more than a year and a half. Growth remained concentrated in services, though the decline in manufacturing output and sales softened noticeable.

Forward-looking signals were more cautious. Business confidence weakened, particularly among manufacturers, reflecting subdued foreign demand and concerns about the outlook for 2026. At the same time, cost pressures intensified, with input prices rising at the fastest pace since April. Firms responded by raising output charges "at a solid pace".

Australia PM composite falls to 51.1, growth cooling but persistent price pressures

Australia’s PMI readings for December pointed to moderating growth momentum toward year-end. PMI Manufacturing rose from 51.6 to 52.2, signaling a stronger expansion in factory activity. PMI Services slipped from 52.8 to 51.0. As a result, PMI Composite eased from 52.6 to 51.1, the lowest level in seven months.

The slowdown in overall activity was accompanied by more encouraging details beneath the surface. According to S&P Global, new orders continued to rise at a solid pace, while business confidence improved in December. Employment growth also remained robust, with job creation sustained at faster rates across both manufacturing and services, suggesting firms remain confident enough in demand to continue hiring.

Inflation signals, however, firmed again. Cost pressures intensified for Australian businesses, prompting companies to raise output prices more quickly in an effort to "defend their margins". As a result, output price inflation returned to its long-run average after two months of subdued increases.

Australia Westpac consumer sentiment falls back to 94.5, bounce proves short-lived

Australian consumer confidence fell sharply in December, reversing November’s brief improvement. The Westpac Consumer Sentiment Index dropped -9.0% mom to 94.5, slipping back toward levels seen prior to last month’s surprise bounce. The pullback leaves sentiment only in “cautiously pessimistic” territory as the year comes to a close.

Westpac noted that while confidence has improved meaningfully from the deep and prolonged pessimism that dominated much of 2024, households remain reluctant to shift into outright optimism. The November rebound marked the first net positive reading since the economy reopened after the pandemic, but the latest data suggests that underlying confidence remains fragile and easily unsettled.

The survey reinforces a cautious backdrop for the RBA ahead of its February 2–3 meeting. While inflation has picked up recently, there are few signs that tight labor markets or strong consumer demand are driving the move. Instead, administered prices outside the reach of monetary policy have been a key factor. As those pressures fade, inflation is expected to resume its path toward the midpoint of the target range, though policymakers have warned that if normalization proves slow, rates may need to stay on hold for longer, with hikes still a live contingency.

GBP/USD Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.3354; (P) 1.3378; (R1) 1.3401; More...

Intraday bias in GBP/USD remains neutral as consolidations continue below 1.3438. With 1.3286 support intact, further rally is expected. As noted before, fall from 1.3787 should have completed as a three-wave correction to 1.3008. Above 1.3428 and firm break of 1.3470 resistance will pave the way back to retest 1.3787 high. However, sustained break of 1.3286 support will mix up the near term outlook.

In the bigger picture, current development suggests that fall from 1.3787 is merely a corrective move, and larger rise from 1.0351 (2022 low) is still in progress. Firm break of 1.3787 will target 1.4248 (2021 high) key structural resistance. This will remain the favored case as long as target 38.2% retracement of 1.0351 to 1.3787 at 1.2474 holds, in case of another fall.

UK labor market data for November pointed to further cooling in employment conditions. Payrolled employment fell by -38k on the month, a -0.1% mom. Annual drop widened to -171k, or 0.6% yoy. Annual payroll growth has now been negative every month since March.

Wage indicators showed clearer signs of easing at the margin. Median monthly pay growth slowed sharply to 2.7% yoy, down from 3.7% previously and less than half the pace seen in August. At the same time, the claimant count rose by 20.1k.

That said, broader earnings data remains elevated. In the three months to October, unemployment rate edged up from 5.0% to 5.1%. Average earnings growth surprised to the upside, rising 4.7% yoy including bonuses and 4.6% yoy excluding bonuses.

Full UK labour market overview release here.