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The Fed cut interest rates by 25bps to 4.00–4.25%, in line with market expectations. The decision was not unanimous, with newly confirmed temporary Governor Stephen Miran dissenting in favor of a larger 50bps cut. However, notable doves Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman aligned with the majority, helping to anchor the outcome around the base case.

In its statement, the Fed reiterated that any further adjustments will be guided by incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The careful wording underscored policymakers’ preference for a step-by-step approach, avoiding a signal of urgency while still keeping the easing cycle in play.

The updated projections confirmed a measured path of rate cuts. The median federal funds rate is expected to fall to 3.6% by year-end, implying two more 25bps reductions in October and December. For 2026, the Fed sees rates at 3.4%, suggesting just one cut that year, followed by another in 2027 to land just above the estimated 3.0% longer-run neutral rate.

On the labor market, the Fed’s outlook improved slightly. Unemployment is now expected at 4.5% in 2025, 4.4% in 2026, and 4.3% in 2027, a modestly better path than projected in June. This adjustment reflects confidence that the labor market can soften without unraveling, helping to balance the inflation fight with growth stability.

Inflation forecasts also shifted. Core PCE is now projected at 3.1% in 2025, dipping more sharply to 2.6% in 2026 before easing further to 2.1% in 2027. The 2026 forecast was revised higher from 2.4%, likely reflecting temporary tariff-related pressures, but the trajectory still points toward inflation returning close to target over the medium term.

Full FOMC statement and economic projections.

Recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year. Job gains have slowed, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remains low. Inflation has moved up and remains somewhat elevated.

The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that downside risks to employment have risen.

In support of its goals and in light of the shift in the balance of risks, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 4 to 4‑1/4 percent. In considering additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage‑backed securities. The Committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.

In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee's goals. The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.

Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michael S. Barr; Michelle W. Bowman; Susan M. Collins; Lisa D. Cook; Austan D. Goolsbee; Philip N. Jefferson; Alberto G. Musalem; Jeffrey R. Schmid; and Christopher J. Waller. Voting against this action was Stephen I. Miran, who preferred to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/2 percentage point at this meeting.

Summary

• The Bank of Canada (BoC) resumed its monetary easing at today's announcement, lowering the policy rate by 25 bps to 2.50%. The central bank said a weaker economy, combined with less upside risk to inflation, justified today's rate cut.
• While the central bank's assessment of the economy's prospects and inflation risks has softened, the BoC did not offer an explicit signal of a possible further reduction of interest rates at today's announcement. In that context, for now, we lean against the central bank delivering a back-to-back rate cut in October. Instead, we anticipate the next 25 bps rate cut will come at the BoC December announcement, which would take the BoC's policy rate to a cycle low of 2.25%.
• From a broader perspective, however, we acknowledge that the balance of risks around our Bank of Canada outlook is likely tilted toward earlier or more monetary policy easing. Among the key upcoming releases, should September see yet another decline in employment, Q3 business confidence show a further softening, and September inflation show reasonably benign price pressures, that could be enough for the central bank to lower interest rates again in October.

Bank of Canada Resumes Rate Cuts

The Bank of Canada (BoC) resumed its monetary easing at today's announcement, lowering its policy rate by 25 bps to 2.50%. The rate cut was widely expected by market participants, although we had leaned towards the BoC extending its monetary policy pause and holding rates steady. In deciding to lower interest rates, BoC policymakers noted both softening growth and diminishing upside inflation risks. Among the main aspects of today's announcement, the BoC said:

• Canada's Q2 GDP declined as expected in the second quarter, with both exports and business investment weaker. Consumer spending grew at a healthy pace, but weakness in the labor market will likely weigh on household spending in the months ahead.
• Employment has fallen in the past two months, with job losses concentrated in trade-sensitive sectors. Unemployment has risen, and wage growth has continued to ease.
• While core inflation has been around 3% in recent months, on a monthly basis the upward momentum seen earlier this year has dissipated. A broader range of indicators suggests underlying inflation is running around 2½%. In addition, the government's decision to remove most retaliatory tariffs on imports from the United States should mean less upward price pressure moving forward.

The central bank said that with "a weaker economy and less upside risk to inflation, Governing Council judged that a reduction in the policy rate was appropriate to better balance the risks." The BoC reiterated that it is "proceeding carefully, with particular attention to the risks and uncertainties" and that it will "be assessing how exports evolve in the face of US tariffs and changing trade relationships; how much this spills over into business investment, employment, and household spending; how the cost effects of trade disruptions and reconfigured supply chains are passed on to consumer prices; and how inflation expectations evolve." Notably, and in contrast to the July announcement, the BoC did not offer an explicit signal of a possible further reduction in interest rates.

Ahead of today's announcement, our view had been the Bank of Canada would ease monetary policy further, with the main question being one of timing. With the Bank of Canada not offering an explicit easing signal, for now we lean against the central bank delivering back-to-back rate cuts with another move at its October announcement, and instead anticipate the next 25 bps rate cut will come at the BoC December announcement, which would take the BoC's policy rate to a cycle low of 2.25%. That said, both ourselves and the Bank of Canada are in "data-dependent" mode, and the key releases we will be watching in the coming weeks are the:

• September labor market report (released 10 October)
• Q3 Business Outlook Survey (released 20 October)
• September CPI (released 21 October)

Should September see yet another decline in employment, Q3 business confidence show a further softening, and September inflation show reasonably benign price pressures, that combination may well be enough for the central bank to lower interest rates again in October. Indeed, we acknowledge that from a broader perspective and in the event of sustained weakness in Canada's economy, the balance of risks around our Bank of Canada outlook is likely tilted toward earlier or more monetary policy easing, with a terminal policy rate of 2.00% or even lower not out of the question.

It isn't typical to see as much FX volatility ahead of such a key FOMC.

Currency Markets had been particularly slow throughout August after some post-NFP correction in the US Dollar – Despite having reasons to sell the USD further, particularly after Powell's dovish speech at Jackson Hole, end-summer slow trading largely contained volatility for fiat majors.

To catch up with the volatility seen in Equities (which kept flying higher throughout that entire period), the US Dollar took a two-day downward train to start this week.

The greenback saw close to 1% moves in Monday and yesterday's consecutive sessions against European currencies particularly – The widest range throughout the whole FX Market between the 12th of August to last Friday had been ~0.50%.

As explained in our previous piece, except for a huge switch of fundamentals and/or a leak to an upcoming decision, it is rare that players accelerate such volatility ahead of the FOMC.

The only reasoning would be strong and sudden hedging that corroborates with Miran entering the FOMC meeting right before its start.

Anyways, let's have a look at technical levels for all FX major pairs as the market gets ready for the FOMC decision (and the Bank of Canada rate decision, releasing very soon – we will update the levels on a new piece).

DXY 4H Chart, September 17, 2025 – Source: TradingView

All FX Majors Charts with the key levels in play for the September FOMCNZDUSD 8H Chart and levelsNZDUSD 8H Chart, September 17, 2025, Source: TradingView

Trading Levels for NZDUSD:

Resistance Levels

• Immediate Resistance 0.60
• Next Resistance 0.6060
• July 1st Highs 0.6120

Support Levels

• 0.5950 Main Pivot (acting as immediate support)
• 0.59 (+/- 150 pips) Support
• 0.58 Key Support

USDJPY 8H Chart and levels (testing support)

USDJPY 8H Chart, September 17, 2025, Source: TradingView

You can access an in-depth USDJPY analysis right here, released earlier today!

Levels to watch for USDJPY:

Resistance Levels

• Mid-range pivot 147.50 to 148.00
• May Range Extremes 148.70 to 149.50
• 150.00 psychological resistance
• 150.90 July highs

Support Levels

• 146.50 range support (testing)
• 145.00 psychological support
• 142.35 low of the May range, main support

AUDUSD – A sharp rebound from the prior week selloff

AUDUSD 8H Chart, September 17, 2025, Source: TradingView

AUDUSD Trading Levels:

Resistance Levels

• US CPI highs 0.6690 (2025 highs)
• Daily resistance 0.6670 to 0.6740
• 0.69 zone main resistance (+/- 150 pips)

Support Levels

• July Highs 0.66250 (+/- 100 pips) acting as key pivot and support
• 0.6510 to 0.6530 support (confluence with 50-day MA)
• 0.6420 August 22, 2025 lows (pre-Jackson Hole conference)
• Daily Support 0.63 to 0.64

EURUSD 8H Chart and levels

EURUSD 8H Chart, September 17, 2025, Source: TradingView

Levels to watch for EURUSD:

Resistance Levels:

• 2025 highs 1.1880
• Main resistance turned pivot 1.18 to 1.1830 (yearly highs)
• 1.20 psychological level and 2021 highs

Support Levels:

• 1.1750 Intermediate Pivot (+/- 150 pips)
• 1.1650 Key support
• 1.16 Main support
• 1.1470 Pivotal Support (bearish below this)

The Swissie regains some strength – USDCHF

USDCHF 4H Chart, September 17, 2025, Source: TradingView

Here is our latest in-depth analysis of the USDCHF (from yesterday) that was published as things were moving aggressively. Despite new lows being reached, the analysis is still valid!

Levels to watch for USDCHF:

Resistance Levels

• 0.7950 Key pivot
• Long-term pivot 0.80 Zone (0.80 to 0.8010)
• Main resistance 0.8150 to 0.82 (last highs 0.8165)
• May 2025 highs 0.8475 Resistance Zone

Support Levels

• 0.78575 2025 lows Support
• 0.77 to 0.7735 August 2011 lows
• 0.76 Psychological level

The Pound is back on track – GBPUSD

GBPUSD 8H Chart, September 17, 2025, Source: TradingView

Levels to watch for GBPUSD:

Resistance Levels

• 2025 precise high 1.3788
• 2025 Highs resistance 1.3760 to 1.38
• Resistance 1.37 Zone (immediate resistance)

Support Levels

• Resistance turned pivot at the 1.36 zone
• Support Zone 1.35
• 1.34 Support Zone

USDCAD (Subject to change with ongoing Bank of Canada decision, Cut by 25 bps)

USDCAD 8H Chart, September 17, 2025, Source: TradingView

An update to the chart will be presented in an upcoming piece: Mid-Week NA Markets update with a detailed USDCAD analysis inside. Here is the BoC statement.

Levels to watch for USDCAD:

Resistance Levels

• 1.38 Handle +/- 150 pips
• 1.3850 to 1.3860 Main resistance
• 1.3925 Aug 22 highs

Support Levels

• Key longer-term pivot turned support 1.3750 (currently testing)
• 1.3660 intermediate support
• 1.3550 Main 2025 Support

Safe Trades as the FOMC approaches!

• Riding on the coattails of dollar weakness and safe-haven demand for much of 2025, USD/CHF currently trades at monthly lows of 0.78698, down -1.10% in yesterday’s session alone.
• Despite renewed deflationary pressures, as seen in Monday's PPI report, safe-haven flows concerning U.S. policy, especially regarding trade, continue to benefit CHF pricing,
• While the SNB has been expected to return to its usual playbook of currency interventions to weaken the franc, recent market realisations suggest that new leadership is less interested in ‘interventionist’ policy.

Currently on pace for its best yearly performance in over two decades, 2025 has been an interesting year for dollar-franc traders.

While recent domestic GDP numbers and continuing deflationary pressures within the Swiss economy would typically bode poorly for the Swiss franc, the significant appreciation in value seen across much of this year can be summed up in three words: safe-haven flows.

This goes double considering the recent change of tack from the Bank of Japan, with the unwinding of the now infamous carry trade diverting much of the demand for safe-haven currencies towards the franc over the yen.

Despite an unremarkable economic performance, at least one outcome is a rapid appreciation in franc value, currently at #1 in year-to-date performance, with the euro coming in a close second place.

USD/CHF: Shifting SNB doctrine to remove USD/CHF downside limit

With the Swiss franc trading at multi-year highs since June, many expected the Swiss National Bank to intervene, in a return to its typical playbook.

Having relied heavily on currency intervention to control CHF pricing in years past, it would seem that new leadership, under Chair Martin Schlegel, is less interested in ‘interventionist policy’ than his predecessors.

While the market has slowly but surely come to this realisation, having seen many opportunities this year where intervention would have likely happened in years past, it seems the SNB is taking a more hands-off approach.

This has been further vindicated by the SNB's clear difference in buying habits, which have purchased fewer francs in the last twelve months than in previous years by an order of magnitude.

While traders have been cautious about taking further CHF shorts, fearing a potential for intervention, it would seem that, once all pieced together, the SNB is more comfortable with a stronger franc than once thought.

On this basis, considering the SNB is more likely to leave the CHF at the mercy of market forces in the short term, we can consider USD/CHF downside renewed, as seen in yesterday’s session.

That said, traders would do well to remember that an apparent change to ‘non-interventionalist’ policy only remains true until it doesn't; so best to approach with at least some caution.

USD/CHF: Technical Analysis 17/09/2025

USD/CHF, OANDA, TradingView,17/09/2025

• Painting fresh 15-year lows in yesterday’s session, bearish momentum has been renewed owing to SNB developments. Breaking previous lows at 0.78713, the level has failed to offer any support to a falling USD/CHF price.
• Yesterday’s price action also broke the previously held downwards channel, with 0.78500 being an obvious next key level target should downside continue.
• In line with Fibonacci theory, and assuming price will stage a short-term retracement, bears will likely consider 0.79018 as an entry point. Otherwise, and if price continues to break down, 0.78069 will be the next target

Markets

UK eco data this week won’t alter the outcome of tomorrow’s Bank of England meeting. Labour market (yesterday) and inflation numbers (this morning) printed bang in line with consensus. The unemployment rate stabilized in the 3 months to July at 4.7% with job growth rising by 232k. Preliminary August payrolls (different statistical series) dropped by 8k. The labour market isn’t the central bank’s biggest worry though. Sticky inflation is. UK price growth accelerated to 0.3% M/M with the annual number stabilizing at a 3.8% Y/Y 18-month high, in line with the path set out by the BoE in August. The UK central bank expects price growth to peak at 4% Y/Y in September and to hold in the high 3.5%-4% range until year-end. Core inflation slowed from 3.8% Y/Y to 3.6% Y/Y with services inflation at 4.7% Y/Y from 5% Y/Y mainly because of lower, volatile, airfare prices. The central bank’s core services gauge probably ticked up from 4.9% Y/Y to 5% Y/Y and food inflation – important for shaping households’ inflation expectations – accelerated to 5.1% Y/Y. Economic developments suggest that the BoE will signal an end to its quarterly rate cutting pace in place since August of last year. UK money market fully discount a next rate cut by August of next year! Apart from a hawkish pause, attention will go to quantitative tightening plans for the October 2025-September 2026 period. Over the three past years, they ran down the asset purchase portfolio by £100bn each year (current holdings around £575bn) with active sales adding to the natural run-off. The median guesstimate for the next 12 months is a slowdown from £100bn to £72bn. With £49bn of gilts maturing, this would imply an increase in active sales from £13bn over the past 12 months. A shortening of the maturity of these sales is likely in order to avoid putting unwanted additional pressure on the vulnerable very long end of the UK yield curve.

The US central bank is expected to deliver a 25 bps rate cut tonight to 4%-4.25%, though the decision could face dissenting views in both directions. The bigger question is whether Powell and/or the updated quarterly Summary of Economic Projections signal the start of cutting cycle (2 more 25 bps rate cuts this year). Powell will have to walk a tight rope to keep market expectations in check. Median estimates for 2026 and 2027 will probably be closer to a neutral 3% than in June (3.5%-3.75 & 3.25%-3.5%) but the difference in opinion will be large. It’s back to navigating the stars under cloudy skies. We have the impression that US markets are willing to pick up any dovish signals tonight, adding to or accelerating 2026 rate cut bets. If the tone of Powell’s presser is in line with his Jackson Hole speech, they’ll see it as an all clear with US Treasuries ready to really in bull steepening fashion and the dollar vulnerable to the loss of interest rate support. Watch technical support in the US 2-yr (3.5%) and 10-yr (4%) yield.

News & Views

Bank Indonesia unexpectedly slashed the policy rate by 25 bps today to 4.75%. It brings cumulative easing over the past 12 months to 150 bps. The central bank will keep watching growth, inflation & the currency to check the room for further cuts but there’s little doubt that there is more to come. BI is in “all-out pro-growth” mode, governor Perry Warjiyo said. BI said today’s move aligns with the government’s efforts to boost the economy. President Prabowo is seeking to spur growth following protests over the cost of living with housing and village cooperative programs. The Finance Ministry and BI recently entered into a renewed “burden sharing” agreement in which the central bank helps to fund the project. That’s causing concern over central bank independence amid blurring lines between monetary authorities and the government. Recent reports of lawmakers considering rule changes to the central bank that include a lower bar for removing senior officials obviously aren’t helping. The Indonesian rupiah ended the day stronger at USD/INR 87.80. Last week’s record INR lows at 88.45 remain at very close range though.

Czechia’s central bank Deputy Governor Jan Frait said monetary policymakers shouldn’t stimulate the economy any further with more rate cuts, barring major economic shocks. Frait is particularly worried about core inflation (2.8% in August), which remained at a “less favorable level” compared to the headline outcome. The latter is driven by a decline in energy prices that “won’t last forever” while wages and services inflation keep on rising fast. Monetary policy according to Frait is no longer having a restrictive impact with the current 3.5% level of the policy rate hanging in the balance with the stronger exchange rate. The Czech koruna has appreciated in recent months to EUR/CZK 24.34. To Frait this is in line with fundamentals such as economic activity, balance of payments and favorable risk perceptions from investors.

The Bank of Canada (BoC) cut its policy rate to 2.50%, in line with market expectations.

The statement noted that “underlying inflation is running around 2.5%” and that the removal of retaliatory tariffs on imports from the U.S. “will mean less upward pressure on the prices of these goods going forward”. One notable inclusion was CPI excluding taxes once again receiving a call out (2.5% year-on-year).

The press conference opening statement noted that the labour market has softened, underlying inflation pressures have cooled, and the removal of retaliatory tariffs means there is “less upside risk to future inflation”.

Looking forward, emphasis will be place on examining how export growth evolves and the knock-on effects it will have on “business investment, employment and household spending”.

Key Implications

The phrase that stood out is that “Governing Council is proceeding carefully, with particular attention to the risks and uncertainties”. This will help rein in market pricing from becoming overly aggressive on rate cut expectations. But, at the same time, we have long maintained this would not be a one-and-done scenario for the BoC.

Economic slack will persist, and the risks appear disproportionately on the downside, with little reason to believe there will be quick resolution to trade issues – particularly with the U.S. triggering the review of USMCA yesterday, well in advance of the timeline.

Officials have space to deliver another cut with core inflation metrics softening and the labour market showing visible strains. We look for the BoC to deliver another 25 basis points of easing at their next meeting in October. Beyond that, we’ll need to assess the state of the economy and overall environment. The ball goes into the government’s court with their Budget on November 4th. The BoC will factor in spending and other initiatives for the decision in December.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.3721; (P) 1.3752; (R1) 1.3770; More...

Outlook in USD/CAD is unchanged and intraday bias stays neutral. On the downside, firm break of 1.3725 support will complete a head and shoulder top (ls: 1.3878, h: 1.3923, rs: 1.3889). That would indicate that corrective rebound from 1.3538 has already completed, and turn near term outlook bearish. Deeper fall should then be seen to 1.3574 support. On the upside, however, break of 1.3923 will resume the rebound towards 1.4014 cluster resistance.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 1.4791 medium term top could either be a correction to rise from 1.2005 (2021 low), or trend reversal. In either case, further decline is expected as long as 1.4014 cluster resistance (38.2% retracement of 1.4791 to 1.3538 at 1.4017) holds. Next target is 61.8% retracement of 1.2005 (2021 low) to 1.4791 at 1.3069.

The forex markets were steady in early U.S. trading, with the BoC’s widely expected 25bps rate cut to 2.50% generating little reaction. The decision was fully priced in, and the absence of fresh guidance left traders reluctant to adjust positions.

The BoC struck a cautious balance in its statement, offering no explicit signal of further cuts. Policymakers acknowledged risks to both growth and inflation, but the tone suggested slightly more concern about the economy and labor markets than price pressures. This leaves the door open for more easing, though the Bank appears inclined to proceed carefully.

Attention now shifts firmly to the Fed’s policy announcement. A 25bps cut to 4.00–4.25% is widely anticipated, but the real market drivers will be the voting split, the updated economic projections, and the tone of Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference. Together, these will shape expectations for the pace of easing into 2026.

In currency performance so far this week, Dollar remains the weakest, reflecting markets’ anticipation of Fed easing. Aussie and Kiwi have also lagged, while Sterling and Loonie are holding steady in the middle of the pack. Safe-haven demand has supported Swiss Franc, which leads the majors, followed by Euro and then Yen.

For now, traders are in wait-and-see mode. The Fed’s communication will be decisive in determining whether Dollar’s selloff deepens, whether yields break below 4%, and whether risk assets such as equities and Gold extend their strong runs.

In Europe, at the time of writing, FTSE is up 0.47%. DAX is up 0.44%. CAC is down -0.08%. UK 10-year yield is down -0.013 at 4.631. Germany 10-year yield is down -0.015 to 2.680. Earlier in Asia, Nikkei fell -0.25%. Hong Kong HSI rose 1.78%. China Shanghai SSE rose 0.37%. Singapore Strait Times fell -0.32%. Japan 10-year JGB yield fell -0.012 to 1.592.

BoC cuts to 2.50%, warns trade shocks still a drag

The BoC lowered its overnight rate by 25bps to 2.50% at today’s meeting, in line with widespread expectations. The move underscores the central bank’s effort to provide additional support as Canada’s economy struggles with weaker growth and softer inflation risks.

In its statement, the Governing Council said a “weaker economy and less upside risk to inflation” justified the cut, helping to better balance risks. The Bank highlighted that shifts in global trade continue to “add costs” even as they “weigh on economic activity.”

Looking ahead, policymakers said they will be closely monitoring how U.S. tariffs and evolving trade relationships affect exports, investment, employment, and household spending. They also flagged the risk that supply chain reconfiguration could pass higher costs onto consumers, stressing that inflation expectations remain a key guide for future decisions.

Eurozone CPI finalized at 2.0%, services drive price growth

Eurozone inflation was confirmed at 2.0% yoy in August, unchanged from July, while core CPI held steady at 2.3% yoy. Services remained the main driver of inflation, contributing +1.44 percentage points to the annual rate, followed by food, alcohol, and tobacco (+0.62pp), and non-energy industrial goods (+0.18pp). Energy remained a drag, subtracting -0.19pp.

For the EU as a whole, CPI was finalized at 2.4%, also unchanged from the previous month. Inflation trends varied sharply across member states. Cyprus (0.0%), France (0.8%), and Italy (1.6%) registered the lowest rates, while Romania (8.5%), Estonia (6.2%), and Croatia (4.6%) recorded the highest. Compared with July, annual inflation fell in nine member states, was stable in four, and rose in fourteen.

UK CPI steady at 3.8% in August, goods prices firm, services ease

Inflation in the UK held steady in August, with CPI unchanged at 3.8% yoy, matching consensus. On the month, prices rose 0.3%. Core CPI, which strips out food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco, eased from 3.8% yoy to 3.6% yoy, a notch below expectations of 3.7% yoy and another sign that underlying pressures are easing gradually.

Goods prices provided an offset, rising from 2.7% yoy to 2.8% yoy, their highest since October 2023. By contrast, services inflation slowed from 5.0% to 4.7%, pointing to softer domestic price dynamics. While still elevated, the services pullback is significant given its importance in shaping medium-term inflation risks.

The BoE meets tomorrow and is expected to hold rates steady, but the August CPI figures will feed into the debate over November’s decision. Softer core and services readings suggest disinflationary progress is intact, leaving policymakers room to consider another rate cut if incoming data on growth and jobs reinforce the trend.

Japan August exports near flat, -13.8% US plunge balanced by other markets

Japan’s trade deficit narrowed in August to JPY -242.5B, smaller than expectations for JPY -513.6B, as exports outperformed forecasts. Overall exports dipped just 0.1% yoy to JPY 8425B, beating projections for a 1.9% yoy decline. Imports, however, fell -5.2% yoy to JPY 8668B, a steeper drop than the -4.2% yoy contraction expected.

The details highlighted stark divergences. Exports to the U.S. tumbled -13.8% yoy, the sharpest fall since February 2021, led by a -28.3% yoy plunge in autos and a -38.9% yoy drop in chipmaking equipment. By contrast, shipments to Asia rose 1.7% yoy, while exports to Western Europe jumped 7.7% yoy. Exports to mainland China slipped 0.5% yoy, though shipments to Hong Kong surged 14.4% yoy.

Australia leading index turns below trend, but RBA to wait until November to cut again

Australia’s Westpac Leading Index growth rate slipped into negative territory in August, falling from 0.11% to -0.16%. It marks the first below-trend reading since September 2024 and a sharp moderation from February’s peak of 0.86%.

Westpac noted the weakness is “not overly concerning” but highlights a “clear softening” from earlier in the year, consistent with the economy slowing after a relatively strong June quarter. It expects growth of 1.9% in 2025, better than the 1.3% expansion in 2024 but still below trend, with a return to trend pace only in 2026.

The RBA meets on September 29–30, where policymakers are almost certain to hold the cash rate steady at 3.6%. Westpac argues that incoming data should eventually validate benign inflation and soft demand, paving the way for a 25bp cut in November, followed by two further cuts in 2026. For now, the RBA will proceed cautiously, watching for confirmation of underlying trends before easing again.

USD/CAD Mid-Day Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.3721; (P) 1.3752; (R1) 1.3770; More...

Outlook in USD/CAD is unchanged and intraday bias stays neutral. On the downside, firm break of 1.3725 support will complete a head and shoulder top (ls: 1.3878, h: 1.3923, rs: 1.3889). That would indicate that corrective rebound from 1.3538 has already completed, and turn near term outlook bearish. Deeper fall should then be seen to 1.3574 support. On the upside, however, break of 1.3923 will resume the rebound towards 1.4014 cluster resistance.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 1.4791 medium term top could either be a correction to rise from 1.2005 (2021 low), or trend reversal. In either case, further decline is expected as long as 1.4014 cluster resistance (38.2% retracement of 1.4791 to 1.3538 at 1.4017) holds. Next target is 61.8% retracement of 1.2005 (2021 low) to 1.4791 at 1.3069.