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GBP/JPY Weekly Outlook

GBP/JPY is still holding on to 167.95 resistance turned support despite last week's decline. Initial bias remains neutral this week first. On the upside, break of 172.30 will resume larger up trend to 100% projection of 148.93 to 172.11 from 155.33 at 178.51. Nevertheless, firm break of 167.95 should confirm short term topping, and turn bias back to the downside for deeper pull back to 165.40 support and possible below instead.

In the bigger picture, focus stays on 172.11 resistance (2022 high). Decisive break there will resume whole up trend from 123.94 (2020 low). Next target will be 161.8% projection of 122.75 (2016 low) to 156.59 (2018 high) from 123.94 at 178.69. Nevertheless, firm break of 165.40 support will indicate rejection by 172.11 and extend the corrective pattern from there with another falling leg.

In the longer term picture, as long as 55 M EMA (now at 154.40) holds, rise from 122.75 (2016 low) could still extend higher at a later stage to 195.86 (2015 high).

EUR/JPY Weekly Outlook

EUR/JPY's decline indicates that 151.60 is already a short term top. Further fall is in favor this week as long as 149.25 resistance holds. Sustained trading below 55 D EMA (now at 145.81 will bring deeper pull back to 61.8% retracement of 139.05 to 151.60 at 143.84. On the upside, though, firm break of 149.25 will turn bias back to the upside for retesting 151.60 high instead.

In the bigger picture, rise from 114.42 (2020 low) is in progress. Next target is 61.8% projection of 124.37 to 148.38 from 138.81 at 153.64. Sustained break there will pave the way to 100% projection at 162.82. For now, medium term outlook will remain bullish as long as 139.05 support holds, even in case of deep pull back.

In the long term picture, break of 149.76 (2014 high) argues that whole up trend form 94.11 (2012 low) is resuming. Sustained trading above 149.76 will pave the way to 100% projection of 94.11 to 149.76 from 109.03 at 164.68, which is close to 169.96 (2008 high).

EUR/GBP Weekly Outlook

EUR/GBP dived through 0.8717 support to resume the whole decline form 0.8977. But a temporary low was formed after hitting 0.8660. Initial bias remains neutral this week first. On the downside, break of 0.8660 will resume recent decline to 100% projection of 0.8977 to 0.8717 from 0.8874 at 0.8614. Nevertheless, break of 0.8758 minor resistance will turn bias back to the upside for stronger rebound.

In the bigger picture, current development argues that whole decline from 0.9267 (2022 high) is still in progress. This is part of the long term range pattern from 0.9499 (2020 high). Deeper fall would be seen through 0.8545 support. his will now remain the favored case as long as 0.8874 resistance holds.

In the long term picture, long term range pattern is extending. But rise from 0.6935 (2015 low) is expected to extend at a later stage, to 0.9799 (2009 high).

EUR/AUD Weekly Outlook

EUR/AUD's fall from 1.6785 resumed and hit as low as 1.6134 last week. But the cross then recovered after drawing support from 55 D EMA (now at 1.6201). Initial bias remains neutral this week first. Considering bearish divergence condition in D MACD, fall from 1.6785 might be a correction to whole up trend from 1.4281. Break of 1.6134 will target 38.2 retracement of 1.4281 to 1.6785 at 1.5828, which is inside 1.5254/5976 support zone. Nevertheless, sustained break of 1.6354 minor resistance will turn bias back to the upside for retesting 1.6785 high instead.

In the bigger picture, whole down trend from 1.9799 (2020 high) should have completed at 1.4281 (2022 low). Further rise should be seen to 61.8% retracement of 1.9799 to 1.4281 at 1.7691 next. For now, outlook will stay bullish as long as 1.5976 resistance turned support holds, even in case of deep pull back.

In the longer term picture, it's still early to decide if rise from 1.4281 is resuming whole up trend from 1.1602 (2012 low). Attention will be paid on the structure on the current rally to make an assessment later.

EUR/CHF Weekly Outlook

EUR/CHF's choppy decline from 0.9995 extended lower last week. Initial bias is now on the downside this week for 0.9074 support. Strong support should be seen there to bring rebound. Break of 0.9847 will argue that the fall has completed and turn bias back to the downside. However, firm break of 0.9704 will resume the whole decline from 1.0095 to 61.8% retracement of 0.9407 to 1.0095 at 0.9670.

In the bigger picture, prior rejection by 38.2% retracement of 1.1149 to 0.9407 at 1.0072 suggests that medium term outlook is staying bearish. The pair is also capped below 55 W EMA (now at 0.9963). Down trend from 1.2004 is not completed yet and is in favor to resume through 0.9407 at a later stage. However, decisive break of 1.0095 resistance will raise the chance of bullish trend reversal. Rise from 0.9407 should then target 1.0505 cluster resistance (2020 low at 1.0505, 61.8% retracement of 1.1149 to 0.9407 at 1.1484).

In the long term picture, it's still way too early too call for bullish trend reversal with upside capped well below 55 M EMA (now at 1.0515) and 1.0505 support turned resistance (2020 low). The multi-decade down trend could still continue.

Summary 5/15 – 5/19

Monday, May 15, 2023
GMT Ccy Events Consensus Previous
22:30 NZD Business NZ PSI Apr 54.4
23:50 JPY PPI Y/Y Apr 5.60% 7.20%
06:30 CHF Producer and Import Prices M/M Apr -0.10% 0.20%
06:30 CHF Producer and Import Prices Y/Y Apr 1.10% 2.10%
09:00 EUR EU Economic Forecasts
09:00 EUR Eurozone Industrial Production M/M Mar -1.20% 1.50%
12:15 CAD Housing Starts Y/Y Apr 214K
12:30 CAD Wholesale Sales M/M Mar 0.20% -1.70%
12:30 USD Empire State Manufacturing Index May -1.9 10.8
GMT Ccy Events
22:30 NZD Business NZ PSI Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 54.4
23:50 JPY PPI Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: 5.60% Previous: 7.20%
06:30 CHF Producer and Import Prices M/M Apr
    Forecast: -0.10% Previous: 0.20%
06:30 CHF Producer and Import Prices Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: 1.10% Previous: 2.10%
09:00 EUR EU Economic Forecasts
    Forecast: Previous:
09:00 EUR Eurozone Industrial Production M/M Mar
    Forecast: -1.20% Previous: 1.50%
12:15 CAD Housing Starts Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 214K
12:30 CAD Wholesale Sales M/M Mar
    Forecast: 0.20% Previous: -1.70%
12:30 USD Empire State Manufacturing Index May
    Forecast: -1.9 Previous: 10.8
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
GMT Ccy Events Consensus Previous
01:30 AUD RBA Meeting Minutes
02:00 CNY Industrial Production Y/Y Apr 10.10% 3.90%
02:00 CNY Fixed Asset Investment YTD Y/Y Apr 5.20% 5.10%
02:00 CNY Retail Sales Y/Y Apr 20.10% 10.60%
06:00 GBP Claimant Count Change Apr 31.2K 28.2K
06:00 GBP ILO Unemployment Rate (3M) Mar 3.80% 3.80%
06:00 GBP Average Earnings Including Bonus 3M/Y Mar 5.10% 5.90%
06:00 GBP Average Earnings Excluding Bonus 3M/Y Mar 6.80% 6.60%
06:00 GBP Claimant Count Rate Apr 3.90%
09:00 EUR Eurozone Trade Balance (EUR) Mar 5.6B -0.1B
09:00 EUR Eurozone GDP Q/Q Q1 P 0.10% 0.10%
09:00 EUR Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment May -5 4.1
09:00 EUR Germany ZEW Current Situation May -35.3 -32.5
09:00 EUR Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment May 2.3 6.4
09:00 EUR Eurozone Employment Change Q/Q Q1 P 0.30% 0.30%
12:30 CAD Manufacturing Sales M/M Mar -3.60%
12:30 CAD CPI M/M Apr 0.90% 0.50%
12:30 CAD CPI Y/Y Apr 4.30%
12:30 CAD CPI Median Y/Y Apr 4.60%
12:30 CAD CPI Trimmed Y/Y Apr 4.40%
12:30 CAD CPI Common Y/Y Apr 5.90%
12:30 USD Retail Sales M/M Apr 0.70% -0.60%
12:30 USD Retail Sales ex Autos M/M Apr 0.30% -0.40%
13:15 USD Industrial Production M/M Apr 0.00% 0.40%
13:15 USD Capacity Utilization Apr 79.70% 79.80%
14:00 USD Business Inventories Mar 0.10% 0.20%
14:00 USD NAHB Housing Market Index May 45 45
23:50 JPY GDP Annualized Q1 P 0.20% 0.10%
23:50 JPY GDP Deflator Y/Y Q1 P 2.00% 1.20%
GMT Ccy Events
01:30 AUD RBA Meeting Minutes
    Forecast: Previous:
02:00 CNY Industrial Production Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: 10.10% Previous: 3.90%
02:00 CNY Fixed Asset Investment YTD Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: 5.20% Previous: 5.10%
02:00 CNY Retail Sales Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: 20.10% Previous: 10.60%
06:00 GBP Claimant Count Change Apr
    Forecast: 31.2K Previous: 28.2K
06:00 GBP ILO Unemployment Rate (3M) Mar
    Forecast: 3.80% Previous: 3.80%
06:00 GBP Average Earnings Including Bonus 3M/Y Mar
    Forecast: 5.10% Previous: 5.90%
06:00 GBP Average Earnings Excluding Bonus 3M/Y Mar
    Forecast: 6.80% Previous: 6.60%
06:00 GBP Claimant Count Rate Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 3.90%
09:00 EUR Eurozone Trade Balance (EUR) Mar
    Forecast: 5.6B Previous: -0.1B
09:00 EUR Eurozone GDP Q/Q Q1 P
    Forecast: 0.10% Previous: 0.10%
09:00 EUR Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment May
    Forecast: -5 Previous: 4.1
09:00 EUR Germany ZEW Current Situation May
    Forecast: -35.3 Previous: -32.5
09:00 EUR Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment May
    Forecast: 2.3 Previous: 6.4
09:00 EUR Eurozone Employment Change Q/Q Q1 P
    Forecast: 0.30% Previous: 0.30%
12:30 CAD Manufacturing Sales M/M Mar
    Forecast: Previous: -3.60%
12:30 CAD CPI M/M Apr
    Forecast: 0.90% Previous: 0.50%
12:30 CAD CPI Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 4.30%
12:30 CAD CPI Median Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 4.60%
12:30 CAD CPI Trimmed Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 4.40%
12:30 CAD CPI Common Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 5.90%
12:30 USD Retail Sales M/M Apr
    Forecast: 0.70% Previous: -0.60%
12:30 USD Retail Sales ex Autos M/M Apr
    Forecast: 0.30% Previous: -0.40%
13:15 USD Industrial Production M/M Apr
    Forecast: 0.00% Previous: 0.40%
13:15 USD Capacity Utilization Apr
    Forecast: 79.70% Previous: 79.80%
14:00 USD Business Inventories Mar
    Forecast: 0.10% Previous: 0.20%
14:00 USD NAHB Housing Market Index May
    Forecast: 45 Previous: 45
23:50 JPY GDP Annualized Q1 P
    Forecast: 0.20% Previous: 0.10%
23:50 JPY GDP Deflator Y/Y Q1 P
    Forecast: 2.00% Previous: 1.20%
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
GMT Ccy Events Consensus Previous
00:30 AUD Westpac Leading Index M/M Apr -0.01%
01:30 AUD Wage Price Index Q/Q Q1 0.90% 0.80%
04:30 JPY Industrial Production M/M Mar F 0.80% 0.80%
08:00 EUR Italy Trade Balance (EUR) Mar 2.50B 2.11B
09:00 EUR Eurozone CPI Y/Y Apr F 7.00% 7.00%
09:00 EUR Eurozone CPI Core Y/Y Apr F 5.60% 5.60%
12:30 USD Housing Starts Apr 1.40M 1.42M
12:30 USD Building Permits Apr 1.44M 1.43M
14:30 USD Crude Oil Inventories 3.0M
22:45 NZD PPI Input Q/Q Q1 0.50%
22:45 NZD PPI Output Q/Q Q1 0.90%
23:50 JPY Trade Balance (JPY) Apr -1.08T -1.21T
GMT Ccy Events
00:30 AUD Westpac Leading Index M/M Apr
    Forecast: Previous: -0.01%
01:30 AUD Wage Price Index Q/Q Q1
    Forecast: 0.90% Previous: 0.80%
04:30 JPY Industrial Production M/M Mar F
    Forecast: 0.80% Previous: 0.80%
08:00 EUR Italy Trade Balance (EUR) Mar
    Forecast: 2.50B Previous: 2.11B
09:00 EUR Eurozone CPI Y/Y Apr F
    Forecast: 7.00% Previous: 7.00%
09:00 EUR Eurozone CPI Core Y/Y Apr F
    Forecast: 5.60% Previous: 5.60%
12:30 USD Housing Starts Apr
    Forecast: 1.40M Previous: 1.42M
12:30 USD Building Permits Apr
    Forecast: 1.44M Previous: 1.43M
14:30 USD Crude Oil Inventories
    Forecast: Previous: 3.0M
22:45 NZD PPI Input Q/Q Q1
    Forecast: Previous: 0.50%
22:45 NZD PPI Output Q/Q Q1
    Forecast: Previous: 0.90%
23:50 JPY Trade Balance (JPY) Apr
    Forecast: -1.08T Previous: -1.21T
Thursday, May 18, 2023
GMT Ccy Events Consensus Previous
01:30 AUD Employment Change Apr 25K 53K
01:30 AUD Unemployment Rate Apr 3.50% 3.50%
12:30 CAD New Housing Price Index M/M Apr 0.00%
12:30 USD Initial Jobless Claims (May 12) 260K 264K
12:30 USD Philadelphia Fed Survey May -20 -31.3
14:00 USD Existing Home Sales Apr 4.35M 4.44M
14:30 USD Natural Gas Storage 78B
22:45 NZD Trade Balance (NZD) Apr -1273M
23:01 GBP GfK Consumer Confidence May -27 -30
23:30 JPY National CPI Y/Y Apr 3.20%
23:30 JPY National CPI Core Y/Y Apr 3.40% 3.10%
23:30 JPY National CPI Core-core Y/Y Apr 3.80%
GMT Ccy Events
01:30 AUD Employment Change Apr
    Forecast: 25K Previous: 53K
01:30 AUD Unemployment Rate Apr
    Forecast: 3.50% Previous: 3.50%
12:30 CAD New Housing Price Index M/M Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 0.00%
12:30 USD Initial Jobless Claims (May 12)
    Forecast: 260K Previous: 264K
12:30 USD Philadelphia Fed Survey May
    Forecast: -20 Previous: -31.3
14:00 USD Existing Home Sales Apr
    Forecast: 4.35M Previous: 4.44M
14:30 USD Natural Gas Storage
    Forecast: Previous: 78B
22:45 NZD Trade Balance (NZD) Apr
    Forecast: Previous: -1273M
23:01 GBP GfK Consumer Confidence May
    Forecast: -27 Previous: -30
23:30 JPY National CPI Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 3.20%
23:30 JPY National CPI Core Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: 3.40% Previous: 3.10%
23:30 JPY National CPI Core-core Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 3.80%
Friday, May 19, 2023
GMT Ccy Events Consensus Previous
04:30 JPY Tertiary Industry Index M/M Mar -0.10% 0.70%
06:00 EUR Germany PPI M/M Apr -2.60%
06:00 EUR Germany PPI Y/Y Apr 7.50%
08:00 EUR ECB Economic Bulletin
12:30 CAD Retail Sales M/M Mar -0.20%
12:30 CAD Retail Sales ex Autos M/M Mar -0.70%
GMT Ccy Events
04:30 JPY Tertiary Industry Index M/M Mar
    Forecast: -0.10% Previous: 0.70%
06:00 EUR Germany PPI M/M Apr
    Forecast: Previous: -2.60%
06:00 EUR Germany PPI Y/Y Apr
    Forecast: Previous: 7.50%
08:00 EUR ECB Economic Bulletin
    Forecast: Previous:
12:30 CAD Retail Sales M/M Mar
    Forecast: Previous: -0.20%
12:30 CAD Retail Sales ex Autos M/M Mar
    Forecast: Previous: -0.70%

Weekly Economic & Financial Commentary: Will FOMC Really Cut Rates in Second Half of the Year?

Summary

United States: Inroads Slowly Being Made on the Inflation Fight

  • Inflation remains uncomfortably high in the U.S. In April, the CPI rose 0.4% on both a headline and core basis, keeping the core running at a 5.1% three-month annualized rate. However, details pointed to price growth easing ahead, while the Producer Price Index and NFIB small business survey also suggested more meaningful disinflation is on its way. Consumers aren't so sure.
  • Next week: Retail Sales (Tue), Existing Home Sales (Tue), LEI (Thu)

International: Bank of England Hikes Rates, Mixed Q1 Growth Trends in the U.K.

  • The Bank of England (BoE) raised its Bank Rate by 25 bps to 4.50%, signaling it will keep a close eye on inflation dynamics this year. In addition, GDP data revealed the U.K. economy expanded 0.1% quarter-over-quarter in Q1. Household consumption was notably flat over the quarter, investment was significantly stronger than expected and the services sector faced mixed performance.
  • Next week: China Activity (Tue), Japan GDP & CPI (Wed/Fri), Bank of Mexico Rate Decision (Thu)

Interest Rate Watch: Will the FOMC Really Cut Rates in the Second Half of the Year?

  • The bond market is currently priced for 75 bps of Fed easing by the end of the year. One interpretation of that pricing is a 25% probability of 300 bps worth of easing coupled with a 75% probability of no easing. The FOMC could conceivably cut by 300 bps if something "bad" happens.

Credit Market Insights: Running a Tight Ship

  • The Fed's latest Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey showed a broad-based tightening in lending standards over Q1. Expectations for worsening credit quality were joined by a reduced risk tolerance and concerns about banks' funding costs and liquidity positions as reasons for tightening.

Topic of the Week: Year-Ahead Expectations Sour for Older Consumers

The results of the New York Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations were a mixed bag, with consumers reporting declining short-term inflation expectations but rising longer-term expectations. The recent declines in one-year ahead rates seem to be partially offset by the trend increase in the short-term inflation expectations of consumers over the age of 60.

Full report here.

The Weekly Bottom Line: Inflation Continues to Cool in Earnest

U.S. Highlights

  • Inflation eased modestly in April, with headline and core CPI both ticking down by 0.1 percentage points to 4.9% and 5.5% year-on-year respectively.
  • The Federal Reserve’s Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey showed that a higher share of commercial banks tightened credit conditions in April than January.
  • A meeting between President Biden and Congressional leaders failed to yield any progress on negotiations to raise/suspend the debt limit.

Canadian Highlights

  • Borrowing for households and businesses is getting tougher. The Bank of Canada Senior Loan Officer Survey highlights tightening credit conditions for households and business in the first quarter of the year. Notably, household mortgage lending has become less accessible.
  • Transitory events including the PSAC workers strike and ongoing Alberta wildfires will throw curveballs into the next few GDP updates, but this will not affect the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy stance.
  • Next week’s data-heavy calendar will be led by updates to April CPI, where we expect a cooling of headline inflation to 4.0% y/y with similar declines in various core measures.

U.S. - Inflation Continues to Cool in Earnest

On the heels of last week’s FOMC meeting, we were provided with a host of economic data this week to assess the Fed’s new wait-and-see approach, including April’s CPI report. In addition, we also received the second quarter Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS) and had a meeting between President Biden and Congressional leadership as they attempt to find an agreement to raise the debt limit. Markets ended the week relatively unchanged, with the S&P 500 down 0.1% and the ten-year Treasury Yield down 4bps at 3.41% as of the time of writing.

Inflation eased modestly in April, as headline inflation rose by 4.9% year-on-year, down modestly from 5% in March (Chart 1). Energy prices rose for the first time in three months as gasoline jumped by 3% month-on-month (m/m), and food prices were flat for a second consecutive month. Stripping out energy and food, core inflation ticked down to 5.5% y/y, having fluctuated between 5.5-5.6% y/y since January. While we did see shelter inflation decelerate for a second consecutive month, it still rose by 0.4% m/m. This in addition to the reacceleration in core goods inflation, worked to keep core inflation elevated. Although on aggregate this report had positive developments, it reiterated the fact that the path back to the Fed’s 2% target is unlikely to be a straight line.

Of particular concern for the Fed is the potential for inflation expectations to become de-anchored. In the New York Fed’s Survey of Consumer Expectations this week, we saw three-year ahead inflation expectations rise for a second consecutive month to 2.9% in April (Chart 2). While this series has historically run slightly above the Fed’s 2% target, a sustained movement above 3% would be a concern for the FOMC.

Earlier in the week, we saw that U.S. commercial banks continued to tighten credit conditions in April in the Fed’s SLOOS. Commercial & industrial loans as well as commercial real estate (CRE) loans saw a higher net percentage of banks tightening credit standards than in January. Demand for these loans from businesses fell as a result, however household demand for consumer-facing loans (mortgages, auto, credit card, etc.) rose as credit remained relatively accessible. Further analysis of the SLOOS can be found here.

Lastly, in the Oval Office this week, President Biden met with Congressional leaders on Tuesday to attempt to find an agreement to raise/suspend the debt limit. Treasury Secretary Yellen warned last week that the Treasury could run out of funds by early June, thus the impetus to reach an agreement is elevated. However, no progress has been made in the negotiations so far.

Looking ahead to next week, we will get a fresh update on the U.S. consumer with April retail sales as well as existing home sales. With the unemployment rate back down to 3.4% consumers may still have some wind in their sails, but we expect that this will be short-lived as past rate hikes continue to filter through the economy.

Canada – New Information, Same Narrative

Canada quietly stood on the sidelines this week without any top-shelf macro updates on the economic calendar. Jittery market sentiment continues to be driven by contentious U.S debt limit discussions, turmoil in the banking sector, and more recently, the concern that tighter credit conditions could lead to excessive slowdown south of the border. In Canada, we received our own pulse check on credit conditions.

The Bank of Canada's (BoC) Senior Loan Officer Survey for the first quarter highlighted a significant tightening in mortgage lending conditions (Chart 1). Data availability restricts drawing comparisons to the '08–'09 financial crisis, but current readings suggest stronger headwinds against mortgage credit growth in the near-term. Non-mortgage household lending conditions also tightened, making credit less accessible to consumers. On the business side, overall lending conditions also tightened notably, but remain below the peak seen during the pandemic, and the previous high in 2016. Credit conditions in Canada are displaying differing characteristics to those in the U.S., where credit standards for businesses are tightening disproportionally compared to household credit.

Aside from this, a series of transient shocks over the last couple of months will throw kinks into forthcoming data, notably monthly GDP readings. Firstly, the federal PSAC workers strike that kept ~150,000 workers off the job for two weeks may have lopped two-tenths of a percent off of April GDP. This effect may have been partially counteracted by the Federal government's GST/HST credits that hit Canadians' accounts at the beginning of April.

The expected GDP boost for May as workers came back on the job, could now be weighed down somewhere to the tune of 0.2 percentage points (ppts) by to the ongoing Alberta wildfires. Alberta's oil & gas sector accounts for roughly five percent of national level GDP, and while conditions have improved, major oil producers had curtailed cumulative oil output by up to ~320,000 barrels per day (or almost 4% of national level production). The shut-ins are temporary but have been sustained long enough to have measurable effects.

In Statistics Canada's February GDP release, they noted that the Canadian economy likely contracted by 0.1% in March. This puts first quarter GDP tracking above-trend at around 2.5% annualized. Imposing net-drag effects from recent events, Q2 GDP will likely come in lower than the 0.7–1.0% annualized estimates that both we and the BoC have penciled in. However, this should give way to a growth rebound in Q3. All said, we do not see any effect on monetary policy as the Bank of Canada will likely look through the noise, instead focusing on the fight to bring inflation durably back to target.

After a quiet week for data, next week features a lineup of heavy hitters. April's inflation release next week will be the lead off. We expect headline CPI to cool another 0.3 ppts to 4.0% y/y with broadly equivalent slowdowns across the suite of core measures (Chart 2). Also on tap, retail sales for March likely slowed, evidenced by our TD Spend data that showed consumers pumped the brakes on spending for the month. Lastly, we'll receive updates on April's housing starts and existing home sales.

Canadian Inflation Likely to Ease Again

Canada’s April inflation reading likely ticked lower again. We expect to a 4.1% year-over-year rate from 4.3% in March. A 6% increase in gasoline prices from March suggests energy prices fell a little less. But grocery price growth has been slowing and we expect broader gradual softening in underlying inflation pressures to have continued.

With headline CPI moving in the right direction, all eyes will be on the Bank of Canada’s preferred measures of core inflation for signs that higher interest rates are slowing price growth. Year-over-year growth for the CPI trim, median, and the new ‘super core’ services ex-shelter measure introduced in the BoC’s last Monetary Policy Report should all slow substantially as large monthly increases in April a year ago fall out of the annual growth rates. More recent month-over-month core price increases have been running around a 3 ½% (annualized) rate. That’s still above the BoC’s 1% to 3% target range, but down sharply from peak levels last summer. The breadth of inflation pressures has narrowed. And early signs that the lagged impact of higher interest rates are weighing on economic growth suggest underlying inflation pressures should continue to ease. Early estimates are pointing to declines in Canadian wholesale and retail sales in March, with a 0.7% increase in manufacturing sales probably tied to a big surge in notoriously volatile aerospace sales.

The Bank of Canada is presently expected to sit on the sidelines for the remainder of 2023. Additional evidence of weaker price growth coupled with softening demand will affirm their present policy stance.

Week ahead data watch

The BoC’s Financial System Review (FSR) will be more closely watched than usual given the tightening credit standards in regional banks, and wobbly commercial real estate (CRE) markets. The BoC's Q1 Senior Loan Officer survey flagged some tightening in lending conditions, but not to the same extent as has been observed in the U.S.

Statistics Canada’s advance estimate indicated that March manufacturing sales rose 0.7% following a 3.7% pullback in February. Prices likely declined (led by a drop in petroleum & coal prices), implying a larger rise in volume terms. But most of the increase appears to have come from a surge in the often-volatile aerospace component.

Early estimates from Statistics Canada pointed to declines in March retail sales (-1.4%) and wholesale trade (-0.4%.) The former likely included a pullback in auto sales, with industry reports pointing to another decline in motor vehicle sales in April.
Canadian home resales probably ticked higher for a third straight month in April, according to early market reports. Prices likely also edged higher for a second straight month following a year of consecutive declines.

We expect the U.S. retail sales to tick up 0.5% in April, driven by an increase in unit auto sales. U.S. industrial production likely held steady in April, with a sharp decline in heating days resulting a lower output in the utility sector. Manufacturing output probably edged higher, but not by enough to fully reverse the 0.5% decline in the prior month.

Week Ahead – Turkey Heads to Polls, US Retail Sales Eyed, China Ponders Rate Cut

US

Wall Street will remain focused on debt ceiling drama, a plethora of Fed speak, retail earnings, and bank stress. It will be a busy week filled with economic releases, with most of the attention falling the Empire manufacturing survey, a retail sales report that is expected to show a rebound in spending, weekly jobless claims, and existing home sales.

Debt ceiling talks were delayed and are expected to resume this week. Default risks are going up and that would be catastrophic for the economy.

Given the weakness that is emerging within in the labor market and disinflation trends, the Fed might be persuaded to keep rates on hold a little longer than most were assuming.  This week contains nine Fed appearances, with the highlights coming from Bostic on Monday, Goolsbee on Tuesday, while Fed Chair Powell participates on a panel with Former Fed Chair Bernanke on Friday.

Eurozone

There are a lot of economic releases over the next week but I’m not sure any really fall into the tier one category, despite having some potential to do so. HICP is obviously a huge release but revisions are generally marginal at best. It’s unlikely to be a game changer but never say never. Flash GDP data will also be of interest, with growth having basically flatlined over the last year. Could a recession be on the cards? That aside, it’s all about the ECB speak, most notably President Lagarde on Tuesday and Friday.

UK 

The Bank of England remains confident that inflation will return to target over the forecast horizon and yet the new staff projections highlighted how challenging it will be. Inflation and growth were both revised significantly higher for this year and labour market figures on Tuesday could help explain why that is. Unemployment is expected to remain at 3.8% and wage growth ex-bonuses at 6.8%.

Neither are consistent with inflation falling to 2% but at the same time, they aren’t likely to stay there for long. Inflation is expected to start falling sharply in April and interest rates will keep the pressure on. We’ll hear from a variety of BoE policymakers next week including Governor Bailey but I don’t expect to hear anything different from the press conference after the rate decision on Thursday.

Russia

GDP data in focus next week alongside an appearance from central bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, with traders looking for clues on when the next policy move could happen and in which direction.

South Africa

The calendar is looking a little thin once again next week, with unemployment and retail sales the only releases. The former was 32.7% in Q4 2022 and is expected higher at 33.2% in Q1, while retail sales slipped 0.5% in February but are expected to have bounced back 2.8% in March.

Turkey

The election this weekend has been talked about for many months and could have big ramifications for Turkish markets. The monetary policy experiment of the last couple of years has arguably been conducted with an eye on this weekend’s election, with President Erdogan hoping that a successful gamble could help extend his two-decade rule.

The race for the Presidency will require one candidate – Erdogan or Kilicdaroglu – to get more than 50% of the vote or it will go to a run-off on 28 May. Voting on Sunday opens at 8 am local time and polls close at 5 pm. By the time markets open next week, we may know who has won the Presidential election.

Switzerland

PPI data is the only notable event next week but traders will be paying close attention for signs of lower price pressures, with the SNB showing zero tolerance so far for above-target inflation.

China

The recent spate of disappointing economic data that covers both external and internal demand have increased the expectations of a policy interest rate cut from China’s central bank, the PBoC, to address current sluggishness. The tentative date for the upcoming decision on the one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) rate is set for Monday, 15 May.

Next up, a busy schedule ahead with another set of key data releases; on Tuesday, 16 May, we will have industrial production, retail sales, unemployment rate and year-to-date fixed asset investments for April. Attention will be paid to retail sales as policymakers have flagged concerns about the recent softness in domestic demand. The consensus is for a further pickup in retail sales growth to 20.1% year-on-year from 10.6% in March.

Housing data will be the focus on Wednesday, with a further improvement being forecasted for the deceleration of the House Price Index to -0.2% year-on-year in April from -0.8% in March. If it turns out as forecasted, it will be the 3rd consecutive month of improvement in the China property market.

On the earnings front, a slew of releases from China’s Big Tech; Baidu on Tuesday, 16 May, Tencent Holdings on Wednesday, 17 May, and Alibaba Group on Thursday, 18 May.

India

The balance of trade deficit for April is forecasted to widen further slightly to US$21.5 billion from US$19.7 billion in March amid a lackluster global demand environment.

On Wednesday, wholesale inflation is expected to decelerate further into a negative growth of -0.2% year-on-year in April from 1.34% printed in March. If it turns out as expected, it will mark the 11th consecutive month of contraction.

Australia

A busy week. First up we will have the Westpac consumer confidence data for May on Monday where the consensus is expecting a decline of -1.7% month-on-month due to the surprise interest rate hike from RBA.

On Tuesday, market participants will have a chance to scrutinise the meeting minutes of the recent RBA monetary policy decision for further clues on the reasons behind the surprise rate hike and anticipate the RBA’s thought processes and future actions.

On Thursday, employment data for April will be out and the expectation is a slowdown in hiring with 25K new additions from 53K added in March. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 3.5% in April, close to a 50-year low.

New Zealand

The key data to focus on will be April’s balance of trade release on Friday where the forecast is expecting a surplus of NZ$0.2 billion for April from a deficit of NZ$1.273 billion recorded in March. If it turns out as forecasted, it will be the first monthly surplus since May 2022.

Japan

A busy week packed with key inflationary data that may offer clues on the speed of Bank of Japan’s ultra-easy monetary policy normalization that is expected to take shape in the second half of 2023.

On Monday, growth in producer prices is forecasted to dip to 6.5% year-on-year in April from 7.2% in March. Next up, Q1 GDP will be released on Wednesday where the consensus is expecting an annualized improvement in growth to 0.7% from 0.1% recorded in the previous quarter.

The balance of trade for April will be out on Thursday where the surplus is forecasted to narrow to JPY 690 billion from JPY 754.5 billion.

The all-important consumer inflation rate for April will be released on Friday, core inflation is forecasted to increase to 3.2% year-on-year from 3.1% in March and the core-core rate (excluding fresh food and energy) is forecasted to accelerate to 3.9% year-on-year from 3.8% in March, close to a 30-year high.

Singapore

The key data to watch will be April’s non-oil domestic exports release on Wednesday. Consensus is expected further deterioration in growth to -9.7% year-on-year from -8.3% in March. If it turns out as expected, it will be the 7th month of contraction in non-oil domestic exports amid a weak external environment.

Economic Calendar

Saturday, May 13

Economic Data/Events

  • Results of local polls in India
  • Fed’s Cook delivers the commencement address at Tuskegee University in Alabama
  • EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm

Sunday, May 14

Economic Events

  • Turkish Presidential Election: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s re-election is in doubt
  • Thailand holds a general election

Monday, May 15

Economic Data/Events

  • US cross-border investment, New York Fed Empire Manufacturing
  • Canada existing home sales, housing starts
  • Colombia GDP
  • Eurozone industrial production
  • India trade, wholesale prices
  • Indonesia trade
  • Japan PPI
  • Poland CPI
  • Saudi Arabia CPI
  • Thailand GDP
  • BOC issues financial system survey, based on “expert opinions on the risks to and resilience” of the country’s financial system
  • Fed’s Bostic delivers welcoming remarks at his bank’s annual financial markets conference
  • German Chancellor Scholz speaks at the Global Solutions Forum in Berlin
  • Arab League summit runs through Friday
  • BOE chief economist Pill speaks about the bank’s monetary policy report
  • European Commission releases spring economic forecasts

Tuesday, May 16

Economic Data/Events

  • US retail sales, industrial production, business inventories
  • Canada CPI
  • China retail sales, industrial production
  • Eurozone GDP
  • Germany ZEW survey expectations
  • Hungary GDP
  • Italy CPI
  • Mexico international reserves
  • South Africa unemployment
  • UK jobless claims, unemployment
  • RBA releases minutes of May policy meeting
  • Fed’s Mester speaks on the economic and policy outlook at an event hosted by the Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin
  • Fed’s Williams discusses the economy and monetary policy at an event hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands
  • Fed’s Bostic and Goolsbee speak on the economic outlook during Atlanta Fed’s annual financial markets conference
  • Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Brussels
  • Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik

Wednesday, May 17

Economic Data/Events

  • US housing starts
  • China property prices
  • Eurozone CPI, new car registrations
  • France unemployment
  • Italy trade
  • Japan industrial production, GDP
  • Russia GDP
  • Singapore trade
  • South Africa retail sales
  • ECB’s de Guindos delivers the closing speech at the 18th IESE banking industry meeting
  • Riksbank’s Floden speaks at a research seminar
  • Earnings from Target Corp and Cisco Systems Inc
  • BOE Governor Andrew Bailey delivers a keynote speech at the British Chamber of Commerce annual conference

Thursday, May 18

Economic Data/Events

  • US initial jobless claims, Conference Board leading index, existing home sales
  • Australia unemployment
  • Chile GDP
  • Japan trade
  • Mexico rate decision: Expected to keep the overnight rate steady at 11.25%
  • Philippines balance of payments, rate decision
  • Spain trade
  • BOC news conference on financial system Review, billed as “a detailed analysis of developments in the financial system.”
  • Northern Ireland holds local elections
  • Most of Europe observes Ascension Day holiday
  • Bitcoin 2023 conference in Miami
  • BOE’s chief economist Pill delivers opening remarks at the CCBS Macro-finance workshop 2023

Friday, May 19

Economic Data/Events

  • Fed Chair Powell and former chair Ben Bernanke to take part in a panel discussion at conference
  • Canada retail sales
  • Japan CPI, tertiary index
  • Malaysia trade
  • New Zealand trade
  • G7 leaders meet in Hiroshima
  • ECB’s Schnabel gives speech at Conference on Financial Stability and Monetary Policy in London
  • ECB’s President Lagarde and Hernandez participate in a panel at Brazil’s central bank conference on post-pandemic challenges
  • Fed’s Williams delivers the keynote address at monetary policy research conference in Washington
  • BOE’s Haskel delivers a speech at the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence Conference

Sovereign Rating Updates

  • Ireland (S&P)
  • South Africa (S&P)
  • Italy (Moody’s)
  • Portugal (Moody’s)
  • Denmark (DBRS)