Pound (GBP) gains capped as UK GDP revised down
The pound (GBP) firmed through yesterday’s session as a broadly upbeat market mood reflected positively on the increasingly risk-sensitive currency.
However, these gains remained modest in scope after the UK’s final GDP print for the second quarter saw growth revised lower.
Turning to today’s session, the UK’s latest manufacturing PMI may limit demand for the pound if September’s finalised figures confirm factory activity slowed last month.
Euro (EUR) slips as German inflation cools
The euro (EUR) trended lower on Monday, following the publication of Germany’s latest consumer price index.
September’s preliminary CPI figures reported inflation slowed to just 1.6%, the slowest pace of price growth in over three years, stoking bets for another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank (ECB) later this month.
Looking ahead, the euro could come under notable selling pressure this morning as the CPI figures for the Eurozone as a whole are expected to report inflation in the bloc fell below the ECB’s target for the first time since June 2021.
US dollar (USD) strengthens on Powell remarks
The US dollar (USD) was initially muted yesterday as while an upswing in US Treasury yields lent some support to the ‘greenback’ this was largely offset by risk-on flows.
However, USD exchange rates then jumped later in the evening following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in which he suggested the bank is not in a rush to cut interest rates.
The latest US Job Openings and Turnover survey (JOLTs) will be published later this afternoon. If August’s data signals that the US labour market continues to cool, it’s likely to stoke Fed rate cut bets and pull the US dollar lower.
Canadian dollar (CAD) muted on soft oil prices
The Canadian dollar (CAD) was mostly rangebound on Monday as a modest fall in oil prices limited the appeal of the commodity-linked currency.
Coming up, Canada’s latest manufacturing PMI is forecast to report the country’s factory sector returned to growth last month, potentially helping to underpin the ‘loonie’.
Australian dollar (AUD) bolstered by upbeat retail sales figures
After stumbling on Monday, the Australian dollar (AUD) then rebounded in overnight trade in response to stronger-than-expected domestic retail sales figures.
New Zealand dollar (NZD) slips in cautious trade
The New Zealand dollar (NZD) trended broadly lower in overnight trade as a cautious shift in risk appetite limited demand for the ‘kiwi’.