- With the main central banks sidelined for longer, the market is looking for a new driver
- Investors will therefore focus on US data and several upcoming speeches from Fed members
- On the data side, the latest batch of PMIs from the US were slightly encouraging but nothing to get carried away
- EUR/USD consolidated at between 1.1203 and 1.1220 as investors await US Fed speakers before choosing a direction: on the downside, the main support is still standing at 1.1123 while on the upside a resistance can be found at 1.1366
In overnight trading, Asian markets were unable to hold onto gains from yesterday in spite of the positive lead from Wall Street. Now that the main central banks have decided to stay sidelined for longer, the market is looking for a new driver. Investors will therefore focus on US data and the numerous speeches from Fed members. Later today, US Fed Chairman Yellen, Presidents Bullard, Evans and Mester will speak, while across the Atlantic, ECB President Draghi will address the German Parliament’s EU committee.
On the data side, the latest batch of PMIs from the US were slightly encouraging but nothing to get carried away. Markit services preliminary PMI for September rose to 51.9 from 51 in the previous month, slightly above the market’s expectation of 51.2. Finally, preliminary composite PMI ticked up to 52 from 51.5. Today’s economic calendar is very light but several key US data are due for release before the end of the week. After falling 0.60% yesterday, EUR/USD consolidated at between 1.1203 and 1.1220 as investors await US Fed speakers before choosing a direction. On the downside, the main support is still standing at 1.1123 (low from August 31st), while on the upside a resistance can be found at 1.1366 (high from August 18th).
The New Zealand dollar erased yesterday’s gains and returned to around 0.7270 after testing the 0.7320 resistance in the early European session yesterday. We believe that the Kiwi won’t appreciate much against the greenback as traders expect the reserve Bank of New Zealand to cut rates at its meeting. However, the Fed’s dovishness should prevent a massive debasement of NZD/USD. On the technical side, a support lies at 0.7222 (low from September 6th), while on the upside, the high from September 22nd standing at 0.7369 will act as first resistance.
Asian equity returns were rather negative on Wednesday with the Nikkei sliding 1.31%, while the broader Topix index was off 1.37%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng fell 0.42%. Australian and New Zealand shares were up 0.12% and 0.52% respectively. In Europe, futures are trading in positive territory, suggesting a higher open.