Softer US data sends US Dollar lower

When trying to determine what the Fed will do at its next meeting, there are many variables that come into play.  Retail Sales inflation data and manufacturing data are a few of the most important factors.  December Retail Sales showed that shoppers spent less in December as the MoM print was -1.1% vs an expectation of -0.8% and a November reading of -1.0% (revised from -0.6%).  In addition, Retails Sales (ex-Autos) was also -1.1% MoM vs an expectation of -0.4% MoM and a November reading of -0.6% MoM (revised from -0.2% MoM). 

US PPI was also weaker than expected.  Headline PPI fell to 6.2% YoY vs an expectation of 6.8% YoY and a prior reading of 7.3% YoY (revised from 7.4% YoY).  This is the lowest PPI reading since March 2021. 

Adding fuel to the fire are Industrial Production and Manufacturing Production for December.  Both prints were weaker than expected, suggesting that the soft-landing scenario the Fed has painted may not be so cut and dry.  Industrial Production was -0.7% MoM vs an expectation of -0.1% MoM and a November reading of -0.6% MoM (revised of -0.2%).  This was the biggest decline since September 2021.  Manufacturing Production was also weaker at -1.3% MoM vs an expectation of -0.3% MoM and a November reading of -1.1% MoM (revised from -0.6%).  This was the largest decrease in the data series since February 2021. 

What are economic indicators?

Weaker retail sales, inflation, and manufacturing data point to a more dovish Fed when it meets on February 1^st.  This is pushing interest rates and the US Dollar lower. US 10-year yields fell to their lowest level since mid-September 2022 at 3.375% while the DXY is closing on May 30^th, 2022 support at 101.30.

US 10 Year Daily

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

DXY Daily

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

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With the BOJ and UK inflation earlier today, it's best to take a look at EUR/USD, as the Eurozone didn’t have much skin in the game today.  On a daily timeframe, EUR/USD reached its highest level since April 21^st, 2022 as US Dollar weakness helped push the pair higher.  Price is currently testing the top trendline of the channel, which began in November 2022, near 1.0865.  If the US Dollar continues to weaken, the pair should remain bid.  First resistance is at the highs of April 21^st at 1.0936.  Above there, EUR/USD can move to the highs of March 31^st, 2022 at 1.1185, then the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level from the highs of May 2021 to the lows of September 2022, at 1.1329.  However, if EUR/USD pulls back, the first support is at the highs from January 4^th at 1.0635.  Below there, price can test a confluence of support at the 50 Day Moving Average and the bottom trendline of the channel near 1.0548.  Next support is the lows of January 6^th at 1.0482.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

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If the data continues to come out weak for the US, it could mean a move dovish Fed than expected on the back of weaker inflation and the possibility of a hard landing.  On Thursday and Friday, the US releases housing data and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index. Manage risk accordingly.

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