By FX Empire.com

Economic Events: (GMT)

13:30 USD GDP Price Index (QoQ) 0.4% 0.4%

13:30 USD GDP (QoQ) 2.8% 2.8%

The GDP Price Index measures the annualized change in the price of all goods and services included in gross domestic product. It are the broadest inflationary indicator.

14:30 USD FOMC Member Fisher Speaks

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President and Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voting member (2008 and 2011) Richard Fisher is to speak. FOMC members are responsible for setting the benchmark interest rate and their speeches are closely watched for indications on the future possible direction of monetary policy.

14:45 USD Chicago PMI 61.8 60.2

The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) determines the economic health of the manufacturing sector in Chicago region. A reading above 50 indicates expansion of the manufacturing sector; a reading below indicates contraction. The Chicago PMI can be of some help in forecasting the ISM manufacturing PMI.

15:00 USD Fed Chairman Bernanke Testifies

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (February 2006 – January 2014) is to testify on the economic outlook and recent monetary policy actions before the Joint Economic Committee, in Washington DC. The testimony is in two parts; the first is a prepared statement, then the committee conducts a question and answer session. The Q&A portion of the testimony can see heavy market volatility for the duration.

19:00 USD Beige Book

The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book is a report on current economic conditions in each of the 12 Federal districts in the U.S. It gives a picture of economic trends and challenges in the U.S. It is released 8 times a year, 2 weeks before each Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The report is used by the FOMC in their decision on short-term interest rates.

USD/CAD Fundamental Analysis February 29, 2012, Forecast

USD/CAD Fundamental Analysis February 29, 2012, Forecast

Analysis and Recommendations:

The USD/CAD fell from the opening at 0.9990 to trade at 0.9950. With the euro surging to new recent highs against the USD, all of the USD trading partners are benefitting on the weakness. Also reports show U.S. home prices fell 1.1% in December to bring the year-over-year fall to 4%, according to the Case-Shiller home price index released Tuesday. Today’s report show durable goods sank 4% in January, the U.S. Commerce Department said.

An Unusual Comparison but a Surprise Divergence

Economic Data February 28, 2012 actual v forecast

CHF

Consumption Indicator

0.92

0.94

EUR

GfK German Consumer Climate

6.0

6.1

5.9

CHF

Employment Level

4.04M

4.03M

4.05M

EUR

Business and Consumer Survey

94.4

93.8

93.4

EUR

Italian 10-Year BTP Auction

4.190%

6.470%

GBP

CBI Distributive Trades Survey

-2

-14

-22

CLP

Chilean Unemployment Rate

6.6%

7.0%

6.6%

HUF

Hungarian Interest Rate Decision

7.00%

7.00%

7.00%

USD

Core Durable Goods Orders (MoM)

-3.2%

0.0%

2.1%

USD

Durable Goods Orders (MoM)

-4.0%

-0.8%

3.2%

EUR

German CPI (MoM)

0.7%

0.5%

-0.4%

USD

S&P/CS Home Price Indices Composite – 20 (YoY)

-4.0%

-3.6%

-3.9%

Sovereign Bond Auction Schedule

Feb 29 10:10 Sweden Auctions T-bills

Feb 29 10:30 Germany Eur 4.0bn 2.0% Jan 2022 Bund

Feb 29 15:30 Sweden Details nominal bond auction on Mar 07

Mar 01 09:30 Spain Bono auction

Mar 01 09:50 France OAT auction

Mar 01 10.30 UK Auctions 4.0% 2022 conventional Gilt

Originally posted here