GBP/USD Weekly Fundamental Analysis March 16-24, 2012, Forecast
Introduction: While the ranges are wider (and so should stops be), the lines are rather distinctive, especially towards the borders of the long term wide range. This pair makes for good trades, with the new austerity program implemented in the UK, the GBP is moving more on Fundamentals now.
- The interest rate differential between the Bank of England(BoE) and the Federal Reserve
- High yield and attractive growth in the UK drives GBP/USD higher
Analysis and Recommendation:
The GBP/USD had a pretty large trading range this week, from a low of 1.5663 to a high of 1.5861, the pair are trading currently at 1.5844
This week the Sterling was hit by two major blows.
The number of British workers seeking jobless benefits rose by 7,200 in February to 1.61 million, the Office for National Statistics reported Wednesday. Economists had forecast a rise of 5,000. The number of unemployed persons rose by 28,000, rising well above forecasts, surprising lawmakers and economist.
Fitch Ratings is lowering its outlook for the United Kingdom, indicating a ratings downgrade may be coming.
The rating agency said that while the UK was well-positioned now, it had limited ability to absorb any further economic shocks from the European economic crisis.
While data from the US continued to show positive results supported by addresses by the FOMC and Fed Chairman Bernanke, continued to push the dollar to higher numbers. Towards the end of the week, some inflationary data, make investors worry that this would be the end of any monetary easing by the Feds, also the confidence gave investors the taste for riskier assets. In the very last few hours of the week, the USD fell against most of its trading partners.
The pair should fall in early week trading back to the 1.5663 low of last week, with little data or information to support a move elsewhere. Retail sales numbers are due in the UK and are expected to be down.
Historical:
Highest: 1.681 USD on 17 Nov 2009.
Average: 1.5807 USD over this period
Major Economic Events for the week of March 19-24
|
Mar. 20 |
01:30 |
AUD |
Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes |
|
Mar. 21 |
10:30 |
GBP |
MPC Meeting Minutes |
|
15:00 |
USD |
Existing Home Sales |
|
|
22:45 |
NZD |
GDP (QoQ) |
|
|
Mar. 22 |
10:30 |
GBP |
Retail Sales (MoM) |
|
13:30 |
Core Retail Sales (MoM) |
||
|
13:30 |
USD |
Initial Jobless Claims |
|
|
17:00 |
EUR |
ECB President Draghi Speaks |
|
|
Mar. 23 |
12:00 |
CAD |
Core CPI (MoM) |
|
15:00 |
USD |
New Home Sales |
The week’s highlights
In Australia, data on skilled vacancies and merchandise imports is set for release.
The Bank of England will also release the minutes of its last meeting, while data on housing starts and building approvals is due in the United States.
The European Union will release draft proposals regarding the regulation of shadow banks.
The International Monetary Fund will host high level talks at the two day China-India conference in New Delhi.
RBA Governor Glenn Stevens will speak at an investment conference in the week ahead.
Monday
The National Association of Home Builders housing market index for March will be released in the United States on Monday.
Tuesday
The RBA will release the minutes of its March policy meeting, where it kept the official cash rate on hold for the second consecutive time. Investors will watch carefully for any reflection on the expected direction that rates will take over the rest of the year. Most economists are still expecting at least one more rate cut in 2012.
US February housing starts figures and building approval data released. Economists are forecasting housing starts to be flat for the month, at around 700,000.
In the United Kingdom, February consumer price index data is awaited, alongside retail price index figures for the month.
Wednesday
The international merchandise figures for February reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Also the Department of Education and Workplace Relations will release its skilled vacancies index for February.
February existing home sales figures in the US, along with the weekly Energy Information Administration petroleum status report. Analysts expect the data to show a rise in home sales of about two per cent.
Thursday
Mortgage Bankers Association mortgage applications figures are also due.
Elsewhere, the Bank of England will release the minutes of its last policy meeting.
UK public sector net borrowing for February is also due.
Also due is the highly anticipated jobless claims data is out in the US. February retail sales data is expected in the UK.
Friday
US new home sales figures for February and experts expect sales to have risen by 6,000 to 327,000.
Economic Releases for the week of March 12-16
|
Mar. 13 |
JPY |
Interest Rate Decision |
0.10% |
0.10% |
0.10% |
|
EUR |
German ZEW Economic Sentiment |
22.3 |
10.5 |
5.4 |
|
|
USD |
Core Retail Sales (MoM) |
0.9% |
0.8% |
1.1% |
|
|
USD |
Retail Sales (MoM) |
1.1% |
1.1% |
0.6% |
|
|
USD |
Interest Rate Decision |
0.25% |
0.25% |
0.25% |
|
|
Mar. 14 |
GBP |
Claimant Count Change |
7.2K |
6.0K |
7.0K |
|
Mar. 15 |
CHF |
Interest Rate Decision |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
|
USD |
Initial Jobless Claims |
351K |
356K |
365K |
|
|
Mar. 16 |
USD |
Core CPI (MoM) |
0.1% |
0.2% |
0.2% |
|
USD |
CPI (MoM) |
0.4% |
0.4% |
0.2% |
Government Bond Auctions (this week)
Mar 19 n/a Greece CDS Auction
Mar 19 10:10 Slovakia Bond auction
Mar 19 10:10 Norway T-bill auction
Mar 20 09:30 Spain 12 & 18M T-bill auction
Mar 21 10:10 Sweden Nominal bond auction
Mar 21 10:30 Germany Eur 5.0bn Mar 2014 Schatz
Mar 21 10:30 Portugal Eur 0.75-1.0bn 4 & 6M T-bills
Mar 22 10:10 Sweden I/L bond auction
Mar 22 10.30 UK Auctions 0.625% 2042 I/L Gilt
Mar 22 15:00 US
Announces auctions of 2Y Notes on Mar 27, 5Y Notes on Mar
28 & 7Y Notes on Mar 29
Originally posted here
