By FX Empire.com

Economic Events: (GMT)

00:30 AUD Retail Sales (MoM)

Retail Sales measure the change in the total value of inflation-adjusted sales at the retail level. It is the foremost indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the AUD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the AUD

19:00 USD Federal Budget Balance

The Federal Budget Balance measures the difference in value between the federal government’s income and expenditure during the reported month. A positive number indicates a budget surplus, a negative number indicates a deficit.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

21:45 NZD Employment Change (QoQ) 0.2%

Employment Change measures the change in the number of people employed. Job creation is an important indicator of consumer spending.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the NZD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the NZD.

21:45 NZD Labor Cost Index (QoQ)

21:45 NZD Unemployment Rate 6.6%

The Labor Cost Index measures the change in the price businesses pay for labor, excluding overtime. It is a leading indicator of consumer inflation.

The Unemployment Rate measures the percentage of the total work force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment during the previous quarter.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the NZD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the NZD.

NZD/USD Fundamental Analysis February 6, 2012, Forecast

NZD/USD Fundamental Analysis February 6, 2012, Forecast

Analysis and Recommendation: (Close of the Asian session )

NZD/USD is trading at .8313 down from the opening at 0.8332 but remaining in a fairly narrow range. Later on Monday there will be several economic reports in New Zealand which might drive the kiwi. Friday’s drop came after Federal Reserve Director Fisher contracticted the FOMC statement saying that these projections until 2014 had no basis, causing the USD to gain slightly.

Economic Data results prior trading day ( key better than expected worse than expected at forecast )

NZD ANZ Commodity Price Index (MoM) 1.2% -0.8%

AUD Building Approvals (MoM) -1.0% 2.1% 10.1%

AUD Trade Balance 1.71B 1.20B 1.34B

CHF Trade Balance 2.07B 2.85B 2.95B

GBP Construction PMI 51.4 52.9 53.2

EUR PPI (MoM) -0.2% -0.1% 0.2%

USD Challenger Job Cuts (YoY) 38.9% 30.6%

USD Nonfarm Productivity (QoQ) 0.7% 1.0% 1.9%

USD Initial Jobless Claims 367K 373K 379K

USD Unit Labor Costs (QoQ) 1.2% 0.9% -2.1%

USD Continuing Jobless Claims 3437K 3565K 3567K

Scheduled Sovereign Bond Sales

Feb 06 10:10 Norway Bond auction

Feb 07 09:00 Netherlands Eur 5.0bn Jul 2022 DSL

Feb 07 10:10 Greece 6M T-bill auction

Feb 07 10.30 UK Auctions 1.75% 2017 conventional Gilt

Feb 07 15:30 UK Details gilt auction on Feb 16

Feb 07 18:00 US Auctions 3Y Notes

Feb 08 10:10 Sweden Nominal bond auction

Feb 08 10:30 Germany Eur 4.0bn Feb 2017 Bobl

Feb 08 10:30 Swiss Bond auction

Feb 08 16:30 Italy Details BOT auction on Feb 13

Feb 08 18:00 US Auctions 10Y Notes

Feb 09 10:10 Sweden Sek 0.75bn I/L bond auction

Feb 09 15:30 Sweden Details I/L bond auction on Mar 23

Feb 09 16:00 US Announces auctions of 30Y TIPS on Feb 16

Feb 09 16:30 Italy Details BTP/CCTeu auction on Feb 14

Feb 09 18:00 Italy Auctions 30Y Bonds

Feb 10 11:00 Belgium OLO auction

Originally posted here