Australian Dollar (AUD) Mixed as Market Mood Shifts
The Australian Dollar (AUD) ended the week lacking a clear direction as a choppy market mood drove volatility in the risk-sensitive ‘Aussie’.
Better-than-forecast Chinese manufacturing data provided AUD with a temporary boost, but some risk aversion later in the session undermined the upside.
Turing to today, Australia’s third-quarter corporate profits figure could weigh on the ‘Aussie’, if it shows another decline as expected.
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) Underpinned by Strong Consumer Confidence
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) also wavered amid the shifting market mood at the end of last week’s session.
However, the ‘Kiwi’ fared better than some of its rivals, with the currency garnering support from a larger-than-forecast improvement in New Zealand consumer confidence.
Amid a lack of economic data today, the risk-sensitive ‘Kiwi’ may trade on market risk appetite.
Pound (GBP) Subdued following Manufacturing PMI
The Pound (GBP) traded without a clear direction on Friday, although it slipped against its stronger peers, following the UK’s final manufacturing PMI.
Although the PMI printed higher than preliminary estimates, it still showed a ninth consecutive month of contracting factory activity.
There is no UK data scheduled for release today. As a result, the Pound may struggle to find a clear direction.
Euro (EUR) Extends Downside following Cooler CPI
The Euro (EUR) ended a bruising week on the back foot as investors continued to price in a possible interest rate cut from the European Central Bank (ECB) in early 2024.
This came in the wake of the Eurozone’s consumer price index on Thursday night, which showed that inflation cooled far more than forecast last month, dropping from 2.9% to 2.4% – close to the ECB’s 2% target.
Looking ahead, Germany’s latest balance of trade figures could boost the Euro this evening. Economists expect Germany’s trade surplus to have widened in October as export growth recovered.
US Dollar (USD) Wavers amid Uncertain Sentiment
The safe-haven US Dollar (USD) failed to find a clear trajectory on Friday amid the shifting market mood.
A weaker-than-expected manufacturing PMI also seemed to trigger mixed USD movement. While the data was bad for USD, it also soured the market mood.
US data is in short supply today, with the US Dollar potentially being driven by risk sentiment.
Canadian Dollar (CAD) Climbs despite Rising Jobless Rate
The crude-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) climbed at the end of last week, despite mixed jobs data. An increase in full-time employment seemed to offset a rise in Canada’s jobless rate.
Oil prices could drive CAD exchange rates today. Could crude trend higher in the wake of last week’s OPEC+ decision, thereby boosting the ‘Loonie’?
Data Releases
Dec 4th 10:00 AUD TD-MI Inflation Gauge (Nov) 0.1%
Dec 4th 10:30 AUD Company Gross Profits (Q3) -0.3%
Dec 4th 17:00 EUR Balance of Trade (Oct) €17bn