Although the expectations of new aggressive interest rate cuts by the Fed have diminished, the US dollar continued to dominate the market last week, supported by rising US bond yields and positive US statistics. Market participants will turn their attention to Thursday, November 7, when US Fed leaders make another interest rate decision and outline the monetary policy prospects. However, the key event of the upcoming week, 04.11.10.2024 – 10.11.2024, is not the US Fed meeting but the US presidential election on Tuesday, November 5. This event will have a great impact on the US foreign and domestic policy, ultimately affecting the Fed’s subsequent actions.
Moreover, market participants will monitor the publication of important macro statistics on China, the US, New Zealand, Australia, the eurozone, and Canada and wait for the results of the UK and Australian central banks’ meetings.
Besides, on Sunday, November 3, the US will switch to winter time. Europe made the same adjustment the previous week on October 27, setting the clocks back by one hour.
Note: During the coming week, new events may be added to the calendar, and / or some scheduled events may be canceled. GMT time
The article covers the following subjects:
Key facts
- Monday: no important macro statistics is scheduled.
- Tuesday: US presidential election, Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate decision.
- Wednesday: no important macro statistics is scheduled.
- Thursday: Bank of England and US Fed interest rate decisions.
- Friday: Canadian labor market data.
- Key event of the week: US presidential election.
Monday, November 4
There are no important macro statistics scheduled to be released.
Tuesday, November 5
US presidential election.
01:45 – CNY: Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI
The Caixin Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is a leading indicator of China’s manufacturing sector. As the world’s second-largest economy, China’s release of significant macroeconomic data may strongly influence the financial market.
Previous values: 50.3, 50.4, 49.8, 51.8, 51.7, 51.4, 51.1, 50.9, 50.8, 50.8, 50.7, 49.5, 50.6, 51.0, 49.2, 50.5, 50.9, 49.5, 50.0, 51.6, 49.2 in January 2023.
A decline in the indicator value and reading below 50 may negatively affect the renminbi, as well as commodity currencies such as the New Zealand and Australian dollar. Data that exceeds forecasted or previous values will have a positive impact on these currencies.
03:30 – AUD: Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate decision. RBA Accompanying Statement
Since June 2023, the RBA officials have kept the interest rate at 4.10%. However, at the November 2023 meeting, they raised the interest rate again to 4.35%.
Sluggish wage growth, a weak labor market, and a slowing growth rate are the main negative factors affecting the Australian economy.
At the September meeting, the Australian central bank decided to keep the rate at 4.35%. At the press conference after the meeting, Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock stated that “rates will remain on hold for the time being.” Bullock mentioned, “Inflation is still above our target, and it’s proving to be sticky.” Besides, inflation is “above the midpoint of the 2%–3% target range”, and the Reserve Bank Board suggests that “in the near term, it does not see interest rate cuts.”
Additionally, RBA officials had previously hinted at the possibility of implementing new tightening measures in response to any signs of increasing consumer inflation.
It is hard to predict their decision this time. Nevertheless, the central bank may raise the interest rate again at this meeting.
Meanwhile, it is widely expected that the RBA leaders will once again take a pause.
In the accompanying statement, the RBA will explain the reasons for the rate decision. If the RBA signals the possibility of monetary easing in the near term, the risks of the Australian dollar depreciating will increase. Conversely, the hawkish rhetoric of the RBA’s accompanying statement may lead to a strengthening of the Australian dollar.
04:30 – AUD: RBA Press Conference
Michele Bullock will assess the current state of Australia’s economy and outline her department’s monetary policy plans. Market participants anticipate her insights on the central bank’s policies amid global recessionary trends and elevated inflation levels in Australia.
Any signals regarding her plans to adjust the RBA’s monetary policy parameters will cause a volatility surge in the Australian currency and stock market. If the Australian Central Bank Governor avoids discussing monetary policy, the market response will be muted.
15:00 – USD: US ISM Services Purchasing Managers’ Index
The PMI assesses the state of the US services sector, accounting for about 80% of US GDP. The share of final goods production is about 20% of GDP, including 1% for agriculture and 18% for industrial production. Therefore, the publication of the services sector data significantly impacts the US dollar. An indicator reading above 50 is positive for the currency.
Previous values: 54.9 in September, 51.5 in August, 51.4 in July, 48.8 in June, 53.8 in May, 49.4 in April, 51.4 in March, 52.6 in February, 53.4 in January 2024, 50.5 in December, 52.5 in November, 51.9 in October, 53.4 in September, 54.5 in August, 52.7 in July, 53.9 in June, 50.3 in May, 51, 9 in April, 51.2 in March, 55.1 in February, 55.2 in January 2023, 49.6 in December, 56.5 in November, 54.4 in October, 56.9 in August, 56.7 in July, 55.3 in June, 55.9 in May, 57.1 in April, 58.3 in March, 56.5 in February, 59.9 in January 2022.
The growth of index values will favorably affect the US dollar. However, a relative decline in the index values and readings below 50 may negatively affect the US dollar in the short term.
21:45 – NZD: New Zealand Employment Change. Unemployment Rate for Q3
The employment rate reflects the quarterly change in the number of employed New Zealand citizens. The indicator values increase positively affects consumer spending, stimulating economic growth. A high indicator reading is favorable for the New Zealand dollar, while a low reading is negative.
Previous values: +0.4% in Q2, -0.2% in Q1 2024, +0.4% in Q4 2023, -0.2% in Q3, +1.0% in Q2, +0.8% in Q1 2023, +0.2% in Q4 2022, +1.3% in Q3, 0% in Q2 2022, +0.1% in Q1 and Q4, +2.0% in Q3, +1.0% in Q2, +0.6% in Q1 2021.
At the same time, Stats NZ publishes a report on the unemployment rate, an indicator that measures the proportion of unemployed individuals relative to the total number of working-age citizens. An increase in the indicator values signals a weakening labor market, leading to a slowdown in the national economy. Conversely, a decrease is viewed positively, often strengthening the value of the New Zealand dollar.
Previous values QoQ: 4.6% in Q2, 4.3% in Q1 2024, 4.0% in Q4 2023, 3.9% in Q3, 3.6% in Q2, 3.4% in Q1 and Q4, 3.3% in Q2 and Q3 2022, 3.2% in Q1 and Q4, 3.4% in Q3, 4.0% in Q2, 4.7% in Q1 2021.
If other indicators in the Stats NZ report show signs of decline, the New Zealand dollar will likely weaken. Worse-than-expected data could have an even more pronounced negative effect on the currency.
Wednesday, November 6
There are no important macro statistics scheduled to be released.
Thursday, November 7
00:30 – AUD: Balance of Trade
Balance of Trade is an indicator that measures the ratio between exports and imports. An increase in Australian exports leads to a larger trade surplus, positively affecting the Australian dollar. Previous values (in billion Australian dollars): 5.644 in August, 5.636 in July, 5.425 in June, 5.052 in May, 6.678 in April, 4.841 in March, 6.707 in February, and 9.873 in January 2024.
A decrease in the trade surplus could negatively affect the Australian dollar, while an increase in the indicator figure may bolster the currency.
10:00 – EUR: Eurozone Retail Sales
Retail sales data is the main measure of consumer spending, indicating the change in the sales volume. A high indicator result strengthens the euro, while a low one weakens it.
Previous values: +0.2% (+0.8% YoY), +0.1% (-0.1% YoY), -0.3% (-0.3% YoY), +0.1% (+0.3% YoY), -0.5% (0% YoY), +0.8% (+0.7% YoY), -0.5% (-0.7% YoY), +0.1% (-1.0% YoY) in January 2024, -1.1% (-0.8% YoY) in December, -0.3% (-1.1% YoY) in November, +0.1% (-1.2% YoY) in October, -0.3% (-2.9% YoY) in Sept, 1.2% (-2.1% YoY) in August, -0.2% (-1.0% YoY) in July, -0.3% (-1.4% YoY) in June, 0% (-2.4% YoY) in May, -1.2% (-2.9% YoY) in April, -0.8% (-3.3% YoY) in March, +0.3% (-2.4% YoY) in February, -2.7% (-1.8% YoY) in January, +0.8% (-2.8% YoY) in December 2022.
The data suggests that retail sales have not returned to pre-pandemic levels after a severe drop in March–April 2020, when Europe was under strict quarantine measures, and are periodically declining again. Nevertheless, values exceeding the forecast will strengthen the euro.
12:00 – GBP: Bank of England Interest Rate Decision. Bank of England Meeting Minutes. Bank of England’s Asset Purchase Facility. Monetary Policy Report
As a result of the August 2023 meeting, the interest rate was increased to 5.25%. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has decided to raise borrowing costs amid a robust labor market to curb price growth. However, further tightening of monetary policy may be required to bring inflation to the 2.0% target.
Since the September 2023 meeting, the Bank of England has maintained a wait-and-see stance. Finally, on August 1, 2024, the Bank of England cut the interest rate by 0.25% to 5.00%, marking the first cut since August 2023.
At the upcoming meeting, the Bank of England may decide to cut interest rates again, given the declining inflation in the country, or take a pause, considering the positive macro data from the UK and the complex geopolitical situation in Europe, particularly in Ukraine.
Analysts believe that the Bank of England may reduce the interest rate. However, the market reaction may be unpredictable.
At the same time, the BoE will publish the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) minutes, including a breakdown of the votes for and against interest rate changes. The main UK risks after Brexit are related to expectations of a slowdown in the country’s economic growth, as well as a large deficit in the UK balance of payments account.
Uncertainty about the Bank of England’s next step persists. Meanwhile, the British Pound and FTSE100 futures offer a lot of trading opportunities during the publication of the Bank’s rate decision.
Besides, the Bank of England will release its monetary policy report, providing an assessment of the economic outlook and inflation. Volatility in the British pound may grow sharply during this period. Apart from GDP, the UK inflation rate is one of the primary indicators for the Bank of England’s monetary policy stance. A soft tone of the report will likely boost the British stock market but cause the British pound to weaken. Conversely, the report’s hawkish tone regarding inflation, implying an interest rate hike, will strengthen the pound.
12:30 – GBP: Bank of England Governor’s Speech
Andrew Bailey will comment on the Bank of England’s interest rate decision. Typically, during the speech of the Bank of England governor, the British pound and the FTSE index of the London Stock Exchange face a significant spike in volatility, especially if there are any indications regarding monetary policy tightening or easing. Besides, Andrew Bailey will likely discuss the UK economy’s health and prospects against the backdrop of high energy prices and inflation.
19:00 – USD: US Fed Interest Rate Decision. Fed Commentary on Monetary Policy. FOMC Economic Projections
During the first half of 2024, the US Fed policymakers left monetary policy parameters unchanged at multiple meetings, maintaining the key interest rate at 5.50%. However, at the September meeting, the US Fed’s leaders reduced the interest rate by 0.50% to 5.00% and did not rule out further reductions. Notably, a month before this decision, US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated that the US central bank’s focus was shifting toward ensuring stability in the labor market. However, Powell emphasized that any decisions regarding interest rates would still hinge on the prevailing economic conditions.
Now, market participants expect the US central bank to continue its monetary easing cycle. Nevertheless, there is also a possibility of an interest rate hike if inflation starts to rise again, as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has repeatedly warned earlier.
It is widely anticipated that there will be a 0.25% reduction, bringing the rate down to 4.75% at this meeting.
The financial market may experience higher volatility when the rate decision is announced, particularly in the US stock market and the US dollar, especially if the rate decision does not match the forecast or the Fed makes unexpected statements.
Powell’s commentaries may affect short-term and long-term trading in the US dollar. The Fed’s more aggressive approach to monetary policy is a positive factor that would strengthen the US dollar, while a more cautious position is negative for the greenback. Investors are eagerly awaiting Powell’s remarks on the Fed’s upcoming plans for this year and the next.
19:30 – USD: US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee Press Conference
The US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) press conference lasts approximately one hour. The resolution is read in the first part of the meeting, followed by a Q&A session, which may increase market volatility. Any unexpected statements by Jerome Powell on the Fed’s monetary policy will cause a hike in volatility in the US dollar and the US stock market.
Friday, November 8
13:30 – CAD: Canada Unemployment Rate
Statistics Canada will release the country’s November labor market data. Massive business closures due to the coronavirus and layoffs have also contributed to the unemployment rate, increasing from the usual 5.6%–5.7% to 7.8% in March and 13.7% in May 2020.
In September
If the unemployment rate continues to rise, the Canadian dollar will depreciate. If the data exceeds the previous value, the Canadian dollar will strengthen. A decrease in the unemployment rate is a positive factor for the Canadian dollar, while an increase is a negative factor.
15:00 – USD: University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (Preliminary Release)
This indicator reflects American consumers’ confidence in the country’s economic development. A high reading indicates economic growth, while a low one points to stagnation. Previous indicator values: 70.5 in October, 70.1 in September, 67.9 in August, 66.4 in July, 68.2 in June, 69.1 in May, 77.2 in April, 79.4 in March, 76.9 in February, 79.0 in January 2024, 69.7 in December 2023, 61.3 in November, 63.8 in October, 68.1 in September, 69.5 in August, 71.6 in July, 64.4 in June, 59.2 in May, 63,5 in April, 62.0 in March, 67.0 in February, 64.9 in January 2023, 59.7 in December, 56.8 in November, 59.9 in October, 58.6 in September, 58.2 in August, 51.5 in July, 50.0 in June, 58.4 in May, 65.2 in April, 59.4 in March, 62.8 in February, 67.2 in January 2022. An increase in the indicator will strengthen the US dollar, while a decrease will weaken the currency. The data shows that the recovery of this indicator is uneven, which is unfavorable for the greenback. A decline below previous values will likely negatively impact the US dollar in the near term.
Price chart of AUDUSD in real time mode
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