Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Dec 12, 2016)

Preliminary UoM consumer sentiment was up from 93.8 to 98.0 to reflect stronger optimism while inflation expectations jumped from 2.2% to 2.8%. The dollar is also currently supported by the news that the government was able to avoid a shutdown by passing its latest budget. 

EUR 

The euro was off to a weak start as it slid lower against its peers in the early Asian session. There are no reports due from the euro zone today, leaving traders to keep incorporating their new biases after the ECB decided to extend the deadline of its QE program last week. 

GBP

The pound gave back some of its recent gains on Friday as traders likely booked profits ahead of this week's set of top-tier events. This includes CPI data, claimant count change, retail sales, and the BOE statement. No actual policy changes are expected for the time being. 

CHF

The franc resumed its slide to the dollar but kept advancing against the euro. The Swiss unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.3% as expected. There are no reports due from Switzerland today so the franc could keep reacting to market sentiment but traders might also book profits ahead of the SNB decision later on. 

JPY

The yen was off to a weak start as another round of weakness seems to be in the cards for the week. Core machinery orders data released over the weekend beat expectations with a 4.1% gain versus the projected 1.3% increase. Tertiary industry activity and preliminary machine tool orders are up for release today. 

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The Loonie had a running start this week as non-OPEC countries confirmed their cooperation in an output deal over the weekend. New Zealand reported a 2.2% pickup in visitor arrivals for for November. Quarterly manufacturing sales data is up for release from New Zealand today. 

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way