Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Feb 13, 2017)

Economic data from the US was actually weaker than expected on Friday, as the preliminary UoM consumer sentiment index fell from 98.5 to 95.7, worse than the estimated drop to 97.9. There are no major reports due from the US economy today. 

EUR

The euro was mostly weaker against its peers after medium-tier data came in mixed. French industrial production slid 0.9% versus the estimated 0.6% dip while preliminary non-farm payrolls improved by 0.4% versus 0.3%. Italian industrial production was also stronger than expected at 1.4%. Only the German wholesale price index is due today. 

GBP

The pound had a mixed performance as it slid to the comdolls and dollar but advanced against the yen. UK manufacturing production turned out stronger than expected with a 2.1% gain versus the projected 0.3% uptick while industrial production rose 1.1% instead of falling by 0.2%. There are no reports due from the UK economy today. 

CHF

The franc was weaker against most of its peers, except to the euro. There were no reports out of the Swiss economy on Friday as the selloff was inspired by risk appetite and there are no reports due today. This suggests that market sentiment could still be the main driver of franc price action.

JPY

The yen was one of the weaker performers at the end of the week as traders were uneasy ahead of the meeting between Trump and Abe. Also, tertiary industry production fell by 0.4% versus the projected 0.1% dip. Over the weekend, the preliminary GDP reading came in below expectations with a 0.2% expansion versus the projected 0.3% growth figure. 

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls gave up ground to the dollar but managed to hold on to their gains against the yen and European currencies. Risk appetite was present as China reported a stronger than expected trade surplus of 355 billion CNY versus the estimated 295 billion CNY figure. Jobs data from Canada also turned out stronger than expected, with the economy adding 48.3K jobs in January instead of shedding 10.1K positions. New Zealand's food price index is due next. 

By Kate Curtis from  Trader's Way