It could have been a lot worse for EUR/USD this week. A set of FOMC minutes that poured cold water on a December rate cut and a strong headline rise in the US jobs report could have seen 1.1500 taken out again. But instead, investors seemed to have just delayed rather than abandoned pricing for Fed easing. And Europe may still being showing some signs of life
Real retail sales growth came in weaker than expected, implying stagnation since April. This warrants some caution regarding the consumption outlook. Still, households have relatively strong resources which could support robust spending as the year approaches an end
Yesterday's PMI showed a mixed picture in the region, with the Czech Republic's lower-than-expected, while Poland and Hungary surprised with higher-than-expected readings. Inflation in Turkey surprised the market lower (2.6%/32.9%), in line with our estimate, and inflation returned to a declining trajectory.
Pricing in Czech production points to strength in domestic sectors such as services and construction, while declining prices in industry indicate that underlying fragility persists. We see potential underperformance of the eurozone as the sword of Damocles for Czech exporters. The Czech National Bank will live in a double-faceted world for some time
Czech headline inflation eased in September due to subdued food prices. Yet annual price growth in services and rising rents continue to pose a risk of entrenching inflation expectations given the economic upswing. That said, worrying news from the main eurozone trading partners threatens to dampen the growth outlook
Plenty of Fed speakers this week will clarify the FOMC’s policy views after Chair Powell’s cautious remarks last week. With the Dot Plot signalling two more cuts this year, we don’t expect much support for the dollar, which is looking moderately expensive in the short-term. PMIs across developed countries and the US PCE are the other highlights this week
The industry's annual price drop deepened in July, marking six consecutive months of negative price trends. Weak demand from key trading partners continues to weigh on prices for capital and intermediate goods, while consumer goods prices are still rising. Strong price activity in food production will further drive up the CPI
After a very quiet week, the local story is back in focus for markets. Today, we will see retail sales in Poland for January. Goods spending remains subdued, but has improved after a poor third quarter.
