Thread: ForexMart's Forex News

The consumer confidence index in the UK in September fell to the lowest in 6 months

The UK consumer confidence index in September 2024 fell to the lowest value in the last six months, amounting to -20 points, which is significantly lower than in July and June, when it was at the level of -13 points.

For comparison, in September 2023, the index was at -27 points (previously reported at -21 points). All five components of the indicator showed a decrease compared to July.

The subindex, reflecting consumers' assessment of their financial situation over the past year, fell to -9 points (in August it was -7), which is better than a year earlier, when it was -18 points. Personal finance expectations for the next 12 months also worsened, falling to -3 points from +6 in the previous month. A year earlier, this indicator was at the level of -6 points.

Consumers' assessment of the overall economic situation over the past year has dropped to -37 points compared to -35 a month earlier. The forecast for the next 12 months deteriorated even more: to -27 points from -15 in August.

The willingness of the British to spend money on large purchases also decreased, the subindex fell to -23 points from -13 points in August. In September last year, this indicator was at the level of -28 points.

The average index of consumer confidence for the period from 1981 to 2024 is -10.9 points. The record value of 10 points was recorded in June 1987, while at least (-49 points) was recorded in September 2022.
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Gold updated the record in anticipation of fresh signals from the Fed

Gold prices have reached a new historical high in Asian markets due to the optimistic sentiment caused by lower interest rates in the United States. Additional support for the market was provided by the expectations of speeches by representatives of the Federal Reserve System, which may shed light on the further steps of the regulator.

After the Fed lowered the rate by 50 basis points, gold has updated its records and continues to hold its positions confidently. The spot price of gold rose 0.3% to reach $2,631.19 per ounce, while futures rose 0.4% to $2,655.80 per ounce. The weakening of the dollar and the decline in Treasury bond yields also contributed to the strengthening of the metals market.

Experts expect further easing of the Fed's monetary policy, which may lead to a reduction in rates by an additional 125 basis points during the year. A number of key Fed officials, including Chairman Jerome Powell, are scheduled to speak in the coming days, which may provide additional signals for the markets.

Another important event will be the publication on Friday of a report on the PCE index, the main indicator of inflation for the Fed, which may affect further decisions by the regulator on rates. In addition, investors' attention is focused on the meetings of the central banks of Switzerland and Sweden, where interest rates are also expected to decrease.

Other precious metals, however, are showing a decline. Platinum futures fell 0.6% to $974.10 per ounce, while silver contracts fell 0.2% to $31.43 per ounce.
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The Central Bank of China reduces a number of rates as part of a large-scale economic stimulus program

The People's Bank of China has announced a package of measures to stimulate the economy. The head of the regulator, Pan Gongsheng, announced a reduction in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for large banks by 0.5 percentage points to 9.5%, which will release about 1 trillion yuan ($142 billion) of liquidity. There will be no changes for small and rural banks. It is expected that during the year the RRR may be reduced by another 0.25-0.5 percentage points.

The NBK also lowered the rate on seven-day reverse repo transactions from 1.7% to 1.5%, which will reduce the cost of borrowing under the medium-term lending program (MLF). For the first time in 10 years, the bank simultaneously lowered the RRR and the interest rate.

In addition, it is planned to reduce the base interest rate (LPR) by 0.2-0.25 percentage points, which will affect the cost of corporate, consumer and mortgage loans. Interest rates on mortgages already issued will be reduced by 50 bps, affecting borrowings worth about $5.3 trillion. The initial payment for the purchase of a second home has been reduced to a record low of 15%.

The NBK also plans to refinance mortgage loans and has increased guarantees on bank loans for unsold housing to 100%. Beijing is considering the creation of a stabilization fund for the stock market with support in the amount of at least 800 billion yuan. As part of the program, it is planned to exchange illiquid assets for government bonds and provide a 300 billion yuan re-loan for share repurchase.
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Oil may rise in price due to a drop in production in the United States

Analysts believe that after the recent decline in crude oil prices, the situation may soon change due to the expected slowdown in oil production in the United States.

For most of 2024, oil showed positive dynamics, but in recent months the yield has turned negative: the cost of Brent decreased by 3.5%, and WTI – by 0.4% year-on-year.

According to experts, fluctuations in oil prices are caused by both demand and supply factors. The global economy is slowing down, which is holding back demand, and market participants are concerned about a possible increase in oil production by the largest producers — OPEC+ and the United States. However, a number of experts believe that these expectations have already been taken into account in current prices, and in fact the situation may turn out to be different.

«Although oil demand was low in 2024, its decline is not accelerating, which is important against the background of rising global liquidity and lower interest rates,» Wells Fargo Bank said.

In addition, the bank assumes that with prices in the range of $60-70 per barrel, OPEC+ and the United States will reduce rather than increase production, which will help strengthen the market.

Special attention is paid to the statements of OPEC+ on the postponement of the increase in production scheduled for October 2024, as well as the fact that production growth in the United States may also slow down, as the cost of opening new wells reaches $ 64 per barrel. As a result, oil prices are projected to start rising again in the coming months.
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The market is waiting for the ECB to cut rates after inflation in France and Spain fell below 2%

The probability of a reduction in key interest rates by the European Central Bank in October increased significantly after the publication of data on slowing inflation in France and Spain.

According to traders, the chances of a 25 basis point rate cut at the ECB meeting on October 17 have increased to 80%. Analysts at major banks such as BNP Paribas and HSBC share similar expectations.

Consumer prices in France, harmonized according to EU standards, increased by 1.5% y/y in September, which is significantly lower than the August figure of 2.2%. A similar trend is observed in Spain, where inflation slowed to 1.7% – this is the lowest growth rate since June 2023, while in August the price increase was 2.4%.

Both of these indicators have reinforced expectations that inflationary pressures are easing, which may lead to a change in the ECB's monetary policy. Currently, the ECB deposit rate is 3.5%, the rate of basic refinancing operations is 3.65%, and the rate on margin loans is 3.9%.
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The Fed will cut the rate by another 50 bps in 2024 while maintaining the stability of the economy

The US economy remains strong, and the Federal Reserve System (Fed) intends to maintain it in this state, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said at the annual meeting of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE).

Powell also noted that the Fed is trying to reduce inflation, while preventing a significant increase in unemployment.

The Fed's recent decision to lower the interest rate by 50 basis points (bp) reflects confidence that the adjustment of monetary policy will maintain the stability of the labor market with moderate economic growth and a reduction in inflation to the target 2%. This is what is called a «soft landing» of the economy.

According to the median forecasts of the Fed's management, the base rate will be reduced by another 50 bps by the end of 2024, from the current level of 4.75-5% per annum.

«If the economic situation develops according to our forecasts, we will cut the rate twice by 50 bps,» Powell said, stressing that further decisions will depend on incoming economic data. The main goal is to bring the rate to a neutral level, which, according to the Fed's estimates, is about 3%.
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The dollar is strengthening, the euro is falling: all attention is on the US labor market

The DXY dollar index soared to a 3-week high of 102.05, bringing the EUR/USD pair to strong support at 1.10. The dollar's recovery is driven by strong data on the US economy and labor market, as well as expectations of a slowdown in the Fed's rate cuts.

On Thursday, the dollar index reached a six-week high, supported by indicators of the service sector and a positive picture on the labor market. The probability of a Fed rate cut by 50 bps in November fell to 32%, which led to a 1.5% strengthening of the dollar over the week.

At the same time, the euro is losing 1.2% amid the likelihood of an ECB rate cut this month to 90%. The slowdown in inflation and the deterioration of the economic situation in the eurozone may force the regulator to soften the PREP.

On Friday, all attention will be focused on the Non-farm payrolls report on the US labor market. The number of employees is expected to increase by 150 thousand. High indicators can strengthen the growth of the dollar.

Against the background of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the USD/JPY pair is also strengthening, reaching 147.0. The Japanese authorities are not planning new currency interventions yet.

In the UK, the index of business activity in the service sector slowed down, but remained steady. The GBP/USD pair is trading around 1.315.
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Investor concerns are slowing down the growth of the Brazilian economy

The easing of the monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve and China's intention to stimulate its economy create favorable conditions for Brazil.

Despite this, Moody's, which upgraded Brazil's rating to the highest junk level, could not convince investors. The Brazilian real and the country's stock market are showing weak results.

Experts note that rating agencies are focused on past events, and markets are looking to the future. Since the beginning of 2024, the Brazilian real has lost about 11% of its value, and the benchmark Bovespa Brazilian stock index has declined by 1.9%.

Despite the positive external factors, the Brazilian real continues to fall. Investors fear that the Brazilian economy is overheated, which could lead to a tightening of monetary policy. Last month, the Brazilian Central Bank raised the rate by 0.25% to 10.75% per annum, which also does not inspire optimism.
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Oil returned to below $80 after a sharp rise

On Tuesday, oil declined from the area of local highs, as investors began to take profits after a significant increase the day before.

Yesterday, Brent reached new highs since the end of August, breaking the $81 per barrel mark. The current quote of the asset is $79.20 per barrel. North American WTI crude is trading near $75.40 after yesterday's rise to $77.70 per barrel.

Last week, oil strengthened amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, where traders fear possible Israeli attacks on Iran's oil facilities. An additional risk arose in the Gulf of Mexico, where Chevron temporarily stopped work on its Blind Faith oil and gas platform due to the hurricane.

The API report on oil and petroleum products reserves in the United States is expected to be released today, preceding the official data of the Ministry of Energy. However, traders are now primarily focused on geopolitics, which has a greater impact on market sentiment.
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Bank of America: inflation will remain moderate in September

Bank of America forecasts moderate growth in both the core and core consumer price index in September, indicating stable core inflation without alarming signals.

The bank expects a monthly increase of 0.1% for the main index and 0.3% for the base index. Lower energy prices will soften the growth of the main indicator, while higher rents and used car prices will support the growth of the base indicator.

On an annual basis, Bank of America forecasts a decrease in core inflation to 2.3%, while the core CPI will remain at 3.2%. BofA analysts, based on data on inflation forecasts by component, expect core inflation at 0.18% on a monthly basis.

Despite the fact that inflation continues to move in the right direction, the upcoming report is likely to have no significant impact on the central bank's rate. The findings confirm the possibility of further rate cuts, but do not give grounds for concern about the current inflation rate.

If the report shows an acceleration in the pace of price growth in September, this could be a positive for the dollar, which has been strengthening for eight consecutive sessions at Wednesday's auction.
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