Last week was interesting as well as varied since good US data where not exactly echoed by the revelation of the FOMC meeting minutes which were less hawkish than anticipated. The Euro was faced with weak German results and comments by the ECB head that a rate hike was not imminent since he is committed to battling inflation. Canada enjoyed strong employment figures, unlike Australia, but the AUD still managed to hold on. The week ahead starts of quietly but events do pick up and it is expected to offer many opportunities for market volatility and profitable trades. Let us have a closer look:
Monday, 13th October
Not much action is expected on this day due to the fact that national holidays in the US, Canada and Japan mean no announcements and other events are scheduled thus affecting the markets globally. Perhaps it is a good opportunity for all traders to reflect on past performance and better plan their next move.
Tuesday, 14th October
Unlike Monday, Tuesday is relatively busy and comes to compensate investors with good opportunities. The most important events are two. First, at 08.30 GMT the UK Consumer Price Index for September as well as UK inflation data will be announced and traders should watch out for their impact on the GBP. A little later, at 09:00, the high-impact ZEW report on Germany’s October Economic Sentiment will be released and those interested in the EUR as well as the European economy as a whole should pay close attention, especially since figures are expected to plunde even further building up on the weaker outlook of the German economy.
Wednesday, 15th October
Noteworthy action starts as early as 01:30 on Wednesday, when China will be announcing its Consumer Price Index for September, expected to affect the trading of the CNY and its currency pairs. The next important event will be employment data being announced in the UK and hopes are high that following the previously announced record low levels of unemployment the positive trend will continue, thus benefiting the GBP. At noon, attention will shift to the US and the USD, for a series of highly-anticipated data, such as the Retail Sales figures for September and the US Producers’ Price Index, i.e. the wholesale prices. Finally, the ECB Head Mario Draghi is scheduled to give two speeches today that might give traders a further insight into the prospects of the Eurozone and the plans of its Central Banker.
Thursday, 16th October
The first trading highlight for Thursday, which is of particular importance to EUR traders, will be the release of the Eurozone inflation figures for September at 09:00. In the wake of the recent debates both within and outside the Eurozone about the road ahead for the European economy, the inflation rate is a highly significant indicator. Across the Atlantic, traders should watch out for the announcement of the numbers for the US Unemployment Claims at 12.30, while interesting conclusions could be drawn by yet another indicator to be announced at 14.00, namely the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, which is expected to fall further.
Friday, 17th October
The main market moving events for Friday come from three fronts, with the day setting off at 09:00 with the announcement of the second-quarter GDP figures for the Eurozone, expected to impact the EUR. The CAD and its pairings could have an impact on them created by the release at 12:30 of Canada’s Consumer Price Index numbers for September. Finally, in the US, we will have the announcement of Building Permit numbers at 12.30, which are expected to grow, as well as the release of the reading for the US Consumer Sentiment at 13:55, which is also anticipated to show an optimistic view by consumers on the economy’s prospects. In the meantime, analysts will also turn their attention to a speech to be delivered by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen in Boston in the hope that she will shed further light into the Fed’s future intentions.
