USD 

The US dollar pared most of its gains for the weak when retail sales figures missed expectations. 

The headline figure posted a meager 0.1% uptick versus the projected 0.3% gain while the core version of the report showed a 0.2% increase instead of the estimated 0.4% rise. Headline producer prices fell 0.4% instead of rising by 0.2% while the core PPI showed a 0.3% drop instead of the projected 0.1% rise. Only the Empire State manufacturing index is due from the US economy today.

EUR

The euro suffered a sharp selloff on Friday following the attacks in Paris. Data from the euro zone was also mostly weaker than expected, as the region expanded only 0.3% in Q3 versus expectations of 0.4% growth. German and French preliminary GDP readings came in line with expectations of a 0.3% expansion. For today, the final euro zone CPI readings are due and downgrades could weigh on the shared currency.

GBP 

The pound followed suit with its European counterparts after the terror attacks in France, as there were no major reports to keep the British currency supported. There are still no reports up for release from the UK today, which suggests that risk sentiment could stay in play.

CHF

The franc was also in a weak spot last Friday, even though the Swiss PPI came in better than expected. Producer prices increased 0.2% instead of falling by the projected 0.2% in October, but the Swiss currency was more sensitive to downbeat euro zone data. There are no reports out of Switzerland today.

JPY

The yen advanced on risk aversion towards the end of last week but gave up some of its gains earlier in Monday’s trading when Japan’s GDP reading confirmed that the country is back in recession. The economy shrank by 0.2% in Q3 after contracting by 0.3% in the previous quarter, setting the stage for a potentially dovish BOJ statement later on in the week.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls were dragged down by weak commodity prices, as oil reacted to forecasts by the International Energy Agency that oil demand will still be weak next year. Over the weekend, New Zealand print its retail sales figures and showed a mixed picture, with headline data beating expectations and the core reading falling short. Canadian manufacturing sales and foreign securities purchases data are due today.

By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way