USD

The dollar extended its gains across the board on stronger than expected US retail sales. 

The headline figure showed a 0.8% gain for October while the core reading also indicated a 0.8% increase, higher than the projected 0.6% and 0.5% gains respectively. The Empire State manufacturing index also beat expectations, and so did import prices data. US industrial production data and PPI readings are lined up today.

EUR

The euro was still weak against its peers on concerns about Italy’s referendum. Data from the region was mostly better than expected, except for the German preliminary GDP. The region’s flash GDP reading came in line with expectations of a 0.3% expansion. German ZEW economic sentiment beat expectations with a rise from 6.2 to 13.8, outpacing the consensus at 7.9. There are no reports due from the euro zone today.

GBP

The pound was in a weak spot after its CPI readings came in mostly weaker than expected. Headline CPI slipped from 1.0% to 0.9% instead of rising to 1.1% as expected while core CPI fell from 1.5% to 1.2%, lower than the estimated drop to 1.4%. However, the pound got a bit of a boost when a report revealed that legislation could delay Brexit by as much as two years. UK jobs data is due today and a 1.9K rise in claimants is eyed while the average earnings index could hold steady at 2.3%.

CHF

The franc gave up ground to the dollar but was stronger against the European currencies. There were no reports out of the Swiss economy yesterday and none are due today, keeping risk sentiment in play.

JPY

The yen gave up ground to the dollar and commodity currencies as risk-taking continued. There were no reports out of Japan yesterday and none are due today so yen pairs could be pushed around by sentiment once more.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls were slightly stronger on improved data, with the Loonie leading the pack on higher crude oil prices. Traders are expecting an OPEC output deal to come through since the Secretary General has scheduled meetings with energy ministers from Iran, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Russia in the weeks leading up to the official meeting. In New Zealand, the GDT auction yielded a 4.5% gain in dairy prices. Quarterly PPI and retail sales are lined up next.

By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way