Talking Points:
- Better-Than-Expected 4Q Eurozone GDP Print May Trigger Euro Recovery
- US Dollar May Decline if UofM Confidence Data Falls Short of Expectations
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The preliminary set of fourth-quarter Eurozone GDP figures headlines the economic calendar in European trading hours. Output is expected to expand by 0.2 percent, matching the increase recorded in the three months through September and keeping the year-on-year growth rate steady at 0.8 percent.
News-flow from the currency bloc have increasingly outperformed relative to consensus forecasts over recent weeks. This hints that analysts are over-estimating the degree of malaise plaguing the region and opening the door for an upside surprise.
While such an outcome won’t dismiss the longer-term bearish outlook courtesy of the ECB’s on-coming launch of quantitative easing (QE), it may offer a reason to initiate short-covering on bets against the single currency, producing a near-term Euro rebound. Indeed, data from CFTC shows net speculative short positions are at their highest since June 2012.
Later in the day, the spotlight will turn to February’s University of Michigan gauge of US consumer confidence. The index is expected to hold unchanged at 98.1, matching an eleven-year high recorded in the prior month.
Contrary to the Euro area, realized data outcomes out of the US have increasingly trailed behind consensus forecasts. This warns of a disappointing print that may weigh on the US Dollar amid moderating Fed rate hike bets. Technical positioning likewise warns of a downside scenario.
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Asia Session
| GMT | CCY | EVENT | ACT | EXP | PREV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21:45 | NZD | Food Prices (MoM) (JAN) | 1.3% | - | 0.3% |
| 2:00 | CNY | Conference Board Leading Index (JAN) | 311.4 | - | 311.6 |
| 2:00 | NZD | Non Resident Bond Holdings (JAN) | 65.8% | - | 65.0% |
European Session
| GMT | CCY | EVENT | EXP/ACT | PREV | IMPACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 | EUR | French GDP (YoY) (4Q P) | 0.3% | 0.4% | Medium |
| 6:30 | EUR | French GDP (QoQ) (4Q P) | 0.1% | 0.3% | Medium |
| 7:00 | EUR | German GDP s.a. (QoQ) (4Q P) | 0.3% | 0.1% | High |
| 7:00 | EUR | German GDP n.s.a. (YoY) (4Q P) | 1.2% | 1.2% | High |
| 7:00 | EUR | German GDP w.d.a. (YoY) (4Q P) | 1.0% | 1.2% | High |
| 9:00 | EUR | Italian GDP (YoY) (4Q P) | -0.5% | -0.5% | Medium |
| 9:00 | EUR | Italian GDP (QoQ) (4Q P) | -0.1% | -0.1% | Medium |
| 9:30 | EUR | General Italy Government Debt (DEC) | - | 2160.1B | Low |
| 9:30 | GBP | Construction Output s.a. (MoM) (DEC) | 2.7% | -2.0% | Low |
| 9:30 | GBP | Construction Output s.a. (YoY) (DEC) | 5.5% | 3.6% | Low |
| 10:00 | EUR | Eurozone GDP s.a. (QoQ) (4Q P) | 0.2% | 0.2% | High |
| 10:00 | EUR | Eurozone GDP s.a. (YoY) (4Q P) | 0.8% | 0.8% | High |
Critical Levels
| CCY | Supp 3 | Supp 2 | Supp 1 | Pivot Point | Res 1 | Res 2 | Res 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD | 1.1136 | 1.1256 | 1.1330 | 1.1376 | 1.1450 | 1.1496 | 1.1616 |
| GBPUSD | 1.4926 | 1.5131 | 1.5257 | 1.5336 | 1.5462 | 1.5541 | 1.5746 |
--- Written by Ilya Spivak, Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com
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