Economic data coming up in the European session

It is Fed day

Treasury yields pushing higher and back above 1.60% was the key story in US trading yesterday, and that sent yen pairs higher in general with USD/JPY moving up to 108.80-90 levels currently ahead of European trading.

The dollar held steady throughout with EUR/USD still keeping below key trendline resistance @ 1.2113 while holding above its 100-day moving average @ 1.2056.

It seems to be a bit of a positioning adjustment ahead of the Fed, with the market anticipating Powell & co. to stick with the same old messaging as they did in March.

Equities were more tepid with the Nasdaq closing a little lower while the S&P 500 and Dow were flat. US futures are mixed with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures up 0.1% while Dow futures are seen down slightly by 0.1%.

In any case, it is all about the Fed today and while the statement may not offer anything new, the market build up to the meeting and reaction may be the more interesting elements. Can the Goldilocks scenario in equities hold ahead of the month-end?

0600 GMT – Germany May GfK consumer confidence

Prior release can be found here. A general indication of consumer morale in the German economy, which is expected to show a minor improvement but keep rather subdued in the bigger picture of things.

0645 GMT – France April consumer confidence

Prior release can be found here. With little change to economic sentiment, French consumer confidence is expected to keep thereabouts in April as it did back in March.

0800 GMT – Switzerland April Credit Suisse economic expectations

Prior release can be found here. The reading measures analysts’ expectations on the Swiss economy and other economic expectations over the next 6 months.

1100 GMT – US MBA mortgage applications w.e. 23 April

Weekly US housing data, measures the change in number of applications for mortgages backed by the MBA during the week. Amid the sudden turn higher rates this year, recent mortgage activity has dipped with purchases falling sharply alongside refinancing activity so it’ll be one to watch out for.

That’s all for the session ahead. I wish you all the best of days to come and good luck with your trading! Stay safe out there.

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