US Q2 GDP still in contraction.

The August German IFO index edged lower to a 2-year low of 88.5 from a revised 88.7 previously, but significantly above consensus forecasts of 86.8. The current assessment edged lower at 97.5 from 97.7 with the expectations component marginally lower at 80.3 from 80.4.

The IFO stated that a recession is still on the cards with trade sentiment very negative given a burden from high inflation. The Institute forecast that GDP would decline 0.5% for the third quarter. It did, however, add that there was positive news with a significant easing of supply-chain bottlenecks.

There was a further increase in Euro-Zone gas prices during Thursday with wholesale electricity prices in continental Europe also surging again which maintained fears over the outlook.

US second-quarter GDP was revised slightly to a -0.6% from the flash reading of -0.9% and confirming a second quarterly contraction.

Initial jobless claims declined slightly to 243,000 in the latest week from 245,000 previously and below consensus forecasts of 253,000.

Kansas City Fed President George stated that rates should be increased until there is evidence that inflation is declining and that current rates are not restrictive. She added that it was not out of the question that rates would be pushed above 4.0%, although she also commented that it is too early to predict wat will happen in September with more important data due to be released soon.

Atlanta head Bostic stated that strong data may make the case for another 75 basis-point hike in rates with the Fed needing to make sure that inflation is well on the way to 2% before taking steps to ease policy.

Philadelphia head Harker stated that the Fed needed to shift to a restrictive stance and this would be in place by the end of 2022. He added that he would like to get rates above 3.4% and then potentially pause.

Fed Chair Powell will deliver a keynote speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium on Friday.

The overall tone of his comments will be important for expectations surrounding the underlying Fed stance over the next few months and there will be choppy trading across asset classes.

Comments from ECB speakers will also be an important element.

The UK CBI retail sales index posted a strong recovery to a 9-month high of 37 for August from -4 previously and well above consensus forecasts of -8. Retailers also expect solid gains for September, although companies overall were still pessimistic over the outlook.

The immediate focus will be on energy prices with the price-cap announcement intensifying pressure for political action.

There were further fears surrounding the Euro-Zone outlook during Thursday, especially with a further jump in European gas prices. There was some relief that the German IFO data was not as bad as expected.

Overall yields underpinned the US dollar. EUR/USD was unable to hold above parity and drifted lower around 0.9965 on Friday.

Firm US yields underpinned USD/JPY, although with resistance close to 137.00 and it traded around 136.85 on Friday.

The Swiss franc maintained a firm tone with EUR/CHF just above 0.9600 and USD/CHF below 0.9650.

Sterling struggled to make any impression amid persistent fears over the domestic outlook. GBP/USD failed to hold above 1.1850 and drifted towards 1.1800 while GBP/EUR drifted lower to 1.1840.

AUD/USD posted net gains, but failed to challenge 0.7000 and retreated to near 0.6950 on Friday. USD/CAD settled close to 1.2950 after finding support below 1.2900 with high energy prices continuing to offer Canadian protection.

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