US Thanksgiving holiday dampened activity.

Narrow ranges prevailed on Thursday with no major incentives while the US Thanksgiving holiday dampened activity.

Risk appetite was slightly more cautious given unease over Hong Kong political developments and an absence of positive trade rhetoric.

In this context, equity markets retreated in Asian trading on Friday. The dollar held a firm tone with EUR/USD trapped marginally above 1.1000.

There were also some expectations that the central bank could adjust its inflation target at the current review. In particular, there was speculation that the bank would shift to a simple 2% target which would tend to remove pressure for any monetary tightening as soon as inflation move above 1.5%. On balance, this would probably mean a looser monetary policy over the medium term. Trading activity was inevitably very light given the US market holiday with EUR/USD settling just above 1.1000.

Activity will remain light on Friday with an early US close, but month-end positioning could trigger choppy trading around the London fix. EUR/USD again held just above 1.1000 in early Europe with a marginally weaker US dollar.

Sterling held a firm tone in early Europe on Thursday with positive sentiment following Wednesday’s YouGov poll suggesting a comfortable Conservative majority was the most likely outcome. There was, however, GBP/USD resistance on approach to 1.2950 while GBP/EUR found support close to 1.1720 during the London session. There was wariness of anticipating a Conservative victory given potential shifts in voting and reservations over the longer-term outlook.

Consumer confidence was unchanged at -14 for November, but the Lloyds business barometer strengthened to 9 from 6 previously which was the third successive increase and strongest level since January with hopes that political uncertainty would ease. Sterling traded marginally higher in early Europe on Friday.

Markets will be wary of choppy trading on Friday with position adjustment ahead of the weekend when further opinion polls will be released. There is also the potential for volatility associated with month-end trading as GBP/USD traded just above 1.2900.

Economic Calendar

ExpectedPrevious
07:45Consumer Spending MM(OCT)--0.40%
07:45GDP Detailed QQ-0.30%
08:00CHF KOF Leading Indicator(NOV)-94.7
08:55German Unemployment Rate(M/M)(NOV)5.00%5.00%
08:55German Unemployment Change(M/M)(NOV)2K6K
09:00Unemployment Rate(OCT)9.60%9.90%
09:30GBP Consumer Credit(OCT)0.900B0.828B
09:30GBP Mortgage Approvals(OCT)65.00K65.92K
10:00CPI (EU Norm) Prelim MM(NOV)--0.10%
10:00CPI (EU Norm) Prelim YY(NOV)0.20%0.20%
10:00CPI (EU Norm) Final YY*(NOV)0.20%0.20%
10:00CPI (EU Norm) Final MM*(NOV)0.20%0.20%
10:00Euro-Zone CPI (Y/Y)(NOV)0.70%0.70%
10:00Euro-Zone Unemployment Rate(OCT)-7.50%
11:00GDP Prelim QQ-0.10%
11:00GDP Prelim YY-0.30%
12:30CAD GDP (M/M)(SEP)0.20%0.10%
13:30CAD GDP Annualized (Q/Q)-3.70%
13:30CAD RMPI (M/M)(OCT)--1.80%
14:45USD Chicago PMI(NOV)47.143.2

*All rates shown are indicative of interbank rates and should only be used for indication purposes only. It is important to note that foreign exchange rates fluctuate and that rates may vary depending on the amount and the base currency that is purchased or sold. Rates are correct as of 8:00am UK time. CentralFX are not responsible for the rates shown.