US jobless claims increased very sharply to a fresh record high over 6.5mn.

US jobless claims increased very sharply to a fresh record high over 6.5mn, reinforcing fears over a deep economic contraction. Global risk appetite dipped after the data before rallying later in the session.

Oil prices jumped higher after reports that President Trump had brokered Saudi Arabian-Russian deal to cut output. The dollar posted significant net gains in choppy trading conditions as with EUR/USD dipping below 1.0850 as US currency demand remained firm.

The Canadian dollar rallied sharply on higher oil prices before fading in choppy trading. Sterling was again broadly resilient during the session despite a further large increase in coronavirus cases.

Spain recorded an increase in jobless claims of over 300,000 for March, maintaining fears over the economic outlook and latest data recorded a further increase in coronavirus cases of over 6,000 to 110,000 with the death toll passing 10,000. There were also further sharp increases in Italy and Germany.

The KfW development bank forecast that the German economy would contract 10-15% for the second quarter of 2020.

US jobless claims surged again to 6.65mn in the latest week from a revised 3.31mn the previous week. This was very substantially above consensus forecasts and a record high for the second week as claims in California alone posted over 800,000 claims. The jobless data increased fears that the unemployment rate could surge to above 10% within the next 2 months. The latest Challenger data recorded a sharp increase in layoffs for March to over 220,000. The dollar gained support as risk appetite declined.

The US monthly jobs report will be released on Friday with expectations that payrolls will have registered a decline of around 100,000 for the month. The overall impact is liable to be limited, however, as the survey date was March 14th, before most lockdowns were implemented.

The February trade deficit declined to $39.9bn from $45.5bn previously, the lowest reading for over 3 years as imports from China slumped while the ISM New York business conditions index dipped to 12.9 from 51.9. The dollar overall made net gains during the session with EUR/USD declining to lows below 1.0850 and was held just below this level on Friday with the US currency holding a firm tone amid an underlying lack of confidence in the global outlook.

Risk appetite dipped again following the fresh surge in US jobless claims as equity markets moved into negative territory and fears over a deep recession increased. USD/JPY dipped to near 107.00 before finding support as yen demand remained limited.

There was some relief towards the European close following reports that Saudi Arabia and Russia could agree to cut oil output substantially. As equity futures moved sharply higher, USD/JPY advanced to the 108.00 area as overall volatility increased sharply and the Japanese yen lost traction.

US equities held a firm tone and USD/JPY settled just below 108.00 although underlying sentiment remained subdued.

China’s Caixin PMI services index recovered strongly to 43.0 from 26.5 and well above consensus forecasts of 29.0, although this still indicated contraction and employment declined further with business sentiment remaining weak. The central bank expressed caution over adjusting interest rates and regional equities lost ground, although USD/JPY held just below 108.00 with further choppy trading likely on Friday amid pre-weekend position adjustment.

Nationwide reported that house prices increased 3.0% in the year to March from 2.3% previously, but the housing market will effectively be closed in the short term. The latest construction PMI data has been re-scheduled for April 6th, but the services data is set for release on Friday with the potential for final data to record an even sharper downturn than in the flash data given a shutdown in much of the non-manufacturing sector.

Sterling was again resilient during the day even when global risk appetite deteriorated.  Higher oil prices were also a positive factor and GBP/USD held close to 1.2400 while EUR/GBP declined to 3-week lows below 0.8800.

There were still major concerns over the coronavirus outbreak with a further 569 deaths reported on Thursday and there was further controversy over testing numbers, but, according to a spokesman for Prime Minister Johnson, no new lockdown measures will be assessed before Easter.

The UK currency was resilient, and GBP/USD settled around 1.2400 while EUR/GBP retreated to fresh 3-week lows below 0.8750. The government announced an expansion of the business support scheme to medium-sized businesses and eased criteria for small-business support, but GBP/USD was held below 1.2400.

Economic Calendar

ExpectedPrevious
07:50Markit Serv PMI(MAR)2929
08:00Euro-Zone PMI Services(MAR)-28.4
08:55EUR German PMI Composite(MAR)36.537.2
08:55EUR German PMI Services(APR)34.334.5
09:00Euro-Zone PMI Composite(MAR)-31.4
12:30USD Average Hourly Earnings (M/M)(MAR)0.20%0.30%
12:30USD Average Hourly Earnings (Y/Y)(MAR)2.90%3.00%
12:30United States Unemployment Rate(M/M)(MAR)-3.50%
13:45USD Markit Services PMI(MAR)-39.1
13:45USD Markit PMI Composite-40.5
14:00USD ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI(MAR)4557.3

*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.