There are strong expectations that interest rates will be increased to 0.50% with Sterling sliding if rates are not increased.

US ADP employment data was much weaker than expected with a 301,000 decline in private payrolls for January.

The data triggered fresh doubts over aggressive Fed tightening plans. US bond yields edged lower after the data.

Risk appetite overall was slightly less confident on US and global growth reservations. Wall Street equities posted gains but retreated from intra-day highs and futures dipped sharply after the New York close. Asian markets also moved lower on Thursday with Chinese markets still closed.

The dollar remained on the defensive with further net losses, although with a slight recovery from intra-day lows. EUR/USD held close to 1.1300 amid expectations of a less dovish ECB stance on Thursday. Sterling maintained a firm tone on BoE rate-hike expectations with GBP/USD close to 1.3550. Commodity currencies retreated from intra-day highs as equities lost ground.

The headline Euro-zone CPI inflation rate increased to 5.1% for January from 5.0% previously which was substantially above consensus forecasts of 4.4% and the highest rate on record. The underlying rate declined to 2.3% from 2.6%, but well above market expectations of 1.9%.

The data-maintained expectations that the ECB would look to adopt a less dovish stance and there was a shift in money markets with expectations of a 10 basis-point increase by July. The Euro also continued to edge higher following the data and EUR/USD moved above the 1.1300 level for the first time in a week.

The US ADP data reported a sharp decline in private payrolls of 301,000 for January compared with consensus forecasts of an increase around 200,000. This was the largest decline since December 2020 while the December increase was revised lower to 776,000 from the original figure of 807,000. There was a sharp decline in leisure and hospitality jobs for the month while the construction sector was one of the few sectors to post an increase in jobs.

The ADP stated that the Omicron variant was the main reason behind the decline in jobs on the month. The weak data dampened expectations surrounding Friday’s employment report and that the Federal Reserve would opt for an aggressive policy tightening at the March policy meeting.

The dollar regained some ground into the European close with a slightly more defensive tone surrounding risk appetite. The US currency still registered net losses with EUR/USD just below 1.1300 before settling just above this level into the New York close.

Rhetoric from the ECB will be monitored closely on Thursday with expectations that there will be a further push back against market expectations of a 2022 rate hike.

Tight ranges prevailed in early Europe on Thursday with EUR/USD trading just below 1.1300 amid weaker equity markets and further position adjustment.

There was choppy trading in US Treasuries following the US ADP jobs data with net gains and a small decline in long-term yields. The yen was resilient on the crosses, especially with a less confident risk tone and markets also tended to scale back expectations of a very hawkish Fed stance. Overall, USD/JPY retreated to lows just below 114.20 before correcting slightly with the US currency overall securing a limited recovery.

San Francisco Fed President Daly reiterated that interest rates were likely to be increased at the March policy meeting. US equity futures dipped after the US close amid a slide in Facebook and Asian markets were lower. Overall activity remained limited as Chinese markets remained on holiday.

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Mazazumi stated that it is definitely too early to start monetary tightening and could lower rates if downside risks to the economy intensify. The yen was resilient on the crosses amid less confident risk conditions with USD/JPY trading close to 114.50 while EUR/JPY was around 129.35.

Sterling held a firm tone during Wednesday with an underlying lack of selling pressure. There were further expectations that the Bank of England will raise rates at this week’s policy meeting. GBP/USD pushed to 10-day highs around 1.3585 before fading slightly as equities retreated from daily highs.

Overall risk conditions were still relatively calm which limited any potential Sterling selling.

The Euro edged lower but was held in tight ranges as markets waited for policy statements from both the Bank of England and ECB.

There are strong expectations that interest rates will be increased to 0.50% with Sterling sliding if rates are not increased. If there is a hike, market reaction will be determined by the medium-term guidance and overall policy stance. There are doubts whether the bank rhetoric will match market expectations which may leave the pound vulnerable. There are also expectations that Chancellor Sunak will announce government measures to curb the forthcoming jump in retail energy prices.

GBP/USD traded close to 1.3550 on Thursday and EUR/GBP little changed around 0.8340 with volatility set to spike later in the day.

Economic Calendar

ExpectedPrevious
08:45Markit/ADACI Svcs PMI(JAN)53
08:50Markit Serv PMI(JAN)
08:55EUR German PMI Composite(JAN)
08:55EUR German PMI Services(JAN)
09:00Euro-Zone PMI Composite(JAN)
09:00Euro-Zone PMI Services(JAN)53.353.3
09:30GBP PMI Services(JAN)53.6
09:30GBP PMI Composite(JAN 01)53.6
10:00Euro - Zone Retail Sales (Y/Y)(DEC, 2021)7.80%
10:00Euro - Zone Retail Sales (M/M)(DEC, 2021)1.00%
12:00BOE MPC Vote Cut(FEB 01)0
12:00BOE MPC Vote Hike(FEB)8
12:00BOE MPC Vote Unchanged(JAN)71
12:00BoE QE Purchase Target(M/M)(FEB)875B875B
12:00BoE Rate Decision(M/M)(FEB)0.50%0.25%
12:45Deposit Facility Rate(FEB 01)-0.5
12:45ECB Rate Decision(FEB)
13:30USD Initial Jobless Claims260K
13:30USD Continuing Jobless Claims1675K
15:00USD Factory Orders(DEC, 2021)0.30%1.60%
15:00USD ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI(JAN)61.862.3

*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.