EUR / USD
The final reading for the Euro-zone PMI manufacturing index was revised higher lower to 55.2 from the flash reading of 55.5. The Spanish and Italian PMI readings were also weaker than expected, reinforcing reservations over the near-term outlook and the services data will be notably weaker.
The dollar remained firmly on the defensive ahead of the New York open amid strong risk appetite and expectations that the very loose Federal Reserve policy would maintain negative real interest rates and lead to further inflows into other assets. The US currency dipped to fresh 32-month lows with the Euro also posting 32-month highs just above the 1.2300 level as overall risk appetite also held firm.
The US PMI manufacturing index was revised higher to 57.1 for the final reading from the flash reading of 56.5 and the highest reading for over six years, although there was a slowdown in the rate of orders growth. Markets were less confident over the outlook for the services sector given coronavirus restrictions.
Risk appetite dipped after the Wall Street open with increased coronavirus restrictions in Scotland helping to increase fears over wider coronavirus developments.
The US dollar was able to secure a tentative recovery with a sharp retreat in commodity currencies helping to push the euro to just below 1.2250.
There was no significant change in the latest CFTC data, maintaining the potential for a dollar correction stronger. There were further concerns over euro-zone developments with Italy extending coronavirus restrictions until the middle of January. The dollar was unable to sustained gains amid a renewed advance in commodity currencies with the euro around 1.2270 in early Europe and further choppy trading is likely as markets monitor US political developments.
JPY
The dollar remained under pressure in early Europe on Monday with wider US losses continuing to sap support and hit 9-month lows near 102.70 against the Japanese currency. A wider recovery pushed the dollar back above the 103.0 level as the yen secured only limited fresh support despite the slide in equities.
There was a significant element of uncertainty surrounding the Georgia run-off elections on Wednesday which will determine which party has control of the Senate.
Chicago Fed President Evans stated that in springtime the Fed will be better positioned to know what more may be needed. He stated that overshoot in inflation to 2.5% would be helpful, but the central bank would be talking about adjusting its stance if inflation headed towards 3.0%. Cleveland head Mester stated that stronger growth this year would not require a policy change as the economy would still be far from the Fed’s employment and inflation goals.
The Chinese central bank fixed the yuan sharply stronger on Tuesday with a gain of over 1% from the previous day which was the sharpest daily move since 2005. The stronger yuan was important in undermining support for the US currency, although the yuan faded later in the session with the dollar just below 103.00 against the yen.
GBP
The final reading for the UK PMI manufacturing index increased slightly to 57.5 from the flash reading of 57.3 as stock building ahead of the UK leaving the EU single market boosted the index and delivery times increased. Mortgage approvals increased to near 105,000 for November from 98,300 previously and the highest reading for over 13 years. There was, however, a further repayment of consumer credit with the annual decline of over 6%, the highest rate since the data series started in 1994.
Sterling peaked just above 1.3700 against the dollar, but gradually drifted lower against the Euro.
The UK currency was unable to make further headway and losses accelerated after the New York open, especially after tighter coronavirus restrictions were announced for Scotland. It was also announced that there would be further measures in England which further undermined confidence and a slide in risk conditions also sapped confidence. Sterling dipped to near 1.3550 against the dollar while the Euro pushed to highs near 0.9050 before correcting slightly.
Global risk conditions recovered on Tuesday which provided an element of Sterling support with a move towards 1.3600 against the dollar and the Euro around 0.9025.
CHF
The Swiss PMI manufacturing index strengthened to 58.0 for December from 55.2 previously and significantly above consensus forecasts of 54.0. The overall impact was limited as risk conditions dominated currency markets. Swiss sight deposits declined to CHF702.7bn in the latest week from CHF703.9bn which suggested that the National Bank had not been intervening. The franc was resilient even when equities made headway and secured net gains as risk appetite dipped in New York. The Euro settled around 1.0800 on Tuesday with the dollar close to 0.8800 with global risk conditions still a key influence.
