Forex Daily Outlook – April 14 2010

US PPI, US Unemployment Claims and the G7 Meetings are the highlights today. Let’s review the major market movers lined up.

In the US, Producer Price Index a leading indicator of consumer inflation gained 1.6% in February wekk above the 0.7 increase forecasted by analysts and following 0.8% rise in the previous month. A further gain of 1.1% is expected now. Meanwhile Core PPI gained 0.2% in line with expectations following 0.5% increase in the month before. The same rise is expected now.

More in the US, Unemployment Claims dropped to 382,000 last week showing further improvement in the job market and better than 385,000 expected by analysts. This great figure was followed by 392,000 in the week before. Another drop to 379,000 is forecasted now.

Finally in the US, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Narayana Kocherlakota is due to deliver a speech titled “Economic Development in Indian Country” at the Hometown meeting, in Helena. As a voting member his words may convey clues regarding future monetary policy and interest rates. A little After Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Charles Plosser is also due to deliver a speech titled “Financial Reform and the Real Economy” at the 20th Annual Hyman Minsky conference on the State of the US and World Economies, in New York. His speech can also provide valuable information.

In Canada, Manufacturing Sales measuring the change in the total value of sales made by manufacturers surged 4.5% in January well above 1.3% gain expected following 0.6% rise in the previous month. A modest 0.6% increase is expected now.

For more on USD/CAD, read the  Canadian dollar forecast.

In Europe, ECB Monthly Bulletin is to be released revealing the statistical data that the ECB Governing Board evaluated when making the latest interest rate decision, and provides detailed analysis of current and future economic conditions from the bank’s viewpoint.

G7 Meetings attended by finance ministers and central bankers from 7 industrialized nations are Due to discuss range of global economic issues, including the Japanese earthquake, in Washington DC. The G7 is an influential global policy-making body operating at the highest level, and their initiatives and policies can have a substantial impact on currency markets.

In Switzerland, ZEW Economic Expectations measuring the level of a diffusion index based on surveyed institutional investors and analysts and a leading indicator of economic health reached -13.5 in March following 17.2 in February showing improvement among analysts expectations.

More in Switzerland, Swiss National Bank  governing Board Member Jean-Pierre Danthine is due to deliver a speech title “Banking and Central Banking after the Crisis” at the Finance Institute, in Zurich. May provide valuable information on interest rates and future monetary policy.

In Great Britain, BOE Deputy Governor Paul Tucker is due to speak at the 20th Annual Hyman Minsky conference on the State of the US and World Economies, in New York. As a MPC voting member he may provide valuable information on interest rates and future monetary policy.

Read more about the Pound in the  GBP/USD forecast.

In Australia, National Australia Bank   Quarterly Business Confidence reached 5 points in Nov-Feb quarter following 9 in the previous quarter. This drop is still above 0 indicating improving conditions.

More in Australia, MI Inflation Expectations and important indicator of future inflation gained 3.6% in February, less than 4.3% in the previous month. The same increase is expected this time.

Finally in Australia, New Motor Vehicle Sales measuring the change in the number of new cars and trucks sold domestically increased by 0.2% in February following 2.4% plunge in the previous month. A further increase is forecasted.

For more on the Aussie, read the  AUD/USD forecast.

Event data credit: Forex Factory