The calm before the storm emerged the underlying theme in Asia this Thursday, as markets brace for a fresh round of the US-Sino trade war, with the US set to impose tariffs on the Chinese goods tomorrow and China expected to retaliated on the US tariffs’ action.
Hence, the demand for the safe-havens, gold and the Yen, was on the rise while the risk assets such as oil, equities and the Aussie. However, the Kiwi held onto minor bids near 0.6770 levels while the Euro consolidated yesterday’s ECB headlines -led rally near mid-16s. The USD/JPY pair eased back towards the 200-DMA at 110.30 levels.
Main topics in Asia
The UK outlines new Brexit trade plan – Bloomberg
Trump on Twitter: OPEC needs to do something about oil prices
WTO – US trade war jeopardizes global growth
Goldman Sachs: Oil market to remain in deficit for the rest of the year
The US softens North Korea approach as Pompeo prepares for more nuclear talks – Reuters
Japanese government’s economic adviser calls for more fiscal stimulus
IMF cuts German 2018 economic growth forecast to 2.2 percent
Key Focus ahead
Today’s EUR macro calendar is light data-wise, but the Bank of England (BOE) Governor Carney’s speech is expected to hog the limelight ahead of the speech by the ECB Governing Council member Jens Weidmann due at 11.15 GMT.
The main focus today remains the minutes of the FOMC June meeting, which offer fresh US dollar moves. In the meantime, the US ADP jobs report and ISM non-manufacturing PMI will keep the NA traders busy. Also, of note remains the US EIA crude inventories data due to be reported at 1500 GMT.
All eyes also remain on the looming Friday’s tariffs deadline, as China will implement tariffs on $34 bln worth of US goods from July 6 midnight Beijing time, i.e, 1600 GMT later today.
EUR/USD: Holds above 1.16, focus on Fed minutes
The EUR/USD sits well above 1.16, having built a nice basing pattern around 1.15 in the last few weeks and could gain altitude if the Fed minutes, due today, take some wind out of the hawkish June policy statement.
GBP/USD twisting into bullish territory ahead of BoE’s Carney speech, FOMC Meeting Minutes
The GBP bulls will be looking to keep the good vibes rolling with a scheduled speech by the Bank of England’s (BoE) Governor Mark Carney at 10:00 GMT, though the BoE chief is unlikely to deliver any new developments as he is giving a prepared speech in Newcastle.
FOMC Minutes in the limelight today – Nordea Markets
On Thursday, the minutes of the most recent FOMC meeting will be published and will be a key release for markets, according to analysts at Nordea Markets.
Key events coming up: eyes on FOMC minutes – TDS
Analysts at TD Securities, (TDS), noted the forthcoming risk events to take note of.
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