Forex trading news and economic data headlines 15 February 2017

News:

  • If IMF wants in with Greek bailout it needs to stop making unreasonable demands - Greek fin min
  • ECB's Jazbec: Question of QE exit is hypothetical for now
  • China needs to avoid a liquidity crisis and deflation trap
  • More from Aso: Risks await for emerging economies if US hike rates 3 times in 2017
  • More from Aso (2): No one thinks FX volatility is good
  • Sweden's Riksbank leaves key repo rate unchanged at -0.5%
  • Riksbank's Ingves says they could intervene any time if krona strengthens too much
  • Latest French poll has Le Pen creeping up
  • Pollsters edge up Eurozone inflation expectations
  • BOJ's Kuroda repeats that policy is aimed at 2% price target
  • Softer UK wages report sends the pound lower as new reports show living standards on the slide
  • Moody's say UK credit card spending leaves borrowers more vulnerable to economic shocks
  • The euro bleeding continues - Where will it stop?
  • PBOC issues additional MLF totalling yuan 393.5 bln
  • Nikkei 225 closes up +1.03% at 19,437.98

Data:

  • January 2017 UK claimant count -42.4k vs 0.8k exp
  • December 2017 Eurozone trade balance 24.5bn vs 22.0bn exp SA
  • US MBA mortgage applications -3.7% vs 2.3% prior
  • Spain January CPI final mm -0.5% as expected

Markets are still trying to second-guess Yellen & Co and the greenback is generally better supported but USDJPY is still finding sellers as yen demand returns.

USDJPY had an early move up from 114.35 to finally take out the 114.50 sell interest but from 114.61 highs we've been nudging lower since with GBPJPY and EURJPY selling adding weight to core pairs.

UK jobs data came in stronger with new measuring criteria but a softer wages report was enough to get the algos active, and after a drop through 1.2450 we've seen lows of 1.2415. EURGBP has had a look at 0.8500 again

EURUSD has seen continuing sell interest with cross pairs also mostly on the retreat as the soggy scenario plays out.

Gold and oil have both remained steady after yesterday's retreats as too have the CAD and AUD and once again we've seen AUDUSD continue to fail into 0.7700 and USDCAD also tight between 1.3065-85.

Equities opened stronger and we've plenty of data to come yet not to mention the second part of HH testimony from Yellen at 15.00 GMT

Lots of movement and opportunity to come again for sure.