- September 27, 2018
- Posted by: Joey Benedid
- Category: Market News
The Dollar Index is up this morning following what was as cut and dry of a FOMC rate hike as possible. The Fed hiked rates by 25bps and remain on track to continue monetary tightening heading into 2019. The Fed also says that it still sees another rate hike in December. The only real change in sentiment was when Powell dropped the word ‘accommodative’ from the central bank’s stance on monetary policy. Trump was not fond of the interest rate decision, once again calling out the Fed. Powell responded saying that the US economy is in a bright spot at the moment. US Durable Goods Orders (4.5% vs 2.0%) came in higher than expected, but traders didn’t bat an eye and FOMC and NAFTA headlines continue to steal the spot light.
EUR was lower against the Dollar this morning as trade deficit concerns enter the Italian political arena. Both The League and 5 Star Party have pushed for an increased budget deficit, putting the current Finance Minister in a tough spot given his pledge to curb government spending and ensure that the deficit remains under the EU recommendations of sub 2%. Sterling also slipped against the Dollar as traders remain cynical on a deal being struck between the EU and the UK.
On the calendar today we have speeches from Powell, Draghi, Carney and Poloz, and we wrap up the week with German Unemployment Change (-9k vs -8k), German Unemployment Claims Rate (5.2% vs 5.2%), Eurozone CPI (1.1% vs 1.0%), CAD GDP (2.2% vs 2.4%) and US Personal Consumption Expenditure (2.0% vs 2.0%). Short term support and resistance is 1.2936 and 1.3175 respectively, with RSI at 52 and the 200-day moving average residing at 1.2868.