Receive the DailyFX US AM Digest in your inbox every day before US equity markets open – signup here
US equity futures pointing to losses of 1% with the DJIA set to open lower by as much as 200 points. This follows the rising geopolitical tensions surrounding Syria, in which President Trump’s latest comments noted that US-led intervention through air strikes are coming.
US CPI: US inflation data for March largely in-line with market consensus, besides the month over month reading which slipped 0.1% compared with a modest 0.2% rise expected. Interestingly, average weekly earnings saw a noticeable rise to 0.9% from 0.6%. Ultimately, little reaction observed in the Dollar index or US equity futures. Focus now on the FOMC meeting minutes scheduled for 18:00GMT.
RUB: The Russian Ruble has endured a torrid time since the Trump administration announced new punitive sanctions on Russia on Fridayin response to alleged meddling in the 2016 US election. USDRUB has weakened over 12% with USDRUB surging from 57.50 to 65.00, which marks the highest level since November 2016. The view is that further sanctions on Russia may be on the way, which is likely to dent the already fragile Russian economy. Additionally, Russia’s involvement in Syria has also pressured the Ruble, with the US pledging ‘forceful’ action in response to suspected chemical attacks in Syria. This could potentially take shape in the form of US-led airstrikes; however, Russia has since warned that missiles from the US will be shot down, subsequently increasing the geopolitical tensions around the region. President Trump this morning added fuel to the fire after stating that strikes will be coming in Syria and Russia better get ready.
GBP: The Pound slipped this morning following a run of February data. UK Manufacturing, Construction and Industrial Production data printed below expectations with factory output declining for the first time since March 2017. Altogether, this data suggests that the Q1 UK GDP is likely to get off to a softer start, with recent PMI survey’s suggesting UK growth of around 0.3%. GBPUSD now trading at the mid-1.41s having tripped through the 1.4200 handle in the wake of the data. However, with the Bank of England expected the hike interest rates next month, this could keep Sterling supported.
Crude Oil: WTI and Brent surging over 1% this morning with the latter now trading at the highest level in over three years having hit a high of $71.96. Geopolitical risk premium seemingly returning for oil prices amid reports of a potential US-led airstrike in Syria, which would be in-line with the Trump administrations anti-Iran strategy. Another bullish impetus for oil markets came after the EIA forecast a slight reduction in US oil production, while also revising higher their oil demand estimates.
DailyFX Economic Calendar: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 – North American Releases
With a bulk of the US data out of the way, focus will be on the FOMC meeting minutes scheduled for release at 18:00GMT. At the March meeting, the FOMC hiked the Federal Funds Rate by 25bps to 1.50-1.75%, while the dot plot continued to show that the majority of members saw three rate hikes for this year, despite the Fed raising its view of the number of rate hikes across the forecast horizon (8 hikes from 7 hikes). Given the backdrop of trade wars and surging short term interest rates (Libor) stoking turbulence in financial markets and tightening credit conditions, investors will be placing close attention to any mention of these subject matters and its impact on the central banks outlook.
Elsewhere, Oil traders will be keeping an eye on the weekly DoE crude oil inventory report due out at 14:30GMT. As a reminder, yesterday’s API crude report showed a headline build of 1.758mln barrels against expectations of a 200k barrel drawdown. As is usually the case, attention will also be placed on US crude production, which last week rose 0.26% to 10.46mln bpd.
DailyFX Webinar Calendar: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
IG Client Sentiment Index Chart of the Day: US Crude Oil
Oil – US Crude: Data shows 35.5% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.82 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 21.4% lower than yesterday and 3.4% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 37.9% higher than yesterday and 5.5% higher from last week.
We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests Oil – US Crude prices may continue to rise. Traders are further net-short than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger Oil – US Crude-bullish contrarian trading bias.
Learn more about the IG Client Sentiment Index on the DailyFX Sentiment page
Four Things Traders are Reading
- “US Dollar Down, Gold Up as Trump Warns Russia and Syria” by Christopher Vecchio, Senior Currency Strategist
-
“
Bitcoin, Ether, Ripple Charts Highlight Consolidation For Now | Webinar”
by Nick Cawley, Market Analyst - “Sterling Falls after UK Factory Output Declined for the First Time Since March 2017” by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst
- “Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple Short-term Charts Set Up for Another Dive?” by Paul Robinson, Market Analyst
The DailyFX US AM Digest is published every day before the US cash equity open – you can signup here to receive this report in your inbox every day.
The DailyFX Asia AM Digest is published every day before the Tokyo cash equity open – you can SIGNUP HERE to receive that report in your inbox every day.
If you’re interested in receiving both reports each day, you can SIGNUP HERE.
— Written by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst
To contact Justin, email him at Justin.mcqueen@ig.com
Follow Justin on Twitter @JMcQueenFX
