Sterling slides as Dollar drives higher

October 1st: Highlights

• Compare/Contrast Manufacturing PMI data
• China PMI data
• Japan Tankan Survey
• Spanish PMI
• Eurozone PMI
• UK PMI
• US PMI

Sterling Comment

Yesterday saw Sterling post the first gains against the Euro in over a week, whilst dropping to fresh 5-mth lows against the USD. Spurred on by the smaller-than-expected current account deficit, together with UK economic growth in line with expectations, Sterling found support in the morning session.

The US changed Sterling’s fortunes with the release of ADP non-farm employment figure (taken as a good lead towards Friday’s more influential Non-Farm Payrolls), which beat forecasts, drove the USD higher, and pushed GBP lower for a ninth day. Good news for USD sellers – Cable is currently trading just above critical support level of $1.51.

Today, we will see Manufacturing PMI data. The August figure was poor and the market will be looking for reassurance from the sector to support the UK recovery story. Forecasts are expected to show the Manufacturing industry did grow in September, but at a slower pace.

Global Comment

Investors were given no clues as all the Fed members who were speaking yesterday remained silent on the matter of interest rates.

The euro suffered the biggest fall-out from this, as the reversal of previous safe-haven flows saw the Single Currency lose a cent against Sterling. Similar reversals saw CHF down by nearly half a cent. The Euro also dropped by 1% against the US dollar after Eurozone inflation fell back below zero. Rating’s agency S&P forecast the ECB will extend their QE program, most likely until mid-2018, possibly reaching EUR 2.4 trillion. This would be more than twice the original EUR 1.1 trillion budgeted at the launch of the QE program.

Today, it’s all about the PMI data, across a number of territories:

China’s Manufacturing PMI, released overnight, came in slightly higher than expected at 49.8. This beat last month (49.7) and was better than expectations (49.6), but any figure under 50 shows the sector is in decline.

Japan released their Tankan Manufacturing Survey. This posted 12, which was below forecast (13) and down from last month (15). The market has taken this as another potential data point that could drive the Bank of Japan to further monetary easing, so there might be a silver lining to that cloud.

Forecasts for Europe and the US are that similar readings will be more positive.

Have a great day!