Talking Points:
- Euro to Look Past CPI Data as Markets Await Launch of ECB QE Program
- US Dollar May Decline if Soft ISM Data Undermines Fed Rate Hike Outlook
- Canadian Dollar Gains, Aussie Drops Before BOC and RBA Policy Meetings
Eurozone flash CPI data headlines the economic calendar in European trading hours. The headline year-on-year inflation rate is expected to remain in negative territory, showing a 0.5 percent drawdown in February following a 0.6 percent decline in the prior month. The outcome is unlikely to trigger a meaningful response the Euro considering its limited implications for near-term ECB policy outlook as the central bank prepares to launch QE this month.
Later in the day, the spotlight turns to February’sISM Manufacturingfigures. The report is expected to show that factory-sector activity growth slowed for a fourth consecutive month. US news-flow has tended to underperform relative to forecasts in recent months, warning of a larger mark-down in the cards. Such a result may trim Fed interest rate hike expectations and weigh on the US Dollar.
The Canadian Dollar outperformed in overnight trade, rising as much as 0.4 percent on average against its leading counterparts. The move may have reflected pre-positioning ahead of this week’s Bank of Canada monetary policy announcement. Expectations call for officials to hold rates unchanged at 0.75 percent after a surprise 25bps cut at last month’s sit-down. A similarly preemptive logic may have been at play as the Australian Dollar faced selling pressure, with the RBA expected to expand stimulus this week.
