Greenback Rises as Risk Appetite Wanes

Key Movers

The Canadian Dollar slipped back below 0.77 through trade on Thursday despite ongoing and increasing optimism surrounding NAFTA negotiations. Talks between the US and Canada are reportedly progressing quickly, and there is still an open possibility an in-principal agreement will be found before the US imposed deadline this week.



Despite upbeat trade expectations the CAD moved sharply lower after the month on month GDP growth stalled, printing below expectations and reducing the likelihood the Bank of Canada will raise rates again before years end. Consolidating moves below 0.7750 the loonie edged below 0.77 to touch 0.7692 as broader risk-off sentiment forced a shift toward haven assets, driving the USD higher.



On the economic docket to close the week we have Producer Price Index figures and Raw Material Prices out this morning, market participants have factored in a slight uptick for each. After the data investors, attention will remain squarely focused on ongoing trade discussions.


During the Asian trade on Thursday, the EUR/USD further declined to carry losses from the previous North America session. As we saw the European markets open we had the release of German GfK Consumer Climate and the Euro was dragged further touching a low 1.1652. The survey showed that mood among German shoppers had deteriorated unexpectedly for the second month in a row heading into September. The GfK research institute said its consumer sentiment indicator, based on a survey of around 2,000 Germans, fell to 10.5 going into September from 10.6 a month earlier casting some doubt about the strength of a consumer-led upswing in Europe's largest economy.

German Import Prices released at 5% better than previous, but below expectations. Preliminary German CPI remains flat y/y at 2%. German unemployment change print -8K worse than forecasts of +5K, German unemployment rate remains at the 5.2%. The EUR remains close to the 1.17 handle against the USD and 1.51 level against the CAD.


The drop, however, was short-lived as we saw sentiment improve in the markets and the US dollar Index pullback. Despite US GDP figures recording growth for the June quarter coming in at 4.2% the EUR/USD pushed through resistance levels of 1.17 and reached a high of 1.1718.


German Import Prices released at 5% better than previous, but below expectations. Preliminary German CPI remains flat y/y at 2%. German unemployment change print -8K worse than forecasts of +5K, German unemployment rate remains at the 5.2%. The EUR remains close to the 1.17 handle against the USD and 1.51 level against the CAD.


The Great British Pound enjoyed sustained upward momentum through trade on Thursday as rhetoric from Europe and London suggests a bespoke deal can be reached. The Pound largely held onto moves above 1.30 briefly edging lower as broader risk-off sentiment drove the USD higher.



Sterling touched one-week highs against the Euro forcing the 19-nation single currency back below 0.90 pence as markets garnered fresh hopes a “no-deal” Brexit will be avoided following comments from top Negotiators. The comments have added to recent GBP volatility making it increasingly expensive for sterling bears to hold short positions with the more aggressive shorts unwound helping to consolidate the current upturn. That said, despite the shift in rhetoric this week a final Brexit deal is still some way off, and the spectra of a no deal divorce continues to cap upside moves.





Attention today remain with ongoing Brexit developments.


The Australian Dollar finds itself below the 0.73 handle again after another horrendous day backed by trade war concerns. Opening this morning at 0.7226, the Aussie was also unsupported by domestic news with Westpac’s mortgage rate hike, weaker Capex and falling building approvals all conspiring to add to the selloff.





Starting at home, Private Capital Expenditures posted a nasty decline of 2.5% against an expected increase of 0.6%, implying slowing business investment in Australia. Rounding out a rough day for the Australian economy was further declines in building approvals with a reading of -5.2% against an expected decline of -2.2%. Earlier in the week, Westpac also reported their mortgage rate increase which didn’t help concerns over the Australian economy either. The market rapidly unwound from its highs of 0.7362 earlier in the week.





Adding fuel to the fire, however, was further comments from President Trump who outlined his commitment to additional Tariffs on China. Market optimism that reconciliation was around the corner quickly evaporated as Trump put those thoughts to bed. The risk-on sentiment promptly shifted to risk-off with emerging markets and commodity currencies bearing the brunt of investor concern. The Australian Dollar now limps to the close of the week with little on the economic calendar to digest. All eyes will be fixed on the Headlines for direction moving into September.


The New Zealand Dollar fell sharply through trade on Thursday, loosing almost 100 points and closing the days worst performer. ANZ’s business confidence report showed corporate assuredness had collapsed to levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis, which in turn fostered a decline in investment and employment intentions casting a cloud over near-term growth expectations. The poor print comes on the back of Dovish RBNZ currency prompting markets to increase expectations the monetary policy committee will cut the OCR within the next 12 months.





Plunging through 0.67 and 0.6650, losses were compounded by a broader market-wide risk-off tone. Weakness across emerging markets, led by Argentina’s request to bring forward the release of specific bailout funding, prompting a further run on other emerging market assets and broader flight to safety. The move toward haven assets saw the NZD touch intraday lows at 0.6635, and with little of note on the macroeconomic docket, Friday attentions and direction remain influenced by ongoing fluctuations in risk appetite.