Recent weeks have unfolded with an abundance of impactful events, including central bank meetings featuring rate hikes, employment statistics, GDP figures, and manufacturing and services PMIs.
Initially, investors rapidly shed long-dated debt in response to the Fitch US credit downgrade, coupled with the subsequent announcement by the US Treasury’s intention to release approximately $1 trillion worth of long-dated bonds over the forthcoming months. This sudden move led to a spike in long-term rates to levels not seen since the pandemic’s onset. However, investors just as quickly reversed their positions after a substantial miss in the US Non-Farm Payrolls report. This reversal prompted fluctuations in the US Dollar, marked by a swift ascent followed by a rapid descent.
All Eyes on CPI & PPI: The Keystone to the Current Economic Landscape
Volatility is on the rise, while clarity seems to be dwindling. This sets the stage for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) data to become pivotal points, either reassuring the Federal Reserve of their actions against inflation or compelling them to consider further tightening measures.
The eagerly anticipated inflation data this week is the pièce de résistance for macro enthusiasts. It will either reinforce the Federal Reserve’s belief that they have taken adequate steps to address rising prices or induce them to adopt more stringent measures.
Investors are hopeful for a performance similar to June’s plummet in the headline CPI to a mere 3.0% p.a., bringing it tantalizingly close to the Fed’s 2% inflation target. However, a significant portion of this decline resulted from plunging energy costs. Consequently, the crucial core CPI, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, did decrease to 4.8%. Anyways, this was still notably higher than May’s 5.3%.
July’s CPI Data: Unveiling Potential Re-Acceleration in Price Growth
The upcoming July data release poses a risk. That comes as no surprise since it could reveal a resurgence in price growth. The fading of the so-called ‘base effects’ (the drop in high monthly CPI) is a primary cause. Additionally, the upward trend in energy commodity prices since the end of June could influence the July figures. Therefore, this week’s CPI data is particularly important, introducing an element of uncertainty that might trigger significant volatility across stock, bond, and forex markets.
The vital CPI consensus stands at +0.2% for July. The result translates to an annual inflation rate of 3.3%—a noteworthy increase from June. Similarly, the consensus for the core CPI, excluding volatile components such as food and energy, is also projected at +0.2%, resulting in a slightly lower annual rate of 4.7%.
CPI/PPI on the Horizon: Insights into Wholesale Inflation Data Release
And there’s more to come! Friday brings the release of the Producer Price Index (PPI), with core PPI expected to increase by 0.2% month-on-month in July, leading to a modest 2.0% annual rise, mirroring June’s rate.
Navigating the waters of this week’s CPI and PPI data requires a strategic approach. As a general rule, higher US inflation triggers elevated interest rates, which bodes well for forex traders dealing in US dollars. Consequently, a higher-than-expected CPI or PPI reading would likely drive up the US dollar’s value against other currencies. Conversely, disappointing readings would likely cause the US dollar to weaken against other currencies.
For a potential trading strategy, identifying currencies that the US dollar has dominated could be a productive approach. Moreover, it could suggest long positions in the event of favourable outcomes. Conversely, if the US dollar has displayed significant weakness against a particular currency, short positions could be considered if the data disappoints.
Unravelling the USD/CHF and AUD/USD Pair Dynamics
Looking at the AUD/USD pair, the technical indicators reveal a well-established short-term downtrend. Besides, an equally robust long-term downtrend indicates potential opportunities for short positions. Conversely, the USD/CHF pair’s short-term downtrend seems to be moderating. Possibly, it could herald a shift toward short-term equilibrium in demand and supply.
As the market awaits the CPI and PPI data releases with bated breath, investors and traders alike are bracing themselves for heightened volatility and potential trading prospects. These data points will undoubtedly steer the near-term trajectory of stocks, bonds, and forex markets, ushering in a period of uncertainty and opportunities.
