Dollar strengthens broadly as markets took US president Donald Trump's address to Congress positively. Dollar index is back at 101.60, comparing to yesterday's low at 100.78 and is having key near term resistance at 101.79 in sight. Strength in greenback is most notable against Canadian Dollar, which was dragged down by oil price yesterday. On the other hand, the Japanese Yen is sold off broadly today on return to risk appetite. Asian indices are generally higher with Nikkei gaining nearly 1.5% at the time of writing. Focus will now turn to economic data from you, including personal income and spending, and ISM manufacturing, to solidify the strength in Dollar's rebound.
No extreme comments from Trump
While Trump's State of the Union address sent little details to the markets, the positive tone was taken well by traders. And possibly more importantly, there were no extreme comments that unnerved traders. On tax reform, Trump noted that his team "is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone" and would also "provide massive tax relief for the middle class". He did not specify the controversial border adjustment tax in his speech.
Trump criticized Obamacare, suggesting that "mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America". His administration is planning to "lower the cost of health insurance" instead. Trump also reiterated the proposed infrastructural spending worth of as much as USD 1T. According to the Trump, "to launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to approve legislation that produces a USD 1T investment in the infrastructure of the United States, financed through both public and private capital, creating millions of new jobs".
March Fed hike speculations heat up
On the markets, the speculation for a March Fed hike is getting heat up again. San Francisco Fed president John Williams said he expected a rate hike to get "serious consideration" during the March 14-15 meeting in Washington. And he also noted that there was no need to delay the move. New York Fed president William Dudley said that the case for rate hike "has become a lot more compelling" with recent economic data. According to Bloomberg's rate tool, markets are pricing in more than 70% chance of a hike this month, doubling last week's pricing.
BoJ cut short debt purchases
In Japan, BoJ lowered the purchase of short-maturity debt, one to three years" to JPY 320b, down from JPY 400b in its previous operation on February. Purchases of three to five year debts were also lowered to JPY 400b, down from JPY 420b. Analysts saw that as a move to fine tune the yield curve control. Meanwhile, BoJ governor Haruhiko asked investors not to read too much into daily operations. BoJ board member Takehiro Sato urged the central bank to be flexible in the yield targets. He noted that "it is appropriate to flexibly adjust" the BOJ's yield curve targets if market long-term interest rates rise reflecting improvements in the economy and price outlook.
BoC and PMIs to highlight the day
On the data front, Australia GDP grew 1.1% qoq in Q4, above expectation of 0.7% qoq. New Zealand terms of trade rose 5.7% qoq in Q4. Japan capital spending rose 3.8% in Q4. China PMI manufacturing improved to 51.6 in February, non-manufacturing PMI dropped to 54.2. Caixin PMI manufacturing rose to 51.7.
PMI data will be one of the focuses today. Swiss will release SVME PMI and UBS consumption indicator. Eurozone will release PMI manufacturing final and German CPI flash. UK will release PMI manufacturing, mortgage approvals and M4. US will release personal income and spending, ISM manufacturing and construction spending. Fed will also release Beige Book report. BoC will announce rate decision and is widely expected to stand pat.