Last week was action-packed and it’s not likely to ease up with attention now shifting from the Fed and the “technical recession” in the US to the labour market. Various officials have highlighted the strength of the labour market when explaining why the US isn’t in a real recession which will draw increased scrutiny on Friday’s jobs report.
Earnings have been a mixed bag so far, with big tech this past week being given a free pass when missing on revenue and earnings as long as the outlook was solid. Some benefited greatly from that while others didn’t fare so well. Investors are seemingly in a buoyant mood after the Fed meeting which may help over the remainder of the season.
We can’t put together a week ahead without discussing central banks and many more are due to meet next week. The Bank of England could be the latest to hike by 50 basis points, while the RBA is expected to do so again. There’s never a dull week in the markets at the moment.
US
The US economy is clearly in slowdown mode and now Wall Street will want to know how tight the labour market remains. The July nonfarm payroll report is expected to show hiring is cooling but that unemployment is still expected to hold steady at 3.6%. A gain of 250,000 jobs in July would be down from the pace of 372,000 seen in the prior month, while still showing signs that the economy is not in terrible shape.
Traders will also pay close attention to a few Fed appearances during the week from Evans, Bullard, and Mester. Leading up to the September policy decision, traders will want to know how many Fed members are positioning themselves for a slower pace of tightening policy.
The focus will go to NFP Friday, but it is a busy week filled with several key economic reports. Monday is massive as the ISM manufacturing report will be closely watched as it is expected to show another decline but still remain in expansion territory. Wednesday contains the release of both June factory orders and the July ISM services report. Thursday has the June trade data and initial jobless claims, which have been steadily rising since the end of March.
Election season heats up as the US primary elections are held in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington. The Republican National Committee Summer Meeting takes place.
Secretary of State Blinken is expected to attend the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, where Russia’s Lavrov might attend.
EU
A relatively quiet week for Europe, with final PMIs and unemployment the only notable highlights. Even the surveys are unlikely to be subject to much of a revision. Inflation in July hit another record high which will keep the pressure up on the ECB to hike by 50 basis points in September.
The focus next week will be on the evolving situation around Nord Stream 1 and the inability of Europe to fill stores ahead of the winter. Now running at 20%, what are the chances of the final turbine running into issues and going offline?
UK
A 50 basis point rate hike is quite heavily priced in for next Thursday but it’s far from a certainty. The MPC has been very reluctant to hike too aggressively, preferring 25 at each meeting so far this year. A recession is coming to the UK later this year and policymakers may be mindful of the fact that too many hikes will just deepen the slump.
Considering the size of the energy price cap increase facing households in October, policymakers may be right to be cautious despite inflation peaking above 11% as households will have no choice but to rein in spending as the cost of living crisis hits budgets. Final PMIs also in focus as the economy slows.
Russia
Services and manufacturing PMIs are the only notable releases next week. The rouble has seen some relief over the last couple of weeks but remains more than 15% above its pre-invasion level against the dollar meaning further rate cuts are likely in the pipeline. This could come in between meetings if the CBR determines it necessary.
Turkey
Monitoring Turkish inflation data is purely an academic exercise at this point as it has no impact whatsoever on the policy decisions of the CBRT. Still, it’s expected to surpass 80% next week when the July data is released. If nothing else, it certainly puts everyone else’s inflation problems into perspective.
Switzerland
Inflation data next week is expected to accelerate to 3.6% for July, raising the odds of a rate hike from the SNB in September if it waits that long. A 50 basis point increase is largely priced in but it may move further. Either way, it will soon become the latest central bank to end years of negative interest rates.
China
China releases manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs on Sunday, and the Caixin manufacturing PMI on Monday. Weak numbers could see local equities drop at the open on Monday after negative comments around the economy this past Friday.
Evergrande (OTC:EGRNY) faces a deadline of this Sunday to agree on a debt restructuring with offshore bondholders. Failure could weigh on Hong Kong markets in particular.
Caixin services PMI could generate short-term volatility on Thursday.
India
India’s trade balance on Tuesday is likely to remain deeply negative at $26.0 billion, keeping the pressure up on the INR as soaring inflation globally blows out its import bills. It is continuing to suffer stock outflows from international investors, which is also INR negative.
The RBI releases its latest interest rate decision on Friday. Markets are looking for a 50 basis point increase to 5.40%. The RBI has been hawkish in tone of late, but if they blink and hold or only move 0.25%, we may see some very heavy pressure on the INR once again, although that could be a short-term positive for local equities. That situation could be exacerbated if the US payrolls are strong, and the “softer Fed” trade sees some unwinding.
Australia
The Australian dollar remains at the mercy of international investor sentiment flows which have been positive for the past week. It could drop suddenly if investor sentiment swings south. Having said that, it has staged a major bullish technical breakout. For now, gains are being limited by AUD/JPY selling as USD/JPY collapses.
Australia has a big data week with ANZ job ads, retail sales, and the balance of trade which could bring some intraday volatility. The week’s highlight is the RBA rate decision on Tuesday with markets expecting another 50 basis point hike. Less could be positive for local equities. A 50 basis point hike could boost AUD/USD short-term, although it remains at the mercy of global investor sentiment swings.
New Zealand
New Zealand releases employment and labor cost data on Wednesday which has upside risk. Firm data will raise RBNZ hiking expectations, a potential headwind for local equities and short-term boost for the NZD.
The New Zealand dollar remains at the mercy of international investor sentiment flows but has made a substantial topside technical breakout. The rally is being tempered by NZD/JPY selling due to the USD/JPY collapse. If that slows, the NZD/USD rally could resume.
Japan
Japan releases Jibun Bank manufacturing and services PMIs this week, and household spending. It should generate only short-term volatility as markets focus on the US non-farms, and also the US/Japan rate differential following the USD/JPY collapse.
USD/JPY has collapsed in the past week as a less hawkish FOMC and soft US data saw US yields tumble. That has seen USD/JPY fall 500 points over two sessions as the very crowded long USD/JPY trade capitulated.
Singapore
Another set of firm data from Singapore the past week has eyes firmly on retail sales on Thursday. Firmer numbers again will likely cement another tightening of monetary policy by the MAS in October, following its recent unscheduled move.