Strong U.S. Retail Sales Growth Buoys Dollar
June 14 2019 - 5:33AM
RTTF2
The U.S. dollar was notably higher against its major opponents
in the European session on Friday, as a data showed that nation's
retail sales growth improved in May, reducing some of fears about a
slowdown in economic growth.
Data from the Commerce Department showed that retail sales
climbed by 0.5 percent in May after rising by an upwardly revised
0.3 percent in April.
Economists had expected retail sales to increase by 0.6 percent
compared to the 0.2 percent drop originally reported for the
previous month.
Excluding a rebound in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers,
retail sales still rose by 0.5 percent in May, matching the
upwardly revised increase in April.
Ex-auto sales had been expected to rise by 0.3 percent compared
to the 0.1 percent uptick originally reported for the previous
month.
Investors await a two-day policy meeting by the Federal Reserve
next week, which warp up with a decision on Wednesday.
The press conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell is likely to
grab attention for clues about rate cut amid slowing global growth
due to rising trade tensions with China.
The currency was steady against its major counterparts in the
Asian session.
The greenback advanced to 1.2624 against the pound, its biggest
since June 3. The greenback may test resistance around the 1.24
level, if it rises again.
The greenback that ended Thursday's trading at 1.1276 against
the euro spiked up to an 8-day high of 1.1240. The currency is seen
finding resistance around the 1.10 region.
Data from Destatis showed that Germany's wholesale price
inflation slowed in May after accelerating in April.
Wholesale prices advanced 1.6 percent year-on-year in May,
slower than the April's 2.1 percent increase. Having dropped to a
session's low of 108.16 against the yen at 3:30 am ET, the
greenback reversed direction and rose to 108.45. The greenback is
poised to find resistance around the 111.00 region.
Final data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
showed that Japan's industrial production grew moderately in April,
as initially estimated.
Industrial production rose 0.6 percent month-on-month in April,
in line with estimate, reversing a 0.6 percent fall in March.
The U.S. currency firmed to an 11-day high of 0.9979 against the
franc, up from Thursday's closing value of 0.9938. The greenback is
likely to find resistance around the 1.01 region.
The greenback appreciated to a 2-week high of 0.6513 against the
kiwi and a 3-week high of 0.6884 against the aussie, compared to
yesterday's closing values of 0.6567 and 0.6915, respectively. On
the upside, 0.64 and 0.67 are likely seen as the next resistance
levels for the greenback against the kiwi and the aussie,
respectively.
The American unit reached as high as 1.3355 against the loonie,
setting a weekly high. At yesterday's close, the pair was worth
1.3326. Should the greenback rises further, 1.35 is likely seen as
its next resistance level.
The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment
index for June is set for release shortly.
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