Dollar Mixed After U.S. Retail Sales Data
January 15 2021 - 4:42AM
RTTF2
The U.S. dollar showed mixed trading against its major
counterparts in the European session on Friday, after a data showed
that the nation's retail sales continued to decline in
December.
Data from the Commerce Department showed that retail sales fell
by 0.7 percent in December after tumbling by a revised 1.4 percent
in November.
Economists had expected retail sales to come in unchanged
compared to the 1.1 percent slump originally reported for the
previous month.
Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales
plunged by 1.4 percent in December after sliding by 1.3 percent in
November.
Ex-auto sales were expected to edge down by 0.1 percent compared
to the 0.9 percent decrease originally reported for the previous
month.
Data from the Labor Department showed that U.S. producer prices
increased slightly less than expected in the month of December.
The Labor Department said its producer price index for final
demand rose by 0.3 percent in December after inching up by 0.1
percent in November. Economists had expected producer prices to
rise by 0.4 percent.
Excluding food and energy prices, core producer prices crept up
by 0.1 percent in December, matching the uptick seen in the
previous month. Core prices were expected to edge up by 0.2
percent.
Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that
activity in the New York manufacturing sector unexpectedly grew at
a slower pace in the month of January.
The New York Fed said its general business conditions index
slipped to 3.5 in January from 4.9 in December, although a positive
reading still indicates growth in regional manufacturing activity.
Economist had expected the index to inch up to 6.0.
On stimulus front, U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has unveiled a
$1.9 trillion aid package to combat the economic crisis triggered
by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The plan includes $1 trillion in aid to families, $350 billion
for state and local governments and $160 billion to expand
vaccination and testing efforts, and other health programs.
Biden proposed $1,400 in direct payments, which, along with the
$600 provided in the most recent COVID-19 bill would take the aid
to $2,000 per person.
Supplemental unemployment benefits would be raised to $400 a
week from $300 a week and will run through September.
The greenback climbed during the Asian session, as worries about
rising U.S.-China tensions offset investor optimism over Biden's
coronavirus rescue plan to boost the world's largest economy.
The greenback advanced to a 3-day high of 1.3594 against the
pound from Thursday's close of 1.3685. If the greenback strengthens
further, it is likely to test resistance around the 1.34 level.
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the UK
economy contracted less than expected in November despite a second
nationwide lockdown.
The gross domestic product shrank 2.6 percent on month in
November but slower than the 5.7 percent fall economists' had
forecast. The decline reversed a 0.6 percent rise posted in
October.
The greenback approached 1.2106 against the euro, its strongest
level since December 11. The greenback is poised to challenge
resistance around the 1.18 mark.
Data from Eurostat showed that Eurozone exports increased for
the seventh straight month in November.
Exports grew 2 percent on month and imports climbed 2.4 percent
from October. However, compared to the month before restrictions
were imposed in February, both flows were still down by 4.4 percent
and 4.8 percent, respectively.
The greenback was steady against the franc, after easing off to
0.8869 at 5:15 am ET. At yesterday's trading close, the pair was
valued at 0.8879.
The greenback rebounded slightly to 103.80 against the yen, from
a low of 103.62 seen at 5:30 am ET. The greenback is seen finding
resistance around the 106.00 mark.
The U.S. business inventories data for November and University
of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index for January will
be released at 10:00 am ET.
US Dollar vs CHF (FX:USDCHF)
Forex Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
US Dollar vs CHF (FX:USDCHF)
Forex Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024