Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Nov 6, 2017)

Employment rose by 261K in October versus the estimated 312K gain, but the earlier figure was upgraded from -33K to +18K. The unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 4.1% while the ISM non-manufacturing PMI improved to 60.1. There are no major reports due from the US today but FOMC member Dudley has a speech lined up.

EUR

The euro gave back most of its recent gains as traders likely booked profits during the market holidays. German factory orders data is due next and a 1.0% decline is eyed, following the earlier 3.6% increase. The Sentix investor confidence index is also lined up and an improvement from 29.7 to 31.2 is expected.

GBP

The pound was in recovery mode on Friday when the services PMI beat expectations. The reading rose from 53.6 to 55.6 versus the consensus at 53.3. BOE Governor Carney's remarks on how Brexit could limit the central bank's ability to cut rates also kept the currency supported. There are no major reports due from the UK economy today.

CHF

The franc had a mixed run as the lack of top-tier data from Switzerland left the currency sensitive to country-specific events and market sentiment. Swiss CPI is due today and analysts are expecting to see a 0.1% uptick in price levels, following the earlier 0.2% gain.

JPY

The yen also had a mixed run as it reacted mostly to currency-specific factors. Japanese banks were closed on Friday for the holiday and there are no major reports due from Japan today. This signals that the currency could take its cue from sentiment and its counterparts once more.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The Aussie was one of the weakest performers at the end of the week as it continued sliding against most of its peers. Australian retail sales came in flat instead of posting the estimated 0.4% uptick. In Canada, employment rose by 35.3K versus the estimated 15.3K increase and earlier 10K gain. New Zealand's quarterly inflation expectations fell from 2.1% to 2.0% and Canada's Ivey PMI is due next.

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way