Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Aug 07, 2017)

The economy added 209K jobs during the month versus the estimated 187K gain while the June reading enjoyed an upgrade to 231K. Average hourly earnings came in line with expectations of a 0.3% uptick while the jobless rate dipped to 4.3% as expected. Only the Fed labor market conditions index is due today, along with a speech by dovish FOMC member Kashkari.

EUR

The euro returned some of its gains to its peers on profit-taking at the end of the week. Data from the euro zone was actually better than expected as German factory orders surged 1.0% versus the projected 0.6% increase while Italian retail sales printed a higher than expected 0.6% increase. German industrial production data and the region's Sentix investor confidence index are lined up next.

GBP

The pound held its ground against some of its rivals at the end of the week as traders booked profits off their post-BOE short positions. There were no major reports out of the UK economy on Friday and today has the Halifax HPI lined up. Analysts are expecting to see a 0.3% rebound in house prices. 

CHF

The franc had a mixed run as it mostly reacted to currency-specific factors. There were no reports out of the Swiss economy on Friday while today has the SNB foreign currency reserves data due. An increase from the earlier 693B CHF reading could be evidence of central bank intervention. The CPI is also lined up and a 0.3% drop in price levels is eyed.

JPY

The yen gave up some ground to its peers when US bond yields ticked higher after the NFP release. Data from Japan was also weaker than expected then as average cash earnings fell 0.4% versus the estimated 0.5% gain. Leading indicators data is due next and an improvement from 104.6% to 106.2% is expected.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls returned some of their recent gains to the dollar on Friday. Canada reported a 10.9K gain in hiring versus the projected 13.1K increase and the earlier 45.3K jump. Their unemployment rate fell from 6.5% to 6.3% on weaker labor force participation while the trade balance also disappointed. The Ivey PMI, on the other hand, printed a smaller dip from 61.6 to 60.0 versus the projected 59.2 reading.

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way