Forex Major Currencies Outlook (July 31, 2017)

The advanced reading for Q2 showed a 2.6% growth figure versus the projected 2.5% expansion. However, the price index and employment cost index both came short of estimates. Chicago PMI and pending home sales are due today.

EUR

Euro zone data turned out mixed on Friday as German and French preliminary CPI beat expectations while French consumer spending fell short. Euro zone flash CPI readings are due today, with the headline figure projected to hold steady at 1.3% and the core reading projected to stay unchanged at 1.1%. German retail sales is also due and a meager 0.1% uptick is eyed.

GBP

There were no reports released out of the UK economy on Friday. Only the net lending to individuals and mortgage approvals data are lined up today so there might not be much volatility for pound pairs unless traders start pricing in expectations for the BOE decision later in the week.

CHF

Switzerland printed stronger than expected economic data on Friday, with the KOF economic barometer up from 105.8 to 106.8 versus the projected 105.9 reading. There are no major reports due from the Swiss economy today so the franc could move according to market sentiment or SNB intervention threats.

JPY

Japanese reports turned out mostly stronger than expected on Friday, except for the retail sales reading which came in at 2.1% versus 2.3%. Household spending jumped 2.3% year-over-year versus the estimated 0.6% uptick while the Tokyo core CPI showed a 0.2% gain versus the estimated 0.1% increase. Earlier today, the preliminary industrial production report showed a 1.6% rebound as expected.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

Canada's monthly GDP reading showed 0.6% growth, stronger than the projected 0.2% uptick. Over the weekend, New Zealand reported a 1.0% drop in building consents. China's official manufacturing PMI dipped from 51.7 to 51.4 while the non-manufacturing component fell from 54.9 to 54.5. New Zealand reported a dip in ANZ business confidence from 24.8 to 19.4.

By Kate Curtis from  Trader's Way